You gave birth to your beautiful bundle of joy, and you’re getting into the swing of being a mommy. So why does your tummy still look like you’re pregnant? You probably knew your stomach would not be flat right after giving birth, but you may wonder when you’ll get rid of that post-pregnancy pooch.
First off, cut yourself some slack. Your belly slowly grew as your baby grew. Your tummy did not expand all at once, so don’t expect it to flatten all at once.
It’s normal for your tummy and the rest of your body to take a while to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. If you’re expecting to fit into your skinny jeans by your six-week postpartum checkup, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.
It’s also important to remember, every woman is different. Try to avoid comparing yourself to a celebrity on the cover of a magazine or even your friend who had a flat tummy two months postpartum. How fast your tummy tightens depends on several factors, such as your genetics, how much weight you gained and your current diet and activity level.
Although tummy toning may not be as fast as you like, rest assured various changes are taking place that help your tummy decrease in size. For example, your uterus is slowly contracting to go back to its pre-pregnancy size. Hormonal changes are also occurring, which help you lose excess fluid you held onto during pregnancy.
If you’re anxious to have your pre-pregnancy stomach back, there are several things that may speed up the process. For instance, breastfeeding is not only great for your baby, but it’s also good for you. Nursing increases the number or calories you burn and may help with postpartum weight loss.
Exercising is also a great way to tone your midsection. Once your doctor gives you the OK, carve out some time for fitness. Include cardiovascular exercise to burn fat, which helps your tummy flatten.
Add in abdominal exercises, such as crunches, pelvic tilts and planks to help tone your stomach muscles. Try to work your abs from different angles to get an overall workout. Be sure to start gradually and talk to your doctor about any precautions to take if you are recovering from a C-section, or if your stomach muscles are still separated and the gap in the middle has not closed yet.
Lastly, remember what your body just accomplished and try to be patient. You can have a toned tummy again after giving birth. It just takes a little motivation, work and time.
Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.