Post Pregnant belly won't go away

danyelle1979

I've had 4 kids in 7 years and look 6 months pregnant no matter what. I've been working out 4-5 times a week since Sept and doing planks and watching what I eat, yet my waist is STILL 43". The rest of me has shrunk 6 sizes while my waist has not changed. This makes getting clothes near impossible and I am frustrated beyond belief. My Dr said I have a diastasis recti and my only solution is surgery. I refuse to accept this. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make my ab muscles tighten so I can be more proportionate?

fbmandy55

Edit: It looks like it's an issue of muscles separating, not fat so I'd go with your doc.

I'm not familiar with your condition so if your doctor says surgery is required, listen to him or get a second opinion.

wilmaln

Have you looked at this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6SfiH2-TEQ

When did you last give birth?

Holly_Roman_Empire

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach

This applies to anyone, even those who've had kids.

Edit: Link fix, but I see usmcmp chimed in also. :happy:

usmcmp

I've had 4 kids in 7 years and look 6 months pregnant no matter what. I've been working out 4-5 times a week since Sept and doing planks and watching what I eat, yet my waist is STILL 43". The rest of me has shrunk 6 sizes while my waist has not changed. This makes getting clothes near impossible and I am frustrated beyond belief. My Dr said I have a diastasis recti and my only solution is surgery. I refuse to accept this. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make my ab muscles tighten so I can be more proportionate?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach

I had the same issue. Strength training (especially doing the big compound lifts) engages your core in a natural manner. It will help bring the abdominal muscles together.

usmcmp

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach?hl=so+you+want+a+nice+stomach

This applies to anyone, even those who've had kids.

HAHAHA you beat me to it!

By the way: I was the one who wrote it. I am a female (my picture may not do my gender justice). I had two babies while obese and suffered from the same issue that the OP did when I started out weight loss.

aharper84

Moms into Fitness has a dvd just for women with diastasis recti. I didn't have diastasis recti, so I can't offer you any review of the dvd. However, I don't think that it is very expensive, maybe $10. It might be worth checking out. It's called the Core Sequence Firing Method, I believe.

Holly_Roman_Empire

I don't think diastasis recti has anything to do with a layer of fat and/or skin covering your midsection. You should still be able to lose fat there with a calorie deficit. I probably wouldn't do any sit-ups or crunches anytime soon, though. How long ago did you give birth?

GretaGirl8

I've had 4 kids in 7 years and look 6 months pregnant no matter what. I've been working out 4-5 times a week since Sept and doing planks and watching what I eat, yet my waist is STILL 43". The rest of me has shrunk 6 sizes while my waist has not changed. This makes getting clothes near impossible and I am frustrated beyond belief. My Dr said I have a diastasis recti and my only solution is surgery. I refuse to accept this. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make my ab muscles tighten so I can be more proportionate?

I have only one child who is nearly two years old. I noticed that my stomach seemed to be bloated perpetually after his birth. I went to my obgyn and she said I had minor diastasis recti, but no need to undergo surgery. She didn't offer any advice on how to improve the condition. upon reading, there are many women who have had great success with particular exercises. Stay away from certain exercises (like crunches), apparently, they make the condition worse. I know I am not offering any significant advice, but I am glad you posted. I look forward to reading the suggestions of others.

danyelle1979

My youngest is 15 months old.

danyelle1979

15 months ago

danyelle1979

I hadn't thought about things like squats helping. I'll have to start doing more of that, thank you

argrace14

I'm right there with you. I have a diastasis too. Have you found anything that seems to help yet?