I have lost the baby weight and more and am down to 110 lbs. With my height, if I lose any more weight I'll be underweight, so continuing to lose weight is not an option as it just wouldn't be healthy. Yet the "mommy tummy" shape remains. Even though I'm thinner than before the three kids, the flat tummy of my pre-baby self is elusive. Is it just never coming back? Or are there exercises that might help bring it back? I've been doing ones recommended for diastasis recti because I think I have that... Maybe I just need to give it more time? Or do I need to let it go and accept this is my shape now? Not interested in surgery. |
Exercise and spanx |
Without plastic surgery, no it’s not coming back. |
Stretched out skin rarely bounces back. When it does, it's mostly genetics, and not something within your control. You may be able to tighten/shrink it a little with compression tanks/panties. But mostly it's here to stay. Tuck it in and move on. You look great! |
Tummy tuck or wearing corsets is the only way to achieve this. |
Plastic surgery |
I have a similar body type OP and similar issue. I have had success in the last year in sort of "smoothing out" my mom tummy. I am still thicker around the midsection than I was pre kids and I dont' think there is any way to change that without surgery -- I think literally my bones and organs have moved around in a way that makes my old narrow waist and totally flat belly impossible.
However my belly is no longer round. I look better in a bathing suit and I a feel like my clothes fit better. It wasn't about losing weight. I had to really focus on core exercises and start lifting heavier weights. I do a combination of barre and strength classes with a focus on using heavier weights whenever I can. Also I make sure to work every aspect of my core -- upper and lower abdominals and obliques and all core stabilizer muscles. Here is a tough but very effective core workout that helped me: https://youtu.be/1WIah0t1Bzw?si=HPsoBj1c-3-uk2kr It's a really tough workout and I still can't do every single thing she does but I push to get through it. There's also a 10 minute version I do when I am doing something else for a workout but feel like I need a core focus. Even just adding some of these exercises to another workout (I find the leg raises when lying on the floor to be easy to offer a lot of bang for their buck) helps. I'm never going to get a tummy tuck or other surgical procedure to address this so I've been pretty happy to discover I can make it a lot better with just targeted exercise. |
Not coming back. It is more than just skin that stretches and only surgery can correct it 99% of the time |
Do Every Mother workouts specifically for Diastysis recti — I feel like you should see results in a month with regular/daily 15-20 min workouts (in addition to your regular exercise routine). |
Tummy tuck mommy makeover |
+1. Sorry. |
I agree that it’s unlikely to come back BUT there are things you can do to reduce the look of it. I follow Caroline Packard on IG and have found it helpful - she’s a pelvic floor PT with some great tips on rib positioning, breathing etc. |
Lose more weight. If you still have "mommy tummy" that is excess fat just sitting there. Your body changes as you age and 105 might look different and not as "underweight" as you think. Particularly if you are working out. |
Pilates |
I’m down to my old weight and measurements. 105, 5’3” 32-26-34. After three kids and C-sections and breastfeeding even though the numbers are the same, I don’t look the same. I have a mom belly. And I had a 9lb first child. When you stretch the skin like that, it won’t go back without surgery.
Be at peace with yourself. Even after a tummy tuck I’m sure you’d still find part of your appearance wanting. Embrace aging, OP. I sincerely and kindly mean this. I bet your kids think you are the most beautiful woman in the world. |