Here I was, a soon to be mom over 40 standing at 5 foot nothing, carrying two beefy Chitalian boys. Not once during my pregnancy was I ever aware or educated of the great battle that was to come. Four months after giving birth, a landscaper came by to give us a quote to fix our backyard. The first thing he said to me was “congratulations, when are you due?” DUE? I just gave birth to two 6 lbs. 12oz twin boys! My OBGYN said my uterus had shrunk back to its normal size (that was 2 months after post pregnancy). I still look pregnant? Are you kidding me? Needless to say, he didn’t get the job (LOL! no, it was not the comment, he was way too expensive!).
During the first few months while learning the ropes of being a first time mom to twin boys, I got so caught up in this overwhelming yet rewarding roller coaster ride that I had neglected myself. I had this naive belief that if I continued to eat healthy and practice yoga, I would go back to my pre-baby body size. Whoa was I ever wrong! Ladies and gentlemen please welcome to the stage… The Mommy Tummy.
Alas, there’s a reason to this madness. It’s called Diastasis Recti! What I didn’t know was that certain yoga poses would worsen the condition! It was a vicious cycle with no end, at least that’s what I thought. My husband, bless his heart, still thought I looked sexy…sexy? Had he lost his mind? The worst part was my clothes no longer fit me! Lord oh lord…MY CLOTHES, the clothes that I had spent thousands of dollars on throughout the years. I nearly fainted with the thought of spending more $$ to get a whole new wardrobe just so that I can hide that tummy. Think of the styles that I would be limited to…no way Jose! I knew I had to do something drastic.
I searched high and low and found limited resources out there to help me combat the battle of the Mommy Tummy without having to go under the knife again. After a long and arduous search, I finally found the Mommy Tummy technique program. After three months of practicing the Mommy Tummy techique, I started gradually incorporating my home yoga practice along with a light jogging routine that my husband and I enjoy with our kids in their stroller.
Who needs costly gym memberships and expensive surgeries. No battle is too big for anyone, not even for me at 5 foot nothing 🙂
31 Comments
Need to do this 🙂 I still have a couple tummy lbs left.
It’s nice to hear that these worked for you. I’ve lost all of my baby weight and then some, but I still can’t get my stomach to look the way I want it to (it gave me issues before I got pregnant). I’ll have to give these a try.
Oh, the mommy tummy! I hate it! I have lost all my baby weight, too, and because I’m thinner in my arms and legs, if I’m carrying any weight in my tummy, I look pregnant. I can’t stand it! I’m checking out the link for sure!
So along with some cardio did you do the ab exersices on the tummy link? Every day? I have the Mommy Tummy that includes excess skin. It seriously looks like an elephant. Gross. Is that what you were dealing with as well? Will this help that skin tigten up?
Hi Laura,
I did the ab exercises on the tummy link 6 times a week initially. I now do 3 to 4 times a week. I do have excess skin but not as bad as before. My skin has tightened a lot more now. It could be that I was also using the Mederma cream for stretch marks at the same time. I’m still working on it because I refuse to go under the knife!!!
Janise
Oh wow thank you for this post. I had a baby 7 months ago, and am still battling the mommy tummy! I bought Tracy Anderson Method DVD, and I’m sure it would work great, if only I had the time to do a 50 minute ab work out. How long do the exercises you posted take you?
Congratultions on your baby! I’ve heard great things about Tracy Anderson Method DVD but I have not tried it. I try to squeeze in 15 to 20 minutes of the exercises few times a week. I usually do that right after my yoga session or on the weekends when my boys are napping. We rely on our schedule a lot so that we can do other stuff.
Thank you for this article, I was beginning to loose hope. I am a mother of three, an 8 year old boy a 6 year old girl and a 3 year old girl. I lost the baby wight relatively quickly, which in itself was a miracle because I gained 70 lbs and up with each pregnancy. I’m 5’6 at about 145 lbs, in a size 5/6 with a kangaroo pouch! I can not put on a bathing suit to save my life, and I live practically in the tropics with the beach 20 minutes away. I’m exercising the pouch down, but the stretch marks on said pouch are horrendous! Does this get better? Is there a product that can help? I refuse to go under the knife, and I’m dubious of laser treatments. Can you suggest anything?
Hi Ming,
The stretch marks do get better. I have not stopped using my Mederma cream. It also dimished my scar tissue. My skin isn’t as loose as it was. I don’t know if it is because I’ve been exercising regularly or that I’ve been eating more fish. Either way, I’m loving it. Good luck!
Janise
I so know the feeling, I have 4 boys and the last were twins and I too did yoga and exercises which worsened my condition. I have now given up and was seriously contemplating surgery. your article has made me re think.
I’m glad 🙂 It takes time to get your tummy back. Just keep practicing those exercises and don’t give up. Good luck!!!
Can u please tell me how to join the Mommy Tummy technique program
Hi Arthy, the Mommy Tummy technique program is free. If you click on the link it should give you a series of exercises that target your tummy.
Yes!! This is what I’ve been looking for!! I am a 20 year old mom with the body that looks like someone much older! I used to be toned and thin and now I can’t figure why nothing it working to get this belly gone! I loooovve your blog post and that mommy tummy technique program is going to be my new bible! I Really really don’t want to have to have surgery either but in my line of work it’s either fix it quick or be out of a job. So thank you!!!
