The Mommy Belly

quietasariot

Ok moms! And/or people who have had troubles with belly fat...

I have two kids. One is almost 8, the other just turned 4. I let my body go pretty badly between the two and after my 4 year old was born. I have worked very hard to get in shape and be healthy again. I've lost 77 pounds, and numerous inches (I didn't start measuring until a few months in to it).

However, my biggest problem area is my belly. How the heck can I fix it? I realize "targeting" an area is difficult, but surely there must be some exercises I can do (with or without weights) to get rid of the fat and loose skin. Am I forever stuck with the loose skin? I know I'm never going to wear a bikini again - I have so many stretch marks it's insane - but I'd love to not think about the belly hanging over, even if it's not hanging over THAT much, lol!

Right now, I run 3 miles a day 4-5 days a week and I incorporate strength training 3-4 days a week. So everything else looks fabulous- my arms are toned, my shoulders are pretty good, my legs feel good, and even my thighs are toning up nicely. It's just the belly I'm battling.

I realize I probably need to change my diet more, too, to get rid of the fat, so I'm planning out meals for that, too. Eating clean, yes!

I would appreciate any advice any of you have! Thanks!!

cmeade20

Just keep at it. It will probably be the last to go.

ezramedic

I hope someone can help you - because you've done an AMAZING job!
Bump for you!

LisaY76

I too am dealing with loose skin on my belly. I spoke with a personal trainer friend of mine and he told me that unfortunately because I have so many stretch marks it will be difficult to tighten that skin back up. But, IT IS POSSIBLE. He suggested I do the "Ab Diet". It's a series of DVDs with nutrition and exercise advice. I also do basic ab workouts that target every part of my abdomen. upper abs, lower abs, obliques, and my back. It is slowly getting better but I know I have a long way to go. If I didn't have so much loose skin from loosing weight, I would probably have a flat stomach. That's what keeps me motivated to tighten all that skin up. If you think about it makes sense. I couldn't wait to see what my baby looked like when she was born so I took good care of myself while I was pregnant to make sure she was healthy. Well, I can't wait to see what my abs actually look like once I've eliminated the loose skin so I'm taking good care of myself now by eating right and exercising until my real stomach makes it's appearance.

quietasariot

TY Erin!!

Thanks for the info, Lisa. I know as I lose and tone more it will become less apparent, it's just frustrating right now with how far I have come yet still feel like I have far to go (really not that far now, I guess!). I'll look up the Ab Diet and see what that's all about!

kdiamond

You are doing good! And yes, diet is key! I gained a lot of weight when I was pregnant (50 pounds both times and only 15 months between pregnancies) and it has been 9 years since my baby so I know some of this loose skin is here to stay. However it did get a LOT tighter when I started lifting heavy (here goes my lifting heavy speech again :laugh: ). My stomach looks better now than when I was really skinny, 102-104 pounds or so. Now I am 112 but a lot more muscular/less body fat. Keep on trucking!