Beating The "Baby Belly"

[foreigngirl]

I was beating my head over this (still am)


After pregnancy, one of the biggest concerns for women is that dreaded 'baby belly'. But there are a number of exercises women can do to squash that belly permanently.

How much exercise a new mother can do depends on how much exercise she undertook during pregnancy and if she had any delivery complications. Women should listen to their bodies and be willing to adapt their routines to suit both good days and days when they might be feeling under the weather from the demands of motherhood.

Abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises are a good starting point for most women. To help with toning the abdominal muscles, all abdominal and postural exercises will help. However, those women who have had a C-section should avoid these exercises for a while. A woman can actually start exercising within hours after delivery with a simple "pulling in" of the abdominal muscles. This type of exercise can help bring the uterus back to its original size and expel residual blood.

A good overall postpartum exercise and diet plan will help women lose the extra pounds, which should include the fat stores around the midsection. While light exercise is fine, aggressive dieting and exercising is not recommended while breast-feeding.

 

[foreigngirl]

How can I get my body back where its suppose to be after having a c-section, its been bothering me for 2 months now and I am going nuts over it

 

[Sassy69]

Does your doc give you any guidance on this? Because that was fairly invasive and traumatic surgery I know I would certainly hesitate before offering advice on physical activity. Your stomach is goign to have some challenges because of the surgery. The rest, just as with any diet & training program, you just simply cannot force. As I said on another thread, first you need to consider that your body is still recovering from the trauma of the birth itself. After that, are you eating enough and getting enough sleep to recover adequately just from your new life as the Baby Chaser, Queen of all the Baby Gets Into, Wife of Jr's Dad, New Mom, You, etc.? Then when you're sure you have all those bases covered, THEN you can start looking at how you can hit your body. Obviously we want to look at your diet to make sure you are getting enough and the right stuff. Then its up to you to make sure you can stick to that diet, get the foods prepared, dont' skip meals, etc, don't fall into emotional eating, etc. And drink enough water! Then the training .. again make sure you are recovering enough, make sure you are getting in good quality & intensity sets. You don't have to spend hours lifting, but what you do, you need to make count. Cardio - this may be really important for you to make progress along w/ the diet. For me, even as a sort of veteran BB competitor, I can't lose bodyfat w/o significant cardio.

And at the end of all that, you need to give yourself 6 -8 weeks to get the whole routine established, get your body used to it, start makign some progress and also more time post-birth. Patience & persistence. And DON"T get worked up about whether or not you think you are making the progress you think you should be makign. You have ALOT on your plate right now and you don't need extra cortisol buildup from addition self-created stress.

 

[jenscats5]

How can I get my body back where its suppose to be after having a c-section, its been bothering me for 2 months now and I am going nuts over it

Another thing you have to consider after having a C-section is the state of the muscle. I think I read it can take up to a year to recover..... Plus the muscle may need surgical repair. Stop beating yourself up & give your body time to heal. You had major surgery 2 months ago!!

Here are some links that may help:

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/pregnancy/cesarean.html

http://pregnancyandbaby.com/read/articles/247.htm

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/simone9.htm

http://www.postpartum.net/shape-up.html

 

[foreigngirl]

Does your doc give you any guidance on this? Because that was fairly invasive and traumatic surgery I know I would certainly hesitate before offering advice on physical activity. Your stomach is goign to have some challenges because of the surgery. The rest, just as with any diet & training program, you just simply cannot force. As I said on another thread, first you need to consider that your body is still recovering from the trauma of the birth itself. After that, are you eating enough and getting enough sleep to recover adequately just from your new life as the Baby Chaser, Queen of all the Baby Gets Into, Wife of Jr's Dad, New Mom, You, etc.? Then when you're sure you have all those bases covered, THEN you can start looking at how you can hit your body. Obviously we want to look at your diet to make sure you are getting enough and the right stuff. Then its up to you to make sure you can stick to that diet, get the foods prepared, dont' skip meals, etc, don't fall into emotional eating, etc. And drink enough water! Then the training .. again make sure you are recovering enough, make sure you are getting in good quality & intensity sets. You don't have to spend hours lifting, but what you do, you need to make count. Cardio - this may be really important for you to make progress along w/ the diet. For me, even as a sort of veteran BB competitor, I can't lose bodyfat w/o significant cardio.

