Post baby abs, fatloss, etc...

[treure]

Hi everyone, I REALLY need some guidance please.

I 've had 2 kids in the last 2.5 years, and they were both almost 10 lbs at birth. I'm finding it difficult to get back in shape, esp the belly. I'm making good progress elsewhere, but the belly doesn't budge!! I train 3-5 times a week (cardio and weights) and my diet needs some work, but I still feel like I should have made some progress in that region by now.

Any advice on how I should proceed? Is it even possible to have a six pack again, or have my muscles and skin stretched beyond repair? Is surgery what I should consider?

HELP PLEASE!!!!!!

[terracotta]

Likely you still have fat to lose in the region. Surgery should not be an option unless you have gotten down to 18% body fat and you are seeing sagging skin.

Perhaps you can post what your weight training routine and cardio schedule is like? Your diet will be key to losing the fat though. Weight training can help add muscle to your midsection and "fill in" the area under loose skin a bit. Core training can also help improve posture and pull your midsection in. But you have to be doing the right things.

[silverlining84]

and my diet needs some work, but I still feel like I should have made some progress in that region by now.

I didn't really start noticing weight loss in my stomach after I had my daughter until I really cracked down on my diet. Do you keep track of what you eat each day?

[sonti]

Mine was also almost 10lbs and carried verrry far out front (my abs are trashed despite my neato looking avatar that suggests otherwise). For me, it is a matter of building muscle in that area (I never had muscle there really before, I had a natural 4ish pack without effort from compound lifts). That and of course, diet :)

[biochick]

Stomach vacuums are a great way to get the stomach in shape. Old school, but they work. I don't do them as often as I should but when I do, I see results. You essentially push all the air out of your lungs and then suck in your stomach as much as you can and hold. It works the inner layer of stomach muscle that many basic stomach exercises miss.

[AUTiger13]

it is possible to have a 6 pack post pregnancy. I have 3 kids myself. I think first you need to get your diet together. It is true--abs are made in the kitchen. If it is loose skin--well that just depends on your own skin elasticity, but I would focus first on losing fat!

[treure]

it is possible to have a 6 pack post pregnancy. I have 3 kids myself. I think first you need to get your diet together. It is true--abs are made in the kitchen. If it is loose skin--well that just depends on your own skin elasticity, but I would focus first on losing fat!

Thanks for your replies and great advice ladies, and thank you for giving me hope that I can one day reunite with my six-pack again!!

I suspected it's probably mostly due to my diet. Typically, I have about 4tsp oatmeal before my w/out in the morning. Post w/out I have 2 boiled eggs with half can tuna & a green. I then have some fruit as a snack before dinner, which is mostly chicken/fish & veg. On the weekends I don't train, and I eat pretty much what I want (bad!!). I also have about 3-4 cups of coffee (with sugar) each day.

Yuck!!!My diet sucks...any advice on what I should be doing, supplements (incl fat burners) to take, pre & post w/out meals, etc...?

[sonti]

Sounds like you eat too little during the week and are a bit out of control on the weekends. Why not have a consistent meal plan that allows for a daily treat (ie. whatever you like fit in to your calories) or pre-plan a weekend treat meal? If you don't know how much you are eating, then you are probably eating too much

No supplements needed at this time - you'll need to get the diet in order.

[terracotta]

Sounds like you eat too little during the week and are a bit out of control on the weekends. Why not have a consistent meal plan that allows for a daily treat (ie. whatever you like fit in to your calories) or pre-plan a weekend treat meal? If you don't know how much you are eating, then you are probably eating too much

No supplements needed at this time - you'll need to get the diet in order.

^^ this

Read the stickies in the nutrition forum and/or check out my website for tips on setting up a diet - www.hotnfit.com