4 c-cestions and needing help

phuckingbadasscutie
phuckingbadasscutie Posts: 1,619 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all. I'm a mom of 4, oldest is 8 youngest is 1. All four have been c-sections. My stomach doesn't look horrible but it sticks out more than I would like no matter what I do. Does anyone have suggestions of excersizes I can try that I may not be doing?
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Replies

  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    I assume it is sticking out from fat mostly or no?

    If so, then your diet is what will show you results.

    If its from the incisions with a pooch or shelf, you can change tighten it up, it will take time a patience.

    What kind of exercises are you doing right now?
  • phuckingbadasscutie
    phuckingbadasscutie Posts: 1,619 Member
    It is mostly fat. I eat fairly good...no sweets, soda, or junk food really at all. I do 30 sec planks in 3 sets, 10 sit ups in 3 sets, 80 squats, 10 leg lifts in 3 sets and 10 bench press in 3 sets. All of that 5 times a week alongwith wearing ankle weights everyday and running at least 3.5 miles 3 times a week, sometimes more. I'm just not sure what else to do.
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
    Bump - :flowerforyou: Curious to see what type of responses you get. Thanks for posting the question.
  • Meggles63
    Meggles63 Posts: 916 Member
    I've also had 4 c-sections (14,11,10 and 6), and most of my pooch is fat. Slowly, with patience, a calorie deficit, and lifting heavy, I'm starting to see some changes. It's really just a matter of sticking with it. Good luck!
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Lift heavy.
  • juleszephyr
    juleszephyr Posts: 442 Member
    I have had 2 C-sections and lost 8+ stones so tummy was always going to be an issue for me too...

    I would recommend crunches, and ab work via a DVD like Jillian Michaels as well as Pilates to help build up your core muscles again and you should see some improvement.

    I do JM DVD 5 times a week but a Total Body Tone Class, Run about 20k a week and do 400 crunches a day!! Yes I know that's a lot but it is showing results.
  • ryall70
    ryall70 Posts: 519 Member
    Bump
  • jackieatx
    jackieatx Posts: 578 Member
    It's interesting to me how a man was the first to reply to this! Haha. Depending on what sort of incision your doctor did is what sort of shape you'll have I've found with my girlfriends and I. I've only had one (bless your heart for having four!) but I've minimalized any effects by dieting to get the fat off and then building muscle to tone and reshape my body as much as possible. Lifting heavy is a good suggestion, but as a mom of four young children I don't know if you'd want to deal with all the soreness that is inevitably going to come with all that, or even if you'd have time. Yoga would be a really good place to start - bikram yoga or Pilates would be a good step after that for you. Good luck momma! Xo

    Also there's some really excellent scar minimizing creme out there, my doctor ordered me some from a compounding pharmacy... it's awesome!
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    I have had 5 c/sections, at my lowest weight, UK size 6/8 my tummy was flat, it can go and I am working on getting back to a flat tummy, doing weights helps keep muscles in shape while dieting
  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    It is mostly fat. I eat fairly good...no sweets, soda, or junk food really at all. I do 30 sec planks in 3 sets, 10 sit ups in 3 sets, 80 squats, 10 leg lifts in 3 sets and 10 bench press in 3 sets. All of that 5 times a week alongwith wearing ankle weights everyday and running at least 3.5 miles 3 times a week, sometimes more. I'm just not sure what else to do.

    As most of the women on my fl would tell you, add deadlifts to your routine. Drop tbe sit ups. Dead lifts will do way more for your core.
  • phuckingbadasscutie
    phuckingbadasscutie Posts: 1,619 Member
    Thanks for the input everyone. I'll def try these suggestions. Looks like I'll be starting with weights today.
  • devilwhiterose
    devilwhiterose Posts: 1,157 Member
    I had a c-section with my twins.

    I love planking.
  • lookpregbutnot
    lookpregbutnot Posts: 17 Member
    I had 4 c-sections as well, 18, 15, 6 and 23 months, All low horizontal, not vertical incisions

    However, it's not the c-sections that make me look pregnant, I was born with a fat apron under my belly button (very evident from my naked baby pictures and I'm short wasted to boot at 5'4''. I've been sucking in my belly since I was in second grade.

    My youngest inherited this from me :(

    Eagerly waiting more suggestions!!!!!
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    edited bc i just saw youre only doing 3 sets of 10 situps. I do 3 sets of 10 crunches, but 5 different varieties. so, 150 crunches? You need to do a lot more ab work than 30 situps. That may be what you are lacking
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    What? Don't make me post a bikini pic LOL
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    What? Don't make me post a bikini pic LOL

    And? You don't need to cut out sugars and alcohol to have a flat tummy. Cardio isn't necessary either.
  • ren_ascent
    ren_ascent Posts: 432 Member
    After 2 c-cections I was able to get rid of my fat, but not the loose skin from pregnancy. I did the 30 day shred and started a daily cardio routine. A nice balance of weights and cardio.

