Baby Belly

Quality

Hey guys!

Just need a little advice on how to tighten my belly. (3 kids later.) I walk 4 times a week and swim once a week.

I am just back to my pre pregnancy weight but the tummy needs some toning.

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Thanks

Khannie

This is one of those rare instances where tummy exercises may actually help. The ladies can probably give you more detail than I can, but I know the stomach muscles can be weakened by pregnancy leaving you....hanging. Things I'd suggest are:

leg raises, the plank, crunches. That kind of thing. If you're not sure what the hell I'm talking about, google is your friend.

Some light weights are worth considering too. Walking is great for weight control, but not that great for muscle tone.

Oryx

Crunches definitely help, they give you tone. If youve never done any before, try to learn in a class or gym or with a friend who is used to doing them, so someone can check your form. Even when youre lying on the floor youve got to protect your back and neck, its very easy to tug at your neck or strain yerself when you start. I know some great ones, but its hard to describe them here. In this case one session with someone who can show you is worth about 10,000 words.

But take it from a mum of two, jellybelly is VERY hard to loose. Im the lightest and fittest in years and I still have a bit of a wobble. I dont mean that to be depressing... just know youre not alone. Cardio will get your weight off, you could try jogging or cycling*, then weights and crunches will tone you. Personally squats and chin ups have had the most visible effect for me.

*know you said your back to prepregnancy weight, but with me, I was carrying a tyre at my tum even then.

moonbug33

Hi Quality
Bit of a newbie here but I have that baby belly thing too, (2kids later) and agree with Khannie re leg raises, the plank, crunches etc.
Start easy and work your way up. I suprise myself weekly by how much more I can go for various exercises.
There are sometimes good examples on youtube of quick workouts, search your target area.
I walk too and have recently started Pilates class and find it excellent for that tummy area (but you have to do it at home not just in the class. I tend to use the class to learn the moves and practise at home).
I have been fairly consistent with tummy exercises since Christmas and just this week nearly everyone I see is asking "have you lost weight or something..?"
So it takes a bit of time, I think consistency does pay off.
And of course I remind myself it took five years and two kids to get here, it won't disappear in two weeks.
Best of luck
MrsM

Quality

Oryx wrote: »

*know you said your back to prepregnancy weight, but with me, I was carrying a tyre at my tum even then.

Well I am back to this pre pregnancy weight!!:o Not my original weight.:D

Still could do with losing another few lbs...

I am losing the weight off everywhere but the tummy?!? Will try to fit in a bit of cycling and I have been doing a few sit ups and leg raises so I will add the plank and crunches to the equation. The kids love to exercise with me, should be good fun, the 3 year old doing press ups is hilarious..

Thanks for the tips guys.

butterflydream

weight from the belly is always the last place it goes from on women........I know it sucks.

The plank is excellent from toning your core, you should hold it for 30 seconds and repeat it 3 times in one work out and make sure your body positioning is right otherwise you wont be getting the maximum effect.

Crunches are also great, they're so basic but so effective if you keep at it, persistance is key here.

Another one is just lay on your back, legs together and raise them up and hold for around 30 seconds, if you want to incorporate your kids into this you can be doing the airplane lift, having your child on your feet and letting them fly. You will certainly feel it.

Good Luck