Can I get some help?

[housegeek]

So I've had some weight gain, and it seems to be mostly on my hips and sides? Like looking at myself straight on, I'm much more hourglass than I used to be pre-kids. How can I tone that up?

[theoriginalbean]

I don't know about everyone else, but I've come to accept that my body is just going to be permanently different post-pregnancy. I weigh less than I did before I got pregnant, with a lower % body fat, but none of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit quite the same way. My hips are wider, but it's not padding, it's just wider hips - due to spreading of bones, not of extra padding.

We had lots of success with P90X, and we also both run and bike. There are lots of options out there!

[Deleted]

If you've actually got some excess fat in that area, you can't really tone it up so much as burn the fat off. Cardio (interval!) and total body weight lifting will help you build muscle and burn fat.

But like pp said, you had a baby, and your body had to adapt to do so. Not all of those changes are reversible. Embrace your hourglass!

[housegeek]

I think my hips are nearly back to the right size, I can almost fit into my pre preg pants, I just have the overhang and my shape isn't...smooth? It's like. Lumpy. What is interval cardio? It's mostly my midsection...ok I just looked again and it's kinda like a tire

[Deleted]

Interval cardio is a cardio workout that, instead of grinding away for an hour at the same pace/incline/intensity, you vary the intensity throughout. Your heart rate will soar, then drop, over and over. It's harder, but far more interesting and significantly better at burning fat.

What kind of cardio workouts do you like (or what kind of equipment do you have access to?).

[housegeek]

I have a gym membership, I'm used to running a 10-12 minute mile depending on my motivation for the day. I dont go with any regularity though...

[sadlebred]

Cardio, eating clean, and lifting heavy weights. There is no way to spot reduce other than lipsuction.

In the meantime, Spanx are your friend.

[juangela]

May 18, 2012 10:47:57 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Cardio, eating clean, and lifting heavy weights. There is no way to spot reduce other than lipsuction.

In the meantime, Spanx are your friend.

This exactly. Your diet is THE MOST important part of shedding body fat, with lifting next and then cardio (according to the fitness philosophy I follow). Do not be afraid to lift heavy things. You will not bulk up. Building muscle is key to changing your body composition and losing fat.

Post-baby, my body is completely different. I am back in my pre-pregnancy clothes but things fit differently and I carry (even more) weight in my thighs. And bfing killed my boobs. Sigh.

[housegeek]

Thank you for your responses!

[jillybean222]

No idea. I keep losing weight from my arms and legs and i would really like to lose it from my hips and stomach. sigh. i am also much more hourglass shaped after kids. i think i store my extra fluff there....not so much that i can't live with it...and haven't worked that hard at changing it! oh well.

[texassmith]

May 18, 2012 10:54:20 GMT -5 juangela said:

And bfing killed my boobs. Sigh.

I think this has got to be the most depressing thing. I BFed DD#1 for 13 months and am still going with DD#2. I shudder to think what they'll look like when she is weaned. Yikes.