Question for the mums with flat stomachs.

fifijoaney
fifijoaney Posts: 21 Member
edited November 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so I've had three children my weight went up and down whilst my children were young and that weight seemed to go to my stomach the older I've got.
My stomach when I'm stood up straight is flat but if I bend over its horrible, all loose like an empty bag hanging there! Now I can't tell whether there is more fat to lose in my stomach or is it just loose skin? I know I've got muscle under there because I can feel it and I'm fitter than I've ever been in my life but will this ever tighten up?
I'm not looking for any quick fixes, I don't even mind if it takes a long time I would just like to know if I need to be realistic that this is how my stomach is now.
Sorry for the long ramble.

Replies

  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    Same prob here. Its the worst part. It will get smaller with weight loss but chances are when we bend over it will always hang slightly or a lot. All depends on your body and the fat/skin ratio. I've had 3 kids too and I'm almost 8mo Postpartum. Mine has gotten much smaller after I lost baby weight after #2 but it's going to always be "loose" there unfortunately. However I have been lifting weights this time around so I'm hoping for more improvement than last time. However after many shed tears and winces in the mirror I've accepted what is and will be grateful for any improvements. Afterall it carried 3 perfect babies and that's definitely a good reason not to resent it. Unfortunately the only option for tightening skin is surgery. And please don't buy into the ItWorks wraps.
  • Sumiblue
    Sumiblue Posts: 1,597 Member
    I've only had one child but my stomach was just like you described. I lift weights and that has helped me tighten the muscles. I've pretty much lost all the excess fat in my abdomen. But I have a little loose skin as well. That just takes time. Depending on how stretched out it is, it may not tighten up all the way. But it can improve.
  • fifijoaney
    fifijoaney Posts: 21 Member
    No I don't buy in to anything with outrageous claims. I just eat well and workout. I know I need to start a proper weight training programme it's just being brave enough to join the weight section at the gym. I already use the dumbells and Kettlebells and weights machine but I know that's not enough. Good to know other mums have managed it there's hope for me yet. Im very happy with the progress I've made I'm just always looking to improve and maybe too critical of myself. Thanks for your responses ☺
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    fifijoaney wrote: »
    No I don't buy in to anything with outrageous claims. I just eat well and workout. I know I need to start a proper weight training programme it's just being brave enough to join the weight section at the gym. I already use the dumbells and Kettlebells and weights machine but I know that's not enough. Good to know other mums have managed it there's hope for me yet. Im very happy with the progress I've made I'm just always looking to improve and maybe too critical of myself. Thanks for your responses ☺

    Good job using weights - Ive seen an improvement in several areas just in the 6 weeks I've been lifting. But, I have to lose weight slowly to give my skin time to shrink as well. After my first I lost weight way too fast and it didnt really give my "mommy skin" time to adfjust. After baby #2 I took it nice and slow and it was much better - but regret not using weights. So, Im hoping this 3rd time's the charm! Keep going!
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    How old is your youngest? Mine has gotten a lot better, but my youngest kid is 8 now (I have 4 bio kids, they were 8-10 lbs so plenty o' stretching) Still bigger stomach when I lean over, but not a hanging bag anymore; and still some wrinkling when I crunch up but not the crepey yucky stuff anymore.

    Just keep going, it will improve, good luck to you!
  • bendyourkneekatie
    bendyourkneekatie Posts: 696 Member
    Yeah, the skin thing is no fun. My stomach is the flattest it's been my whole life, as far as belly-fat goes, but if I bend over the loose skin dangles. Ick
    And don't get me started on my non-existent waist...
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    bendyourkneekatie wrote: »
    Yeah, the skin thing is no fun. My stomach is the flattest it's been my whole life, as far as belly-fat goes, but if I bend over the loose skin dangles. Ick
    And don't get me started on my non-existent waist...

    I never had a waist anyway, so can't miss it. Ribcage ends 1" above hipbones, there simply isn't anyplace to PUT a waist. 29" underbust and 29" waist. If I gain, 30" underbust and 30" waist. When I am skinny, 28" underbust and 28" waist. My skeleton wouldn't have a waist.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    Yeah when I bend over my stomach looks like that also.
  • bendyourkneekatie
    bendyourkneekatie Posts: 696 Member
    robininfl wrote: »
    bendyourkneekatie wrote: »
    Yeah, the skin thing is no fun. My stomach is the flattest it's been my whole life, as far as belly-fat goes, but if I bend over the loose skin dangles. Ick
    And don't get me started on my non-existent waist...

    I never had a waist anyway, so can't miss it. Ribcage ends 1" above hipbones, there simply isn't anyplace to PUT a waist. 29" underbust and 29" waist. If I gain, 30" underbust and 30" waist. When I am skinny, 28" underbust and 28" waist. My skeleton wouldn't have a waist.

    I used to have a waist. I used to have an hourglass figure *sob*
    Now I have a 26 inch waist and 31 inch hips. :cry:
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    If it's just skin, it's not going anywhere. :(
  • spzjlb
    spzjlb Posts: 602 Member
    I also have just had one child - and he's 18!! I'm 51, fit and with a slim enough tummy to have a visible six pack....But when bend forward, same thing happens with the bagginess as everyone else!!!

    Two strategies to deal with this:
    1 - never bend forward
    2 - be incredibly proud of what your bodies did

    I've been self critical all my life and it hurts me to see how many women are unhappy with our bodies. Stop the madness. Work out hard to be fit but love yourselves no matter what bit you don't care for.... We have a working, healthy body and that's the important thing.
  • fifijoaney
    fifijoaney Posts: 21 Member
    spzjlb wrote: »
    I also have just had one child - and he's 18!! I'm 51, fit and with a slim enough tummy to have a visible six pack....But when bend forward, same thing happens with the bagginess as everyone else!!!

    Two strategies to deal with this:
    1 - never bend forward
    2 - be incredibly proud of what your bodies did

    I've been self critical all my life and it hurts me to see how many women are unhappy with our bodies. Stop the madness. Work out hard to be fit but love yourselves no matter what bit you don't care for.... We have a working, healthy body and that's the important thing.

    Love this made me chuckle. I will just have to squat to the floor if I want to pick something up. I am proud of what my body's achieved and I'm pretty happy with how it looks just this one thing I would change. At least it's flat when I standing straight, a year ago I would have been ecstatic to have that!
    If that's the way it will be then so be it I'll just keep working hard in the gym. After all u ladies look amazing.
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