Please be kind, BUT is it possible?
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following..0
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There is a good chance that your belly will look a lot better. But stop looking at other peoples pics because every body has its own history.
I have 4 kids, a set of twins to start with and I can tell you that my belly looked way worse than your picture.
Is is still soft and I see the stretchmarks and I have no belly button but it looks like a belly again and not like something huge that doesn´t belong to my body. Keep doing gymnastic but don´t overdo it! Be patient and appreciate the small changes. I will see if I have a pic what I looked like but today I think I look good for what my body went through.0 -
For some reason I cannot see your before picture... I also cannot post pictures from my work computer, but here is a link to my online photo album, there are pictures in there that show the progress I have made with my stomach in the past two month since starting heavy lifting. I have ALOT of work to do, but nothing else helped the way lifting heavy has!
http://m1367.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/mimih1208/CYMERA_20130521_034409_zpsab53c220.jpg.html?o=16
I can't link to that exact picture. But its in there where its my bare belly, that is from March to now. (I am in my underweat here, so beware!! lol)
Also, I never really tell anyone what they should do as far as exercises, but since I started doing deadlifts, squats, and other compound lifts I have seen a lot of improvement! And also reverse crunches have helped, when I started I couldnt do even ONE situp- now I can do at least 10, havent tried to do more was just so excited I could do ANY!
ETA: SO I dont know for sure that it is possible, but I have hope! :flowerforyou:
Weights, do exercises from blogilates.com for pooch, lower belly, obliques, stomach fat (basically planks, twists, reverse crunches, scissors, etc), moisturize the area every day using cocoa butter cream or similar heavy natural oil, drink water and eat clean so you wont bloat, lose weight overall, and be patient as it takes 2 years on average.0 -
My stomach looked like yours when I had more weight on. Exactly like yours. I still have some loose skin, but it's not so bad now - started REALLY improving around a BMI of 22-23 and bodyfat of 26%, and all of my stretch marks - which did look like yours - are faded and white now. I am about a year and a half post weight-loss now, and it seems to get better all the time.0
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Depends on your body composition, but most women I know (I know like 3 new moms right now, whew baby fever!) get the shape of the skin back after about a year or so - after losing the baby weight. It took at least 9 months to stretch out, longer if you gained weight before that or kept it after. It will take time, but your skin will recover!
Elasticity in the skin is enormously impacted by hydration, so make sure to drink lots of water! 0 -
most women I know get the shape of the skin back after about a year or so - after losing the baby weight.
Thank you for this. I figure that skin is a living organ so there's got to be some re-composition that it does naturally, right?0 -
Idk if anyone said this but the girl you want to look like also goes tanning probably a lot to get it that even. It would be a good idea to hide the stretch marks probably0
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My personal experience with female clients is those who have more than 80+ pounds to lose did experience loose skin. Depending on how the C section went, abs may look a little different too (since the muscle had to be cut).
Whatever the deal, do what you physically can and then reassess when you're close to goal.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
It is possible, but it will take time. That's the biggest advice I can give you. I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way. And yes, I do have loose skin. But I'm hoping that improves over time.0
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It is possible....
- go slow...everyone should anyway, but if you're worried particularly about lose skin, go slow to allow for the skin to bounce back more naturally.
- eat at a reasonable and sustainable calorie deficit; this will help with bullet point one obviously...but it'll also help preserve what lean body mass you have.
- adequate protein and resistance training. These are the two most important things when it comes to body composition. Both will help you preserve lean body mass so that when you get to goal weight you're actually leaner than you otherwise would be. Those who neglect their muscles while dieting end up with a higher % body fat at their goal weight relative to what they thought it would be...i.e. they are "skinny fat."
- Keep the cardio to a reasonable level...you don't have to burn a gazillion calories doing a **** load of cardio. Use your diet for weight control and exercise for fitness. 30-45 minutes of aerobic cardio 3-5 times per week is plenty for general fitness and heart health. Excess cardio not only burns calories, but cannibalizes muscle as well. Always remember that cardio is just weight lifting for your heart and cardiovascular system.0 -
It is possible....
- go slow...everyone should anyway, but if you're worried particularly about lose skin, go slow to allow for the skin to bounce back more naturally.
- eat at a reasonable and sustainable calorie deficit; this will help with bullet point one obviously...but it'll also help preserve what lean body mass you have.
- adequate protein and resistance training. These are the two most important things when it comes to body composition. Both will help you preserve lean body mass so that when you get to goal weight you're actually leaner than you otherwise would be. Those who neglect their muscles while dieting end up with a higher % body fat at their goal weight relative to what they thought it would be...i.e. they are "skinny fat."
- Keep the cardio to a reasonable level...you don't have to burn a gazillion calories doing a **** load of cardio. Use your diet for weight control and exercise for fitness. 30-45 minutes of aerobic cardio 3-5 times per week is plenty for general fitness and heart health. Excess cardio not only burns calories, but cannibalizes muscle as well. Always remember that cardio is just weight lifting for your heart and cardiovascular system.
Thanks!! lots of good info!
I have been going slow a little too slow actually since i took a 3 month "break" (never should have let myself slip up) but its been almost a year since i joined MFP and ive only lost about 30lbs and just about all of that was within the first 4 months so really since the end of last year ive lost nothing but i have at least "maintained" since i lost the weight. I go up a few lbs every now and then but it comes right back off so im sure its just water weight and what not. BUT I do plan to start doing some lifting and i would like to start running too maybe. Thanks everyone so much for all the tips and advice 0 -
Short answer is yes.
