The Infamous Pregnancy Pouch

[optomistic_nonsense]

Hello out there. So, I've lost quite a bit of weight since my son was born. I was 210 lbs when he was born. He will be 2 years old next month, and now I currently weight 147. It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am now, however...I've got this dang pregnancy pouch that I would kill to get rid of. It really makes me self conscious of my body, and especially when it comes to my love life. I've also been able to diminish the majority of my stretch marks, but I do still have some NASTY ones on my hips and inner thighs.

 

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm more concerned about getting rid of this pouch more than the stretch marks. Is it cardio that I should be doing? Situps? Sometimes I just wanna chop the thing off!

[Tayla]

Oddly with all the household chores I had to do in raising my kids I found that the chores themselves resolved this. Lifting them up, Tossing laundry, picking up toys...so many things aided. Walking them in strollers (boy was that a workout sometimes!)

Ohh and I rarely had a hot meal, so less calories.....

 

If a workout is more your style, yes situps and light weights with various knee bends, tucks and leg stretches help.

 

It took years to accept the stretch marks but I often tell folks, without them I wouldn't be reminded of the children I bore inside. I LOVED being pregnant!

[threebyfate]

The pouch is usually one of or a combination of fat reserves and skin that hasn't returned to its former elasticity.

 

To get rid of fat reserves requires a combination of weight loss and exercise (try core strengthening through yoga and pilates).

 

As far as overstretched skin, there's no natural guaranteed way to get skin back to its former elasticity. The best thing you can do is to drink as much water as healthy and moisturize your skin like crazy.

 

There are products that can cause skin to contract but they're only temporary products.

 

And if it's that important to you, you can always get cosmetic surgery. Personally, I don't believe in this "solution" but I'm throwing it out there for your consideration. Better to just accept your body within healthy parameters.

[Lauriebell82]

I've never been pregnant, but I tend to retain weight in my lower stomach around where my belly button is. Have you tried running? That would probably be the #1 best exercise to target your stomach area.

[optomistic_nonsense]

Thank you ladies for your posts. I will definitely try all of your suggestions

 

[hannahpet00]

Creams will lighten and fade stretch marks and scars. The reason they remain is that people are too anxious and give up after a short time. Consistency is the key, keep applying cream not matter how long, weeks, months. You will see results, just not soo fast in every cases as each is different. Only with chemical peels with acne is every case the same.

 

I had good results with Excel Skin Care's all purpose cream which can be used for scars as well. They have a store on Amazon which has the best prices. I still use their products, the anti aging serums.