Is it possible to get back (or near to) pre-pregnancy size after twins?

[4Marmalade]

I'm not really hung up on this. I realize that after 3 pregnancies my body has done a fabulous job and I might just need to accept this change . I pretty much bounced back to pre-pregnancy size after my singleton births. Now, after the twins I am about 5lbs heavier (but I'm fine with that as it's more in line with what my weight "should" be for my height) but everything is just so different. I have been working out and I realize that change does not happen over night but the twins will be 2 years old in June and I just pulled out all my summer stuff from before my pregnancy with them and nothing fits. It's the hip area. The stuff I bought to make it through last summer (until my pre-pregnancy things fit again ) is a bit too big so I guess that's a good sign.

I'm thinking I just need to suck it up, donate the clothes and go shopping. I don't want to spend every season just getting through with what clothes fit (like 2 pairs of pants this past winter) in the hopes that I will fit those old clothes.

What has your experience been? Anyone want to go shopping with me?

[Valerieg]

I'll go shopping with you. I'm curious about this myself. My twins are only 6 weeks old so I haven't even really started anything but I do have the same fear that I'll never go back to normal.

Weight-wise I don't think I'm going to have an issue as I'm already just 9 lbs away but this belly still looks 6 mo PG! I guess I just don't know what to expect since I was back to my weight and in my pre-PG jeans with the other two after a week or two PP.

Also, I ended up with a c-section. When does everything even out under, around, the scar? It seems under the scar is flat and above the scar things are just piling up. Or is that a constant "dam" area from now until eternity?

[kjoy2]

I'm almost 2 years postpartum, and I finally feel like I am 'back to normal', but I am not really back to anything. I had to donate most of my clothes (particularly bottoms) and start fresh, as everything just fits differently now.

[dividedsky]

my boys are 14mos and i am back to my pre-preg size. my body shape has changed a bit for sure, i never had a belly before and now i have a little one, but i'm more or less where i was!

[4Marmalade]

It doesn't help that the styles from 3 years ago are so much less flattering for a post-pregnancy body. I had so many low-rise pants (can we say muffin top ) and short t-shirts. I definitely enjoy the longer coverage from shirts these days.

Glad to hear I'm not totally alone. Sometimes I think it's hard to let that idea of the slim trim body go. I mean it's been over 8 years of pregnancy, nursing and parenting and it's reasonable to expect some changes as I get older. I just want to feel good again and stop using the twins as an excuse to stay in sweats and put my hair up in a ponytail. I think I need to get some clothes I feel good in instead of just biding my time.

I'm having trouble with the hip area but when I feel there's not really any extra there. I can feel the bones so maybe I've just stretched out . Not sure if that will change.

[Intertwined]

I am at my prepreg weight but oh the STOMACH. Ugh. I won't go on and on because you've all heard it before and I'm sure you're all in about the same boat (and if you're not then I don't wanna hear it!)

I can wear about the same size. I was already hippy and curvy so I don't notice much difference.

[MamaChicken]

I'm almost the same size as pre-preg, but like you say, the SHAPE is different. I have a mild diastasis so the belly "pouches" a little bit. My hips are wider. My waist isn't as narrow.

So, yeah, it may be time to get fresh clothes to fit your new shape! I went through this after I had my first. I lost all the weight plus some, but the shape was never the same.

[AmyC]

Just popping in here (I seem never to get over here, anymore. 20 month old twins have anything to do with that, hmmmmm?????)

Anyway, I think I am in the same boat. I haven't had to get out the summer clothes yet, but I am thinking that the hip-grazing t-shirts aren't going to be favored. I am doing all right on the scale, and I actually look a little lean at times to myself (I think in part because the twin who sits by me at dinner seriously eats most of my food.) But the soft, smooshy belly is there. When I stand up, it pooches out as if it's a real belly, too. (Like, it rounds out, it doesn't stay a relatively flat mass of wrinkles the way I've seen some photographed post-twin bellies.) It smooths out and goes round.

For a long time, it was pretty full and I still looked pregnant. (Not stunningly pregnant, but still.) I'm not sure how long that lasted.

I am not sure how to tell if my hips are wider or have, overall, spread. My jeans are fitting pretty well, and I suspect my capris will too, but if they don't cover my stomach enough to hold the upper loose skin down I'm not sure what will "work" as far as shirts.....

Shopping is not an option, either, unfortunately. I hope I can find things that work for me.

[kalynnsmom]

Another one that's in the same boat.

I lost 60 lbs before I got pregnant with my twin boys. I'm 3 1/2 years PP after my boys and on the losing weight journey again. There are some big difference between this time and last time.. My stomach pooches out more and my hips are wider. The clothes I could wear around the same point don't fit. It's frustrating for sure..

[Shuli]

I lost about 20 pounds in the first six weeks after the boys were born and by the time that they were 6 months old I was the skinniest I had ever been. Then they. stopped. nursing. and I got bigger again. I also have a little pooch left over from my c-section with a bit of skin hanging down, but I don't know if that is because I am pudgy or because that is what's it's supposed to look like. Losing the weight after this singleton is much harder, I find. I started the pregnancy at about the same weight, but taking it off seems to be a bit harder. Oh, well.

[kelly]

Just like PP said, while my girls were nursing I plummeted below my pre-pg weight. Then they weaned, and I gained and gained - ugh. I agree, a little more belly after them especially right above my c-sec scar, but I was in pretty good shape considering the 50 pounds I put on with them. I am hoping this singleton weight comes off as easily, and that I have learned my lesson about post-weaning eating!!

[DeerMother]

What is it with that pooch above the c/s scar!?! Sure I can fit into pre-preg shirts but then I get asked when my baby is due. Uh. . . not preg, just my pooch! I've been doing yoga and core classes and my ab area feels stronger but you just can't tighten up extra skin. I don't even want to talk about swimsuits! (do you think I could pull off a Victorian era style suit?)

I say get a few things that fit and make you feel good. Money is an issue for me too, so it is just a few things, usually second hand, here and there. I can make do with 2-3 pairs of jeans if I have 10 shirts to mix it up with.