Hi everyone!
I am currently about 4 weeks postpartum. I gained 30 lbs during my pregnancy and have already lost 33 lbs simply due to breastfeeding/eating pretty healthy. I feel good about that, but I hate the way my stomach looks now.
I know that it's going to take time for things to get closer to "normal," and that's fine, but I'm wondering if anyone can recommend specific exercises that can help me work on my stomach to help things along somewhat. Currently the only exercise I am doing is walking with baby, and I will wait until I get the all-clear from my doctor before I start doing anything more intense, but I'm just looking for ideas.
Thanks!
Re: Exercises for flabby postpartum stomach?
Once you have clearance from your doctor to exercise, I would look into Pilates. Strengthening your entire core and not just your abdominal muscles will help a lot!
I second this and also highly recommend yoga. I lost 70 pounds and was a size 2 before getting pregnant and kept it off for two years, and for two years I had a "pooch" (unfair right, especially with no kids?!) but doing a combination of yoga and running helped me get rid of most of it.
However, no matter how much exercise you do the way you look/weigh is always going to be 80% what you eat. Make sure you're getting at diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Avoid too much juice, sugars, and processed foods (I have an 80/20 approach to what I eat - 80% healthy, 20% whatever otherwise I'd go insane) because those can deposit in the "pooch zone."
This! It's all about diet!
Take what I say with a grain of salt as I have not had a baby yet, but the best exercises that have worked for me are planks, Pilates and interval running.
Diet is the biggest part though!
Drinking water only. And half of your body weight of water in ounces as a minimum.
No processed foods
Working large muscle groupslegs, back, butt and chest
Cardio where you are working in a moderate zonenot just casual walking
Of course with exercise, you should gradually ease into it but continue to challenge yourself. Try not to get into too comfortable of a routine...always change it up with your cardio and lifting routine
Reduce stresses in your life
And I like a previous post about the 80/20 rule. I cheat too but I am 80 eating a healthy lifestyle and I enjoy my cheat times and never feel guilty.
Good luck with your goal and don't give up!! Go for it and get the results you strive for!
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Nov siggy challenge: animals eating Thanksgiving food
Rhys - born 04.17.2013
Harry - born 04.18.2016
I would take a look if there are some "baby and me" fitness classes in your area. I have done several - outdoors with the stroller, indoor aerobics, pilates, and yoga. If you find a good baby and me fitness class, they tend to target the areas that moms want to work on. They are also a great way to start getting back into your exercise routine and to get out and meet some other moms.
You could also get some work out DVDs that target the core. Just make sure you do some cardio too. It will get better, but keep in mind that you might always have a little extra belly flab post-baby.
Don't worry yet. I know it's a little disheartening. Give it 6 more weeks and you will most likely see a huge difference. I lost most of prego weight pretty quickly but was also disappointed that my flat taught belly was MIA.
At 6 weeks I started my core routine, planks, very controlled crunches, pelvic tilts.. Slow and controlled with lots of pelvic floor work. It is really helping, mixed of course with just giving it time for swelling to go down too. I also started incorporating interval training back into my run and bike workouts and have been lifting weights at the gym about 2x's a week.
I am now 11 weeks PP and am starting to see some good definition. If you eat right and exercise consistently you will get back to where you were. My hubby keeps reminding me to be patient. We are all our own worse critics right?
Don't fret! You are only 4 weeks. Just be prepared to look different for a few months!
I have been working out since 6 weeks post partum after my c section. DD is 16 weeks and just this week I've noticed a lot of progress on the momma chub lol. I run 5 miles 3 x a week, then lift weights. 2-3 days a week. I've been doing the p90x abs video to supplement.
With my first it took 9 months for things to look pretty close to normal. 9 months to fix the 9 months that wrecked it!