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Thread: How can I fix my stomach ?

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    Duh How can I fix my stomach ?

    Hi ladies!

    Because I had to have lung surgery when I was pregnant with my son, my stomach has not bounced back into shape in over three years. I look 3 months pregnant all the time - my tummy curves out just under the boobs instead of being flat like it always was. I'm posting a pic below of me working on a pole trick, you can really see it.

    I am 5'2" and 115 and have worked out in the gym hard for almost three years now, lots of cardio, crazy abs, and it is a little better but still not okay for dancing. I can't even camouflage it with corsets or whatever bc you can see it with anything fitted.

    Has anyone dealt with this? Could plastic surgery help?

    Thanks so much in advance for your help!
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    Featured Member strippername's Avatar
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    That isn't a good picture. Lung surgery didn't do anything to your figure. If you are working out as hard as you say you are maybe you need to reevaluate your routine and most importantly your diet.

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    i agree with stripper name, diet is a huge thing when it comes to a flat tummy! what do you generally eat?

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Pregnancy and surgery can cause diastasis, which is separation of the abdominal muscles. You might need surgery to correct that. Try crunches with a binding belt, like a corset designed to.be worked out in, or just wrap a towel round your waist very tightly. I used to have the same problem after three.pregnancies in three years and yes it can be fixed.

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    I'd like to see another pic where you're just standing turned side on? To be able to see what it really looks like?
    Maybe a waist-training corset would help somewhat?
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Thank you so much for your replies! I will post a side pic in a little while once I'm more awake.

    spf, I found this resource on the Tupler Technique:
    http://www.diastasisrehab.com/

    It sounds promising. I am also wondering if I may have made it worse by doing ab work without bringing the muscles together with the waist thingy. I have done Pilates so I know how to sink my abs correctly but that may not do it? $85 is a lot cheaper than a tummy tuck and I don't want the scarring.

    Sugarmouse, and Simone, i brought my weight down from 125 to 112 using Weight Watchers, and have maintained it between 112-116 for the last 2 years. I eat about 2000 calories a day, usually something like this:
    - a Stonyfield nonfat yogurt for breakfast, or a tbsp of Teddy brand peanut butter on a Wasa cracker
    - 1 tbsp of hummus on crackers or whole grain bread, olives, carrots or 2 oz of lean roast beef on a half of a deli flat for lunch
    - protein like fish, pork, beef, or chicken, with roasted or steamed fresh veggies, usually with olive oil or cultured butter, or red beans or chick peas with 1/2 c of brown rice for dinner. I do have 2 6oz glasses of red wine every nite which I know isn't great but I haven't been able to stop.

    In between if I am hungry I will have fruit, carrots, pickles, or kimchee, or 3c of oil popped popcorn with sea salt.

    Any ideas?

    I try to source as locally as possible and only buy humanely raised meats and eggs, preferably local. Once a week I do have pizza though, it's my guilty pleasure! I also drink 3-4 c of tea with skim milk and 1t sugar, wonder if I should switch to agave nector or try to cut out altogether?

    I soooo appreciate your help!

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    2000 calories for someone who's 112-116 is too much. Your daily should be around 1100.

    I would try taking things out of your diet one at a time. You could go whole hog and go on a very limited diet and add things back in, but that's pretty miserable for most people and your health issues aren't that serious. I would try going gluten free and see how that works for you for a week or two. Then if you don't notice a difference, bring your bread back, and go dairy free. Agave nector isn't a good substitute for sugar. Try honey instead.

    What's your exercise calorie burning look like? How often/hard do you exercise?

    Also, when you palpate your stomach, what does it feel like? Fat? Can you feel your muscles underneath the fat and what does it seem like there's something wrong there? Are you bloated in the face re: sodium and belly bloat? Or do you have digestion issues: constipation, diarrhea, gassiness, and when you palpate are you feeling lumps/bumps or feeling/hearing air bubbles gurgling?
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    image.jpg

    Here it is - ugh

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    image.jpg

    Here it is if I suck it in.

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Wow Fiendish, lots of good thoughts!

    On calories, I miscalculated, I am actually right at around 1100 as you suggested I should be. Big difference!

    I exercise in the gym 3x per week, usually 45 total minutes of cardio on 4 different machines, working hard, keeping my heart rate between 160-175. Then I do 10-15 minutes of ab work (roman chair, crunches on a ball, other ball work, Pilates roll ups, etc.). Then I do 15-20 minutes of free weights, either weighted squats, lunges, and side lunges, or upper body free weights on a ball or in a side plank position. I use leg lifts on a bench in between sets to keep my heart rate up.

