Calling all mothers!

[Tarawr]

I'm a 21 year old female. Found my way here due to my inability to get back down to my usual size after having a child (who is now 2 years old.)-- figured I could see if anyone on here could offer advice on the matter. :3 I went from being a petite 95lbs and am went to a staggering 170lbs before childbirth. As such, I stretched HORRIBLY. (Seeing no lightening on those yet, either.) I also have some excess fat that when I put on my jeans, wants to hang over the edge. So, not so much concerned about weight as I am just... making my stomach firm once again. Can provide pictures if needed.

Recap on what I'm needing to know:
1. How can I tighten my stomach again?
2. How can I reduce the appearance of my stretch marks?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[superqt4u2nv]

I'm a 21 year old female. Found my way here due to my inability to get back down to my usual size after having a child (who is now 2 years old.)-- figured I could see if anyone on here could offer advice on the matter. :3 I went from being a petite 95lbs and am went to a staggering 170lbs before childbirth. As such, I stretched HORRIBLY. (Seeing no lightening on those yet, either.) I also have some excess fat that when I put on my jeans, wants to hang over the edge. So, not so much concerned about weight as I am just... making my stomach firm once again. Can provide pictures if needed.

Recap on what I'm needing to know:
1. How can I tighten my stomach again?
2. How can I reduce the appearance of my stretch marks?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Well one thing is that you are young so your skin will have a great amount of elasticty and bounce back once you start lossing weight. What you need to do to tighten your stomach is diet and exercise. Can you list exactly what you are eating and drink now in a typical day? Also what kind of exercise are you doing? Do you have access to a gym? How many days a week can you commit to working out?

As for reducing the apperance of stretch marks:

• Brush your skin with a loofah or skin brush when you shower to stimulate circulation.
  
• Massage cocoa butter into the stretch marks.
  
• Use vitamin E oil on your stretch marks. Massage it into your skin after a shower.
  
• Talk to your doctor about using tretinoin cream on stretch marks. It is available by prescription only.
  
• Eat foods high in vitamins A, E and C, or take supplements in addition to your diet. However, pregnant women should avoid taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A.
  
• Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc, which is good for the skin, and silica (beets, brown rice, bell peppers, leafy green vegetables and whole grains), which helps form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin.
  
• Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids, which help make cell walls. Essential fatty acids can be found in many nuts (oils), flax oils and fish oils.

 

[Tarawr]

I eat mostly chicken, sometimes ramen and macaroni and cheese. Bad habit I got into when I was younger-- fasting. So, there are days where I just don't eat anything. I mostly drink water and milk, though.

I don't have a doctor, as I have no insurance (nor do I have a job. LOVE the economy these days and the general lack of jobs).

As far as I know, there are no jobs in my area (at least not within driving distance)... I'm in Knoxville, Arkansas.


Thank you so much for the advice on the stretch marks~ I'll put that to use asap!

Approx how much should I be looking to take in on the vitamins and zinc?

 

[superqt4u2nv]

I eat mostly chicken, sometimes ramen and macaroni and cheese. Bad habit I got into when I was younger-- fasting. So, there are days where I just don't eat anything. I mostly drink water and milk, though.

I don't have a doctor, as I have no insurance (nor do I have a job. LOVE the economy these days and the general lack of jobs).

As far as I know, there are no jobs in my area (at least not within driving distance)... I'm in Knoxville, Arkansas.


Thank you so much for the advice on the stretch marks~ I'll put that to use asap!

Approx how much should I be looking to take in on the vitamins and zinc?

Do you currently workout? Do you have access to a gym? How many days a week can you commit to working out?

 

[Tarawr]

For some reason, my phone changed "gyms" to "jobs"-- I meant to say that as far as I know, there are no gyms in my area.
Currently, I do LOTS of walking, and when I can, I try to do as many crunches/sit-ups as I can... have been doing so for the past two years (with no results, might I add.)

 

[superqt4u2nv]

For some reason, my phone changed "gyms" to "jobs"-- I meant to say that as far as I know, there are no gyms in my area.
Currently, I do LOTS of walking, and when I can, I try to do as many crunches/sit-ups as I can... have been doing so for the past two years (with no results, might I add.)

Is there a walmart in your area? Can you afford to buy some weights and a ball?

Also what is your typical day like in terms of activity? What time of the day can you workout etc?

 

[Tarawr]

Yeah-- we have two Wal-Marts to pick from. I can certainly try to get ahold of some.

My day usually consists of tending to my child and cleaning, so I have plenty of time to exercise.

 

[shirlene29]

check craigslist for cheap fitness stuff

Ive always had great luck with it

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Ok so this is what I suggest you do. Head to the Wal-Mart or where every you can find a jump rope, stability ball, exercise step, sets of dumbbells 5, 10,15, and 20lbs to start (if you can find adjustable dumbbells even better).

Sign up for FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal it is free and you can record and track your calories.

Your daily calorie intake will be 1700-2040 you need to start eating 5-6 small meals a day.

Diet wise start with a ratio of
40% protein
30% carbs
30% fats (good fats)

Stop eating carbs after 6 p.m.

You should be getting a gallon of water in a day you can also drink green tea as much as you like

These are approved foods (if it is not on the list you shouldn’t be eating it)

Chicken skinless breast
Turkey skinless breast
Fish
Lean beef
Buffalo
Egg whites
Omega eggs
Skim milk
Low-fat cottage cheese
Wild-game meat
Sweet potato
Steamed brown rice
Oatmeal
Barley
Beans
Kidney beans
blueberries
Strawberries
Fat-free yogurt
Broccoli
Asparagus
Lettuce
Cauliflower
Green beans
peppers
Mushrooms
Spinach
Cabbage
Celery
Zucchini
Cucumber
Onion
Avocado
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Natural peanut butter
dry roasted peanuts unsalted
raw almonds
walnuts
Olives and olive oil
Flax seed and flax seed oil

I will be back later with a work out plan for you

 

[Tarawr]

Awesome! Thank you so much! <33 I look forward to it. :3