Since Lucas was 2 weeks old I have been working out. I have been working with a personal trainer 2x a week for the past 7 months and have lost 30 lbs (I gained 75 with my DD, lost all but 10 and 60 with my son, and have lost all that!) I still need to lose the last 10 that I put on with my DD....but its not budging! I eat the right calories, do cardio 3-4 times a week, and weights 2-3 times. I am toned everywhere except my belly. My stomach got so stretched out from both pregnancies (I was a size 2/4 before having babies, now I'm a 6) and I am wondering how long I have to wait for it to shrink back! Any other fit mommies out there having this problem?
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! I know that my body will never be what it used to be, but I was really hoping to get it close! I will just give myself more time and up my cardio, and try some pilates videos at home! Thanks!
I guess doing crunches works...after 2 pregnancies my belly looks like I'm 4 months pregnant if I don't suck it in :))
Good for you for working so hard. I lost a significant amount of weight after our last baby and completely understand your frustations. My body got to a certain point and just liked being that weight. I'm avid with weight training and cardio and proper eating as well. Because of this, I looked a good 20 lbs lighter than I actually was. (I'm currently pregnant again, so I'm on the gaining path right now.)
My suggestion would be to either cut out a little extra calories a day - maybe 100 calories and then add a couple extra cardio workouts in. Like twice weekly do two workouts a day. I know this is hard with having children. You need to trick your body and move out of your set point.
Remember though - since you're breastfeeding, it's possible that your body needs to hang on to those extra 10 lbs for a little longer. I wouldn't let yourself get hungry, just eat lean proteins with complex carbs. I'm also avid about breastfeeding and know that when losing weight with a baby you need to especially watch your nutrition and make sure baby is getting enough. I never let myself get hungry when losing weight while nursing. Give yourself some more time. You'll lose it.
Hi Abbey,
If you can handle an intense work out that you can do anytime and anywhere, check out crossfit.com. It costs $25 a year tho, they even have a program for kids!!!
The other thing I just did last night was bought a weight loss AP on my iPhone. It has different areas of the body you can focus on including the stomach and also one specifically for women. I was doing some of them last night and the kids had fun doing them too. The AP was only a one time charge of $2.99.
HI Abbey
After having twins at 41 yo-- yep. I had it!! I gave myself 2 years-- still left with my kangaroo pouch. Then my friends had me use some stuff-- I already did the protein shakes and all so I didn't believe them yet promised I would do it if I didn't get back by the time my girls were 2.
Well -- I can sport a bikini once again. Flat stomach.
If you want to know more about it-- as apparently you're not supposed to use this avenue that way-- email me at ____@____.com and put momsource in the subject line too. If nothing else, I can do a profile on you to help you tackle this more for your own personal makeup-- we do that all the time. If you live in the twin cites metro and would run over to my house-- I can even do a scan- -free too.
keep at it-- you'll do it.
About me: 49 yo perfusionist, wellness coach , wife and mom to 8 yo twin girls.
B. J
Pilates! I am a enthusiastic fan of Windsor Pilates!
I wish I had a magic pill or exercise that would get you back to full pre pregancy weight and tone but that isn't going to happen. Pregnancy stretches muscles that don't go back into shape afterwards. I too worked out and was toned except in my tummy, you could speak with your OB but he/she will probably tell you that it could be impossible w/o surgery.
Everyone's different, but it took me 13 months to lose my baby weight, and I only gained 27 lbs. When my daughter started running around, and I never got to finish a meal, that helped :) Also, I can't say enough about Pilates!! I did Pilates twice a week for a year with a teacher that worked us really hard, and my abs/tummy got back in excellent bikini shape (and I was 42 at the time!).
I know this may sound discouraging, but it is good news, too. Your body is not into cooperating with you on this right now. I have been through this frustration after nearly EVERY one of my 10 pregnancies, only to find that at some point my body just decided it was ready now to let the last go. I will tell you it was never as early as 7 months. Your body is focused on taking care of that baby and of you right now. That means keeping some back-up in case either of you were to run short of food. I can't say exactly what turns the magic switch, but it seems that the one-year mark, the end of breastfeeding, or just the season (SPRING!) were involved. I'm glad for your post, though, because I got some very good advice for dealing with the last bit of tummy from this last one. The weight-loss your body may do naturally. But the toning is all up to you! AGHHHHH!
I can't even lose the first 10 pounds! So congratulations to you on your accomplishments!
Hate to say it, but after multiple kids the stomach is never going to be exactly how it was pre-kids. I have lost 30 lbs in the last 8 months (cardio and strength training 5-6 days per week) and I'm happy w/ my body now and I've over-reached my goal, but my belly is still saggy. I gained lots of weight w/ each of my 3 kids so I guess after stretching that far out 3 times it's just not going to shrink all the way. I've heard that you can do 1000 crunches a day and still not be satisfied w/ your post-baby belly.:( To lose those last 10 lbs, I recommend upping your cardio to 5-6 days a week, that's what worked for me. Good luck!
