If you have recently had a tummy tuck to get rid of excess fat and skin due to weight loss or to repair damaged abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy or surgery, it is in your best interest to maintain your results by exercising regularly. Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen.
Aerobic Exercise
After a period of recovery advised by your doctor, you should begin regular cardiovascular activity for both the health of your organs and so you can maintain your slimmer tummy. Jogging, walking at a fast pace, running, swimming or aerobics classes are all good examples of cardiovascular exercise. Once your doctor has given you the go-ahead, engage in some form of aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day at least four days a week.
Total Body Toning and Strengthening
A common mistake after a tummy tuck is to do a lot of abdominal exercises and little else. Especially if you have had a weight problem in the past that led to the excess fat and skin removal, it is best to begin a total body toning and strengthening program as soon as your doctor says you are able. The development of muscle is important for people with weight issues because muscle helps increase your metabolism while you are at rest to burn more fat and calories. If you have never engaged in a strengthening program, take a class at a gym or hire a personal trainer to show you what to do.
Abdominal Exercises
It is important to strengthen the abdominal muscles after a tummy tuck, but only when your doctor tells you it is OK. During a tummy tuck, the deepest muscles of the abdomen, the rectus abdominis, are repositioned and tightened. After these muscles have healed, exercises that strengthen the rectus abdominis are called for. Those exercises include straight leg raises, reverse crunches and hanging leg raises.
Precautions
Doctors quoted on RealSelf.com agree that six weeks is the average recovery time before you should do any strenuous physical activity. After that, walking is advised with a gradual ramping up of intensity. Abdominal exercises should not be performed for at least three to four months after the surgery to allow your abdominal muscles to heal.
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