Neighbor Asked Me If I Am Pregnant-and I Am Not!!

After giving birth to my 6th child I was getting the two girls in bed and they were giggling and so happy and I asked why and they said I was going to have another baby, they could tell. Well, I had a little baby and hadn't lost all the weight but went on to have two more children and still haven't lost all of it but I think it takes time and patience and you don't sound like you should look heavy anywhere, but maybe walking would help. One of my daughters walks and says it really helps the stomach area. She looks great and so I am going to start walking.....some day. :-( Somebody needs to push me out the door though.

I just wear looser shirts. ;)

If you are active on FB, search "be my diet buddy" and ask to join. Its a great online support group for women of all sizes who all share the same journey of weight loss. I hope you find something that works for you!

I was told by a personal trainer that it's hard to spot reduce...you really have to lose weight all over. However, it sounds like you could tighten your belly muscles and that might help. My latest exercise instructor at my health club who has washboard abs said that she doesn't do cruches, she gets on her hands and knees and brings each knee up to her chest repeatedly, then does the same thing bringing the knee up around the side (still while on hands and knees.) She said this really works the abs.

Also kick boxing is good for abs if you tuck your pelvis under while doing it.

I think, from personal experience of having 2 kids, that the abdominal muscles in the stomach get pretty loose or just weak after pregnancies. I'm thin, work out a lot, and my stomach isn't what it was pre kids. But I also don't do much to help that area of my body. If I did, I think it would be better. I especially noticed this after my second child. I never had to focus much on my stomach area before kids. I have heard that holding your stomach in while sitting, like when you're driving a car, can help to strengthen those muscles. I even think they make a band that you wear around your torso that's supposed to help strengthen that area. Then, there's always crunches, push-ups, leg lifts...strengthening exercises that can help. But, none of that will really make a noticeable difference without a good diet. Eat healthy and monitor your calorie intake, losing excess fat in conjunction with exercises will get you results. Try a calorie tracker like Livestrong My Plate, just to get an idea of what your calorie intake should be and what you're taking in. It was a little eye opening for me when I first started using it. And, at 5'7" 140 lbs, your BMI is 21 which is completely in the healthy range, so I doubt your belly is as big as you think it is. But, good for you for trying to make some healthy changes!

Oh it is so tough to hear that. I heard that for a long time because I have always had a stomach. Short of getting it chopped off, just ignore it, because it is a celebration of joy of being a mother. Or you can do a million sit ups. Or whatever. Just enjoy being a mom.

Hi S.
1200 net calories a day with exercise
drink plenty of h20
no less than 75 gm of protein a day
And the biggest thing to shrink inches- limit your starch servings to one a day- it will melt.
Don't give up - you can wear that bikini again

About me: 51yo perfusionist, wellness coach, mom with almost 11 yo fraternal twin girls

BrendaJ

Granted my second isnt as old as yours (mine is 6 months) but I feel for you. I am naturally very thin - I am breastfeeding still and due to that I am losing a lot of weight as I did with my first so currently I am 5ft 6in and weigh 113lbs but I am usually about 120lbs. Anyway I have a pooch that just wont seem to go away and because I am losing so much weighht so fast with the bfing I am scared to work out and chance burning anymore calories than I already do. I am def. not complaining about the fact that I am 'skinny' but I think because I am such a thin build that the tummy pooch stands out even more. FWIW I would have had to eat my own tongue to keep myself from chewing anyone a new one who asks me if Im currently pregnant - what a stupid and incredibly rude question. Im sorry they made you feel bad about yourself
I asked a question on here about working out your tummy and just your tummy and I received some really good advice http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/14864900611165585409

Sorry if that was embarrassing, but nobody asks 60 year-olds if they are pregnant! Enjoy being young. :)

You mention you could do better at eating and exercise. Those two things are key. We had four babies in a row, and very strict healthy eating and regular, scheduled exercise. I always went back to my weight and didn't gain any around the middle. 5'8' and 129. The nursing (I aim for over a year with each kid) just seemed to take all the weight off, too. I'm kind of afraid to wean #4! He'll be 17 months and so far so good. Have fun with the exercise! Maybe involve the kids. The sky is the limit.

How sad! Im sure that made you feel just awful.. :( but like you said the rest of you being skinny and having a belly makes sense that some people would think that you were pregnant. Lately around my area alot of women are talking about/ using these things they call wraps, its a wrap that you wrap around your belly and is suppose to significantly help you loose your belly fat. Im not sure if you have heard of these or not but if you want more info im sure I could find it for you. Or maybe you could google it? Hope this may have helped. Dont beat yourself up too much!
You got two beautiful babies from havin that belly fat! :)

oh honey, I was totally there and I feel for you. I had four of my closest friends all ask me within the same month if I was pregnant!!!!! (not just casual acquaintances, these were my good friends!!) And I had just weaned too, but kept eating like I was nursing!! Yeah.

I did a juice fast-- apple juice for 3 days. applesauce, apples, apple juice and lots of water. you have to be sure to drink a whole glass every hour of water or juice, so you don't get dehydrated. not only did it clean out some pounds, it kind of reset my appetite so I didn't crave as much food. Also, I just cut back on portions. I still eat everything I want to eat, I just put less on my plate, and told myself it is ok to throw away my kids food that they leave, instead of finishing it off.

Have you ever tried myitworks wraps? They have worked for me. You can pm me if you would like more info on them.

Check out Sparkpeople.com best free weightloss and exercise education website I have ever joined. lost 55# in a year.