Getting rid of that mama belly?

[pwcross]

Hi, folks,

I'm a mother to a two-year-old boy, and I feel like I treat my body pretty well. I work out on a total gym for about 20-30 minutes every day, take 45-minute walks with my family a few times a week, and eat consciously. My pregnancy weight is long gone, and my body overall feels strong and looks toned. However, I've got this mama belly! I've heard it called "mother's apron," and I've also read that it's more common if you've had a cesarean (which I have). Does anyone have any tips for working on the flabby mom gut? I can feel firm abs underneath the flab, since I have been working on my abs, but there seems to be nothing I can do about the belly!

Thanks, all!

 

[clan_NEt]

It's great to hear u are exercising regularly! You are looking to burn the "flabby mom gut". Unfortunately, spot reduction does not work you need to work to reduce your overall body fat % to lose that "flabby mom gut". A calorie deficit diet combined with sufficient exercise can get you there!

 

[pwcross]

Ah, I was afraid of that. I suppose I'll just keep at it! Like I said, I do eat consciously, although I could probably do more about portion size. Can anyone tell me, is there any truth to the research about food combinations? The details are fuzzy for me, because I haven't looked into it myself, but I feel like I've heard a lot about foods that are good to eat together for weight loss, and foods that are best not to combine. Any specific advice about food? I don't eat processed food, and my food is almost all organic and locally sourced.

 

[PWiD]

Since that is the case you shouldn't have much to worry about regarding your diet. Take it slowly and the fat will melt away in due time. Your body would definitely respond if you're a much happier person - and that's definitely how you'd feel if you give yourself some space to eat different foods once in a while. Of course we don't mean binge eating or stuffing down processed/fast food. Just the standard 3 : 2 : 1 carb : protein : fat would do you good.

 

[monsterific]

As long as you continue with your abdominal exercise, in time the other parts would soon enough become toned and firm. :3 Just try a different abdominal workout that may target the part were to need to shove the fats off. :3 It will pay off in the future. :3

 

[UmiNoor]

Seems like you're doing all the right things to lose weight but your belly is still bothering you. Could it be that you already have a flat belly but then you want it back to the shape before you were pregnant? Perhaps you're just not satisfied with what you've already achieved. From what I've read in your post, there's no reason for you not to be slim and lithe. I mean you said you work out every day and take 45 minutes walks with your family a few times a week. Furthermore, you said you eat only organic food. So there's no reason for you not to have a body that is slim and healthy.

 

[sinful]

During those 20-30 minutes in the gym everyday, u might want to try increasing the intensity of your workout. Tweak around with the rep ranges, the time of rest, etc. Many people go by the heartbeat rate to "measure their intensity". If you are not seeing much gains in terms of fat loss, increasing the intensity is one reliable method to spur the body to burn off fats.

 

[gosu_smurf]

I agree that intensity plays a huge role. But you need to feel the intensity yourself, the ammount of exertion to reach that level differs from people to people IMO.

 

[LLuDawg]

I think you should work more on cardio as that will get rid of fat around your belly. Since you are going to the gym, do lots of biking and running and stuff with the machines that is cardio. Your walks definitely help. Then, about 5 days a week, do sit-ups and core exercises. That will work your abs. It takes time but will be worth it!

 

[misumaru15]

I've got the mommy tummy too. I've also had a c-section. You have to do various exercises to target these muscles. They are often the ones that aren't engaged in a regular crunch. You can do planks and reverse crunches. These really work the muscles. Also next time you're at the park with the little one, head for the monkey bars. Grab on and allow you self to hang. Then try doing leg lifts. This works your abs and using your body weight along with gravity. It takes time. I had been working out losing a few pounds but it would come back. I have renewed by efforts. I'm increasing my intensity. I am also making my diet more healthy and increasing my water intake, and having more meatless meals. But I am determined to win the banish this belly!