You are welcome, Sarah. I hope this works out for you. Please let me know your progress.
Thank a lot I was almost losing hope to get rid of my mommy tummy ….I will try it
I reached your blog after googling for exercises to tighten the mommy belly. My son is 4, I’m back to my normal weight in 3 months after, all’s merry buuuut…. I can’t get rid of my sagging tummy skin. I honestly didn’t do any exercise after giving birth so that probably explains why the loose skin didn’t firm up at all (plus stretch marks are disastrous!) … I’ve started picking up on yoga about 6 months back. I shall try your Mummy Tummy technique program and hopefully zap my belly once and for all. 🙂
Love your blog and I’m a follower now 🙂
That’s great! I would love to hear from you if the Mummy Tummy techinque worked for you.
I’m curious what the exercises are that made the diastesis recti worse? Would like to know what to avoid! Thanks
Hi Niki, I avoided any yoga poses that involve putting pressure on from the mid-section to my lower abdominal. These poses include but not limited to the yoga boat pose, cobra pose, bow pose, twist pose, fish pose, triangle pose, camel pose. If I’m in a yoga class and are following a series of poses I just stop at any poses that involve using my abdominal muscles…just stay at the childs pose until the next pose comes. I would recommend to do these poses when your diastis recti has closed. I hope this helps.
xo,
Janise
Hello! My name is Lacricia and I am an author and editor at Young Moms Club. Its good to hear from other moms and what they have gone through with postpartum. I have written a blog post relating to this subject. Please visit our site and leave us a comment! http://bit.ly/10RoVne
Who knew that certain yoga poses would do that!! Not me! I’m 9 year post baby and I still haven’t lost the tummy. Maybe it’s my yoga 🙂 Thanks for linking up with us at the LOBS party!!
Hi my name is Emma, and I have had twins a year ago and I dieted and exercised and eventually I got back to exactly my weight before, 8 stone which I was very happy about but I seem to be unable to get rid of the loose skin at the bottom of my stomach,it goes over my jeans and look rediculous in clothes because I’ve a skinny body and weird looking stomach that sticks in,the top of the stomach only tends to get toned or the sides of my stomach,if I do the mommy tummy exercises for 12 weeks will it tighten up the middle of my stomach near my belly button so it’s in proportion with the rest of my stomach, sorry for the long post lol
I had to do the mommy tummy exercises for 4 months (5 times a week) to see results. I still do the exercises a couple times a week with yoga to maintain it. I think it varies with different people so good luck. Please write back to let me know your results!
Thank you for this post. I am on a personal mission to tighten my skin. Another informative website is at, skin tightening. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Thank you.
Do you have a before and after pic? I’m scared it’ll never get better 🙁
I don’t have a before and after but will post a similar pictures on my blog very soon. It doesn’t take overnight but it will get better even though it will not get to the way it was 100%.
Hey moms, there is hope. I was pretty small before both my kids and gained lots of weight during pregnancy but lost it all after, mostly from breast-feeding and running after my kids. 2 years after my second though, I started to hate my body – I was what you call, “Skinny fat”. Then I said, screw this I am not dealing with this gross mommy tummy anymore. And starting September 3, I began exercising daily, but I mean vigorous exercise – Jillian Michaels style. I used to be a ballet dancer so getting back into rigorous exercise wasn’t TOO hard, but it was challenging. I also walk at least 30 minutes a day and my tummy has drastically changed in just 50 days. My muffin tops are GONE, I have a 4 pack starting and I can feel my entire body is tighter and more toned. The only problem I have is the loose skin BUT I changed that with a diet plan. I eat fat-burning foods high in protein and fiber and low in fat. I limit my calorie intake and eat small meals throughout the day and record EVERYTHING. I have noticed a HUGE difference all through motivation and self control. I never eat junk food or drink pop, or eat fast food. I also take daily vitamins and drink A LOT of green tea. Green tea is great for weight loss as it helps boost metabolism. You can check out my fitness site I made myself it has a LOT of good advice and info on there as well as tons of exercise moves and routines. It’s all free too, just providing a resource for other moms. But getting rid of the tummy skin CAN be done. I notice a huge difference, an inch is gone from my waist in just 30 days and I’ve lost another half inch in the past 3 weeks. Just push yourself. A nice body doesn’t come for free.
Hi Janise,
I stumbled on your blog while looking for reducing mommy tummy.
I went through the link that you cited.
I am excited and want to start with it from tomorrow.
I know it has been 2 years since you published it and found it today.
Are there any reviews available for the rest of the ladies who might have tried this workout.
Appreciate if you can provide more insights based on your experience.
TIA
Jyoti
Hi Jyoti, I don’t have any reviews available from any ladies who might have tried this workout. It took me a while to work down my tummy by eating healthy and exercising consistently. I now workout a few times a week or whenever I have time. Although I got rid of my mommy tummy I get minor bulges once a month due to bloating (if you know what I mean). This is natural but overall I’m very happy with my body. I also wrote a post about eating healthy (http://www.mamainheels.com/2012/11/19/eating-healthy-is-not-a-diet/) where certain types of food are good for your body and naturally helps you lose weight. As a family, we cut down on sugar and salt intake significantly. My husband no longer has a tummy and my kids are quite healthy. I hope this helps. Don’t give up. If you need encouragement just shoot me an email.