How To Lose The Baby Fat After Pregnancy

One of the best ways to lose weight after pregnancy is to begin working on your core stability and strength.  For nine months, give or take, your body has been working hard to create a safe place for the beginnings of new life.  Needless to say, the creation of new life has taken a toll on the core, or midsection, of your body.

Once your healthcare provider clears you to resume a normal activity level – usually between 5 and 6 weeks after giving birth – you should commence the following core building exercises.

1. Sit-Ups:
   Regular … lie on your back on the floor, knees bent, face to the ceiling, arms crossed over your chest with your hands near opposite shoulders. Contract your stomach muscles and lift your upper body toward the ceiling. Make sure you keep your face toward the ceiling, with your neck elongated, throughout 3 sets of 10 repetitions. Stretch out your body by placing your arms over your head and straightening your legs with pointed toes while lying on the floor. Do this every day and gradually increase to 5 sets of 10-15 repetitions.
2. Push-Ups: 
   Any way you feel comfortable … against the wall, from your knees, modified on the floor, or regular push-ups from your toes.  Push-ups are a terrific exercise used to build core body strength.  You will be strengthening your back muscles, your arm muscles, your abdominals, your shoulders, your gluteus, and your legs.  There is no BETTER exercise than the push-up.  The muscle you build translates into an increased metabolism, which in turn, works to burn fat cells and assist you in your quest to lose weight after pregnancy.  Two things to remember:  Focus on straight alignment when executing the exercise, keep your head and neck aligned with your body, and gently stretch after you finish each set of 10.  Try one set of 10 at first.  Then work up to 3 sets of 10, challenging yourself along the way.

An additional step to take in order to lose weight after pregnancy is to get your blood circulating and your lungs to begin breathing deeply.  You may not feel like going for a walk or run, however, once you begin some form of cardiovascular exercise, your energy level will increase.  The best way to test this is to get out and take your baby for a stroller ride.  Your body was made to move, so get moving.

A final morsel of advice on how to lose weight after pregnancy is to NOT keep any junk food in the house.  This point cannot be overemphasized.  If a certain food item is not stocked in the kitchen, it stands to reason that it will not be eaten.  Be creative with food preparation and think low-calorie substitute.  For example, use cottage cheese or avocado in place of mayonnaise.  Instead of spreading mayonnaise on a sandwich, use thin slices of avocado, which provides a healthy kind of natural fat.  Use low-fat cottage cheese when making tuna or chicken salad, instead of mayo.  Bake everything – from potatoes, to sweet potatoes, to chicken, turkey or fish.

Genetics play the largest role in how quickly a new mom will lose weight after pregnancy.  However, if you do your part, you will become a healthier, stronger version of your old self.  Take the first step and begin … take baby steps, if you will.

Related article: How to lose weight after pregnancy

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