Women with children, give me hope?

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  • tashajayne2011
    tashajayne2011 Posts: 288
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    I had my first child when I was 19. Before I got pregnant I was 133lbs and I was 140lbs with not much change to my body shape just a few weeks after giving birth. I was very active throughout my pregnancy (I walked 4 miles to the maternity unit to be induced much to my parents horror, lol) and I guess it was because of this and my age that everything sprang back afterwards!

    2nd baby was different! I was 182lbs when I got pregnant and by my due date I was 231lbs - I have just realised that this is my weight now!! My daughter is 6yrs old (doh!) I cannot imagine that my body will shrink back but I intend to lose weight slowly, drink like a fish and do a lot of weight training to try and give my body its best chance.

    I have to say though - I used to be a lot more bothered by the thought of excess skin and boob sagging (and deflation!) but now I just want to be healthy and things like stretchmarks, well they are just a souvenir of being a mum!

    When I was sent the following 2 links it was kind of like a weight had been lifted. You imagine that everyone else looks great naked compared to you but EVERYONE is different..

    This one is a link to photos of normal natural breasts
    http://www.007b.com/breast_gallery.php

    This one is a link to women and some mens bodies in all shapes and sizes
    http://www.mybodygallery.com/
  • rubixcyoob
    rubixcyoob Posts: 395
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    Yeah I had an EMCS because the doctors messed up, didn't realise my body cannot have a natural birth due to something not being arched enough to push and blah de blah, and my son was simply too big for it to handle, so I'm attriubting that to disgusting c-section overhang :(

    I also had a 10lbs 8oz baby, so put on over a stone/14lbs in pregnancy alone! (including water, placenta etc.) I was like a small walking whale by the time I was due, and going over certainly never helped either!

    When I stand up you can definitely feel muscle, not too fat on top either, but the skin on top is just really saggy and I have no idea how to firm it back up enough to see the fruits of my labour. I feel like no matter how small I get I'm still going to have this gross overhang!
  • lily1972
    lily1972 Posts: 375 Member
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    When I complained about my "love handles" after having my fifth child, a nutrition specialist advised me to up my protein (lean protein, every meal), up my fiber and steer away from wheat, pasta (no more than twice a week) and potatoes... but have a cheat day on weekends to make the skin stick... I had serious doubts it could actually work for *me*, but it did!!! I'm currently working on the six-pack I've never had but always dreamed of! Woo hoo!!

    But... it also depends on your skin's elasticity.:ohwell: Be patient and firm up those underlaying muscles to offer a firm surface for your skin.
    Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • tashajayne2011
    tashajayne2011 Posts: 288
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    I once heard that it can take 2 years or more for your skin to go back! I didnt realise it took such a long time.
  • mommyoftwins05
    mommyoftwins05 Posts: 645 Member
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    Great question.. I am not sure.. My tummy is droopy too.. I had four kids .. one set of twins and 3 csections.. so I think I'm doomed I hope not. Good Luck! I hope it tightens up for ya
  • kittyhorn
    kittyhorn Posts: 112 Member
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    How long has it been since you had your LO? My son is nearly 19mth old and it took until about this spring/summer for the skin to firm back up again. I'm back at the same weight I was last year but comparing pictures from last year with this year, my tummy has definitely firmed back up again. I still have weight to lose but I can actually pull off a bikini this year and not look possibly preggo...lol....it just takes some time for our bodies to bounce back sometimes.
  • rubixcyoob
    rubixcyoob Posts: 395
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    Tashajayne, I think age plays a part too. I was 17 when I had my son and I'm still only 18. Although I know becoming a mother changes you from one shape to the next I think it's harder for me to accept because I'm young.