Long answer is yes but... The closer you get to the flat stomach picture, the harder you have to train, the more dedicated to your diet you have to become. It can be done, but with it you have to be willing to sacrifice. In the beginning you can get away with some things, in the end everything has to be dialed in. For some, a Pilates class here or a yoga class there willl suffice. For others, like myself, it is an all out war.
It is cliche, but to become what you are not, you must do what you are not. Take it one step at a time. It can seem daunting at first. But once you tie up your running shoes, you will start to find that it is too late to turn back and you may as well just get the workout over with.0 -
i've been doing Pilates with Cassey Ho's POP Pilates videos on youtube. she's totally awesome as an instructor and makes working out fun. she also motivates me to do my cardio even on days that i'm toning. it's worth a try : )0
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It is possible and you can lose the weight and resume the shape. My wife had 3 pregnancies and one of them was twins. One was a 45 pound gain. She is now without stretch marks and extra skin and all that stuff you want to get rid of and all of that was 25 years ago (for the last one). She did the work and all of the "problems" went away her having done the work. The same is completely possible for you. Good luck.0
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There are a lot of variable. Yes, you can lose the weight. Yes, you can get a flatter tummy. Will you ever get a FLAT tummy? I know woman who have had c sections and the muscles don't do what they are supposed to do. My friend dieted and exercised until she looked anorexic and her tummy never got flat. I never had a c section and mine isn't flat and I do crunches and weight 106. I believe you need to focus on losing your baby weight, maintaining a healthy weight, eating and exercising in a healthy way and realizing your body is beautiful and perfect with or with out the flat tummy.
Go for it!!!0 -
I delivered my son by C section and I weighed 200 lbs at delivery (he was only 7 lbs) I now weigh 118 and have a reasonably flat tummy, although I do have a little loose skin and lots of (faded) stretch marks. The stomach picture in my profile was taken when I hit goal weight and my son was about 10 months old.0
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i've been doing Pilates with Cassey Ho's POP Pilates videos on youtube. she's totally awesome as an instructor and makes working out fun. she also motivates me to do my cardio even on days that i'm toning. it's worth a try : )
That's the blogilates.com that I mentioned. She is like the energizer bunny full of energy!0 -
DIet is going to be about 80% of your weight loss. So be sure you are eating a healthy diet. Don't do the no carb stuff, that's silly. Eat whole foods, mostly plants. Drink LOTS of water. At least 8 full glasses of ice water a day.0
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Actually, you can minimize stretch marks by using Microderm Abrasion. Over time it fades the stretch marks so you can barely see them. I have the fear about my hips, but any change at this point will be a nice change. Even if I dont have a picture perfect body I will have one that I can say, I did my all to be where I get to.0
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There is a lady on here that had a baby and lost 100lbs. Her belly was super flat. It will depend on your body. As far as the loose skin google foods with a lot of collagen in them. I know off the top of my head tofu has a lot. That will help your skin "shrink" back.0
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Short answer is yes.
Long answer is yes but... The closer you get to the flat stomach picture, the harder you have to train, the more dedicated to your diet you have to become. It can be done, but with it you have to be willing to sacrifice. In the beginning you can get away with some things, in the end everything has to be dialed in. For some, a Pilates class here or a yoga class there willl suffice. For others, like myself, it is an all out war.
It is cliche, but to become what you are not, you must do what you are not. Take it one step at a time. It can seem daunting at first. But once you tie up your running shoes, you will start to find that it is too late to turn back and you may as well just get the workout over with.
I agree with this completely! For a long time after I lost my initial 100 pounds and got to that goal weight I thought would give me the perfect body, I struggled so much and though it would never be possible! Now that I got more honest with myself and have dedicated myself 100% to making the changes and living this lifestyle, the results have been amazing! But it is definitely a war, one I plan to win!
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Well I do not have an actual shirtless before pic but I think you can tell from this pic that I did not have a small belly when I started this journey.
It does not happen overnight. Even after I reached my goal there was loose skin but the longer I maintain the better the results get so just give it some time.0 -
I know that Bio Oil works really well on scars, blemishes and stretch marks. So that could help a bit.0
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Wow you look fantastic job well done! I've just started the journey again so much too loose I know I will probably have loose skin my weight has gone up and down over the years I've had 5 kids and I'm 37 this year the way I look at it even with some loose skin at the end of my journey I will be a fitter and healthier person.0
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I got up to 222 pounds before I delivered my son. I am now down to 118 pounds and I don't think it's possible to get any smaller. My stomach is relatively flat but I do have loose skin and stretch marks on it. I'm hoping the longer I maintain this weight, the more the skin will bounce back. Look at my profile pictures to see my progress. 0
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Planks, planks, and more planks. All you can do is try your best to tighten up that area. You will look great! 0
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Thank you everyone for all the amazing replys You all look amazing and thank you for sharing your advice and tips with me!
p.s. feel free to add me 0 -
If you never look like someone else's "after" pic, don't fret, though. Just strive to be the best version of you.
Everybody on MFP should have this printed out and hanging on their wall.0 -
Bumping so I can see pics at home, and for the ton of inspirational mommy tummies/advice 0
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Bump. Love this post and want to see where it goes.0
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