After giving birth, your stomach does not shrink down right away. In fact, your belly will still look pregnant in the days following birth as your body tries to return to normal. Regaining your pre-pregnancy body and belly requires a mixture of exercise and healthy eating. The belly fat will not melt away overnight. MayoClinic.com explains that losing 1 lb. per week is safe. Contact your obstetrician or midwife for approval before you begin any diet or exercise program.
Step 1
Track the foods you eat by writing everything down to keep yourself accountable. To lose belly fat, you need achieve all over weight loss. Eating 3,500 calories less per week, or exercising to burn some of those calories will result in a 1-lb. weight loss each week.
Step 2
Participate in aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes five days a week. Regular exercise will burn calories and fat, including the belly fat. Find an activity that you enjoy doing, including your new baby if you need to. Some gyms and fitness centers conduct classes that babies can attend. Walking is also a good option that can incorporate the baby and even older siblings. Step outside your comfort zone if you need to and take a group fitness class, or even learn to belly dance. Finding an activity that is fun that you enjoy will increase your chance of sticking with the program and losing your belly fat.
Step 3
Work your abdominal muscles using crunches and any other abdominal exercise that targets that area. Toning the muscles will help the muscles to strengthen and come back together if any separation occurred during the pregnancy.
Step 4
Continue to eat healthy foods and exercise daily. It could take six to 12 months to fully lose your baby weight and your post-baby belly fat.
