S.K. asks from Minneapolis, MN on August 15, 2012
Neighbor Asked Me If I Am Pregnant-and I Am Not!!
Hello! I am a 33 year old mom of 2 boys, aged 5 and 2.5 years old. Before and between my pregnancies I was always thin: about 5 ft 7 and 125 lbs. Since weaning my second son about 18 months ago I have steadily gained weight. My metabolism has slowed and my days of eating what I want are over. I now weigh about 140 lbs and wear a size 8. Big for me, but nothing major. Or so I thought. Two times in the last 6 months someone has asked if I was pregnant. What an awful feeling!!! I tend to gain weight in my stomach and the rest of me is pretty thin so I guess it makes sense.
I need advice on how to lose belly bloat/flab. I could definitely get better at eating healthy and exercising. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
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S.L. answers from Kansas City on August 15, 2012
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.
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M.. answers from Detroit on August 16, 2012
I just wear looser shirts. ;)
3 moms found this helpful
F.H. answers from Phoenix on August 15, 2012
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!
2 moms found this helpful
S.S. answers from Chicago on August 15, 2012
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.
1 mom found this helpful
S.R. answers from Washington DC on August 15, 2012
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.
1 mom found this helpful
S.L. answers from Kansas City on August 15, 2012
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.
1 mom found this helpful
B.J. answers from Minneapolis on August 16, 2012
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
1 mom found this helpful
T.W. answers from Syracuse on August 15, 2012
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!
1 mom found this helpful
S.F. answers from Utica on August 16, 2012
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
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