Tummy Hang

Hi! With two sets of twins and two C-sections, I understand exactly what you are talking about. I am trying to get rid of mine with the Tracy Anderson Method post-pregnancy DVD. She got Gweneth Paltrow back in shape after her pregnancy. It is a killer workout...about 50 minutes and she really works the abs. She swears your tummy will go back again, but I have read online from others that the only way is surgery. I am hoping the workouts will work :-) I haven't really been vigilant about it...I think it works better if you do it 5-6 times a week. Anyway, good luck & you're not alone!!!

Hi, I did not have that problem but yes bigger tommy that I wanted to have and I did this Try walking 3 times a week and wear soft control panties so your tommy is in And if you can remember try keept it in and that will help you a lot

Hello J.,
I too had the c-section with my daughter who is now 25 months old. I used to worry a lot whether I will have to live with the big fat tummy. But, as the months passed, my tummy did go in nicely. I did the workouts for abs. Pilates abs also work great on tummy fat. I still do them and it works wonders. Cardio for 20 minutes every other day is also a great workout to improve metabolism. Wait for a complete year to pass for your tummy to get in.
Cheers!!

Hi J.! I did not have a c-section, but I definitely have a tummy! I have heard many times that you really can't target one particular area of the body. The crunches and other core workouts will tone the muscle which you won't see under the fat. If it is fatty tissue, you have to do cardio to lose the fat, but you can't control where it comes from first. If it's just lose skin, then working your abs will tighten the area a little, but it's not likely to go away completely. I do the On Demand Exercise Tv workouts too and I love them! They are quick and really give you a good workout with a variety.....FOR FREE! I've lost 30 lbs so far coupling the exercise with a 1200 calorie a day diet. My tummy isn't perfectly flat, but it looks a whole lot better!
I hope you find something that works for you!! Remember, that little "bump" we ALL have is a battle wound that we can chose to wear proudly as a reminder of our precious little ones!

My little girl is 11 months old and without a c-section, I too am self conscious of my tummy. My sister just told me about channel 1 (on demand) if you're a comcast subscriber. I started accessing it 2 weeks ago. Go to channel 1, select sports & fitness, select exercise TV and pick a workout. All the ones I have seen are complimentary. I use the ab workouts and think they're killer. In 2 week I've seen an improvement. Congrats!

Sorry, I don't have an answer for you....I would like to know the answer to this one. I've done quite a bit in the past to try to get the tummy hang to go away - it never has! I would say that is the worst draw back of a c-section. I also have 4 children, including twins that are now 27 years old (girl/boy), 18 year old son and a 16 yr old girl - 3 c-sections. Even at my smallest the hang has never went away. I've never heard it called that, but is in fact more of a hang than a pudge for sure.

Thanks for being brave and asking others...

Hello,

There have been alot of great responses and you have gotten a lot of goood advice. I wanted to throw in my 2 cents.

Cardio: You need to do cardiovasular exercises to decrease the amount of excess fat you have in that area. For weight loss, you should be performing at least 30 minutes of cardio exercises at least 5 times per week. Cardio is anything that gets your heart rate up for an extended period of time, such as biking, walking, running, swimming and aerobic classes. You can use machines like the elyptical, treadmill or bike or you can perform the exercises without machines and using your own body weight.

Strength training: The next thing you need to incorporate is strength training. That means lifting weights. Strength training will help you to tone up your muscles and give them form and shape. Why is that important? The more shape and form you have to your muscles, the stronger you are and the more energy your muscles will use to stay that way. The energy that they use is the excess body fat that you are probably carrying around in your mid section. Excess fat is used by the body as energy.

I hear from women all the time that they don't want to strength train because they are afraid of "bulking up." Don't worry about bulking up, you would have to lift so much weight and do so much suppplements and probably some steriods in order to "bulk up" and look manly that you wouldn't even consider it anyway.

I have been strength training since 1999 and certified as a personal trainer who works almost exclusively with women since 2005. I use my knowledge to help my clients get the body that they have always wanted. Most of them come to me wanting to tone up and that is what they get, by using the same methods that I am suggesting to you.

Also, I love classes, so yes, get involved in Pilates, Yoga aerobics and so forth, but don't forget about the weights. Not only will strength training with weights help you to increase the muscle tone in your body and help you burn excess body fat, it will also help you to strengthen your bones so that you can stay strong and agil during your later years. That way, you can enjoy your children now and still look great as they get older and into adulthood and people will start to wonder who is the child and who is the parent.

