Any exercise fitness gurus? Really gross belly pics*WARNED

Oh, one other thing. You CANNOT look like a she-hulk. Seriously. Women who have a physique like that do it deliberately. For whatever reason, it is something they want, and they diet down to sub-10% body fat, they do extremely heavy lifting workouts, and they often take steroids. Women are not capable of just throwing on muscle the way men do, and even a man who has that kind of definition is working his butt off to get it. It cannot happen to ANYONE, especially a female, by accident. Avoiding weight lifting because you don't want to "accidentally" get ripped is like avoiding jogging because you have a fear of "accidentally" winning the New York Marathon. It ain't gonna happen. You'll have PLENTY of signs along the way warning you.

I had a c-section so I understand having the "pooch." But honestly, you look beautiful! If it is any consolation, my stomach looks pretty darn close to yours. It is flat until the bottom portion where my scar is.

I gained and lost 70 pounds twice in 2.5 years after the births of my 2 children.

My stomach looked exactly like yours when I lost all my weight the second time.

I tried low calorie dieting and tons of cardio, all that did was get me super skinny (down to 100 pounds) but flabby and what looked like loose skin.

Then I smartened up, started eating more and lifting heavy 3-4 times a week, and now years later my body looks better than ever. I weigh 10 pounds more than my lowest, but my body fat is WAY lower, and my body is tight, and that tummy flabbiness is all but gone, along with the cellulite on the back on my thighs and butt.

My advice? Stop wasting your time on the Shred, and other high rep/cardio based activities, eat more, and lift heavy weights. Within a year or two of doing this, everything got better and firmer. I'm also in way better shape all together. I hardly do any "ab" exercises, I depend on my eating and my lifting for this, and I have a visible 4 pack and the stomach definition (lines) too.

Here you go! do this!! Also remember to give yourself time!

I gained and lost 70 pounds twice in 2.5 years after the births of my 2 children.

My stomach looked exactly like yours when I lost all my weight the second time.

I tried low calorie dieting and tons of cardio, all that did was get me super skinny (down to 100 pounds) but flabby and what looked like loose skin.

Then I smartened up, started eating more and lifting heavy 3-4 times a week, and now years later my body looks better than ever. I weigh 10 pounds more than my lowest, but my body fat is WAY lower, and my body is tight, and that tummy flabbiness is all but gone, along with the cellulite on the back on my thighs and butt.

My advice? Stop wasting your time on the Shred, and other high rep/cardio based activities, eat more, and lift heavy weights. Within a year or two of doing this, everything got better and firmer. I'm also in way better shape all together. I hardly do any "ab" exercises, I depend on my eating and my lifting for this, and I have a visible 4 pack and the stomach definition (lines) too.

^^THIS^^ enough said

Oh, one other thing. You CANNOT look like a she-hulk. Seriously. Women who have a physique like that do it deliberately. For whatever reason, it is something they want, and they diet down to sub-10% body fat, they do extremely heavy lifting workouts, and they often take steroids. Women are not capable of just throwing on muscle the way men do, and even a man who has that kind of definition is working his butt off to get it. It cannot happen to ANYONE, especially a female, by accident. Avoiding weight lifting because you don't want to "accidentally" get ripped is like avoiding jogging because you have a fear of "accidentally" winning the New York Marathon. It ain't gonna happen. You'll have PLENTY of signs along the way warning you.

Just in case you all missed this the first time....please read!!!

You are beautiful! I am confident that most people look better with their clothes on anyway It Works has an AMAZING body applicator that you can apply right to your problem area. It tightens, tones, and firms the skin. I have seen unbelievable results on the post pregnancy belly. You have done all the hard work on your own. These wraps just help when exercise can no longer "fix" what you want fixed. Please check it out at greenandlean.myitworks.com

Please don't fall for this. It does work, but it's very very temporary. It's basically Preparation H and Saran Wrap.

Do you know what I think?

You're beautiful!!

Your body is great. You're right, you do have a good butt... And I say that in a non-pervy way!

If you want to tone some of your more disliked areas then swimming and cycling could be some more fun alternatives. Crunches and squats at home and maybe some Zumba?

You are a beautiful lady. The tummy isn't too awful, although I know it feels like it right now.

How long since you had your baby? It takes a while for the tummy area to spring back after having a baby, especially when you gain extra. So part of what I will recommend is some patience as you keep working on everything.

