How can I get my tummy down to its former shape after pregnancy?

Question

WELL MY HUSBAND WANTS ME TO LOOK TRIM AND SEXY LIKE I USED TO B4 I GOT PREGNANT, SO I WAS HOPING THERE MIGHT BE SOME USEFUL HINTS TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO GET MY TUMMY BACK IN SHAPE AFTER DELIVERY.

Answer 1

Targeted exercises are a myth. Your body will shed fat more or less uniformly all over. Start your new eating habits immediately. Wait a few weeks to start the exercising (perhaps using some of the suggestions of the other respondents: Swimming, Pilates, etc.)

1. Tell your husband to keep quiet. Explain to him that he should love you regardless of what you look like. The other half of the same coin is that you should make yourself look good for your spouse because you love your spouse (notice the gender neutral words). Share this with him too.

2. Eat breakfast every morning, and include some protein and some unsaturated fat. Having a balanced breakfast will boost your metabolic rate, causing you to burn more calories during the day, regardless of how active you are or are not. Skipping breakfast makes your body think you're starving and self-preservation will make you store more fat.

3. Eat sensibly during the rest of the day. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, especially richly colored ones and cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) ones. These are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals (which fight cancer), etc. Eat lean meats like fish, skinless chicken breast, etc. (assuming you're not a vegan).

4. Stay away from between meal snacks. Sometimes when you feel hungry, you may be thirsty. Drink a glass of ice-cold water. This will help 3 ways. You won't take in more calories and your body will burn calories heating those 8 ounces of water up from 32°F to 98.6°F. It will also keep you from becoming dehydrated (sometimes evidenced by tiredness).

5. Get into a regular exercise routine. Do some aerobic exercise which will get your heart rate up to your target zone for a MINIMUM of 20 minutes 3 - 5 times per week. Holler at me for how to figure this out. This will burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. Do some weight lifting and stretching also. Weight lifting in and of itself will burn calories. Having more muscle will burn more calories even when you're being a couch potato watching TV. Resistance exercises (weight lifting) will also build bone density and help prevent Osteoporosis and fractures in your golden years (don't forget calcium-rich foods).

6. Vitamins are "dietary supplements". Your main source of nutrients should be fresh foods. Don't rely on vitamins, use them as they are intended, to supplement good eating habits.

7. STAY AWAY FROM DIETS. Fad Diets may be good for shedding a few pounds over a few weeks, but going on the diet roller coaster will strip you of muscle mass, bone density, and overall health over the years.

8. DON'T WORRY ABOUT LOOKING LIKE A FEMALE VERSION OF THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA. Women's bodies are not usually pre-disposed to excessive muscle development. It is actually genetic. Go to the gym with your spouse - all marriages benefit from the husband and wife doing recreational and mutually beneficial activities together. This will also keep you from getting bigger muscles than your husband, if you happen to be genetically likely to develop big muscles. Also, if you're going to be healthy and look good for him, he should do so for you too.

9. Love (and marriage) is a two way street. If either of you gives less than 100%, it won't work. 50/50 marriages don't work because you'll spend more time worrying if the other partner did his or her 50% or not than anything else. If both of you give your 100%, you'll meet at (or near) 50/50. This includes your husband taking time to be intimate with you (talking, doing mutually enjoyable activities, talking, taking care of the baby together, talking, etc.). This intimacy also includes, after a few weeks recovery from the pregnancy and delivery (or Caecerian), BOTH of you pleasing each other in the bedroom. When done correctly, anyone know of a more pleasurable way to burn calories? Both of you pleasing the other! If necessary, read a book, take a class, and/or see a therapist who specializes in helping couples in these areas.

10. Pray together. My wife and I are Christian and we believe in taking care of God's temple (our bodies), but you don't have to share in our beliefs. Studies show that weekly attendance of almost any type of religious service for almost any reason helps lower blood pressure. Those who attended religious services out of actual belief and devotion showed better results than those who attended "out of habit" or obligation, but benefits were seen all around.

Answer 2

First of all...............who cares what your husband wants with your body! It is your Body and what do you want? Hopefully you want to be in shape for the right reasons. Being in shape is wonderful and it makes you feel good about yourself. It gives you energy to play with your child and your hubby. (smile)
I would recommend at least 20 to 30 mins of cardio 5 days a week. That would be a brisk walk or jog, treadmill, exercise video or swimming is the best since it works all your body parts with low impact. If you have any hand weights at home, give those a try too. You should be using weights for toning and shaping 3 days a week. Denise Austin has some great videos for new Mums out there. The entire picture will not come together unless you eat properly. Diet is key. Eat small meals 5 times a day and make sure you limit sugar, white bread, pasta and white rice. For your carbs, eat brown rice, slow cooked oatmeal or yams (fresh not canned). For your meats, eat chicken or turkey breast, buffalo and fish. Stay away from bad fats, butter and mayo. Olive oil and natural peanut butter are the best. Keep a journal everyday of what you are eating and soon you will find what works for you and you will have your body in no time!

Answer 3

I agree that you shouldn't do this just for your husband. He should love you no matter what! But if you want to trim down, please understand that you won't be exactly the same as before. Some cultures swear by wearing a girdle immediately after birth. I've had plenty of friends do it and they looked amazing within months. Of course, this could also be genetics, since they were naturally tiny prepregnancy. You will need to diet and exercise. Have you ever tried to do pilates? I had a pilated DVD and it really helped me tone my abs pre-pregnancy. I had always had a slight tummy and a daily regiment of pilates for about half an hour resulted in some impressive but not overly accented muscles!

Answer 4

Tell him to shut up.

Be patient w/yourself. Fitness is important but not what your first priority should be right after delivery. Believe me you'll have enough on your mind w/a brand new baby. First of all you need to allow your body 6-8weeks to heal. Giving birth is a pretty traumatic thing for a woman's body to go through. What you can do while you're healing is be sure to eat healthily and try to get rid of pregnancy eating habits. (I LOVED pizza when I was pregnant) That will give you a good start. After your 6-8 weeks are up start w/something simple like walking w/your baby, spring is coming son so the weather will be beautiful for it. Swimming is always a great way to trim down and drop some extra pounds, and it's not hard on your body.

DO NOT let him pressure you! Take your time, try not to get frustrated... I know personally after having each of my 3 babies I would trim down right after-wards and then the weight would be back in a couple weeks. I allow myself 6-8 months to get back to normal. AND I gave up on ever being a size 5 again after my 2nd. Having babies inevitably changes our bodies.

Answer 5

He needs to get over it. Unless you have a personal trainer, it usually takes about 9 months to a year to get back to your old self. Sit-ups and a good workout routine help, too. Most of us aren't like Heidi Klum, who was back on the runway 12 weeks after her son was born.

Answer 6

Well, your stomach will NEVER look exactly like it did before you were pregnant. However, a normal excercise routine will put you back on track. Tell your husband to stop being so shallow and enjoy parenthood.

Slainte,

-D

Answer 7

Breast feed. it is the fastest way to shrink your uterus after birth. but regular excersise and plenty of water will help. your body is made to stretch and go back down, make sure you have plenty of elastic in your skin (keep it moisturized) GL

Answer 8

it took 9 months to make that bely and usually it takes 9 months to loose it

Answer 9

wear snug fitting cloths, it helps put thing back where they belong and regular exercise.