You love that little bundle of joy, but the little extra something your munchkin left on your belly – not so much. Shrink that baby belly with these moves. Of course, be sure to get the ok from your doctor, especially if your baby was delivered by C-section.
The Bridge – Lie on your back with knees bent. Extend your arms and keep palms and feet flat on the floor. Breathe in deeply. As you exhale, lift your bottom so that your body forms a straight line from your knees to shoulders. Hold for ten seconds and repeat.
The Plank – Lie on a mat as if preparing for a push up. Lift into push-up position. Support the body on your toes and forearms. Your body should form a straight line and the abs should be engaged. Hold for 10 seconds and increase to a minute as you are able.
Reverse Crunch – Lie on your back with knees bent and your hands behind your head. Lift both legs and bend knees to a 90 degree angle. Pull knees in toward chest and hold.
Basic Crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Place hands behind your head with elbows out to the sides but rounded slightly in. Gently pull your navel in and curl up so that your head, neck, and shoulder blades lift off the floor. Add to the challenge by doing your crunches on an exercise ball.
Get moving – Cardio is important too. The best way to deal with trouble spots, such as belly, back or thighs, is to lose weight. Take baby out in the stroller for a walk most days each week. Join other moms for extra support and encouragement. If you have concerns, be sure to talk with your doctor to rule out complications such as rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) or overstretched stomach muscles.
Finally, be patient and realistic. Every body is different so don’t compare your progress against others. Just do the best you can. It takes about two months for the uterus to return to normal size and often as long as a year to lose the baby belly. In the meantime, change up your style to emphasize other features that you feel more confidence in. Remember, you can still feel sexy in your imperfect, post-baby body.