If I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me and Good luck!

C. D.

aww i want to cry! hope they're all working out for you! sounds like you have ur hands full!!

1st-water water water!! DRINK MORE WATER!
2nd-eat raw veggies, they're less in fat, carbs, etc
3rd-doing 1/2 crunches, & twist to the opp knee (this works out like all 6 abs...)
4th RUN (this works out all muscles and it'll help tone up that extra area. & gives you a break from chillins!! :)
5th-SWIMMING!! go to your local community pool, or have your friends do a swim party, now that summer is here (it can be your "mommy" group time once a week or something!!
SWIMMING IS THE BEST EXCERCISE THERE IS! IT WORKS *ALL* MUSCLES EVERY SECOND YOU'RE IN THE POOL!!!

I have the "apron" too. I had my first child in 06' via c-section. I lost all the baby weight I had gained with my daughter within two weeks of her birth. I was stoked, however, I had MAJOR problems toning up that area but eventually pilates and drinking tons of water helped. Cut to now? I just had my son, my last child, 6 months ago. He too was born c-section. I didn't gain as much with him as I did my first child, however at the end of the pregnancy, I'd say the last month...I gained 15 more pounds. He was born 10 lb. 6 oz., he was huge. He stretched my skin out so badly that even just after the birth and I was up out of bed, I could feel the skin hanging and actually grazing my thighs. The nurses said that was normal, that my child was a big baby...blah blah blah. But it wasn't the same as when I had my first. The skin this time was like dough, it just hung. After months of exercise I'm seeing changes in the rest of my body, but nothing has changed with the "hang". I have just come to the conclusion that surgery is the only way to correct it as extreme exercise and dieting have done little to help with it. A good friend of mine had a tummy tuck 2 months ago, she looks fabulous and feels good about herself. After 3 children, she's incredibly happy, healthy, and back to her pre-kid self. I'm envious. I have pretty good self confidence, but I won't lie to myself when I'm in the dressing room and things aren't fitting well or the shape of my "flap" is visible through clothing, I'll sometimes cry. My life is good, I'm healthy, but it's causing some stress in my life that can be fixed. So...my advice to you? Once you've exhuasted all means of trying to correct it without surgery and it is still bothersome to you, look into the surgery. Life is too short to let something like that hinder how you live. I am excited to say that I'm scheduling my appointment for next year. I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to feeling better about myself.

Good luck!!!!

Hey, I love the term! I understand exactly what you mean! I have had 2 c-sections & have a "hang" too.
I am working out 3 x per week @ my local Curves. I love it and it is really simple. I am also doing leg lifts for the lower abs. I have seen some improvement, but the skin is still not very firm.

I have started using Cellu-shape and Visibly fit body toning lotions to help smooth the skin and reduce the stretch lines. These products are w/ Mary Kay cosmetics. I have been a consultant for 4 yrs and love the products. I have seen some results w/ the texture and tone of my skin. I have just started trying these products on my abdominal area. All the products are 100% $ back if you are not happy w/ results. You can visit www.marykay.com/ahawkins429 if you want more information. I offer free shipping anywhere in the US. You can order securely on-line. You can also look my business up on here and see some reviews from customers of mine. Good luck and you are not alone in this battle!

hi J., u have the exact same problem. i have 2.5 year old twins and a 1 year old. i had the twins c-section and my little guy vaginally. i have stretch marks like crazy. all over my "love handles" and from my pubic bone to about 2 inches above my belly button.i actually feel disgusting. i am 21 and i feel like i look like an 80 year old. i wear a size 6 pants and i am thinner than i have every been. 130lbs and i'm 5'7. but the tummy is horrible. it looks like i was burnt in a fire. my pants pinch my skin and bruise it. because it is literally skin hanging. my twins used to point at it and say poo poo. (thanks girls)after my girls turned a year i had a consoltation with a plastic surgen. he said the only thing that can fix the "skin" is surgery. which was going to cost me 12,000. i am a single mom. i cant afford that right now. i watch jon & kate plus 8 and she used to wear a gurtle. before her surgery. i have now been wearing one for a year now. it helps not getting pinched and you wont jiggle. lol it makes me feel better. at least until i can get the surgery. but your not in this alone my dear. i feel your pain. even the turn the lights off method doesn't work for this problem. lol good luck. let me know if you find out something that works. i need help with this too.
P.