My stomach

My twins are only 4 weeks old, so I am not being too hard on myself yet! But, I can't stand my stomach. Are there any really effective ways to tone this flap that I have hanging there? What have all of you done?

 

I am not sure if you are thinking of sit ups or exercise right now but I dont think you should even worry about it until after you see your OB at your 6 week postpartum check. Then you can gradually get back into the swing. FWIW I was on bedrest for about 2 months before the boys came and so for me I just had to get back my endurance first before I could think about dropping the weight. Give yourself time...it took 9 months to put it on.

 

I wouldn't start any exercise until you see your doctor for your postpartum visit and get their okay. Give it some time, it will go down, I swear!

 

It definetly gets better with time. I'm 6 months out and my belly is back to it's normal size....smaller, actually. BUT....it looks like a deflated balloon and I'm worried it will stay this way unless I eventually get a tummy tuck or something. I do use a skin firming cream and maybe if I started excersizing that would help....if only there was TIME to workout....

 

Here's what I think you should do-thank your lucky stars you have a flap and not a 6-month-preggo BELLY hanging over your pants like I still did when my babies were your age. Seriously, please don't worry about your body yet. One of two things will happen in a few months-you will either get something at least close to your body back or be too busy, tired, or stressed to even care! Just hang in there and don't do any sit-ups until you know you don't have a diastasis recti. Make sure to ask your OB at your 6 weeks check-up.

 

Gently pat your new belly because until, and unless, you have surgery it's going to be there for a looooong time. I have named my flap Alice. Alice is the same age as my oldest son.

 

Mine is just starting to tone up a little and my boys are almost a year. Just give yourself time it does get better. I have noticed a big difference since I have been walking them more. When I walk I try and wald for a solid 1/2 hour and hold my stomach muscles as tight as I can the whole time. It has done wonders for my love handles and just overall firming. I don't have a lot of time to do much more.

 

I was back at my pre preg weight about 3 weeks after the boys were born, but it was all in different places. It's only been the last month or two that I've had time to take them for walks and play games with them that work my abs (lie on my back with legs at 90degree angle with one boy lying on my shins and do crunches or reverse crunches). At first I could only do 4-5 crunches, but now I'm up to 15. Take it easy and don't be too hard on yourself.

 

Thanks everyone! I was hoping for a magic solution though! :lol:

 

You can start by doing this very simple exercise to tighten those ab muscles with out doing any harm to your still enlarged uterus. Just pull your muscles in tight and hold it for 10 seconds and release, do this several times a day and you will notice a huge difference. It is called an abdominal hollow (think like pulling your belly button toward your back bone). My dh does rehab and this is his advice...it must work because he does it all day long everyday and has a total six pack.
Mine is getting much better, now is I could do something about this extra skin I got! YUK!

 

Mine started going down, mainly from breastfeeding. My crappy eating habits are still high and am gaining my preggo weight back

When the time is right, I would do ball exercises. I works those core muscles. Be patient thought, it may take awhile.