Re: What Can I Do for This Ugly Belly Flab I Have Going On

Hi P.,
I'm a mommy of 4 (4 c-sections)with my youngest being just 8 mos old. I've been working on getting rid of my tummy and it's going down slowly but surely. After researching post pregnancy exercise, I came upon a book called Lose your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tupler. When I did her technique (special exercises for your abdomen), I saw results very quickly like within 1-2 weeks.With power walking and her technique I'm down to 115 lbs. from 168 lbs. at delivery (still have a few to go to get to pre preg weight!).Google her and/or the book and you'll find lots of info. I got it from the library. Hold off on doing crunches, sit ups and pilates until you get her info. If you have what is called an abdominal diastasis(basically a separation of the muscles in the abdomen which makes you look pregnant after the baby), those exercises could make it worse. Try it, it really works. I'm still doing them and I'm seeing definition.

Hi P.,

here is a link to an article from Parenting Magazine that addresses exactly what you (and many of us) are concerned about: The flap :-)
http://www.parenting.com/article/Pregnancy/Activities/way...

Try pilates or core exercises. They've really helped me. I probably won't ever wear a bikini again, but the results are definitely noticable. My daughter is 5 1/2 and had this problem also until I started core exercises about 3 months ago. I notice improvements every day.

Check out the amount of sodium that you have in your diet. If your are drinking soda pop cut it out. This can be a major contributor. Also increase your water intake, it helps to flush the sodium out of your system. The sodium makes you retain water and bloat. Stay away from caffeine and sugar--especially during that time of the month. The ab work is great, but cardio is critical. If there is actual fat, you need to burn it off. That will only come from cardio. I hope this helps. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions. I teach a Jazzercise class in Burlington, have done so for 11 years. I used to do private personal training before my 4 year old came along.

Tow words..

CRUNCHLESS ABS

It works like majic, but you have to stay with it. Start about 3 times per week, then go up from there. You'll see a difference. It's a video sold at walmart, target, any video store, etc.. I have 4 kids as well, my youngest is 3, and I'm 34. I've worn a bikini last summer and still have that 6 pack. AWESOME STUFF here. Give it a try, and a chance. STICK WITH IT !!!!!!!

Pilates is great for toning. It is also great because it is low impact and doesn't leave you sore. You will feel a difference, but not like that of aerobics. I am 40, 5'9", 161 lbs, and know what you mean about not being overweight but have "the belly". My girls, 20 & 21, even noticed a difference.
Good Luck,
S.

If you're still doing sit-ups and crunches, make sure you are sucking in your stomach as much as possible in order to work the inner muscles. If you are only working the outer abdominals, you are helping to make it stick out. I have had this problem too. Also, doing bicycles or something to firm up the side muscles will help to flatten the front area.

Hope this helps. Remember, it is quality of sit-ups, not necessarily quantity.
LB

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I started taking ThreeLac in November and within 6 days my bloating was gone! It kept getting better as I kept taking it, my arms got a little smaller, my thighs even... I was only 115lbs to begin with and am like 112-113 now, so I had at least 3lbs of bloating on a normal basis. The bad thing is that if you stop taking it, it will probably come back - You can try Culturelle too - that is cheaper if you get it at Vitacost.com or Sams Club can order it for you and it may have the same effect. I am going to try it to see if it works for me. I still would like to exercise but this has been a huge help!

This may sound crazy considering your weight, but belly flab can be lost with the right amount of cardio exercise and strength training. Cardio doesn't have to be going to the gym a simple 1-2 mile walk after dinner will work. When you are doing crunches and other core exercises, remember those will only tighten the muscles, if you build muscle under the flab the flab will only stick out further. The cardio is what will burn off the fat.
What you eat and drink will also have a direct affect on the tummy area. Carbonated drinks, drinking through a straw, and food that typically cause gas can keep your stomach pooched out. Trying a detox can rid your body of excess weight. Just be careful what you read in magazines or on the internet. make sure the diet or exercise info you are getting is from a well educated professional in these fields, there are many of people out there that "know" stuff and are willing to share but the info they give can be harmful.

I have a wrinkly belly (loose skin) that my trainer said I can only get rid of with surgery. My sister just had a baby and her boyfriend has been reading a book called You on a diet. He has been cooking and reading labels and basically changing his eating habits and they have both lost weight. I haven't seen her that thin since she was in high school and she hasn't even been working out! Anyway...good luck!

K.

