Staying fit

I still vividly remember the very first time I stood up after my C-section procedure for my first baby.

I was just right in front of the mirror. It was an excruciating pain, on top of that looking at my new body. Gasp such a painful sight. Unlike how pictured by mommies on Instagram. Very very unlikely.

My boobs were sore and my abdomen felt as though it was about to flop. It was loose, thick, and ugly.

And it got worse after my second child!

The Struggle Is Real

After my C-section, I found myself staring at an unwelcome souvenir that just wouldn’t budge, no matter how many crunches I did or diets I tried.

I was desperate looking for the answer how to get rid of belly overhang after c section and methods to eliminate apron belly without resorting to surgery.

Many new moms seek advice on how to get rid of belly overhang after undergoing a C-section but simply doesnt know where to begin. However through trial and error, I discovered some stomach overhang exercises and lifestyle changes that truly made a difference.

Fear not, because I am here to share some killer exercises and tips to help you bid farewell to that belly overhang, without ever needing to go under the knife.

Understanding The Enemy – What Causes Stomach Overhang?

Before we dive into action, let’s take a moment to understand exactly what we’re up against. Stomach overhang, also known as an apron belly, often occurs due to excess fat and skin accumulating in the abdominal area. It’s caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and even the natural aging process.

For many women, especially those who have undergone a C-section, dealing with belly overhang can feel incredibly frustrating and challenging. 

Problems With Stomach Overhang

Let’s be real, yes I know the statement “embrace your newbody as a new mom.” I really don’t mind the stretchmarks from the pregnancies. They are hidden under my clothes anyway and it doesn’t disfigure my outer appearance but with the apron belly, it affects me. I don’t feel confident.

1. Wearing bodycon dresses makes me awkward. Finding clothes that suited my new body was a huge challenge, and I always ended up in oversized T-shirts and baggy pants. I was frustrated and felt self-conscious. Hey, I don’t want to be a slumpy mom, I want to be a fit mom and look good!
2. Other than that, I’ve developed skin rashes, chafing, and pain all over that area because I live in a humid climate country. I was constantly sweating due to the new hormones, and slowly, the constant friction irritated my skin even further. I had to resort to multiple creams and lotions throughout the day.
3. I find it difficult to reach certain objects when I’m sitting down. Whenever my toddler tries to hug me, I have to catch my breath and readjust my position to reach out to them. In other words, I can no longer bend over like a normal person due to the excess fat over my belly. It’s uncomfortable and it’s impacting my overall mobility.
4. In severe cases, stomach overhang can hinder mobility and agility. The excess weight and bulkiness of the overhanging tissue can make it challenging to move around freely and engage in physical activities. This further exacerbates feelings of frustration and limitation.
5. The emotional toll of stomach overhang should not be underestimated. It led me to feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, and low self-esteem. I avoided social situations because I was ashamed of looking slumpy and even avoided intimacy.
6. One day, I realized a crucial point: this condition isn’t just hindering me from wearing pretty dresses; it’s also causing me health concerns. It’s filling my mind with negative thoughts, and I’m worried it might pose health risks in the long run.

From that moment on, I swore to address this stomach overhang issue. It’s essential not only to improve my quality of life but also to reduce the risk of obesity-related health complications.

Can Stomach Overhang Be Fixed?

We mothers often wonder, how to get rid of belly overhang after a C-section? will this ever work now that our bodies have changed?

But look, I’m living proof of that. Even if the progress seems small, like just a 1-2 inch reduction, it’s still progress worth celebrating.

I’ve documented my journey of losing close to 40 pounds, and it’s been transformative. It’s proof that change is possible, even after giving birth.

A woman’s body is incredibly powerful. We carry and nurture a baby inside us, showcasing strength and resilience beyond what we may initially believe.

While it may require a combination of lifestyle changes, including adjustments to diet and exercise, it is possible to reduce and manage stomach overhang.

Are you curious about how to eliminate apron belly naturally, without surgery?

Armed with the right knowledge and exercises we sure can get rid of  the stomach overhang. It may not happen overnight but it will surely work if approach this journey with patience, perseverance, and self-compassion.

Every step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Believe in the power of our body and our ability to make positive changes.

How To Get Rid Of Stomach Overhang Naturally: Tips and Tricks

Can I get rid of apron belly without surgery? This is the million-dollar question I get all the time. Sure there are!!

Lets dive into these effective strategies for tackling belly overhang post-C-section. Simply follow the advice I’ve shared here.

Just 5 important strategies I’ve practiced for years have helped me transition from looking as though I’m pregnant to looking toned. There are the non-surgical options to remove the apron belly without undergoing surgery!

Again I must repeat with the right COMBINATION OF DIET AND EXERCISES, there is no way the apron belly gonna stay!

Pin this so you never miss my tried-and-true strategies on how to lose mommy belly fat fast!

