Post-baby Abs

Rule #1 - You cannot 'spot reduce'. It simply isn't possible! Well, of course, unless you have a tummy tuck.

I absolutely do not mean to be rude when I say this, but most women who want to work on their midsection usually have a little bit of pesky, lingering fat in the area. The two most important things to deal with the excess fat issue are to 'eat clean' and include fat-burning cardiovascular exercise daily.

Clean eating means you eat food that is as close to its natural state as possible. In other words, no processed food or junk food. Clean eats can be found primarily along the perimeter of the grocery store. If your nutrition plan is not under control, you will never have the midsection you dream of.

Cardio must be a part of your daily routine. Make sure that you are doing steady state cardio activities like power walking, biking, jogging, the elliptical, etc.

I highly recommend the book 'Lose your Mummy Tummy" (author is Tupler). This book is so excellent at showing you what happens to your muscles during pregnancy and gives you really good exercises to help you get yourself put back together.

sit-ups, oh, and no snickers!

Hi M.,

Many women (2 out of 3) have what is called a diastis recti, an abdominal separation of the rectus abdomins...aka we know this muscle to give us the "6-pack" There is a great book called "Bounce Back into Shape After Baby" by Caroline Creager, she is a physical therapist and the original creater of how to work and reshape your abs after the baby (vs. the author of the book, "Mummy Tummy"-I just lose respect for people who take a rehab exercise, then tag their name on it and call it their own...). If you don't rehab the abs, you can do 1000 crunches per day and it won't help strengthen because they are separated.

If you live in Chicago, I am teaching a postpartum fitness class at Northwestern Prentiss Women's Hospital and we are working this together as a class, it just started yesterday. It is through the Wellness Institute, or you can go to Amazon and buy the book.

Hope that helps.

J. W. MPH
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...
Master Trainer Healthy Moms Fitness
www.healthymomsfitness.com
Chicago Training June 26 and 27

I'm with MR on this. You can exercise all day long but if your diet is out of check, you won't loose the fat.

Eat un-processed or lightly processed foods in addition to your exercise routine and you will eventually see results.

Lean proteins, fish, chicken, veggies, fruits, low fat dairy, and whole grains - everything in moderations and listen to your hunger cues. Also, eat breakfast every day. It jump starts your metabolism - which really doesn't kick in for the day until you give it something. And strive for the 6 small meals a day so you're never hungry. The best way to do this is to keep your "tank" 1/4-3/4 full, always. You're never stuffed ("full") and you're never ravenous ("empty.") This also helps your metabolism by regulating blood sugar.

And keep the cardio going. Get your heart rate up and keep it up for 45-60 minutes 4-5 times a week to the point of where you're sweating after 3-5 minutes of workout.

In time, it will get better. Good luck!