I agree with both answers. Weight training is SO important to our bones and muscles at our age. You should be doing weights about 3 days a week and the pilates or core training (alot of ball excercises is working your core) two days a week. There is an excellent web site where you can develop your own routine - http://exercise.about.com/library/blworkoutcenter2.htm
or go to Prevention.com - they have AWESOME work out plans.
And be so proud that you only weigh 105 lbs!

It sounds more like an allergy then just fat.

Hi P.,
My name is M. V. I'm 41 years old, but my body looks acts like I'm twice my age. Honestly,the only advice I can give you is Tummy Tuck. It's still important to not smoke,eat well and excercise...but unfortunately sometimes the flab doesn't go away without the help of a skilled surgeon. You might need to save for it and it will no doubt be painful, but once I decided I wanted no more children, I was ready and have not regreted it.My back fills better and I stand tall now in more ways than one.Good Luck!!!
M. V.
Melaleuca-The Wellness Company (check us out!!!)

Welcome to the world of after baby belly! Unfortunately, this is the biggest problem spot for moms. If you are eating well and not overdoing it, it usually takes a very concentrated effort of abs work. There are a lot of workout programs out there, but it will probably take a combination of them to get rid of that. I am still fighting off and on! You might also look into a personal trainer until you really get it off, and then keeping it off should be a little easier. Also, when you work your abs, you have to work all the muscles there....the obliques and your lower back muscles. These are the ones most people forget. And, sit ups don't get these muscles by just by themselves.

Don't give up, though. It's good that you are working on staying fit. Hope this helps!

Hi P., I feel your pain. Unfortunatly skin stretches after having a baby and the belly will never be quite the same. Seeing that you are only 100 lbs. losing weight is not the problem. You also cannot spot reduce in any one area. You can tighten the muscles beneath the skin but only a tummy tuck can gird those muscles as they once were. Did you by chance have cesarean babies? I was cut three times with my children and needed a tummy tuck badly after that. After a c-section my muscles were severed and could only be regirded through surgery. I have been delighted beyond belief with the results. I did not have a belly like this when I was 16 and I am now 43. Good luck, D.

I have the same problem. I purchased the 60 Sec. Ab Machine and that seems to help. I just have to keep myself motivated to exercise more.

Good Luck

You said in your little 'note about me' that life couldn't get any better. So give yourself a little slack for the belly. They're not going to write on your gravestone that "she should've worked harder to get rid of her pooch"

No food, exercise, or magic pill will whittle away your problem spot since you seem like you are at a good weight. (if you're really short and your BMI is over 25 then you might indeed need to shuck a few pounds, though). I'm in good shape, good weight, and only 32 and that's my problem area too. I weighed even less than I did when I got married when I got pregnant with #2 and #3 and I have faced it that no matter how many marathons and tris I do, I will always have a little pooch. So I choose my clothes accordingly. Imperfection can still be sexy :)

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there really is not much you can do about the belly flab except a tummy tuck which is dangerous. I had my son almost 19 years ago and mine is still there. I work out and nothing seems to help. the good thing is, you only weigh 105 lbs. my suggestion to you would be to cut back on the carbs (no white potatoes, white rice, white bread...anything that says enriched is not good...it adds POUNDS to your belly) and just keep working out. I am just slightly older than you, but the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight. Don't focus your workouts just on your belly either. It is not fat on your belly, it is just a pouch from having kids. it bites, but it is the price we women have to pay for having kids. Don't be so hard on yourself. If your fiance loves you for WHO you are, then you have a wonderful man.

105 lbs...you rock...and I wish...but, I'm 35 and a runner, but running was not dropping the weight like it used to . This past fall I added weight lifting into my workouts and it made a huge difference. I think at our age, we need more muscle mass to burn calories better and straight cardio doesn't do it. So, I still have a little belly and still some "insulation" over my abs, but they are rocking under that little layer and I feel comfortable in a bikini for the first time in 7 years. I also had a personal trainer for a few months and that gave me great direction, but I do the work on my own most of the time.

THERE IS HOPE :) I use It Works Body Wraps. After using them, I decided to sell them because they worked so well. I lost 10 inches from my belly with just three wraps. I promise it’s not some weird scam, because I thought the same thing. It’s a detox wrap that helps shrink fat cells. Anyway, they work great and yes, I do sell them, but I haven’t had a customer who tried a pack not buy more :) check out my facebook page www.facebook.com/itworksnevada or my website, itworksnevada.myitworks.com. I promise you, you will love this product! I’ve had two c-sections myself and found it harder to lose after the second one!

WOW! 38 and only 105 pounds?!?!?!? That is after giving birth TWICE!?!?!? You are Blessed! There can't be much flub there!

