best way to a firm tummy?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2004
best way to a firm tummy?
7
Sat, 04-22-2006 - 3:58pm
OK - my baby is almost one and I'm 2 lbs away to my pre-pregnancy weight. I can almost fit into all my pre-baby clothes. But I'm certain that my waist and legs are actually smaller than before, but my tummy is bigger. No matter waht I do, I just can't loose the fat there! Any suggestions what I should do?
Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 04-23-2006 - 11:40am

Welcome to the board!


Congrats on your successful weight loss- your question is one that crops up again and again. Let me see if I can find a link for some of our answers:


Here's an article we had posted last month:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbfitthirty/?msg=10693.1


Best AB moves (from Shape):
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fbfitthirty&msg=10118.1&ctx=128


Right now I can't find any others...


Here are some things to keep in mind



  • Cardio workouts
  • Water, drinking enough
  • Hula Hoops & Exercise Balls ;-)

~IslandGirl


Success is 10% talent and 90% heart!

_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Sun, 04-23-2006 - 12:31pm

What are your stretch marks like? You can tone up everything underneath, be 0 fat tight muscle......... But if that skin is streched out like the elastic Uncle Hefty's Buffet pants. It is not going ot snap back. And a year is not a lot of time for your skin to regain elasticity.

That large tummy may very well have NOTHING to do with whether or not you are doing the right exercise. But everything to do with the skin having to heal and become elastic again. So give yourself some slack and take pride in what you have accomplished. Most of all that little one. Soon your babe will be talking back, enjoy while you can
theresa

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2004
Sun, 04-23-2006 - 2:19pm

Hey-
Thanks for the advise.
I try to do cardio 2 or 3 times a week depending on my schedule during the week and a little bit weight training as well. I'd push the stroller around the neighborhood when the weather is nice. The good news for me is that I don't have stretch mark, the bad news is I never had a flat belly. :( But again I never really exercise. I'm within the normal weight range, right now in bewteen size 8 and 6. I can honestly say that I'm in better shape and more energy than 5, 10 years ago. I got Winsor pilate on DVD, I'm going to try and see if they help.

PK-

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Sun, 04-23-2006 - 3:08pm

All I can say is you are luckier than me. I have marks from hip to hip and belly button to hair line. They were purple for 4 years. My daughter is 15 and the marks are still very noticable. I want a tummy tuck, but not until I get rid of the fat, that part I can control. Couldn't believe they wouldn't throw one in with a C-section...... so I stuck with natural birth.

Good luck. you can do this.

theresa

Avatar for lovmy2kids
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-23-2006 - 5:46pm

I am right there with ya.... My youngest is 8 and this skin is never going back to normal again.. The stretch marks are my battle wounds and I will carry them forever.... and yes they are very noticable and are everywhere! Hey at least I can blame it on someone else.

Darcy

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 12:24pm

Hey Darcy - that's a good one!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Tue, 04-25-2006 - 6:35pm

hi, and congrats on losing 99% of all your preg weight. :) great job.


"the bad news is I never had a flat belly."


A couple of things to remember also. You can't spot check. Meaning you can't lose weight in just one area. If you're already doing sit-ups and all those tummy things, another thing to remember is.........GENETICS. Some people can never have flat tummies, cuz their genes just won't allow it. Or a 6-pack (for the men).


I would say, give it some time, as others have suggested. You said you're doing Winsor pilates, I'm assuming that also includes working out the stomach and the whole area in general. If not, work on your abs. Do ab workouts. Since you do cardio 2-3 times a week, if the skin is okay, and it is fat, you'll have to lose fat over you're entire body to remove the stomach. Which may or may not be possible.


And lastly, there are many women with the pooch from pregnancy. It MAY be something you'll have to live with (or have surgically removed). I know my butt skinny cousin has one, cuz of her son, but otherwise, she's a stick. (although i did tell her the beer doesn't help it lol)


good luck and remember, you've already beat the biggest battle. and that's getting back into an exercise regime and sticking to it AFTER you have the baby. heck, i dont' even have a kid and I can't stick to it. lol