    I want to dress like an 18 year old when I go out (while my son is at his 'fathers' - a term I use loosely), if I go swimming I want to wear 18 year old outfits etc. I'm not quite ready to accept that my body is now a 'mothers' and not a 'teenagers', if that makes sense?
  • jmom1984
    jmom1984 Posts: 5
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    Well, I've had two kids and lost almost all of the weight. The belly fat is coming off last of course :( but I am nearing a place where I think I will be comfortable staying. My skin is definately not what it was before babies, so I don't know how much advice I can give, but I can encourage! I'm sure you would agree with me that my kids are the greatest things that could ever happen to me, and worth every sacrifice. It has taken me some time (because I used to hate what was happening to my body!) but I am learning to look at myself with respect and gratitude. When I see stretch marks and belly skin that is NOT what it used to be, I let it remind me of the time I got to spend carrying my babies inside me. (We were creating new life, that is some accomplishment!) I let it remind me of how grateful I am that I was able to get pregnant, and have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, because that is not a reality for some women. And when I see my breasts that look so very pathetic (because they were only an A to begin with!), drooping just like that belly skin, I choose to remember the countless hours I spent nursing my babies and what an awesome experience that was, bonding with them, giving them all the nutrition they needed to grow and be strong and healthy. That was such a blessing and an honor! And I wouldn't trade these boobs of my for the most gorgeous celebrity ones if it would mean missing that time of breastfeeding. Some days, I am right there with you, looking in the mirror, remembering what I used to look like and missing it terribly. But then I choose to see what I have now that I didn't then, this amazing little family, and it is all worth it! Love the skin you're in, girl! It tells a story of where you have been and all you have done. You were designed to have babies, and you are even more beautiful now, after reaching that potential, than any flat-stomached teenager out there! <3
  • tashajayne2011
    tashajayne2011 Posts: 288
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    Absolutely! At your age you stand a massively better chance of your skin shrinking back. Just keep hydrated, keep toning and cut back the carbs I guess. :)
  • MarybethAltizer
    MarybethAltizer Posts: 226 Member
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    You should try microderm abrasion on your tummy. My husband and i sell it so that's what I am doing, and it is working really well. It scrubs off the dead skin which makes the new layer come back on more quickly than just letting the natural process happen. I don't know if you have stretch marks or not, but it is working very well for me in this area. Good luck, you are young so don't fret too much!
  • ShannonWinger
    ShannonWinger Posts: 309 Member
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    This is how it was for me too. It took a long time but you can get there. It was the last thing to achieve for me and I still have to work hard to keep it. Lots of work and good eating get you there but it's worth it.
  • DizzieLittleLifter
    DizzieLittleLifter Posts: 1,020 Member
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    There is HOPE! And like another poster said your age will really help! Just really watch what you eat, get your cardio in, strength training and LOTS of water! Good luck sweety!
  • qtiekiki
    qtiekiki Posts: 1,490 Member
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    I am glad to read that some of you were able to get rid of your belly pooch. My kids are 3 and 1.5, and I just started exercise g again. I actually lost my weight fairly easily both times from breastfeeding, but I do have a belly pooch. It's not bad when I am standing, but it's all wrinkly when I sit. I am hoping that it will get toned.

    OP, you are young, and that's on your side. Good luck.
  • nfprox
    nfprox Posts: 9 Member
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    I've had 6 kids, and gained between 40-50 pounds with each pregnancy. The pooch is going away -- slowly, slowly diminishing (my youngest is 3, I'm within three pounds of goal weight). I'm 46 -- I have seen many younger women snap back. I know I did with the first 3; age makes a difference. You're gorgeous, chickie. Good luck!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    I still have a bit of love-handles but my stomach is almost completely flat. I have the start of a 6 pack. I've had 3 children (no C-sections though). The youngest just turned one, and the old is almost 5.

    Someone was asking for pictures the other day so I shall be an attention *kitten* and post again:
    IMAG0190.jpg
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
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    Yeah I had an EMCS because the doctors messed up, didn't realise my body cannot have a natural birth due to something not being arched enough to push and blah de blah, and my son was simply too big for it to handle, so I'm attriubting that to disgusting c-section overhang :(

    I also had a 10lbs 8oz baby, so put on over a stone/14lbs in pregnancy alone! (including water, placenta etc.) I was like a small walking whale by the time I was due, and going over certainly never helped either!

    When I stand up you can definitely feel muscle, not too fat on top either, but the skin on top is just really saggy and I have no idea how to firm it back up enough to see the fruits of my labour. I feel like no matter how small I get I'm still going to have this gross overhang!

    My first baby was 10 lb 5 oz!! I was HUGE!! LOL And I did lose the weight with each baby (all five of them) but I dont think that there really is any way to firm up the skin.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
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    I haven't managed to fix mine yet.
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
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    Well, I've had two kids and lost almost all of the weight. The belly fat is coming off last of course :( but I am nearing a place where I think I will be comfortable staying. My skin is definately not what it was before babies, so I don't know how much advice I can give, but I can encourage! I'm sure you would agree with me that my kids are the greatest things that could ever happen to me, and worth every sacrifice. It has taken me some time (because I used to hate what was happening to my body!) but I am learning to look at myself with respect and gratitude. When I see stretch marks and belly skin that is NOT what it used to be, I let it remind me of the time I got to spend carrying my babies inside me. (We were creating new life, that is some accomplishment!) I let it remind me of how grateful I am that I was able to get pregnant, and have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, because that is not a reality for some women. And when I see my breasts that look so very pathetic (because they were only an A to begin with!), drooping just like that belly skin, I choose to remember the countless hours I spent nursing my babies and what an awesome experience that was, bonding with them, giving them all the nutrition they needed to grow and be strong and healthy. That was such a blessing and an honor! And I wouldn't trade these boobs of my for the most gorgeous celebrity ones if it would mean missing that time of breastfeeding. Some days, I am right there with you, looking in the mirror, remembering what I used to look like and missing it terribly. But then I choose to see what I have now that I didn't then, this amazing little family, and it is all worth it! Love the skin you're in, girl! It tells a story of where you have been and all you have done. You were designed to have babies, and you are even more beautiful now, after reaching that potential, than any flat-stomached teenager out there! <3

    I couldnt agree more.
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
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    I still have a bit of love-handles but my stomach is almost completely flat. I have the start of a 6 pack. I've had 3 children (no C-sections though). The youngest just turned one, and the old is almost 5.

    Someone was asking for pictures the other day so I shall be an attention *kitten* and post again:
    IMAG0190.jpg

    You should be proud of yourself!! You look great!!
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
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    baby bump!

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