after your second baby...

SerenaFisher

I wasn't sure how to phrase this question and get people to answer. I had my first baby when I was 19, and I swear I bounced back and could work out within two weeks. I am now going on my third week and though my body has returned to a close capture of it's recent form I noticed I still do not have my balance back, and I cannot seem to work out.

Also I want to know if it is harder to lose that "extra bit" on your waist with the second child as opposed to the first. I am 29 years old this time so I know my body may be slower, but I would like to know what other mothers went through with their second baby. I am hoping that, like my first, with a good diet and working out I can tighten the belly back to the form it was at least post first baby. (Current profile pic is as of now, The pic of me in blue on my profile are my belly after the first baby, they are from right before I got pregnant in may of last year). Just want to know how long it took other mothers, and what they suggest to do.

After my first I did pilates, and then a lot of cardio. Anything else I could do?

SerenaFisher

any help here ladies?

thinkcrystal

I had my first at 22. I got to 165 with her and dropped down to 130 by the time she was 6 months. However, i gained it all back. Last year i got up to 150 and then SURPRISE preggers again...before i even lost my baby weight from my daughter. I got up to 190 with my son. He is now 10 months and i am 161. So i think my weight loss is bout the same with my two however i do feel VERY VERY lazy so i understand you not feeling up to working out. Its a challenge!!

Hope i helped :huh:

Emtabo01

I had my babies at 27 and 30. I actually lost all my weight from breastfeeding by 6 months (I know that doesn't work for everyone though). My actually floppy stomach though, was a lot worse after number two. I've been doing the MFP thing since last August and lifting since October, since I'm at goal weight, and I'm still unhappy with my stomach area. I just keep with the small calories deficit, a little cardio and a lot of lifting and hoping 6-12 months from now I have noticeable improvement. At three weeks I was still a sloppy mess in pjs on my couch probably still crying from baby blues, 3 weeks - don't be hard on yourself, you have plenty of time, enjoy the baby, rest, eat well, sleep when you can. I was NO where near thinking about working out at 3 weeks and definitely not thinking the looks of my stomach would be back to normal.

Vercell

Well I bounce back with all three and I had my first at 20 and when I had my fourth child at 30 everything changed. I could not lose the weight I got up to 220 lbs so I no how you feel it took me 6 years to lose my weight on and off because I was losing slow so I would give up, am down to 150 and I want to lose 20 more lbs and its hard .All I can say is stick to it I workout at home I have a gym in the house cause I work full time I dont have time for the gym my kids are 17,14,11,7.my diet not perfect but I try to stay on track most of the days and I workout 6 days a week 5am for about 2 hrs . weights 3 times a weeks I just mix up my workouts everyday. I stay 1200 to 1500 cal a day.

mommysockmonkey

Well, I have 4...and 3 c-sections. I had my first at 30 and my second 17 months later. I bounced back from both of those pretty well. At that time I was an avid runner and started working out as soon as I got the ok from my doctor. I will say that the c-section with the second made it harder to get back in shape. I was able to get rid of the weight but didn't look the same. Mind you, I was only running and not working my core at all. With my third I was on bed rest for four months and gained a ton. She was born just before I turned 39. I didn't lose all the weight I had gained with her when I got pregnant with my 4th. She was born 6 weeks ago. I'm 41 now and fighting for every pound I lose.

All that being said, I think that some of our ability to bounce back after pregnancy is genetic. Some is age related. Some has to do with motivation and some has to do with what kind of support we have at home.

Regarding losing your extra around the middle, google Lauren Brooks. She's a master kettlebell instructor who has had 2 children (both by c section). Just ordered her DVD. I'm hoping for some good results.

janeite1990

I had my first at 37 and numbers 2 and 3 at 40. Twins at 40. It was much harder to get back into shape after the twins, but I don't know if that is twins or being past 40. It's harder; it can be done.

shakespearessister

If I'm reading your post correctly, you're only 3 weeks post-partum? It's entirely too early to work out. Things like gentle walks are fine, but you need to be gentle on yourself until you have your 6-week visit with your OB. Your stomach muscles need time to go back to normal (you can actually injure your abdominal muscles if you do too much too soon). I've had all four of mine at home, and I feel great after delivery, but when I pushed it too much, there were consequences. Just don't be too hard on yourself.

Anyway, I gained entirely too much weight with my first, and got pregnant again...twice...in quick succession. It wasn't until after I had my third that I lost the weight. However, yes, after my first, my body went back pretty quickly. Even though I was heavier, my stomach went back pretty quickly. It has gotten a little harder each time. Even though I weigh less now than before I had my first baby, my stomach is pretty flabby. I'm working on it though :-)

blu_meanie_ca

You still have at least 10 lbs on water to lose. Give it some time.