Post Pregnancy Exercise to Firm Your Abs and Slim Your Waist
Pregnancy and childbirth puts a lot of strain and stress on a woman’s body. Exercise may be the last thing on your mind after having a baby, but regular exercise following pregnancy can help you firm your stomach and feel more energetic. Begin exercising as soon as your doctor agrees it is safe to do so. If you had a C-section delivery, be sure to see your doctor prior to any exercise. Post pregnancy exercise will help firm your abs, strengthen all of your muscles, burn fat and lessen the chance of developing postpartum depression.
Pelvic tilts will help firm and tone your abs and the pelvic floor muscles. Lie on your back with your arms beside your body. Place your palms on the floor and bend your knees. Squeeze your abs and flatten your lower back against the floor. Simultaneously squeeze your buttocks. Hold the position for 5 to 6 seconds and then relax. Repeat this exercise for 5 repetitions. Increase the number of repetitions as your abs strengthen.
Lie on your back to perform some abs crunches. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and try to keep your chin from dropping toward your chest. Raise your head toward your knees, but keep your feet on the floor. Use your abs to pull your upper body toward your knees rather than pull your head with your hands. Hold the position for at least 5 seconds or longer if you can. Repeat the abs crunches exercise for 5 repetitions. Increase the time you hold the crunch or the number of repetitions as your abs grow stronger.
Knee lifts will help firm and tone your abs and trim your waist and butt. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet placed flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head. Lift one knee toward your chest and touch you knee with the elbow on the opposite side. Touch your left knee to your right elbow and your right knee to your left elbow. Alternate between left and right for up to 20 repetitions.
Stretch your leg muscles, firm and tone your butt and firm your abs with leg stretches. Lie on your back. Lift one leg off the floor while pushing your lower back toward the floor. Lift your leg until you achieve at least a 45-degree angle. Keep your head and shoulders flat against the floor. Lower your leg back to the floor and repeat with the other leg. Do 5 – 10 repetitions with each leg.