It has probably taken time for that little bit of flub to accumulate - it will take time to get rid of it. Keep up the crunches --- I was doing 250 each night and it worked for me! That was before I gave birth to my last one. I need to start those crunches again! Of course you don't start with 250 - I started with about 75 and tried to add 10-25 per night til I was up to 250.

Hi P..
Geez I wish I could say that I only weigh 105!! I understand about the tummy thing. I've had my problem since for 10years And I've always had been active, ate healthy and excercised. I have 3 girls ages 11 1/2, 10 year old and 2 year old. I had lost a lot of weight, gained it, and lost it. It fluctuates all the time. I eat right still and do what I'm suppose to, but I can't get rid of it. You might be able to do Pilates, Taebo, Sit ups..I'm starting to notice a big diffrence in my body since I've done Taebo, but it still don't seem enough. Situps are also well. But everyone is diffrent. Good Luck! (SMILE)

P. G,
I have a back injury, so normal sit ups I can not do, I have a 7year son and a thirteen year old daughter, so I understand about the "belly issue". I do a modified situp with an exercise ball it supports my back and I have lost inches, I old weight about 120 and I am 36 years old, I also watch how much pop and chips I eat, fry's ect. I do however drink a lot of teas, green tea ect. that helps just before the monthly visiter comes, and I dont bloat as much. I would also talk with your doctor and see if yoga or swimming are right for you and ask about the diet also. I hope that helps good luck,
J. H.

I taught fitness classes for several years, and this is almost always the #1 question. Being since you are so tiny(105 #'s!)diet and exercise doesn't make sense to you, but it is what you need. Your abs AND back muscles make up the core of your body. They support every move you make from walking to lifting up your knees. Use exercises that burn fat and build muscle. Think of Billy Blanks Tai Bo! We found these kickboxing/aerobic classes so useful that we started teaching it at the club. It is also a great stress reliever! You use your abs with every punch, kick, squat, etc.

Try Pilates!! It is all about core strength. It will strengthen your abdominal muscles, and even the layer of musculature that is underneath the abs. Yoga could help, too, but I think Pilates would be more case-specific for you...good luck!!

After my first son, I used a DVD called 10 minute solutions pilates that had several 10 minute workouts. They actually are only 10 minutes warm up to cool down, and they really work. Sit-ups and crunches can be tricky to do, and can actually make your stomach bulge more if you do not do them properly. I really think these kind of exercises are the best for us women in our thirties, and 10 minutes are easy to squeeze in, even with all the other responsibilities we have! I think I purchased this DVD at Target. Hope it helps!

Hi P.,

I have not tried this yet but I plan too! I saw this on the Rachel Ray show. They have a book and a website: www.flatbellydiet.com

It sounds like a really cool plan and is from the editors of Prevention magazine.

All the Best,

C.

Thank you so much for asking this question! I figured it was just me. I am 35 and just under 100 lbs. I have 4 kids (3 pregnancies - the last one was twins who are now 3). So it has been a few years since they were born, and my tummy buldge is the one area I can't get back to where I want it. I'm not a sedentary person, but I've never really been an exerciser either. I don't have a weight issue, I know, but just wasn't sure what to do about this stomach. It gets much pouchier after I've had a meal - and has that pregnant look. You've given me hope that I'm not alone and that there might be some options for me. I'm a stay at home mom, but it is difficult for me to find time to do any kind of exercise (my kids are 9,7,3,3) and I just need some ideas to get started. I know nothing about where to begin - does anyone have suggestions about where to start on a pilates program? I've seen Pilates for Dummies (sounds perfect for me :) ) - is that a good place to start? Anyone else had experience with the Crunchless Abs mentioned earlier? I've got a pre order for the Wii Fit due to come out this month - was hoping that might be helpful and get me started. Thanks again for getting this question started - looking forward to see what else everyone has to suggest!!

Try strength training to tone up everywhere, including the abs. Crunches and sit-ups don't really do much unless you do a zillion of them correctly - that's been pretty much proven. Try the core building/strenthening classes like pilates, those are much better. Yoga also does alot with toning the core.

I have the exact same problem that you do. I only weigh 115 lbs but I have had belly fat ever since my daughter was born. After I eat or during my time of the month it sticks out so bad that I even had a friend as me if I was pregnant again!! My schedule is so hectic that I don't have time to go to the gym so I try to do crunches and walk on the treadmill in the evening but nothing helps. I bought a Tae Bo video specifically for abs and my stomach feels tighter after doing it but I don't know if there is any difference yet. I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone!!

I've read that an overabundance of yeast in your system can cause belly bloating. the type of yeast that comes from sugar and bad carbs in your system, also called candida. You might do some research and see for yourself??