How do I get rid of mummy tummy? Post Reply

[chattymum]

I had my gorgeous son 8 months ago now by emergency c-section and despite quite a lot of effort I can't get rid of my big tummy !

I breastfed for 6 months but since then I haven't eaten carbs and I've been doing abs workouts/cardio too but still it doesn't seem to be going.

I used to be a size 8/10 but am now a big size 12 .

Does anyone have any advice on what I should be cutting out of diet? How long did it take for any other mums to get rid of the tummy? Would be good to hear from you other yummy mummies as its really getting me down.

Any tips/ words of encouragement gratefully received .

p.s. please no kettle bell advertising in response .

[kiwimummy]

Ha, I was just about to write "be prepared for the kettlebells" when i read the last line of your post.

On a more serious note, having a 4 month old, I'm also interested in responses to this thread. Mine just isn't disappearing!

[SFMC]

Just writing to say I'm in the same boat, only it's been 9 months since my emergency C-section! I use to be very slim and now can't shift these extra inches (on tummy AND my bum!) and extra baby weight. Though saying that I've been very bad at working out consistently and eating well (who has the extra time?!?!?). While I don't expect to have my pre baby body back I'd like to be able to fit into at least SOME of my old clothes when I go back to work!

I have to say though my sister is at her slimmest after two babies but she is now a hardcore marathon runner and works out A LOT... is that what it takes?!?

[Bailey]

I have a 16 month old and I am back to my pre pregnancy 70kg. However I have a ponch and muffin top which I am finding very hard to shift. I work out three times a week, hard cardio. I have been told it all comes down to diet on the mid section front. I eat pretty well all day until 5 pm when my little darling is about to have dinner and I find myself really hungry so I graze...so I am starting to create snacks..grilled veggies, humous and pita, oatcakes with almond/peanut butter (all things recommended to me by a nutrionist) and drink a s**t load of water! We will see if this works?! She also said cheese is the enemy and I should only eat it 3 times a week...she was harsh but truthful. Good luck!

[Raspberry-Sorbet]

I have just lost mine 11 months on thanks to Pilates using the reformers rather than mat work. I started Pilates on the machines to help my bad back. I couldn't even do mat work as my back was so sore but the machines support your weight and I think give an even better work out.

I went to Trevor Blount in South Kensington after my elder daughter and now I go to PePilates just off Clapham Park Road / end of Abbeville Road. It's a great studio at the top of a mews house, brand new, light and airy plus great instructors. (like to add this is a genuine recommendation! I found them through a google search as South Kensington was a bit of a trek)

I can't begin to explain the Pilates principals well but it all seems to be to do with the exhale and the inhale when breathing. If the method is followed correctly then the deep abdominal muscles get worked and literally 'suck' you in re finding the waist line!

I was quite pleased that I started Pilates to fix my bad back and ended up with a 6 pack!! Not quite but close! Once a week seems to be enough then I remember to breathe pilates style while pushing the buggy. (I don't do any other exercise)

http://www.pepilates.co.uk/ This is the web link and you can see what the machines look like.

[chattymum]

So glad its not just me who is finding it hard ! I think now its summer I am starting to worry about it more. Also with loads of weddings etc coming up I've been trying on dresses and changing room mirrors are enough to lead me to a minor meltdown!
I've been doing Tracey Anderson post pregnancy work out dvd and literally can see no difference. I can really feel the abs workout so you'd think it'd be working but I've still got rolly polly belly that is all dimpled and so ugly .

I also find the time between giving my baby dinner and waiting for my other half to be back from work for us to have dinner the hardest; so tempting to snack.

Think I may need to make more time for a pilates class or similar but quite frankly when my partner comes in in the evening and baby is in bed the last thing I feel like doing is going to the gym !

Just seen photos of Dannii Minogue in a tight bodycon dress in today's paper; she had baby same time as me - soooo not fair ! lol

[philippa]

Hey guys, don't be too hard on yourselves! Your body has just been through the most amazing process, and it will take time to heal. It takes 9 months to make a baby.... allow time for the body to get back!

