Anonymous wrote:Yes. You have to work. Not just show up. To the PP who said you won't get your stomach mudcles back. BS. I have killer abs.

What was/is your routine for the abs? Thank you.

I'm 35 and DS is 15 months. I'm back to previous weight/size 4 but my body doesn't look the same. Hips are wider and small pouch. Plus a c-scar! I haven't worked out but we walk a lot. I'd like to start working out to see if I can tone my stomach. I think the wider hips are probably here to stay. No stretch marks.

Anonymous wrote:I had a baby at 38 and look exactly the same as I did before getting pregnant--about 7 lbs above my ideal weight, no stretch marks, boobs the same.

Yes it's possible, and probably has a lot to do with genetics, at least in my case.

...and having only one baby.

I find there is a BIG difference when you go through pregnancy more than once. Ballooning and going up and down reeks havoc on the skin.

Yes. You have to work. Not just show up. To the PP who said you won't get your stomach mudcles back. BS. I have killer abs.

Yes, although my hips were a bit wider.

I am 5'3" and got back to prebaby 110 about 4 months after I weened my son.

Never looked the same in 501s, though. But that's ok.

I had 3 big babies (9, 10, and almost 11 pounds). My stomach looks a bit like Kate Gosselins (pre-plastic surgery). The rest of me is basically my pre-baby size. It is stretched out skin, I think.

I got down to my high school weight after I had DD#2 and I was 34, which was a big accomplishment, but I didn't look the same as I did in high school! Hips are wider, body is not as lean, perpetually have a little ridge of pudge right below the belly button, etc. I looked pretty good, though, and felt comfortable in a bikini at the pool. I've put on a few lbs since then, but I'm working them back off for the upcoming summer season. For me, though, it is all about diet.

I had DD at 35. At 37 I have a different, but I dare say better body than I did in my early 30s. For the past 9 months I have really committed to a manageable workout program. It took a few months to figure out what "manageable" meant to me work FT, DH travels a lot, I run and use the Nike+ app for strength training). I am only five lbs lighter than my pre baby weight but have gained so much muscle that I look better. My arms and legs have never looked better. My stomach/abs will never be as flat as they once were but that's ok because my overall look has improved (I have a pretty fast metabolism and barely worked out pre baby). My body is now doing things I never thought it was capable of doing (real push-ups! Running 7 miles!) and feeling strong and powerful is way more rewarding than having flat abs.

Anonymous wrote:Were. You athletic before kids? Did you stay active during your pregnancy? Those are 2 big factors. To answer your question though, yes you can get your body back and then some. Signed 35 yr old to 3 young kids.

I wonder the same thing. I did not realize what having a baby could do to your abdominal muscles. My muscles shifted back together, so I never had the major lose skin problem. I have always been fit and active (pre baby), so I do wonder if that made a difference in my muscles or if it is more genetic, or just good luck.

Tummy tuck and lipo are the only way. Your body muscles and fat deposit was changed due to the baby and pregnancy hormones.

I think it depends on how much weight is gained during pregnancy. It's a lot easier to lose 30 lbs then 60.

I was 30 when DD1 was born. My body two years later was much, much better than pre-baby body. Much more fit, lower body fat, more muscle mass, my conditioning was better. Lots of strength training. 33 and expecting #2 in a couple weeks and I'm assuming I'll bounce back, though I've been working out this whole pregnancy so I think it'll be easier to get back into my exercise routine than it was after 1.

I got back to my pre-baby body after my first (born when I was 35), with the exception of slightly droopy boobs. It took about a year and a lot of hard work (running with the jogging stroller and hot yoga were key), but I did it.

What helped:

-Being athletic/active for decades pre-baby
-Being active while pregnant
-Having a naturally muscular body type
-Weaning (I held onto the baby weight like crazy until I weaned at 8 months)

I'm six months PP with my second, and hoping I can get back there, too. I'm 37 now, but I also have a new secret weapon: a double jogging stroller.

Were. You athletic before kids? Did you stay active during your pregnancy? Those are 2 big factors. To answer your question though, yes you can get your body back and then some. Signed 35 yr old to 3 young kids.

I look much better now than I did pre-baby. I went through a running phase that took off the weight, and them a yoga phase that made me tight. Diet is actually the first step though. Give yourself some time, but set a goal and a deadline. I started with a 5 k four months out. I had never run mile before, but I worked hard and started. You can do it!