    I never thought to try to eliminate gluten or dairy, what a fantastic idea! I'll start with the gluten today. Not to be gross but I do feel like I'm a little too gassy and go to the bathroom too much.

    Palpating my stomach feels like muscle, not jiggly fat. I do use too much sodium for sure, but not sure if it is causing bloating but perhaps it is!

    Do the pictures give you any clues?

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    You should try the Paleo diet. I lost almost 20llbs.
    "Fake tits are like Kevlar. They don't guarantee your chances of survival but they sure as hell improve it."
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Looks like a layer of fat over some good muscle tone, and some skin that looks not the most toned when you suck in.

    I'm not an expert at this, but I do remember my chiropractor telling me most people did sit up/ab exercises wrong. it had something to do with breathing and holding the muscle tight while you did it. He said most people do it wrong and so it causes the wrong ab muscle to build outward and exacerbate the problem of how the stomach looked. It's been a few years and I've moved so I can't ask him but maybe something to do with that? So maybe lay off the ab exercises for awhile, or just do all over body work that doesn't ignore the core, but also doesn't just focus on that one group of muscles?

    Paleo is really good as an elimination diet, as is the blood type diet. Both have you go gluten free, and mostly dairy free (unless you're a blood type b, those do well with dairy.) Unfortunately, some people do great on some diets and not on others, so I would say do some eliminating from your diet. If you want to go full anal-retentive, keep a food diary and enter it in when you're about to eat something, not after. A study I just read said that people cheat less when they write it down before they eat and not after. And you can also write down how your body feels. This could teach you to listen to your body more closely, and get rid of what makes you gassy, lethargic, icky feeling, et al.
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    If you have diastasis you will be able to feel the separation when you lay down flat. You can bring them together again if instead of doing a crunch you lift your head and contract the middle of your tummy, doing wall sits, and repetitions of contracting your abs. Once it's fixed you can do your old ab routine.

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    I really appreciate all this amazing advice!

    I got checked by a PT and I do indeed have a diastasis. So I ordered the Tupler stuff and started the program today. I will keep you posted on any progress.

    I also purchased tonalin and started it today, a little worried about the acne thing though!

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    its possible you are doing your ab exercises wrong and creating a strong muscle that bows out. its also possible that you have a food allergy and are bloated all the time. btw, your diet sounds like its a little higher than 1100 calories, if your measurements are correct (1 tablespoon is really small) then you're probably between 1400 and 2000, depending on how much olive oil you're ingesting.

    it just looks like your body stores its fat very concentrated on your stomach. you may think the rest of your body looks good to you, but you still have some fat on the rest of you too so it would be safe to restrict your calories and attempt to lose 5-10 lbs.

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Quote Originally Posted by spf View Post
    Pregnancy and surgery can cause diastasis, which is separation of the abdominal muscles. You might need surgery to correct that. Try crunches with a binding belt, like a corset designed to.be worked out in, or just wrap a towel round your waist very tightly. I used to have the same problem after three.pregnancies in three years and yes it can be fixed.
    This. I have a 15cm seperation (5 months post partum) and do physio every day to fix it. google some exercises. I also wear a binder. I will need surgery though, but they wont bother until Im done with kids.
    Theres no sense crying over every mistake,
    you just keep on trying till you run out of cake

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    An update: I've been doing the Tupler Technique program for four weeks now, and also took off 4 pounds. I definitely have a diastasis, my friend who is a PT checked me.

    When I started tracking my food, I realized that I was consuming more than 1100 calories a day. Funny how it creeps up on you!

    I am now 114 and planning to keep losing and doing the Tupler exercises. Im happy with the progress but obviously have more to go. Hopefully I can avoid plastic surgery!

    I would never have figured this out without this site - you all are the best!
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    Senior Member Jewel21's Avatar
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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    wow that's great progress! Nice to hear a success story keep it up!

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    Thumbs up Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    I used body wraps~! This is me from December to now~! My diet didn't change, my exercise didn't change. Only thing I did Different was wrap. It took me 6 wraps to get here. 581920_10200554281930096_1817666132_n.jpg

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    So glad it is working for you! Keep it up mama!

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    Default Re: How can I fix my stomach ?

    Wow SexyLyric ! What are body wraps?

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