is there any way..

lauren grier

lauren grier

you're like stars
ok.. I apologize my description may be gross ^_^ ..

anyway.. So I'm almost where I want to be body wise-- more that I'm accepting that I'm really not going to get much smaller. So here's the gross part.. When I'm standing up, you know everything goes where it's supposed to be. I have a tinny tiny but of like that gross belly bottom-- but it's because of my c-section, I know that's not going to really change.. but it's the rest of the area I'm curious about. So like I said, standing I look fine, normal.. good. but if I like lay down, or bend over you know-- there's like.................... looseness. Is there anyway to really tighten all of that up other than time (lol I've been waiting damn long enough!) I don't really know if it's muscle or just.. skin, kwim. It's not like excessive or anything, but you know how us chicks are about our bodies. It's not just my tummy that's the issue.. but like all of that region. I know it'd be really hard to tone my actual tummy because of the cutting of the muscles.. but I dunno about the rest. What have you guys done??
 
Lauren - some of it is just loose skin the way it's stretched from pregnancy, weight, etc. If you do a ton of crunches, it can help build up the lower abdomen muscles, which can sometimes help to reshape and support that loose skin. and be sure to do obliques, as well, to make the muscles stretch. Having a good support system underneath can help reshape how your body is positioned. While it may never get rid of all the loose skin, it can help a lot.
 
I'm with Darcy. The stronger your abs are (ALL of your abs, not just lower ones that we tend to focus on, but the obliques and the upper abs too) the tighter you'll be. Be sure to do some back exercises too (like superman's - lay on the floor on your stomach, and then raise your arms and chest up off the floor at the same time as your legs) otherwise you can eff up the alignment of your spine.

And, you gotta do cardio. If there's fat under there (we all have it, I'm not trying to be mean) you're never gonna get rid of it by JUST doing crunches/ab work.
 
I have the same thing La, except that my scar is from a surgery and it's vertical. It drives me nuts because I know that with the cutting where it was, the chances of everything tightening to the point that I would be happy with are so slim!

Anyone know of good exercises for tightening the abs above your belly button? I have never been able to really work that area well and it's a problem one for me.
 
thanks girlies :] it's just frustrating.. I feel like I've come this far and still am gross you know ^_^ .. and col I know I need to keep up with the cardio.. lol otherwise I'll get like puffy if I try to do ab work on top of it haha. That would be way unattractive LOL I'll keep trying to strengthen the muscles- Ive never really had strong ab muscles even way before ce so.. we'll see how it goes LOL
 
Pike's and Standing Pike's Jac. They're good for the lower abs as well, but I definitely feel it in my upper abs too.
For Pike:
Lay on the ground, on your back, with your arms and legs extended out straight (arms back along the ground, palms face up). At the same time bring your arms and legs together above your hips (exhale on this part, and try and pull your belly button down into the ground). Keep your legs straight and toes pointed. Then go back to your starting position while inhaling, but DON'T let your arms or legs touch the ground. Keep your feet a few inches off the ground, and then repeat.

Standing Pike:
Pretty much the same thing, just standing. Arms straight above your head, then bring one leg up so it's straight out parallel to the ground, while crunching down with your arms. Try and get your fingers to touch your toes. Return to the original position, and repeat, alternating legs.

Jillian really likes those. They are tough, but good. A lot of ab exercises can be modified a bit to include the upper abs. All it usually takes is picking your shoulders up so they are raised off the ground. Like with scissor abs (hands under your butt, legs straight out with feet a few inches off the floor, spread your legs out wide, then bring them back in and cross them over each other, and repeat), you don't feel it in the upper abs if you keep your head and shoulders on the floor, but if you pick your head and shoulders up off the floor, you'll def feel it up there.
 
I figured you knew, I just wanted to mention it La :) Lots of people think that if they just do 49023849032 crunches every day, they should get a 6pack, but it doesn't work that way, lol.

You're doing awesome La, you can do it! Try not to think about how you still have to go, but think about how far you've COME!
 
Ab workouts are great. But, if you are like me.....one of my 3 children blew my muscles apart. So, no matter how hard I worked that area out....I always had a pooch. Never got a flat tummy cuz the muscles were pushed to the sides of my tummy.....and not down the center anymore......hope that makes sense......
 
I feel your pain, La! I had 2 c-sections... after the first one my stomach went back to normal for the most part... but after this one I had a little loose skin. It scared the heck out of me at first! In a hormonal post-partum state, I started crying and insisting that I was going to get a tummy tuck! lol! But about a week later my belly started looking more like normal cuz the swelling went down!
Now, 2 months after having the 2nd c-section... my stomach looks way better thanks to sit-ups and stretching (like the kind that you stand up and pivot at the waist, and stretch each arm over your head and lean over). I know it'll never go exactly back to normal without a tummy tuck though! lol!

And df wants to have more kids! Ahhh! He said he wants to have twins next! (and twins run in my family!)
 
You know even with a ton of work on the area, there is always gonna be a bit of loose skin there. I never put on weight in my stomach before I had N (only butt and thighs) so having all the loose skin there now totally freaks me out. I know what you mean.
 
I just have to commisserate with you, La. I've had 2 c-sections, and after losing weight this summer, let's just say things aren't looking so hot in the lower abdominal region. I'm paying close attention to this thread, hoping there's some good exercise advice. And I know things will never be back to normal, but I'll take all the help I can get.
 
I have the same thing... plus a 42 year old bod. I work out, but it's not enough. To be honest, I would be first in line for a tummy tuck / boob lift combo if I won the lottery!
 
after 3 kids (no c section) i have the 'pooch' too. i am in the habit of sucking it in. when i am in clothes you can't really tell, unless my shirt is a bit snug. i have some excess on my hips too. looks real hot, lol. and i HATE bending over! it is SO gross!! i won't do it around my husband, lol. i try to avoid certain positions around him :D! i need to go back to the Y. i know doing the right excersizes can help but i bet it takes forever!

so you're not alone, La. others have the same problem!
 
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