You have welcomed your new little one into the world--and now it's time to focus on caring for your baby and also working on getting your body back into shape. If your physician has given the OK to begin exercising again, it's time to utilize exercises that help you to lose your baby belly following pregnancy. While you should engage in exercise, always remember to respect your limits--if something begins to feel painful, stop and rest and switch to another exercise.
Supported Bent-Knee Curl Up
This exercise from Fit Pregnancy involves lying on your back. Your legs can be out in front of you, but your knees should be slightly bent. Place your hands behind your thighs for support. Slowly contract your abdominal muscles and crunch upward--you may use your hands to assist you in this crunch. You should lift your head, neck and shoulders away from the floor. Once you reach a position to where you feel your abdominal muscles working, hold for two to three seconds, then slowly lower back down. Begin by performing eight to 10 repetitions and work up to 15 repetitions.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is needed to shed the fat that rests over the abdominal muscles that previously was used to protect and cushion your baby while you were pregnant. Because your joints and muscles may be quite a bit looser following pregnancy, some cardiovascular exercises that require coordination--such as step aerobics--may leave you feeling clumsy. Instead, choose calorie-burning exercises that are designed with the post-baby mom in mind. These include walking, jogging and running, according to LoveToKnow Diet. Best of all, these exercises can be performed with your baby in tow. Select a walking/running stroller and bring your baby along for the ride, helping you to both bond and lose weight. Swimming or biking also are recommended for fat-burning, according to BabyCenter.com.
Bicycle
This exercise is beneficial for new moms because it utilizes the obliques muscles, which are located on the sides of the abdomen. Incorporating this muscle-building activity into your routine helps to train your belly from all aspects of your stomach, according to Fit Pregnancy. Begin by lying on your back with your legs straight in front of you and knees slightly bent. Lace your hands behind your head and twist your body as your lift your left knee toward your right elbow. Your hip may be slightly lifted off the floor as you reach the peak of this position. Return to your starting position and repeat on the other side with your left elbow moving toward your right knee. Repeat until you have performed eight to 10 repetitions on each side for a total of two sets. As you regain strength, work toward performing 15 repetitions.
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