Will my stomach ever be back in shape again?

[Ashley&Scott]

I didn't have a c/s & my stomach is very mushy & blah. You're not alone Farmer.

[karinothing]

Aww. I am sorry. I was in really good shape prior to pregnancy so my stomach is not back to that yet. It does seem mushy but I can't tell if it is due to skin sagging or the fact that I am out of shape. I plan to start attending Yoga classes that focuses on my core because I think I just really need to strengthen it back up, but if it is baggy skin I think I am screwed. Boo.

[matildasun]

My stomach is mushy also. I didn't have a c section. I have developed a small flap at the top of my belly button. It is odd.

[mrssandro]

I blame genetics. So ask your mama!

I had a mushy stomach before and still do. It's the main place I carry fat.

[h]

I haven't had a c-section, but I have had two kids. I got back down to pre-pregnancy weight relatively easily and still look reasonably thin in clothes (when I am not 11 weeks pg, that is), but my stomach is definitely mushier than before. I do have a couple friends who are moms who have managed to get their abs back in shape, but they are people who are extremely serious about diet and exercise. Those of us who can't be bothered to try quite that hard all seem to have kind of mushy mom stomachs, regardless of how thin we are (or aren't!).

[huey]

c-sec mama signing in.

Still squishy. And I swear that my belly button has moved up. I don't remember it being so high.

I have done workouts, sit ups, other core workouts and still. I think a pile of mashed potatoes is firmer than my tummt at this point.

[karinothing]

Do you know if your ab muscles have stitched back together since pregnancy? It is pretty common. Even though my tummy is mushy I can engage my abs, so maybe that is the issue. You can do some exercise to help fix it, but I don't know any off the top of my head.

[mrssandro]

I was told my DH that if I had the money and I was done with kids I was SO getting a tummy tuck. He laughs it off. But 100% serious. I bust my ass in the gym and eat really healthy and still no improvement in this area. Mine is all genetics though. There isn't a skinny lady in my family.

[Ashley&Scott]

Starry- my belly button was so jacked up the first few weeks pp, it was 1/2 out 1/2 in. It's slowly getting better, now it's an innie again but wider than it was pre pregnancy.

[xokell2]

I'm right there with ya OP. 2 months pp and I hate my body. BF burns about 500 calories a day but makes me ravenously want to consume 2000 more than I normally do. I hate that I contemplate giving up nursing (and i wont) because i can't stand my body. I work out every day and I'm hungry all the time and my belly still looks like crap

[hannamaren]

When I wS sick for over a month (nothing serious) and I dropped 7 lbs below my normal weight,(this is unhealthy for me) my stomach was flat but not tight. (I didnt exercise)
So, maybe it is possible?
Now I am mushy again because I am back to my usual weight.
When I asked this question a few months back, everyone suggested 30 day shred, or whatever its called.

[hannamaren]

Also, spanx are amazing.
And dont look in the mirror when you are naked.
And try to make your H gain more weight and get flabbier than you so you feel like the skinny one.

[rootbeerfloat]

I had 2 c/s. I carry fat in my middle, so I've never had nice or flat stomach, which is kind of good because I have nothing to be wistful about, LOL. But even with losing the baby weight (which I was lucky to do quickly both times), it's all mushier than before... from belly button to bikini line

[Deleted]

I had a flat stomach always Pre kids. After first it was somewhat mushy but Not bad & went back to flat, after 2 mushy & almost flat, after 3 digusting, fupa formed with a flap. My stomach went from my best asset to my worst. After I'm done I think I'll need a tummy tuck along with vaginal rejuvenation

[anna7602]

I don't remember how long it took, but I wasn't able to consistently exercise for a long time due to my work and DH's crappy work schedule.

So, I guess I would say 2 or 2.5 years or so? Pilates really made a difference for me since it targeted the abdominal region. But I didn't have a c-section.

[karinothing]

Oct 5, 2012 19:52:55 GMT -5 hannamaren said:

Also, spanx are amazing.
And dont look in the mirror when you are naked.
And try to make your H gain more weight and get flabbier than you so you feel like the skinny one.

Ha, see DH has dropped 20lbs since we had DS! I told him he isn't allowed to get in anymore shape!

[Willis Jackson]

I criiiiiiinge when we're spooning and DH rests his hand on my belly. He doesn't care, obviously.

[anna7602]

Oct 5, 2012 19:37:55 GMT -5 xokell2 said:

I'm right there with ya OP. 2 months pp and I hate my body. BF burns about 500 calories a day but makes me ravenously want to consume 2000 more than I normally do. I hate that I contemplate giving up nursing (and i wont) because i can't stand my body. I work out every day and I'm hungry all the time and my belly still looks like crap

I don't regret a single day of BFing, but it did weird things to my metabolism and hormones. I just didn't feel like my body went back to its true pre-pregnancy state-- on so many levels, not just physically--until I weaned.

[SusanBAnthony]

I never realized what a mess my abs were (I had always been retort weak in that area) until I went to PT for something unrelated and they checked my ab strength. It was awful, plus I had a separation which made it worse. A month or two a serious Pt (going once a week and doing the exercises daily at home) and I was amazed. I still do the exercises when I am at the gym, to keep up the strength I built, but I don't have to be nearly as hard core anymore. Of course I still have tummy pooch, but that is realized to eating junk, not childbirth

[whitemerlot]

I did not have a c-section, but with my first child it took a whole year for my body to feel back to normal again. I think I looked pretty OK. I'm a curvy person and usually have a "normal" BMI.

I had kid 2 only 4 months ago so I'm trying to be patient with myself and keep working at it vs giving up. I lost 55 pounds and kept it off for 4 years before having kids and looked pretty good then. I want to feel good about myself again. 20 pounds to go!

I do appreciate the honesty in these MM Moms threads. You guys are awesome.