The hard part is over and you love having a baby around. Unfortunately you don’t love having that mommy tummy around not to mention the fact that you’re exhausted all the time. Losing the extra pounds you put on during pregnancy is hard work and frustrating for practically every new mom. Here are some suggestions on how to lose your mommy tummy while still enjoying your new born baby.
1. Get plenty of rest- Your body actually burns calories at night when you sleep, and although it may seem like you’re not really getting a whole lot of sleep these days, it’s important to get it when you can. If your baby is sleeping then sleep with them. Sometimes that is the only time you can get some rest. The first step in getting your body back to normal is getting some much needed rest and relaxation.
2. Drink plenty of fluids- Another important part in regaining your pre-pregnancy body is keeping yourself hydrated. Not only is it crucial for your nursing baby, but it’s crucial for your own rejuvenation. Normally you should be consuming at least 8-10 glasses of water a day, but for breastfeeding mothers you will need to consume more than that. There are also drinks you can find at the grocery store that have extra minerals and vitamins in them that will help re-fuel your body and get you through your day. Just stay away from drinks that are high in sugar.
3. Focus on your health, not your weight. You need to be realistic when you’re trying to shed the extra pounds after giving birth. Don’t try and lose it all at once as this will only reverse your efforts. If you are nursing it’s important to keep healthy and eat well balanced meals that will provide both you and your growing baby with the nutrients you need. Don’t be so worried about how much weight you are losing, rather worry about how well you are taking care of your body.
4. Exercise- naturally there are some exercises that you can do to help speed up the process. Make sure you get the “ok” from your doctor before you begin a workout schedule. Eating healthy will get you half way to a flatter tummy, but exercise will carry you the other half. Some common exercises that you can do at home to get you started on flattening that mommy tummy are sit ups and crunches. They’re easy to do on your own and don’t require any equipment. Focus on your core; the muscles which lie in the abdomen which sometimes separate during pregnancy.
5. Breastfeed your baby- It may come as a surprise to you but breastfeeding actually helps get rid of the mommy tummy. As a new mom, if you’re trying to decide on whether or not to breastfeed, there are many advantages to it. It’s better for your baby and it helps get rid of the extra stomach bulge.
6. Remember to get in some cardio work- It’s great to get into exercising after you’ve had the baby; crunches, sit ups, and toning will all help getting your stomach back to it’s normal shape. Along with those exercises you need to make sure that you have some type of cardiovascular workout in your schedule. This doesn’t just mean running. Cardio work out can mean walking, using an elliptical, or jumping rope. Anything that gets your heart rate up above it’s norm is considered a cardio work out. This is going to help tone your stomach muscles just as much as crunches will.
These are just some suggestions on how to lose your mommy tummy. Of course everyone is different and you may need to alter, add, or delete some of these exercises to get rid of your mommy tummy.
Related posts:
