It’s only natural to want your flat stomach back after delivering your beautiful baby. But it’s important to approach your post-partum fitness routine with caution, especially if you’ve had a C-section. Remember, a C-section is major abdominal surgery, and your body needs adequate time to recover. The most important first step is getting the OK to exercise from your doctor. Ask your OB/GYN for his/her recommendations on how to approach your return to fitness, as she can factor in your medical history. Next, realize that after nine months of housing a growing human being (pretty awesome, huh?), your belly will take some time to get flatter.
Warning: Usually it takes at least six weeks to heal enough from the major surgery that is a C-section to resume exercise. You’re eager to recover from child birth and achieve an enviable post-baby body, but patience is key. Pushing yourself will not speed healing or bring about a flat stomach faster. In fact, it may put you at even greater risk for damage to your pelvic floor or abdominal muscles. Heavy lifting and intense exercise are off the schedule until you’re cleared, or else you risk rupturing your scar and delaying healing.
* Start With Gentle ExercisesWhen it comes to postpartum fitness, slow and steady wins the race. Similar to healing from knee replacement surgery, begin your return to fitness with walking. Stretches can also help break up scar tissue that can contribute to a pouch or overhang of extra tissue at your c-section site.
* Prioritize CardioCardio burns calories so you shed excess baby weight that’s contributing to a round belly. You’ll have to work your way into it even if you were active for much of your pregnancy because of the time off as you healed from surgery. Brisk walking, perhaps with the baby in a stroller, as well as swimming or cycling are examples of gentle, low-impact forms of cardio to add in first. Jogging may also be an option if your doctor says so. If you can only do 10 to 15 minutes at a time due to your stamina and baby’s needs, do several of these short blocks throughout the day. Perform a HIIT workout one to three times per week by cycling at a fast, intense pace for one to two minutes and then pedaling easy for one to two minutes. Include a warm-up and cool down to complete 30 to 45 minutes of total work.
* Work Your AbsInclude some abdominal exercises during your strength-training session to rebuild the muscles. These moves themselves won’t get you a flat stomach because they do little to burn calories, stimulate fat burn or reduce scar tissue, but they do help restore abdominal and pelvic floor strength.
* Heel SidePerform heel slides by lying on the floor with your knees bent, feet placed hip distance apart. Slowly slide one leg out until it’s parallel to the floor. Bring it back in to the original position. Repeat on the other side. Build up to 20 on each leg.
* Double Straight Leg StretchWhen you feel stronger, add in the the double straight-leg stretch, also called double leg lowers. Lie on your back with your hands cradling your head and neck. Reach both legs up to the ceiling above your hips. Squeeze the legs together and lower them toward the mat as far as you can without feeling an arc in your lower back. Slowly return them to the starting position. Aim for 20 repetitions.