I would NOT go down to 1200 calories. Instead, I would suggest lifting about 4 times a week, with a day or two of cardio on non-lift days, and figuring out your TDEE as someone else suggested. Try eating TDEE - 15% to start. You'll see results in upper body, and depending on your genetics, legs and hips, faster for a while. But it does come with time.

I'm not going to tell you that you'll get the flat belly of a girl who has never had a baby (I won't tell you that you can't, either, but it's a lot harder). I've learned, after 4 kids, to do the best I can, keep working out, and love that extra curve as a badge of honor -- this body grew 4 wonderful babies and I'm not going to hate on a bit of a "pooch" … I am, however, going to dress in ways that are flattering and minimize its appearance :laugh:

May I just say... you look like Shakira, and you're GORGEOUS :flowerforyou:

Even though you may feel happier when you've made some healthier lifestyle changes, just know that your starting point is already beautiful!!

I'm not sure what you calorie intake should be, but if you want to keep the butt, try the Butt Bible workout (it's free on youtube) along with weighted squats. Bret Contreras (http://bretcontreras.com) also has a lot of information about improving your glutes. Good luck!

If you want to "tone up" your muscle, then lift some weights (full body workout) with resistance challenging enough to just do 5-8 reps. You don't NEED to do cardio unless your goal is to increase your endurance or just burn more calories. Moderate calorie deficit and be consistent. That's pretty much it. Your body will figure out what you're doing and comply.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm sorry, but where are the "really gross" pictures? I don't see any in your OP.

LOOK AT MY STOMACH AND THEN LOOK AT YOURS, THERE YOU GO.

Well, have you at least watched Extreme Weight Loss? I think that's the caliber of stuff people expect when you say your tummy is gross, not a couple stretch marks, some loose skin over a standard lower tummy pooch, and totally drool worthy hips and *kitten*. Ugh, can you at least tell me what jeans you're wearing so I don't feel totally ripped off? :laugh:

In the long term a mix of cardio, and weights will help, if it's more toning and firming then more weights than cardio and make sure you get enough protein. In the short term while you're doing this, good fitting underwear and clothes. If you wear clothes that are too tight you will gain love handles. I have plenty left to tone up, but in the right fitting clothes I can look like I've almost accomplished my goal.

And never be grossed out by a baby belly, it carried your most precious achievment. I've had 6 and mine is a bit flabbier than yours(hoping to change that with weights), but I still don't think it looks bad (stood upright), but bent forward, hell yeah it look like a deflated camel hump, but who walks around like that all day.

One, I definitely agree with the majority of posters. You aren't gross or disgusting or anything like that. I think that if you changed your wording, you'd probably get a lot more help or ideas to help you meet your goal.

It sounds like you truly mean that you want to tighten up things around your body instead of it looking "soft". You made one accurate statement in saying that you like the weight that you see on the scale, but you'd like to see more of your body being toned muscle instead of showing the adipose tissue.

I would search "women lifting" in the forums to get your answer. The 30 day shred is more geared towards weight loss. If you're wanting to do a home thing instead of a gym, I would look into other videos that focus more on building lean muscle. Or if you have a gym membership, then there's your first step.

I'm sorry, but where are the "really gross" pictures? I don't see any in your OP.

LOOK AT MY STOMACH AND THEN LOOK AT YOURS, THERE YOU GO.

See, there aren't may people on this site who are willing to support negative self-affirmations. If you want advice on how to change your body's shape or appearance, people will give you suggestions. But not if you speak negatively about yourself. You have a VERY common post pregnancy shape. It is not gross on you or any other woman who has it.

It doesn't mean you can't want to change it, it just means you need to speak kinder about yourself so people aren't afraid they are "helping" somebody with some type of body dysmorphic disorder.

Its not speaking negatively to me, its what and how I feel about it.
If it wasn't "gross" you try going to the beach with me and see the stares I get!

I WASNT EVEN ASKING ABOUT MY STOMACH!!!!!! READ THE POST, more or so to the end.

Um, did read the post -- the ENTIRE thing, which is why I told you to:

My non-expert suggestion is to eat at a very small deficit (.5 a week) and lift..

Your actual question is being ignored because of you are calling yourself names and acting like your stomach is the worst thing EVER when a good number of women have the SAME THING. Period. You will get A LOT more constructive, useful comments if you drop all negativity.