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All the fluid and extra fat you had acquired during pregnancy can be reduced with the help of a proper diet and physical activity. In this post, we tell you some effective exercises to reduce belly fat after pregnancy and give you some much-needed pieces of information.
However, before you start doing strenuous exercises to reduce belly fat, it is advised to consult your doctor and take their green signal to avoid any unforeseen complications. So, read on and try some of these simple exercises.
How Long Does It Take For Your Belly To Shrink Back To Normal?
It usually takes around six to 12 months to lose the weight gained during pregnancy (1). The speed and degree it takes for the bump to shrink might depend on:
- Your maternal age
- The diet plan and exercise routine you follow
- Your baby’s size
- The weight you may have gained during pregnancy
Remember that it is not just the tummy, but also the uterus that expands during pregnancy.
Did you know?How Soon After Birth Can You Do Tummy Exercises?
Doctors and physical therapists usually recommend a waiting period of six weeks after vaginal delivery and eight weeks in the case of a c-section. However, women who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery can start a mild exercise programme, including walking, pelvic floor exercises and stretching, sooner.
In the cases of complicated normal deliveries, cesarean, or postpartum hemorrhage, you need to get your doctor’s advice before starting exercise routines (2).
Be watchfulBenefits Of Post-Pregnancy Belly Exercises
Postpartum belly exercises may help you in the following ways.
- Strengthen abs
- Improve blood circulation
- Lower the chance of postpartum back problems, leg cramps, varicose veins, and swelling of the foot and ankle
In general, any form of exercise benefits you in the following ways (3):
- Strengthens and tones the abdominalis muscles located in the abdomen
- Relieves stress
- Promotes better sleep
- Helps prevent postpartum depression
- Aids in losing extra weight and enhances fitness and metabolism
A blogger mother, Sondra Tillingast, emphasized the need for post-pregnancy exercises as she says, “Before I returned to work after my daughter was born, my husband and I came to a mutual understanding that I needed some ‘quality me time,’ so every day he would take over the baby’s duties so that I could go downstairs and indulge in an uninterrupted workout for 30–45 minutes. Even on the days when I was tired and didn’t feel much like moving, let alone sweating and jumping, planking, and pushup-ing, I always felt better after a good workout and was typically in higher spirits than before I started (i).”
General Guidelines For Postpartum Belly Exercises
Before you commit yourself to an exercise regime, consider following these guidelines (3):
- Remain active for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day.
- Start with simple exercises and gradually add moderate-intensity exercises, such as strength training before moving on to HIIT.
- Do not exercise if you experience pain before or while doing any exercise.
- Breastfeed your baby before you start any exercise to avoid the discomfort of engorged breasts.
- Consistency and discipline are key factors.
- Keep a water bottle handy so that you can take sips in between to maintain proper hydration.
Post-pregnancy Belly Exercises
It is good to start exercising only when your doctor permits you, depending on your health condition. Here, we suggest some exercises that might help in shrinking your tummy. Note that the results are anecdotal.
1. Brisk walking
- You may walk for around 20 to 30 minutes, five times a week.
- Increase the pace gradually after about two weeks.
- You could also walk by taking your baby in a pram or a pushchair (4).
2. Twister exercises
You may feel energetic and active with these exercises.
- Simply stretch and twist your body while standing straight.
- Repeat on both the sides, the left and the right for about 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Planks
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You may consider plank exercises (5).
- Position your elbows shoulder-width apart on the floor and maintain a push-up position
- Remain in this position as long as you can.
4. Floor sit-ups
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These could help you in cutting down weight on the lower tummy.
- Lie on your back and place your hands behind your neck.
- Slowly lift your head upwards.
- You may also place your hands crossed over one another on the sides of the tummy and do the sit-ups.
5. Leg raise
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This exercise helps in strengthening and increasing the resistance of the leg and stomach muscles.
- Lie on your back and try raising both the legs at the same time.
- Remain in the same position for about three to four seconds.
- Slowly release the legs.
- You may consider doing 20 sets twice a day.
6. Flutter kicks
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Flutter kicks target the core muscles, specifically the abdominal muscles.
- Lie down on the floor with your arms placed underneath your buttocks.
- Move your legs up and down for about 30 seconds.
7. Bridging exercises
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This is one of the pelvic floor exercises that is likely to tone your stomach, bottom, and thigh muscles.
- Lie on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Place your arms at your sides with the palms facing downwards.
- Lift your bottom off the ground until your knees, hips, and shoulders form a straight line.
- Hold this position for about five seconds.
- Gradually lower your bottom and get back into the original position.
- Let your muscles relax for some time and repeat.
8. Yoga
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Yoga offers multiple benefits for both your body and mind. It may also help in shrinking the tummy. You may start practicing it at home or join a yoga class under a certified yoga instructor (6).
9. Pilates
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Pilates is one such exercise that makes your body flexible and balanced. It involves a series of movements and positions that may help improve your body strength and coordination. Take deep breaths and relax while you are doing this workout. Join a pilates class and do them under expert guidance (7).
10. Swimming
This low-impact and non-weight bearing workout helps you to tone your tummy muscles. Unlike other exercises that aid in muscle toning, it does not put any strain on the joints and ligaments. You may swim laps, jog in the water, or join an aqua-aerobics class.
11. Pass the ball
This is a variation of crunching exercise. Sit on the floor and raise your legs while crossing them. Place your hands as if you are holding a ball and try passing the imaginary ball from the left foot to the right foot and vice versa. You are stretching, twisting, and crunching while doing this exercise.
12. Lying down bicycle
This exercise not only helps shrink your belly, but also strengthens your thigh and leg muscles.