    I guess bottom line is if what you're doing isn't working, try something different. No matter what you end up doing, it will be a lot of work.
  • DrFlave
    DrFlave Posts: 59 Member
    It doesn't really matter what foods you eat or what specific exercises you do. If you want to lose fat you have to eat at a caloric deficit.
  • ren_ascent
    ren_ascent Posts: 432 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    What? Don't make me post a bikini pic LOL

    And? You don't need to cut out sugars and alcohol to have a flat tummy. Cardio isn't necessary either.

    The same thing doesn't work for everyone. I hate serious weight training, but what I ended up doing worked for me. What she did worked for her so she's sharing.
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    I cant imagine even trying to get a flat tummy without cardio and cutting sugar. I imagine it possible but I wanted to get fit quick. How do I post a pic?
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    okay last attempt at posting a pic. I give up! lol

    Anyway if you can see the pic, this is me last summer at 39 years old with an average amount of working out and cutting sugar and doing lots of cardio. I plan to get really cut this year.

    <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=bm0kp&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/bm0kp.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I cant imagine even trying to get a flat tummy without cardio and cutting sugar. I imagine it possible but I wanted to get fit quick. How do I post a pic?

    Well it is possible... have a look around the site and open your eyes.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    What? Don't make me post a bikini pic LOL

    And? You don't need to cut out sugars and alcohol to have a flat tummy. Cardio isn't necessary either.

    The same thing doesn't work for everyone. I hate serious weight training, but what I ended up doing worked for me. What she did worked for her so she's sharing.

    And I shared mine? So what is your point?
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    i only had one c section but i was also 35 and gained 62 lbs with the pregnancy. You can get a flat tummy again. Focus on cardio, crunches, and planks, and burpees. Cut out sugar- including fake sugars- and alcohol. Lots and lots of cardio and do your core work with every workout

    No... just no. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:

    What? Don't make me post a bikini pic LOL

    And? You don't need to cut out sugars and alcohol to have a flat tummy. Cardio isn't necessary either.

    Nor is core work (crunches, planks, etc..) You can't spot reduce. You can do all of the core work you want, but if the body has fat it wants to burn from other places of the body, it will.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    It's interesting to me how a man was the first to reply to this! Haha. Depending on what sort of incision your doctor did is what sort of shape you'll have I've found with my girlfriends and I. I've only had one (bless your heart for having four!) but I've minimalized any effects by dieting to get the fat off and then building muscle to tone and reshape my body as much as possible. Lifting heavy is a good suggestion, but as a mom of four young children I don't know if you'd want to deal with all the soreness that is inevitably going to come with all that, or even if you'd have time. Yoga would be a really good place to start - bikram yoga or Pilates would be a good step after that for you. Good luck momma! Xo

    Also there's some really excellent scar minimizing creme out there, my doctor ordered me some from a compounding pharmacy... it's awesome!

    Just cause I'm a man doesn't mean I haven't had similar or more harsh operations in the same area.:wink: .

    Lifting heavy with squats/deads mainly took care of most of my problems. It takes a good amount of time with dedication, but you can do it.

    Feel free to check out my profile pics to see end results. I'm on a bulk right now so my abs are a touch doughy right now but you will still get a good idea what heavy lifting can do.
  • phuckingbadasscutie
    phuckingbadasscutie Posts: 1,619 Member
    Good point. Thanks.
  • Runner5AbelTownship
    Runner5AbelTownship Posts: 243 Member
    Be sure that it's not sticking out due to muscle separation. Because that may require a different and more cautious approach.

    http://www.birth.com.au/emotional-and-physical-recovery/abdominal-separation
  • dnamouse
    dnamouse Posts: 612 Member
    I've had 2 c/sections, but my problem is the muscle separation. I have a lovely 5cm split, and I'm only 4'10, so its pretty big.

    I need to be a little more careful and all the cardio and crunches in the world will not fix a separation ;)

    However, I have found that weights have helped me an awful lot more than any cardio in my core section. Eventually I may have to get the centre muscles surgically fixed, but in the mean time the muscles on either side are seriously awesome. And I'm only lifting light at the moment.
  • phuckingbadasscutie
    phuckingbadasscutie Posts: 1,619 Member
    Part of the problem is muscle separation which I know. Are there any exercises out there to help with that?

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