what should i do to get rid of the muffin top?

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

I know a lot of us have them once we become moms, and I am working hard at shedding weight, down 15 lbs in 7 weeks, I am doing eat to live and also putting in 5 hours of cardio at the gym each week. I do 4 hours on the eliptical and 1 hour on the stationary bike each week. Will adding crunches help out my midsection? I've already lost 3 inches off my abs since starting the diet/exercise regimen. And i am assuming that I am losing the omentum fat, because my muffin's top looks the same to me, just smaller. So would a little crunches help get rid of the outside fat, the squishing kind that sits on top of the abs?LOL?

[nameisrio]

Ugh, I can relate. Unfortunately I think the solution is one that most of us on here would not do - TUMMY TUCK!

Otherwise, I guess we just have to learn to love our bodies for what they are now.

[ambereva]

Ab exercises won't do anything to get rid of the fat, you're already on the right track with diet and cardio there. You'll lose it eventually, just keep doing what you're doing!

Ab/core exercises WILL build a nice strong midsection, that will show once you diet and exercise the fat away.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by ambereva

Ab exercises won't do anything to get rid of the fat, you're already on the right track with diet and cardio there. You'll lose it eventually, just keep doing what you're doing!

Ab/core exercises WILL build a nice strong midsection, that will show once you diet and exercise the fat away.

Yes. I found that I had a very strong core--most core workouts I didn't even break a sweat. I couldn't even begin to see definition until I dropped 20 lbs. And I have about 15 more to go. I agree that diet needs to be right along with cardio but also ( this has been my magic bullet) strength training--with heavy weights. I think Lisa on the Move suggested I do more weight training as a way to tone and sculpt my midsection and I've been doing it for I think 3 weeks . Amazing. I'm ready to add one more strength session a week.

[wombatclay]

If you have a diastasis, crunches wont help. Maybe look into the Tupler Technique? It's easy to learn/do and it's specifically designed to reduce/heal diastasis and get rid of the "mummy tummy".

[not_telling]

I'm looking for advice about this, too. I gave birth 19.5 months ago and still have a bit of muffin top. I was slender to begin with, and am pretty much back to my old weight range...maybe 5-8 lbs. heavier than I was pre-pregnancy. So, I'm feeling less like it's about losing overall weight for me, and more about just getting rid of this pudgy muffin top that is fun to poke at, but looks kinda funny to me. I don't belong to a gym and I'm not a runner, so wondering what can I do. Speed-walking maybe?

[fresh_veggie]

You can be the queen of cardio, but you might never lose the weight where you want to. That's just where your body deposits fat now, and the only way to get rid of it is to lower your body fat percentage. Weight training is great for building muscle (you'll gain weight, but look better because more muscle helps you burn fat naturally, and you'll be more compact!) and cutting calories. Which you're already doing an awesome job at! Just keep it up! Crunches won't help. Hang in there!

[ryleigh'smama]

I would increase strength training. I started lifting weights, and doing intense circuit training about 1.5 years ago. My body is completely different, it changed everything. My stomach has definition, and I had a 10 and a half pound baby 3 years ago, less than two years after my first 9 lb baby, and my stomach was chubby and stretched to the max when I started to say the least. I'm not saying it's "perfect", there are still stretch marks, but it is FAR more defined than I ever thought possibe...and no muffin top, unless I'm trying to squeeze into some teeny tiny jeans.

You can do it! You are doing such a great job already, you have made some really amazing changes.

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by ryleigh'smama

I would increase strength training. I started lifting weights, and doing intense circuit training about 1.5 years ago. My body is completely different, it changed everything. My stomach has definition, and I had a 10 and a half pound baby 3 years ago, less than two years after my first 9 lb baby, and my stomach was chubby and stretched to the max when I started to say the least. I'm not saying it's "perfect", there are still stretch marks, but it is FAR more defined than I ever thought possibe...and no muffin top, unless I'm trying to squeeze into some teeny tiny jeans.

You can do it! You are doing such a great job already, you have made some really amazing changes.

Yep, this. And if you are going to any weights, to start out you are better off doing some basic lifts that require your core as stabilizers, and use most of your body. Squats, walking lunges, standing military presses, etc. I don't spend much time at all on my abs, they get a lot of work from my workouts. Lift weights, eat well and move fast sometimes to lose some fat. It's a long slow process but just keep at it!

[ILoveMyBabyBird]

thanks for all the replies, I checked my stomach out and I'm pretty sure i don't have diastisis, sp? I think I will just keep up what I'm doing, the weight is still coming off, I want to lose about 20-25 pounds more, once I get the weight off I plan to slow down on cardio and begin more strength training.

[covertlycrunchy]

I've gotten really good results with high intensity interval training. You sound like you are doing a lot of cardio, just go all out for as long as you can while you are already on the machine then spend a minute or two to recover. Repeat 4-5 times, this actually targets abdominal fat. I know somebody is going to go on about how you can't "spot reduce" but just google it and you'll find the study that shows this effect (I have to got to work now or I'd do it myself and post the link). Cut out grains/sugars/fructose will also help.