And at the end of all that, you need to give yourself 6 -8 weeks to get the whole routine established, get your body used to it, start makign some progress and also more time post-birth. Patience & persistence. And DON"T get worked up about whether or not you think you are making the progress you think you should be makign. You have ALOT on your plate right now and you don't need extra cortisol buildup from addition self-created stress.

Thank you soooo much, I kinda needed this understanding, cause I was worried that I was pushing myself to do more and more and that I was going way too fast. With these 2 kids and my husband being the 3rd one, I hardly have time for myself. By the time he leaves for work - I am too tired to cook myself a meal. I'll look at the recipes to see if I can find something that I can do quickly, cause I'm sick of the chicken on the George Formans grill. But, as I said I am gonna open my log for my diet and workout...

 

[fmorrow6]

I had a c-section with my daughter, Emily, in december of 2003. I have a three year old, rock solid, destroyer of a son, so as soon as I came home from the hospital, 3 days later, I had to pick him up (all 36 pounds of him) and hold him and give him some attention ( he missed mommy). It hurt, yes, but I'm stubborn and stupid. I also started working out again right away, and didn't follow my doctor's advice. Because of the heavy lifting, the skin healed fine, but the underlying muscle have more scare tissue and didn't heal properly. My doctor had told me to only lift my baby for at least six weeks, and no heavy lifting or abdominal exc. for at least six months, maybe even a year. Now, in order to fix it, I will have to have surgery (cosmetic, of course, it doesn't physically bother me). My advise is to listen to your doctor. Take it easy for a while, after six weeks you can start some light cardio, light lifting, maybe some bodyweighted excersizes (squats lunges, etc.) The most important thing is to focus on that sweet baby. I, too, worried about my bodyshape too much, and now my daughter is a year and a half, I should've spent less time worrying about me, and more time gazing in her perfect blue eyes.....

 

[foreigngirl]

I had a c-section with my daughter, Emily, in december of 2003. I have a three year old, rock solid, destroyer of a son, so as soon as I came home from the hospital, 3 days later, I had to pick him up (all 36 pounds of him) and hold him and give him some attention ( he missed mommy). It hurt, yes, but I'm stubborn and stupid. I also started working out again right away, and didn't follow my doctor's advice. Because of the heavy lifting, the skin healed fine, but the underlying muscle have more scare tissue and didn't heal properly. My doctor had told me to only lift my baby for at least six weeks, and no heavy lifting or abdominal exc. for at least six months, maybe even a year. Now, in order to fix it, I will have to have surgery (cosmetic, of course, it doesn't physically bother me). My advise is to listen to your doctor. Take it easy for a while, after six weeks you can start some light cardio, light lifting, maybe some bodyweighted excersizes (squats lunges, etc.) The most important thing is to focus on that sweet baby. I, too, worried about my bodyshape too much, and now my daughter is a year and a half, I should've spent less time worrying about me, and more time gazing in her perfect blue eyes.....

Oh my God, you scared me so much right now. But its good, you just opened my eyes. I'll have to do some light weights then, I guess, and more reps...
Thanks girls...

 

[texaschick]

I had a c-section with my daughter, and I swear by pilates for getting my tummy back into shape. I stayed out of the weight room and only did light cardio and pilates for 2 1/2 months and then very slowly got myself back into working out with the weights.

As everyone else has said it is sooo important to plan your meals...and no skipping. Are you nursing? As I am sure you know that will help TONS!!! Eating good food + nursing + light cardio will almost guarantee quick fat loss.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Sassy69]

TC makes an excellent point-- one of the best things you can do (and I learned this at the cost of a rotated pelvis and 3 months of chiropractor visits and some very HUMBLING re-training) is keep your core strong. Pilates is great for that. Not to mention just the overall stretching and associated "relaxation" aspect. Going straight to heavy resistance training is sort of the mainstream approach, but in doing so, its easy to skip the really simple things associated with your core strength.