- Lie on your back with knees bent (at 45 degrees) and legs raised in the air.
- Move the legs as if you are cycling.
- Continue for about ten seconds and gradually increase the pace.
13. Mountain climber
It is believed to be an effective belly fat-burning exercise that you can try postpartum, as it aids in toning and strengthening abdominal muscles after delivery.
- Assume the plank position by balancing your weight on both your hands and toes.
- Check your posture: hands should be shoulder-width apart, keep your back flat, engage your abs, and align your head.
- Bring your right knee as close to your chest as possible.
- Switch legs, extending one knee out while bringing the other knee in.
- Keep your hips low and rapidly move your knees in and out as far as possible.
- Throughout the exercise, alternate your breath with each leg change, maintaining a controlled and steady rhythm.
14. Bicycle crunches
Besides aiding in toning abdominal muscles, when performed correctly, this exercise may assist in subsequent fat reduction from your belly.
- Lie down on your back and ensure your lower back touches the exercise mat.
- Raise your shoulder blades off the mat and place your hands behind your head.
- Bring your knees to a 90-degree angle and initiate a bicycle-like movement with your legs.
- Simultaneously, twist your body so that your elbow reaches the opposite knee.
Before you take up any of these exercises, you should check with your doctor for recommendations and precautionary measures to be taken.
When To See A Doctor?
If you tend to overexert, your body is likely to give warning signs. Consult a doctor if you experience:
- Severe and long-lasting muscle pain
- Increased fatigue resulting in decreased endurance
- Heavier vaginal flow
- Color changes in your lochia (postpartum vaginal discharge)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it normal for my tummy muscles to feel slack?
In general, this usually happens because the uterus and the growing baby overstretch the tummy muscles during pregnancy. In some cases, there may be a bulge in the tummy because of a separation of the right and left belly muscles, medically known as diastasis recti (8).
2. How long should I bind my belly after delivery?
Belly binding to flatten it is a traditional practice that continues to play a role in modern medical practices too. You may bind your belly using a wrap for at least 10 to 12 hours every day for about 40 or more days. Those using a belly bind are likely to return to the pre-pregnancy state in six to eight weeks (9).
3. Can I get a flat stomach after C-section?
If you had a flat tummy before pregnancy, it might be possible to get it back with a balanced diet and exercise regimen. It also depends on the tightness of skin (the degree of laxity you developed), muscles that are not highly stretched, and your general health condition.
4. Will drinking warm water help me reduce my postpartum belly?
There is no scientific study that links warm water and belly fat reduction. A balanced diet and an active lifestyle will help you shed extra body weight and lose fat from all over the body.
5. Will breastfeeding help me lose body fat?
You may or may not lose body fat when you are breastfeeding. Although, some studies claim that exclusive breastfeeding helps in burning calories much faster (10) (11) (12).
6. When is it too late to use a postpartum belt?
You may start using a postpartum belt for belly binding 2-4 days following a normal delivery or from 10 days to 2 weeks in case of a c-section delivery (13). Not much is known about the exact time when it is too late to start using. Consult your doctor if you feel you are too late.
Weight gain during pregnancy is normal and may help meet your baby’s nutritional requirements. However, after pregnancy, most women look for ways to shed the excess weight and get back in shape. Besides a healthy diet, these exercises to reduce belly fat after delivery can be quite effective. However, you need to follow the safety rules to avoid stress and complications and enjoy the benefits of these postnatal exercises. So remember to consult a professional before following any workout routine in case of any underlying conditions.
Infographic: Tips To Follow When Doing Postpartum Belly Exercises
Postpartum belly exercises are essential to recovering from childbirth and getting back into shape. However, when doing these exercises, it’s important to follow a few general guidelines to prevent discomfort. Check out the infographic below for valuable tips on doing postpartum belly exercises.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Weight loss after pregnancy is influenced by age, diet, baby’s weight, and gained weight.
- Wait for 6-8 weeks after delivery before starting tummy exercises, and consult your doctor first.
- Postpartum belly exercises can strengthen abs, improve circulation, and reduce stress.
- Start with simple exercises and gradually move to moderate and high-intensity workouts.
- Brisk walking, twister exercises, planks, floor sit-ups, leg raise, flutter kicks, and bridging exercises help reduce belly fat.
Get ready to flatten and tighten your postpartum lower belly with this workout session demonstrated by an expert! This workout will help you get your pre-baby body back.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. From mom “flab” to mom abs — 7 useful tips to getting your body back after a baby;https://medium.com/@Sondra_Tillingast/from-mom-flab-to-mom-abs-7-useful-tips-to-getting-your-body-back-after-a-baby-cd436a0d726
References
1. Losing weight after pregnancy; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
2. What to Know After Having Your Baby (if you had a C-section); UNM Hospitals
3. Exercise After Pregnancy; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
4. Post Pregnancy Workout Plan; ISSA
5. Want a stronger core? Skip the sit-ups; Harvard Health Publishing
6. How to Reduce Belly Fat After Delivery; World.edu
7. Core conditioning — It’s not just about abs; Harvard Health Publishing
8. Michalska A, et al.; Diastasis recti abdominis – a review of treatment methods; Ginekol Pol. (2018).
9. Cindy-Lee Dennis, et al.; Traditional postpartum practices and rituals: a qualitative systematic review; The Embryo Project at Arizona State University (2007).
10. Effects of breastfeeding on postpartum weight loss among U.S. women; National Library of Medicine
11. Breastfeeding Your Baby: Breastfeeding – Simply the Best; New York State Department of Health
12. Benefits of Breastfeeding; Cleveland Clinic
13. The Benefits of Postpartum Belly Binding; New Life Birth Services
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