The Post-Partum Tummy Routine

September 2, 2009 by  
Filed under Stomach Exercises

Having a baby is a pretty and exciting thing. What's less pretty and exciting, is the additional weight that hangs around the midsection after the baby has been born. The best way to go about shedding this baby belly is proper diet and an exercise routine, which might not always be simple to do for a new homebody mom still reeling from a pregnancy. The good news is that working out and eliminating the additional belly fat will give you more energy, so you can spend more quality time playing with and caring for your new rugrat. Here are a few simple exercises to set your on your way toward baby belly freedom. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before starting and always heat up properly to avoid injury.

Progressive Crunchless Crunch
This stomach exercise works your abdominals as well as a crunch does, but without the strain to your back and back. Begin by sitting in a chair, placing one hand above and below your belly button to feel the contraction of your abdominals. Take one big breath, so your midsection expands completely. Then let the breath out as you pull your belly in, imagining your belly button being pulled inward toward your backbone. Ultimately , briefly contract your abs five times. Do a full set of repetitions of all 3 parts. You may also try this exercise lying on your back. Try both to find out which one helps you're feeling the contractions of your abdominal muscles better.

Contractions
This exercise starts off very much the same way as the last one, but involves quicker steps and more repetitions. Begin by sitting in the same position as in the progressive crunchless crunch, and taking the same big breath. This time, instead of bringing your belly all the way back, breathe out and bring it virtually halfway. Then pull your belly button back toward your spine. Contract and hold for a count of one. Repeat from the half-exhalation point. Do the whole thing a hundred times.

Crunchless Crunch
As you can tell from the name, this stomach exercise is very similar to to the 1st. Rather than making some stops as you breathe out a big breath this exercise consists of just one move. To start, either lie or on your stomach or kneel. You may want to try all ways and see which helps you're feeling the exercise better. Relax your body as much as humanly possible, then attempt and use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. Hold for 10 seconds. If holding for 10 seconds feels easy, hold for a longer period. The goal is to hold the contraction till you either cannot feel it, or you're feeling other muscles working harder than the cross abdominus. When you feel this, let the contraction out.

If you start doing these stomach exercises at home in your spare few (very few) minutes, you can lose your baby belly and be fit and trim and just a few months-- nicely in time to start running after Junior once he learns to crawl!

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Stomach Exercises For A Flatter Tummy

The weather is warming up, and for many of us, that implies it's time to work on that little bulge that has been taking up residence around the midsection since Thanksgiving. These many exercises will help you shed that excess turkey weight and flatten out that stomach in time for beach season. As with any workout routine, be certain to consult a professional before starting and always heat up properly to avoid injury.

Plank
For this stomach exercise, you will need to lie on a flat surface, such as the floor. You will be lying in your belly, so you may wish to employ a mat or towel to cushion your knees. Prop your higher body up on your forearms so that your elbows make a 90 degree angle and are positioned just below your shoulders. Now lift your body up off the floor so that your lower body is supported by your toes, while your higher body remains supported by your elbows. Your body should basically be a straight line, with no arch or drooping thru your back. Hold this position for twenty seconds, then lower your body back to the floor. One repetition is sufficient.

Side Plank
This stomach exercise is a variation on the prior one, and starts in the same beginning position. When you are positioned correctly, roll to your right side, keeping your torso supported with your right forearm. You will have to raise your hips and roll your feet so that your left foot is on top of your right. As in the plank, your body will be a straight line, but this time you will be on one side. Place your left hand on your hip and hold the plank position for 5 seconds. Return to start and repeat on the left side.

Ball Roll
If you quickly peeked at the title, you may have gone to get a ball before reading on. If you did, you can go put it away, because in this stomach exercise, you're the ball! First, sit on the floor and cuddle your knees to your chest. Roll back a little so you are balancing on your tail bone and your feet are off the floor, toes pointing downward. Pull your abdominals inward while rolling onto your back and the higher part of your butt. Contract your abdominals and pull yourself back to the beginning position. Loosening your arms up may help if you find this exercise too difficult at first.

Standing Crossover
As the name implies, you will need to stand up for this stomach exercise. Position your feet some inches apart. Put your arms out to the sides and bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle so your fingertips are pointing to the ceiling and your palm are facing forward. Contract your abdominals and lift your right knee toward your left elbow, while at the same time bringing your left elbow down toward your right knee. Touch the two joints together, pause, then return to start. Switch sides and repeat for an entire set.

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