This might be a way for you to get back into things and establish a hella strong base to start back into the heavier stuff later. Still no reason to rush into things. Everythign with your body should be set around shorter steps to a longer term goal. That keeps you focused as you attain your goals, you have the next one to move to as well as setting realistic expectations that you can get some fairly immediate satisfaction from.

 

[foreigngirl]

I had a c-section with my daughter, and I swear by pilates for getting my tummy back into shape. I stayed out of the weight room and only did light cardio and pilates for 2 1/2 months and then very slowly got myself back into working out with the weights.

As everyone else has said it is sooo important to plan your meals...and no skipping. Are you nursing? As I am sure you know that will help TONS!!! Eating good food + nursing + light cardio will almost guarantee quick fat loss.

Hope this helps!!!

No, I'm not nursing. I am sticking to the basic plan: eat small meals every 2-3 hours. My mistake is not getting enough cals: only 955 per regular day. I have to get my diet better...
Thank you on the info, thats why I joined this forum, I just had to hear from GIRLS with experience (not only listening to what my husband thinks I'm ready for)

 

[fmorrow6]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I don't look like I've been in a train wreck or anything, It's just that the scare tissue built like a 'lump' under the scar. You can't really see it unless I get incredibly lean, which hasn't happened yet, so I'll cross that bridge WHEN, not IF, I get there!

 

[foreigngirl]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I don't look like I've been in a train wreck or anything, It's just that the scare tissue built like a 'lump' under the scar. You can't really see it unless I get incredibly lean, which hasn't happened yet, so I'll cross that bridge WHEN, not IF, I get there!

I know that, you silly girl. I just dont want to cause myself unnessecery complications, so I'll just take it slower

 

[habitualhealth]

I gained 70lbs when i was prego...(you know, that's the size of a small person)...my advice in addition to what the others gals said is be patient. I've been busting arse with my routine/diet and i'm just starting to see my tum start to tighten up and a some abage popping through. That area is my biggest insecurity.

I truely think it's the very last place you'll start seeing results....BUT, you WILL see them. Stick to it and don't give up.

 

[foreigngirl]

Another thing you have to consider after having a C-section is the state of the muscle. I think I read it can take up to a year to recover..... Plus the muscle may need surgical repair. Stop beating yourself up & give your body time to heal. You had major surgery 2 months ago!!

Here are some links that may help:

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/pregnancy/cesarean.html

http://pregnancyandbaby.com/read/articles/247.htm

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/simone9.htm

http://www.postpartum.net/shape-up.html

Thanks, those web sites were really good. I liked the idea of doing the cardio with the baby in stroller or getting a treadmill for the house. I hardly wait to move in our new house (tomorrow) and get everything in order.

 

[Gymgurl]

I gained 70lbs when i was prego...(you know, that's the size of a small person)...my advice in addition to what the others gals said is be patient. I've been busting arse with my routine/diet and i'm just starting to see my tum start to tighten up and a some abage popping through. That area is my biggest insecurity.

I truely think it's the very last place you'll start seeing results....BUT, you WILL see them. Stick to it and don't give up.

I have been here three times...last one has taken about 3 yrs to really almost see normal again...I'm older (39) soit might take you alot less time. I have my tummy...but it is looking alot better. I had 2 c-sections so I will always have that scar and the skin that kinda hangs over the scar....be patiet you will get there

 

[PaganPunkstress]

I had a c-section with my daughter, and I swear by pilates for getting my tummy back into shape. I stayed out of the weight room and only did light cardio and pilates for 2 1/2 months and then very slowly got myself back into working out with the weights.

As everyone else has said it is sooo important to plan your meals...and no skipping. Are you nursing? As I am sure you know that will help TONS!!! Eating good food + nursing + light cardio will almost guarantee quick fat loss.

Hope this helps!!!

ive never had a csection but I can say that this is great advice.
it will get better over time

 

[RottenWillow]

from a strictly philosophical standpoint, I've never understood why pregnancy and childbirth often cause so many unpleasant changes to a woman's body since it is designed for those very purposes. Seems that the female form should be able to tolerate those processes far more readily.

