My title was kind of confusing, huh? Let me explain,. I gave birth 8months ago and my tummy hasn't come back to its original shape. Before, my waistline is 25 and now, its 28. When I touch it, it's like its full of fat and it is wobbly. It is summer season in our country and I would like to wear a swimsuit but is shy to do so because of my tummy. Any help how can I improve and get back into shape? Perhaps exercise or diet? Thanks. Or can skin firming lotion help?

Are you an athlete or have any experience exercising?
What kind of shape were you in prior to the pregnancy and in you young adult life?
How much time and effort do you see yourself putting into this?

Understand this is must be a decision that you make for yourself. You will not see any results if you do not maintain the routine. As a trainer I have seen too many people start a routine and after two weeks not see any changes and quit. This must be a choice that you make now and for the long term.


Two things that you have to look into; your diet and exercise, they both directly effect one another and the results you seek.

The equation is simply this, eat the amount of food that correspondence to the amount of exercise that you do.

As far as the diet, first cut out white bread, white pasta, white potatoes and white rice, if possible, or at least limit the amount that you eat. Eat some fruits and steamed veggies along with skinless chicken, fish, brown rice, whole wheat bread and pasta, lean beef and pork and sweet potatoes. Cut out junk food, cake, pie, candy, chocolate and the like. Snack between meals on, as an example fruit like apples, banana's and grapes and preferably raw veggies, celery, carrots and try to drink up to five liters of water throughout the day. This will jump start your metabolism and the water will assist in digestion as well as cleaning the kidneys. You will know that your body is properly hydrated if, when you urinate, it is clear. If it is not you are losing important nutrients like, calcium, potassium and iron.


In addition to the diet, if you want and have the time to do some cardio vascular workout's start slow with walking, 20 to 30 minutes a day, two to three times a week. Walk around the area where you live, or on a treadmill, stairmaster or elliptical cross-trainer at a local gym or healthclub. START SLOW, to allow your body to get used to the routine and perhaps after five or six weeks you can increase the frequency and intensity of your workouts. I can stress enough the importance of GOING SLOW, do not try to set the world on fire in two days. Your body will take time to adjust to this and you do not want to wake up after one day and not be able to get out of bed, because of extreme stiffness and soreness.


Right now it sounds like your body has retained a lot of excess water due to the pregnancy. It will take a few weeks for your body to loose that water with sweating and proper urination.

After a period you can change your workouts and exercises, you can also go on-line and look for tips and help with workouts and diets. One that I recommend to women clients is, Monica Brant - IFBB Pro figure competitor and cover model
Do not be putoff by her appearance and the body building competition, look at the site for tips on diets etc. Unless you start working out with weights daily will you look like that. As you continue this journey you will want to make some changes or adjustments to your diet and routine that is normal. You must first put yourself in motion, see results and how you feel and then change things as you deem fit.

I hope this helps and gets you started.

Good Luck,

Jerry

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Originally Posted by tweeetypooh

my title was kinda confusing, huh?! let me explain,.. i gave birth 8months ago and my tummy hasn't come back to its original shape. before, my waistline is 25 and now, its 28. when i touch it, it's like its full of fat and it is wobbly. it is summer season in our country and i would like to wear a swimsuit but is shy to do so because of my tummy. any help how can i improve and get back into shape? perhaps exercise or diet? thanks. or can skin firming lotion help?

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It takes awhile to get back in shape after a baby, so first off be patient, and next look into what foods your eating, you need a low calorie, low fat, low sugar diet, eathing losts of fruits and 100% whole grains, instead of flour products. Lean meats, like skinless chicken, loin type meats and fish. Increase you usage of veggies and fruits instead of chips, or sugary snacks like cakes. Smaller potions, use the Nutritional labels to determine what 1 serving really is, one seving of meast is only 3 oz. it takes some getting use to but it's worth it. Next cut out sweetened drinks or soda and drinks lots of water. And if your near the beaches try swimming it's the best overall exercise, otherwise, get into some aerobics, weights resistance training. Walk, for 30 minutes, jog, bike but work out as much as you can, like when the baby is sleeping. Eat 2-3 servings of skim, 1-2% milk, nonfat or lowfat, low sugar yogurt and skim or part skim cheese every day. Calcium regulates energy metabolism and increases fat breakdown and this helps decrease the amount of body fat. Good methods of exercise to lose abdominal fat are crunches, hip lifts, reverse crunches, ab rollers, and there easy on your back. If the last few pounds arehard to lose keep protein up and carbs down, especially late in the day and late at night. ;) It'll come off soon, just keep working on it! ;)

Is it fat or just slack muscle? That is something that needs to be taken into consideration. Exercise like crunches can tone and tighten the six pack muscles but you may want to work on your transverse ab muscles so that you can bring that pudge in.