1. Embrace Cardio: Incorporate regular cardio workouts into our routine to burn calories and melt away excess fat. Whether it’s jogging, cycling, or dancing around our living room, get that heart rate up and watch the inches disappear.
2. Strength Training: Don’t underestimate the power of strength training! Building muscle not only tones our body but also boosts our metabolism, helping us torch those extra calories. Focus on exercises that target the core, such as planks, Russian twists, and leg raises.
3. Watch Our Diet: They say abs are made in the kitchen, and it’s true! Pay attention to what we’re putting into our body and aim for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Minimize processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive alcohol consumption, as these can contribute to belly fat.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water not only keeps ourselves hydrated but also helps with digestion and can prevent bloating. Aim for at least eight glasses a day, and skip the sugary sodas in favor of good old H2O.
5. Mindful Eating: Slow down and savor our meals, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues. Eating mindfully can help prevent overeating and promote healthier habits in the long run.

Effective Exercises For Taming the Apron Belly

Here’s the essence of what you’re asking. How do you lift a belly overhang?

Our bodies went through a tremendous transformation, growing a watermelon-sized baby for nine months. During that time, our skin stretched to its maximum capacity. Now, as we aim to return to our original size, the elasticity in this area is certainly affected.

To get rid of mommy pooch, we must first lose some stubborn fat in this area to tighten the hanging belly fat. 

For mothers who’ve just delivered a baby, it’s crucial not to rush. Take our time and listen to our body until it’s ready. The following examples are exercises targeted for reducing belly overhang after a C-section, but they should only be attempted when our body is ready.

You asked how to tighten hanging belly fat? How to get rid of apron belly without surgery? Check out the exercises below.

They’ve worked very well for me too. My stomach doesn’t look perfect, but I’ve shrunk loads with the exercises below that I’ve practiced for years.

Ready to sweat on?

1. Reverse Crunches: Lie on our back with our knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift our legs towards our chest, then lower them back down slowly, engaging our core muscles throughout.

 

2. Bicycle Crunches: Lie on our back with our hands behind our head and legs lifted off the ground. Alternate bringing our left elbow towards our right knee while straightening our left leg, then switch sides. Keep our movements controlled and our core tight.

 

3. Mountain Climbers: Start in a plank position with our wrists directly under our shoulders. Bring one knee towards our chest, then switch legs in a fluid motion. Keep our core engaged and our hips level throughout the exercise.

 

 

Advanced version (Time 1:24)

4. Plank Variations: Challenge our core with different plank variations, such as side planks, forearm planks, and plank jacks. Hold each position for at least 30 seconds, focusing on maintaining proper form and breathing steadily.

 

5. Lying Leg Raises: Lying leg raises target the lower abdominal muscles. To perform this exercise, lie flat on our back with our legs extended and our hands either under our glutes or beside our hips for support. Lift our legs off the ground while keeping them straight until they form a 90-degree angle with our torso. Slowly lower them back down without letting them touch the ground and repeat.

 

6. Scissor Kicks: Scissor kicks engage the lower abdominal muscles and hip flexors. Start by lying flat on our back with our hands under our glutes for support. Lift our legs off the ground a few inches, keeping them straight. Then, alternate kicking our legs up and down in a scissor-like motion, crossing one leg over the other and then switching. Keep our core engaged throughout the movement to stabilize our lower back.

 

7. Knee Tucks (With Sliders or Exercise Ball): Knee tucks are an advanced abdominal exercise that targets the entire core, including the lower abs, upper abs, and obliques. If we are using sliders, start in a plank position with our feet on the sliders. Engage our core and pull our knees towards our chest, sliding our feet along the floor. If using an exercise ball, start in a plank position with our feet on the ball and roll the ball towards our chest by bending our knees. Then, extend our legs back out to return to the starting position.

 

8. Toe Touches: Toe touches primarily target the upper abdominal muscles. Lie flat on our back with our legs extended and our arms reaching towards the ceiling. Lift our upper body off the ground and reach our hands towards our toes, aiming to touch them. Keep our lower back pressed into the ground and focus on contracting our abs as we perform the movement. Lower back down with control and repeat.

 

 

Last but not least

9. Cardio Intervals: Incorporate bursts of high-intensity cardio, such as jumping jacks, burpees, or high knees, into our workout routine. These quick bursts of activity can rev up our metabolism and help blast away stubborn belly fat.

I love incorporating weights into these exercises to enhance the challenge. There are numerous variations available if you’re looking to increase the difficulty or mix things up, as demonstrated in the advanced versions above.

PRO TIP   Tip 1 There are 8 main exercises above, we may perform all and make it a 16- 20min workout:

 

Tip 2
Include the aforementioned exercises after our cardio session, aiming for 30 laps each, which would add an extra 5-10 minutes of abdominal exercises to our routine.  

Don’t forget to Pin this image so you can always
refer back to this page on the best stomach overhang exercises tips!

Conclusion

I will always say there is no harm in trying one last time,  especially since I’m sharing what has worked wonders for me with the public here and most importantly it is all natural. 

Remember, getting rid of stomach overhang takes time, patience, and dedication. There’s no magic pill or quick fix, but with consistent effort and the right mindset, we can achieve our goals and feel confident in our own skin.

These changes not only help with weight loss but also boost our overall health and well-being. It’s not just about looking better, it’s about feeling better too. So, it’s all about finding a balance that works for us and our bodies. So lace up those sneakers, crank up our favorite playlist, and let’s show that apron belly who’s boss! We’ve got this, ladies. Let’s do it together.

If you have some time, please read my blog post here for inspiration. I’d appreciate any feedback you might have.