 

[aandd]

from a strictly philosophical standpoint, I've never understood why pregnancy and childbirth often cause so many unpleasant changes to a woman's body since it is designed for those very purposes. Seems that the female form should be able to tolerate those processes far more readily.

Perhaps it is the foods and medical procedures such as c-sections that make the difference now? I think , over all, that our diets are not at all what our bodies were designed to handle - in most cases.

 

[foreigngirl]

Perhaps it is the foods and medical procedures such as c-sections that make the difference now? I think , over all, that our diets are not at all what our bodies were designed to handle - in most cases.

I dont understand it either...the second c-section is worst - thats when u really get that skin hanging over your scar and it makes me scared to even wax or shave around it...yuck

 

[RottenWillow]

Good idea to bring up C-sections. I once heard their huge increase is due to both overzealous physicians, and the intermixing of ethnicities. (like a 5' 0" American woman of Equadorian heritage marrying a 6' 2" American man of Swedish descent.) You more frequently end up with fetuses that have body weights and head sizes incompatible with the mother's hip size.

I can see how births other than vaginal cause unwanted, lasting consequences, but it seems like normal childbirth and rearing (e.g. nursing) shouldnt be a significant issue for a body that was designed for that.

I'm not only thinking of the very significant cosmetic problems, but also the emotional ones directly related to wacky post pregnancy hormones.

 

[musclemom]

Good idea to bring up C-sections. I once heard their huge increase is due to both overzealous physicians, and the intermixing of ethnicities. (like a 5' 0" American woman of Equadorian heritage marrying a 6' 2" American man of Swedish descent.) You more frequently end up with fetuses that have body weights and head sizes incompatible with the mother's hip size.

I can see how births other than vaginal cause unwanted, lasting consequences, but it seems like normal childbirth and rearing (e.g. nursing) shouldnt be a significant issue for a body that was designed for that.

I'm not only thinking of the very significant cosmetic problems, but also the emotional ones directly related to wacky post pregnancy hormones.

There's a general "overzealousness" in c-sections, no doubt about that, and the hereditary body size disparity in parents is probably a contributor ... that and the fact that OB/GYNS have the highest malpractice rates of any specialties.

In terms of recovery from birth ... I had my son totally naturally (okay, 20+ years ago but ...) and it still took about a year for me to get my body back to something near it's original shape, I gained over 50 pounds (but I'm tall and have a large frame). One of the strangest things for me to deal with was that my "shape" had permanently changed, which was kind of strange, not just the breasts but there was a difference in the curve from my waist to my hip.

In terms of the emotional consequences, I look at it this way, our diets are goofy (even if you eat clean, you're still bombarded by environmental chemicals and hormones), our environment is just nasty ... all of these are major stressors, then add that to the stress levels for postpartum women being through the roof (women going back to a full time job about a month after giving birth!!!), and our support system is nonexistant. We just weren't designed to operate the way we do (men and women). Most of us are in a "red alert" situation 24/7 and that's just so wrong.

Ah well, it is what it is ...

Best, Harriet

 

[RottenWillow]

There's a general "overzealousness" in c-sections, no doubt about that, and the hereditary body size disparity in parents is probably a contributor ... that and the fact that OB/GYNS have the highest malpractice rates of any specialties.

In terms of recovery from birth ... I had my son totally naturally (okay, 20+ years ago but ...) and it still took about a year for me to get my body back to something near it's original shape, I gained over 50 pounds (but I'm tall and have a large frame). One of the strangest things for me to deal with was that my "shape" had permanently changed, which was kind of strange, not just the breasts but there was a difference in the curve from my waist to my hip.

In terms of the emotional consequences, I look at it this way, our diets are goofy (even if you eat clean, you're still bombarded by environmental chemicals and hormones), our environment is just nasty ... all of these are major stressors, then add that to the stress levels for postpartum women being through the roof (women going back to a full time job about a month after giving birth!!!), and our support system is nonexistant. We just weren't designed to operate the way we do (men and women). Most of us are in a "red alert" situation 24/7 and that's just so wrong.

Ah well, it is what it is ...

Best, Harriet

Great post Harriet. Thanks for your input.