My "mommy belly" before/after pictures - 4 mos, 20 lbs

abyssfully

I'm very shy when it comes to stuff like this but I really feel to share. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and after my second I wasn't sure how my belly would respond. Didn't know if it would shrink down much more, didn't know if the stretch-marked skin would tighten. I'm not one of those mamas who "snap" back - although I lost all of the baby weight fairly quickly, I gained some back with breastfeeding (same thing happened with my first.) It's taken a lot of hard work but it has been worth it. I didn't notice how drastically my belly has changed until I took a picture yesterday and compared. It's funny how our minds play games on us. So anyway, here is my before/after. The first is mid April 2013 and the second was taken yesterday. I'm 20 lbs down as of August 1st. I usually carry my weight high (belly and upper arms) so I'm sure most of this weight came from there considering my lower body stays pretty trim. I focus on strength training, re-training the transverse abdominis and listening to my body. I try to get a ton of protein in and drink tons of water. If anyone has any questions, feel free to msg me or just ask. The pictures are taken at slightly different positions, but that's because I had no intention of sharing and took them just for my own personal use. *Takes a big breath* Here goes:



I've always been an active person, but I must admit it's taken a lot of work to get to this point in comparison to pre-baby. No matter how long post-partum you are, you can still achieve a flatter belly! I would like to slowly lose another 5 - 10 lbs and then start lifting heavier.

Hopefully this encouraged some of you mamas out there!

I know my belly isn't and never will be perfect, but it's much better and it's a work that will continually be in progress!

momRN2B

looking great!

So_Much_Fab

You have made AMAZING progress! :drinker:

mjf0461

Dont say anything negative about your pics girl. That's a great difference, pat yourself on the back and know job well done...

heykaraoke

You look amazing! My "baby" just turned 5 and I still have the baby belly. Seeing your success is very inspiring! Thanks for sharing

bellaamor30

You look great, gives me hope for my mommy belly

sozisraw

You have done fantastic!:flowerforyou:

fitgirldanyel

You look amazing! I had my son three weeks ago, and I have really started working out again this past week. Your photos are inspirational! Thank you for sharing!

getitamb

Nice job!!

Lacey_Cakes

This totally made my day, i was thinking this belly would never go away, at least now I know its possible. Thanks for sharing!

brookej2216

that is fantastic!! Way to go! I need to work on my mommy belly. Was there any specific exercise you found particularly helpful?

anttom

You have given me some well needed motivation. My stomach looks exactly like your april photo. Knowing that it can look like your august photos is inspiration. Thanks for sharing.

Sashoi

U look great it's amazing how much your body can change.

LaurasClimb

You look great! My babies (twins) are 15 1/2.....

shasheshyshaseq

Thanks for sharing your progress, you look amazing!!! Congrats on your weight loss

Morgaine_on_the_move

I would also like to know how you re-trained the transverse abdominis as you said. I've got ( hopefully) just a few days left until I deliver and then I'll be working my way back down!

noturninback

Great job! Thanks for sharing your story w/us! Keep up the hard work!

abyssfully

Stomach vacuums really help your TvA to tighten up which shrinks down your whole mid-section (http://www.build-some-muscle.com/stomach-vacuum.html). I believe this has helped the most.

How to engage your TvA properly: http://mutusystem.com/how-to-engage-your-transverse-abdominis-muscle-correctly-flatten-your-stomach.html
http://www.alignintegrationandmovement.com/1/post/2012/04/how-to-contract-your-deep-abdominal-muscle-the-transversus-abdominis.html

For shortly after baby arrives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4PS-P6TBWE&list=LL5K9VNE5IjOBzy0o3el7A_w

More exercises for 6 weeks and up: http://mutusystem.com/ab-exercises-for-moms.html (love these)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7mb_PPuqA
http://www.parentsconnect.com/pregnancy/postpartum/postpartum-exercise/DO_Stroller_2_BirdDogBaby.html (the exercise called super mom)

I also like this post-natal yoga, but don't do it as often as I'd like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFIXITxoo1A

I haven't done any crunches - I do not have diastis recti but definitely didn't want to contribute to developing one! Right now I do the bridges with leg extensions, planks, stomach vacuums. I also believe the most important thing is engaging your core in everything you do --- you need to remind your belly to keep tight. That's why I believe strength training with free weights/dumbbells has helped my core tighten - it has to respond to all these different, weighted body movements. I do a lot of squats. I make sure I work my whole body and currently do an upper/lower body split routine.

KatrinaDelRey

That is amazing!!
Congratulations on your 20 lb loss

shivles

Awesome, well done!

abyssfully

Thank you so much ladies

And I'm truly happy to have been able to help motivate as I know what it feels like to be on the flip side. I'm hoping to perhaps post another update a few months from now.

KRB28

You look amazing! I had my baby 7 months ago today and I have a bit of loose skin and some stretch marks that I would just love to tone up! This gives me hope that it can actually happen! Great job!

PepeLPew

Holy crap that's some excellent recovery in so short a time. Congrats