I am back to pre-pregnancy weight but in better shape so yes it’s possible – even after a cesarean. I gained about 45 pounds each time. Afterwards I stuck to a 1400 calorie a day diet, 2X a week weight training, and 2X a week mat pilates at a local gym during lunch (went back to work after 6 weeks). Still have a light linea negra that will hopefully be gone by the summer…
Pic 1 – pre-pregnancy age 20 Pic 2 – 9 months pregnant age 27 Pic 3 – post both babies age 32
This is inspiring! I think we need success-stories like yours on this website just to get a balanced view on how women might look after giving birth. I know a lot of young mothers who look as fabulous as before after their pregnancies (and they did enjoy their pregnancies and they did not work out like mad afterwards, only in a healthy way, just as you did!). I am in my fifth month of pregnancy right now, exercising regularly and eating healthy and being determined to make the best of my post-pregnancy body, what ever that might be. The majority of young moms I know here in Germany isn`t covered in stretchmarks and does not suffer from extra skin everywhere, this is more the exception than the rule, believe me, mothers-to-be, so I am very happy that you gave such an optimistic perspective on a post-partum body! By the way: You looked fabulous when you were pregnant as well!
WHOA! You look amazing!! Great job! You are an inspiration!!
I posted because I had a hard time finding a picture of someone after a cesarean, especially someone older in their 30’s like me – I thought I was doomed – all the articles make it sound so awful in regard to getting stomach muscle tone back. I would say I was lucky in regard to the stretchmarks since I gained so much weight for my frame so no advice there. I ate only smoothies and soup the first time around (sick), pigged out the second time and gained the same amount of weight! Afterwards, I was very strict with my diet this time and started pilates after 2 weeks. Last time it took about 6 months to lose all the weight. This time about 3 months. No white flour, sugar, not even artificial sweetener (which makes me crave sweet foods).
i agree. this is very inspiring. thanks for posting. u look great!
I think it’s really great that you look so good after a second c-section. It’s funny how life is so different for everyone. I actually stayed home with my baby girl for her first year of life until I went back to work ( I had no choice). I could have worked out but I felt it was important to spend the first year of her life by her side and nurture her and she is now the most happy and enjoyed little girl by everyone who even looks at her. I think that now that I’m back at work I will go back to the gym and try to get a flat belly. But I’m ok with my tiny over flapping skin, because I got to be with her for a whole year! You look awesome!
You are beautiful.
I think it’s important to note, though, that your experience does not demonstrate that “it’s possible.” It demonstrates that what you did (and/or the biological advantages with which you were blessed) worked for YOU. Another woman could engage in exactly the same behaviors as you and still not “bounce back.”
Congratulations on the birth of your babies and on your hard work and discipline! Thanks for sharing your experience.
REFRESHING! I love it when people tell me I don’t look like I have a baby let alone just gave birth 3 months ago. I work very hard, eat very well, and care about the way I look. I cook @ home 90% of the time and make everything fresh and natural from salad dressing to ketchup. 1 hour a day @ the gym and lots of walking that stroller around (i’m a SAHM)
Thank you for giving me the push I needed to keep with what I am doing :-) And you look GREAT!!
OMG girl, you have really inspired me to get out there and get active. I’m 6 months PP and still need to lose 22lbs out of the 45lbs I gained during my pregnancy. It’s been a very difficult time emotionally, but I’m ready to face it and work hard! Thanks for posting!
I haven’t had a chance to post my pics yet, as I just found this site a few days ago. When I came across this I was curious. Did you breastfeed on a 1400 calorie a day diet? I am a breastfeeding mommy who has 1o extra stubborn lb but, I am afraid to be too restrictive with diet since I don’t want to screw up my milk supply.
No breastfeeding. I know some say it helps lose weight (increase metabolism?) but I never tried (I had to go back to work), so I have no control group comparison. It helps to have your family behind you. I did a pantry fridge cleanout – e.g. nothing with HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) or MSG(monosodium glutamate). Horrified at the # of products – from mushroom soup to rice-a-roni, to ketchup. The fam was not happy at first but adjusted in a few weeks. Now am doing “hot” yoga at night when kids are asleep. All that balancing and sweating is hard work and awesome fat burning combined with weights.
Hi, I just found out that you have visited your site again! I am curious about how it was possible to do pilates 2 weeks after a c-section? I hope I won`t need one but ypu never know…I work out a lot during pregnancy, 27 weeks now, and I am horrified by the perspective to wait 8 weeks if I had a c-section, as so many articles say…Did you just have a good healing?
Hi! I just ran across this site today, and being a total fitness freak myself, I was very much in awe of your post partum photo! In reading what you wrote, and what “butterfly” responded, I also am curious. I had a c-section in December, my first c & third pregnancy. The doctors were very strict in telling me I could not do anything but walk till my 8 week check up. They pretty much forbid me to run, or do any core type work at all those first 2 months. I may have been up for it after about 6 weeks, but that might have been pushing it. I just wanted to know what your doctor said about pilates 2 weeks after a c, and also to say that others should not push themselves to do this, because it is normally not safe, even for the most fit of moms who have worked out their entire pregnancy.
Sorry I don’t check this often, but when I said I did Pilates and weights 2X a week that meant 2 times a week, but only after the 8 weeks of rest! During the eight weeks I just walked and did some minor hip bridges and stuff at home. What also helped for motivation is booking a photoshoot – that forced me to stay on track.
hi….i just recently had my second c section…so it really is possible to get back in shape after??
You look great! This would have been great for me if I had done this after my last pregnancy but….I am 44 years old now and I had 3 c-sections. My daughters are 22, 16 and 11. My belly looks like a bowl of jello (so my daughter says) mommy I love your belly because it jiggles “great” :-.
I had gone to the plastic surgeon just to get some advice from belly expert. He told me which I will never forget even today and that visit was almost 9 years ago. Your belly is like a rubber band that has stretched and of course the rubber band will never get it’s original shape back so there it is! I was scarred and still scarred for life. Help any one out there that has had c-section and it has been years like mine. I still want my body back but without the expenses of the being under the surgeon knife!
Help!!!!!!!!!!!
You look amazing! Iam pregnant with my second child and I will have a second c section, I hope I look this good after lol