How do I lose the mommy belly?

[njbeachgirl]

OK, I know I won't lose it all, having had two children.

But seriously, it sticks out further than my boobs. How do I flatten my stomach, at least a little?

I'm starting to run again for cardio but I need some good exercises to tighten up the abs muscles a bit.

[love2all]

I am doing a lot of interval running and it seems to help a bit..the sprinting 1 min/walk recovery 1 min is said to burn belly fat..I think a small change is starting!!!
after 3 I will never have a 6-pack but a mama can try-
I too have small boobs so I totally look preggo all the time because of my bump! It must be decreased!!

[Mommy2Austin]

I've been doing Callanetics with nice results. Its very low impact (pretty much non existant), but targets the specific muscles. I've almost lost the dunlap (ya know it dun laps over my pants lol) and can feel the muscles are stronger. I'm using the original (from like the 70s) version and love it There are newer updated versions and even a cardio workout!!

[gypsyhips26]

i've been having some success with pilates & yoga. I use a pilates DVD that works on the core, the lower body & the abs and you are constantly working those super deep core muscles-like of from the inside out

[sunnysandiegan]

From my experiences and talking to other moms in real life...both those were struggling and those who had succeeded...

If you have weight to lose, then lose it first (or at least a majority of it) and THEN focus on toning. I don't think it has to be a 100% cardio and 0% toning, but definitely get moving on the weight loss before focusing on toning. It is so true you cannot spot reduce, at least in terms of being overweight and just wanting to lose weight in a few areas. Your body shape will determine when and where you will lose weight far more than the type of exercise.

If you are not overweight, just ah...shall we say reshaped? LOL, then I highly recommend Pilates and yoga like the above person suggested. Especially Pilates! Women who had already lost the weight got into shape in amazing time in the classes I took. Those of us who were still losing weight didn't see nearly the same benefits or results in our bodies. It was almost depressing. Yoga, on the other hand, helps everyone, in my humble opinion, in so many ways that I always recommend it.

Actual weight training (gym or functional) is supposed to be really good for weight loss and muscle strength. I have heard mixed reviews on if abs/bellies develop the muscle under the fat and just look bigger versus helping women slim down overall. I suppose it depends on how you tailor the strength work. I don't personally know anyone in real life who has been successful in using weight training to lose the mama belly.

Best wishes in whatever you decide!

[beebalmmama]

I second yoga and pilates. I personally have a yoga practice and it really helped my abdominal muscles, especially after having muscle separation during pg. The core work of both though would be great. I agree with the pp that you may have to focus on cardio too, if weight loss is the main priority. Although I think toning, cardio and a healthy diet can all be done together.

[Halfasianmomma]

Before having DD, I used to dance pretty heavily, and we focused a LOT on core work since it's the foundation of all the movement we did. I think I've done every possible ab exercise known to man.

As other pp said, lose weight first if you have any to lose. If you reduce your body fat percentage, you'll be able to see the muscle definition you're trying to achieve. Cardio is good, but I would also look into actual weight lifting or some very challenging exercise, such as kickboxing or martial arts. When I did karate, ALL the fat on my body melted, probably because almost every class for the first few weeks had me feeling like I was going to pass out from the strain. After a month, I started to slim way down (maybe a bit too much for DH's taste).

After that, you'll start to see your tummy flatten. Work on strengthening the core first (by doing stuff like Tuppler's exercises, or pilates), instead of just doing crunches. Remember to keep varying your abdominal exericses, since you can do them up to 6 days a week, and eventually your muscles will get used to what you throw at them.

Finally, when you want some real challenge and definition, use a balance ball with some small handweights to do your crunches. It increases the range of motion you can achieve and the weights can totally give you definition in your abs.

[starbound25]

the belly is one of the last places women lose weight, there is no spot reducing in reality, once you lose weight overall you will lose it in your belly too, add yoga into your cardio because it does strengthen your core a lot, but it all comes down to reducing your overall bodyfat, good luck!

[NubiaEarth]

I found the best thing was to wrap the belly shortly after giving birth. It helps flatten the tummy and "centers" you as well, since it makes you stand upright, improving your posture. I did this with my first child and the baby
i had a month ago (neglected to do it with my second child and
i saw the difference). Seriously though, you cant tell
I had a baby a month ago. if it's been a while since you had your baby I would try step aerobics and a good floor exercise (crunches, leg lifts etc.) Good luck!

[rockycrop]

I just wanted to add a little something here in addition to all the good toning advice.

I am now almost 16 months postpartum. I lost all my pregnancy weight within the first 6 weeks, but I never lost my rather large-ish belly pooch. I couldn't fit into jeans because my waist was 2 or 3 sizes bigger than my hips/butt/legs. I felt kind of freakish and was resigned to the fact that I would also look this way. I was only pretty much only wearing baggy shirts and loose fitting pants or skirts with elastic waist bands (but managing to work this look, haha).

Then yesterday I got a massage, something I would have never done by myself. But my husband paid for it when he was gone for 2 weeks in Europe as a little treat for me for being home with the LO by myself.

WELLL, she felt that my pelvic joints had never really come back together properly after giving birth, adjusted them. When I stood up to get dressed I looked in the mirror and saw that my belly was gone!!

I am still kind of in shock after such a major body change in such a short amount of time. I had focused so much time and mental energy (anguish?) on this part of my body and now it is so different.

Obviously not saying this would help everyone, but I would have NEVER even thought that such a thing was a possibility. I'm not too familiar with chiropractors but perhaps this is something they could detect as well?
Hoping this might help someone who was in a similar situation to myself.

Now I'm off to tone!!

[nolansmummy]

What really helps me, is cardio paired with pilates.
Pilates helps tone my core and the cardio helps with the weight loss, i don't know if i will ever have a six pack again though because i know abs are made in the kitchen, and i won't restrict my diet that much.
I do know that the stomach is the first place i gain weight and the last place i lose it. Some woman just have a harder time .

[sapphire_chan]

Darn. I totally didn't check for separation above my belly button. Good thing I hadn't gotten around to doing crunches yet. It's Tupler for me!

[AKA_PI]

I totally need to up my workouts and get something going. I figure when I get home from work and put baby boy to sleep, I can get a workout in even if only for 30 minutes because technically that's all you need, right?

Might I suggest a good workout: Dance Dance Revolution. I have one of the mats and have tons of fun doing that all the time.

[vegmom]

Diet is also very important! I have cut out everything that comes in a box!
ie. crackers, cookies, noodles, granola bars, cereals, lasagna, processed soy products.

There are ingredients in processed foods that are addictive! This makes you eat more and spikes hunger.

Fresh produce and natural food will slim that mommy belly.

[justthinkn]

I got a great new DVD called Restore the Core a few weeks ago, and man, it works you! It's like 50m long, focusing on pospartum women and the abdominals and other muscles that affect posture (cuz bad posture is also less than slimming).