How can you flatten your belly after pregnancy if your ab muscles are stretched from the abdominal wall?

[Missus]

My sister had twins two years ago and is still having trouble getting her stomach flat again. She has done a ton of crunches, but it hasn't made a difference. She says that it feels like the muscles stick too far out when she is exercising. We've heard that these muscles can stretch away from the abdominal wall after a pregnancy. Is there a way to get her abs flat again without plastic surgery?

 

[Misty]

I think it's somewhat of a myth that crunches will flatten your stomach (but it can't hurt). I think a more well-rounded plan such as a combination of pilates and yoga will give you that look; however, I don't think it will be 'overnight'. Besides the sculpting effect, pilates and yoga have so many other healthy benefits. Strengthening your core through Pilates is sort of the groundwork for doing many other activities with added benefits. Yoga is just great for toning everything else.

 

[MoBi]

The only thing that I can suggest other than surgery is lots of core exercises. Not just crunches.There are some exercises here:http://exercise.about.com/cs/abs/a/coreandposture.htmThat should help a bit. Honestly though, once the muscles are stretched beyond a certain point it's almost impossible to have them return to there original shape.The same thing happens with your skin. That's how stretch marks develop.Try the core exercises first. If that still doesn't help she might want to talk to a plastic surgeon. They might have other options that I am not aware of.Hope this helps,