When I was pregnant with my first child I thought a baby belly was cute. You know – because my baby was in there, I looked all cute and pregnant and my stomach was tight; no belly fat (as far as you could see) it was just full of baby! But then reality kicked in after she was born – my stomach was stretched out and like a worn old rubber band, it had lost its elasticity. It didn’t just go back into place like I thought it would but it just sat there waiting for me to do something about it.
At first I tried to cover it up, after all I had just had a baby! Back into my regular jeans but still wearing my maternity shirts I continued to ignore the belly that was hanging there, all zipped up in my tight jeans and covered with my big shirts. Sounds sexy doesn’t it? I know kinda’ makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little too just talking about it, but this is reality people. How many of you Mom’s just too busy with everything else in life, has ignored the things that bother you for the sake of your family?
When we talk about loosing ‘baby belly’ fat, were talking about 9 plus months of taking care of another human being that has been living inside of you for nearly a year. They take any extra sources of energy, food, and vitamins and you have to be that much stronger just to get up in the morning, let alone do all you do as a Mom. So give yourself a bit of a break!
I’ve found a few exercises that can help you help yourself lose that baby belly.
Leg Lifts
Leg lifts are one of the best lower stomach exercises you can do. Lay down with your back on the ground and place your hands underneath your bottom. Raise your feet so that your legs are straight up and down, in line with your hips. Flex your ab muscles and lower your legs until your feet are almost resting on the ground. Hold that position for one second, then lift your legs back to a vertical position. Repeat this motion for 10 to 30 reps, depending on your fitness level, and then rest for a couple of minutes before repeating a second and third set.
REVERSE CRUNCH
A reverse crunch is another effective lower abdominal workout. Lie flat on your back with your hands resting beside your hips on the ground, palms facing downward. Bend your knees and lift your feet about 6 inches from the ground. This is your starting position. Concentrate on flexing your abs as you slowly move your knees in toward your chest and raise your bottom up off the ground, then slowly lower back to starting position. Be sure that your abs are doing the work and that you’re not rocking your legs up and down. Repeat this motion 15 to 30 times, depending on your fitness level, then rest for a couple of minutes before repeating another two or three sets.
Pelvic Tilt
To do a pelvic tilt, lay down with your back flat on the ground and your feet about hip-width apart. Lift your buttocks off the ground and hold for two seconds, then slowly lower back to the ground. Be sure that your abs are doing the work; you should not feel any strain in your neck. Repeat the motion 15 to 30 times, depending on your fitness level, then rest for a couple of minutes before doing another two or three sets.
Seated Knee-Ups
Seated knee-ups are a slightly more advanced workout for lower abs. Sit at the edge of your workout bench, lift your feet to roughly the height of the bench and lean backward to about a 45-degree angle with the bench. Use your hands to grasp the sides of the bench for stability. Extend your feet, holding them at whatever height feels appropriate–the higher your feet, the harder the workout–then pull your knees in toward your chest, holding the motion for two seconds at each end. Repeat for 15 to 30 reps, then take a short break before repeating two or three more times. For an increased workout, attach weights to your ankles or hold a dumbbell between your feet.
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