See my post re Jenni Russels class: this helped my muffin-top and had some other benefits that all women should be aware of: New class starting early May, I think.
http://www.nappyvalleynet.com/pelvic-fl ... t6331.html

[Groucho]

I would say a great way to sort out the mid section is to try a ashtanga yoga dvd with lots of downward dog. You can do it at home once a day so not much motivation needed. try to stick to a 1500 cal a day too for a few weeks whilst doing it.

I used penny smiths dvd and it was really relaxing as well as hard core on the upper arms and mid section. It was easy to remember the moves as they are so slow and I ended blaring out a bit of zero seven and doing it in my garden on sunny days or kitchen.

[ckwmum]

My stomach muscles were so messed up after pregnancy and c-section that I trapped a nerve in my spine in January, which was incredibly painful and not what you need when you have a 7 month old who needs to be carried...

Anyway, I used my mum's pilates teacher who is absolutely great and she helped me so much to strengthen up my abs. She came to my house for one-on-one sessions for £30 a go, which is a total bargain, and she was always suggesting I bring a friend along too so she's open to working with more than one person. Best of all, she was more than happy to look after my son while I was doing the exercises, and as she's had 2 kids of her own, she knows how to keep them happy.

She's also lots of fun and we'd spend the hour nattering about The Wire or something similar, so it doesn't feel like a chore at all. Quite the opposite in fact!

I honestly can't recommend her highly enough and she'd be only too happy to help anyone else tone up post baby. She's had to do it herself twice and just looking at her abs is inspiration enough!

If anyone wants to give her a go, her name is Susan Lewis and you can get in touch at susan@bammuk.com or on 07956982646.

[newmama]

I also recommend Pilates. After my c-section I lost the weight but my tummy was all jingly and soft.

I then suffered a lot of back pain and was going to the physio and an osteopath. A couple of months ago I started doing the Reformer Pilates at Pepilates in clapham park (they offer a private session for your first visit for only £20). It's made such a difference. My back isn't hurting as much, plus my stomach is finally going down. And I'm slimming in other areas too which is a bonus.

[Mum in Earlsfield]

I would high recommend pilates with http://www.baby-a-wake.co.uk/. They specialise in post natal mums. After having my second child I was struggling to lose those last couple of inches around my waist but Jane's classes did the trick in only a few weeks.

I always thought that Pilates was slow, boring and didn't do anything but these classes really make you sweat!

Alice
x

[Scorpio 72]

i hate to say it, but British Military Fitness is the best solution. i have to gear myself up for it but even just once a week keeps the flab at bay and you really see / feel a difference when you start to go on a regular basis. They do lots of classes at different times, so i usually manage just one a week - which does the job. however, i do believe that baby flab is 9 months on, 9 months off. it will go, but keep at it. xx

[Charleyvarley]

I too was in the same boat with my first and second baby and I cannot recommend Sue Lewis' classes enough, they take place at St Mary's Church Hall, Wimbledon Village, her website is www.suelewisantenatal.co.uk
My youngest son is now 10 months old and I am very happy with the shape of my body having been a Sue Lewis regular since he was just 1 week old. Sue's classes are very personalised, ensuring that you really look after your body in its recovery post child birth.

[NoMoreExcuses]

Hello All, I can really help with this topic area but I also am very happy to abide by the rules & not post any commerical messages!

Annabel kindly mentioned me in her post Lose Your Mummy Tummy, So, I'll just say, if you'd like to, please get in touch & I'll tell you more...

[WV Pilates]

It is not good to get rid of the carbs in your diet as your body runs on it.
Protein is used to build your muscles, repair tissue, for hair, nails, skin etc and protein your body does not use - will turn into fat (same with access of carbs). Think that one gram of carbs has 4kcal as much as protein (fat has 9kcal).

You CAN get rid of the tummy by doing workout and food restriction.
One without the other will make results slower, much slower and often will deplete your energy that you need.

Pilates is always a good idea (and I am an instructor with slim-down classes) but anything you do will help..weather it is a fast walk, jog (cheep and cheerful:) or yoga and dare I say the K word:)?

Good luck!