ShapeFit.com

truthseeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

I have three children ages 7, 2 1/2 and 9 months. I began a diet and workout plan 5 months ago. I don't know how much weight I've lost because I'm one of those who refuses to get on the scale for fear of being discouraged. But I have went from a size 16 to a size 12. My concern is my abs. They just don't seem to want to tighten up. The size of my stomach is decreasing but it's still a lot softer than what I think it should be after 5 months. Any suggestions on how to tightened these stretched out muscles?

swanso5 · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject:

do you still have excess skin there? that may most of the problem and only time and soild diet/training will get rid of that

Boss Man · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject:

It will be harder with Stomach, as Abs area a good stoarage place for Fat.

Could be excess Skin, could be a bit of Water retention, or possibly could be Abdominal Fat, caused by elevated Cortisol levels, if you're in a tense, stressful or Adrenaline fuelled environment, which with having 3 children may cause all 3.

If the excess skin thing is occuring, it might be you're slightly losing weight a bit too fast. Is this occuring all over or just on Abs?

If you have Water retention a little bit, then I suggest slightly reducing Sodium levels in your diet, as that can cause Water retention, so that could be something to do immediately in any case.

Your Salt intake shouldn't exceed 6g a day, and with the possible exception of Boiling Potatos, where a pinch of Salt may improve flavour, refrain from adding Salt to food.

truthseeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

truthseeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

Boss Man · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

I don't think you need a specific diet whilst nursing, I might be wrong, but I don't think you do. You might possibly need a few extra things in your diet, like possibly a slightly increased Folic Acid intake, or another 100-200mg of Calcium, things like that possibly, but no, I don't think compared to say a female with no children, looking to shed a few lb's, you need to be significantly different in your food consumption.

SarahPT · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 523 Location: Western Maine

Welcome! I'm glad you've joined us. Smile

Getting those abs back after having children can take time, but you CAN do it! I have no doubt. While nursing you don't exactly need a strict diet plan, though you can have one. I have worked with women who are nursing before on nutrition. After you are done nursing having a set nutrition plan should give you some great progress. One of my favorite sayings is "abs are made in the kitchen." How you eat is the most critical factor. Eating small, frequent meals balanced with good carbs, lean protein and good fats works well. Calories should be low enough so you are burning more than you take it, but not too low. Lots of natural, unprocessed foods is best.

Let me know if I can help more.

Sarah

Borntorun · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 4

Hi HI....I am a mother of two...the youngest almost 5....It definitely depends on whether or not you had a Vback or Cesarian on how your abs will react, but LET ME TELL YOU...SITUPS! Even the flabby looking stuff that seems to be all of this extra skin....it will go away...number 1) see it gone...2) start with 10 situps....and keep increasing by 10....do them with feet flat on the floor, then in the air, do them straight forward and to each side. I have absolutely gorgeous tummy...mothers freak when they see me in a swim suit...and I am not being caddy...I worked really hard for this...also...IT MUST BE MAINTAINED!!! I worked up to doing 300-400 situps in one sitting...(I had time when the kids were small)..now this is how I maintain:At least 100 situps before breakfast (more if I have time)...I work now, or I would do 100 before lunch...Then while the noodles are boiling (or whatever)...put your baby ont he floor with you or some distraction...while you rock out another 100 before dinner. This will be cake once you have done the work to get you to a place where its just about maintaining...

Best wishes...of course throwing some cardio in there will be extremely great!

silent1029 · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 77

i may be ignorant but i heard regular sit ups are bad for ur back and to do crunches instead. i might be wrong though

swanso5 · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:19 am Post subject:

sit ups and crunches are both rubbish and great for stuffing up your posture

SarahPT · Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 523 Location: Western Maine

[quote="silent1029"]i may be ignorant but i heard regular sit ups are bad for ur back and to do crunches instead. i might be wrong though/quote]
A major problem with sit ups and crunches is that people do them with poor form. If you watch the average person do a sit up or crunch they will round their spine and curl their neck, which isn't good. The "correct" way to do them is keeping the spine nice and straight throughout the whole movement, which is very hard to do.