Stomach Exercises after Pregnancy

Usually, doctors recommend that a woman can start with an exercise routine, six weeks after delivery. A woman should initially start with simple exercises such as walking and then move onto aerobics. Combining cardiovascular exercises like aerobics with yoga, kegel exercises and abdominal exercises is a good way to remove the stubborn stomach fat and to regain health. So, all those pregnant women who are looking for some effective stomach exercises to lose fats and tone the abdomen, below are some of the best ones explained in detail.

Best Stomach Exercises after Pregnancy

Abdominal Crunches
Abdominal exercises such as crunches are the best way to strengthen the muscles in that region. To do crunches, lie down on your back. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground. Keep your feet slightly away from your hips. You may place your hands at the back of your head for support. Next, raise your head and shoulders off the ground as much as you can. Pull in your abdominal muscles and hold in this position for about five seconds and then come back to normal. Repeat this abdominal crunches exercise as many times as you feel comfortable.

Pelvic Tilts
To perform this pregnancy exercise, take the same position as you do while performing crunches, the only difference being that the hands should be placed on the stomach instead of behind the head. Once you have taken the appropriate position, push the curve of your back so that your back lies straight on the ground. When you do this, squeeze in the muscles of your stomach as well as your bottom. Remain in this position for about five seconds and then return to normal. Do ten repetitions of this exercise.

Oblique Crunches
These stomach exercises after pregnancy are not only effective in getting rid of the fats that have accumulated in the abdomen, but also in loosing the ones on your love handles. To do this exercise, lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the ground and hands locked behind the head with elbows out. Now, raise your head and shoulders off the ground, twist your body a bit and touch your left knee with your right elbow. Next, come back to the starting position. Repeat the same exercise on the other side i.e. touch your right knee with your left elbow. Do around ten repetitions of this oblique crunches exercise and increase the number as and when you feel more comfortable.

Scissor Kicks
To perform this exercise, lie on your back on the floor. Keep both your hands under the buttocks. Now, keeping your back and upper body pressed into the ground, raise your left leg about a foot off the floor. Slowly bring the leg back to the ground and at the same time raise your right leg one foot from the floor. Repeat this exercise a few times by alternately raising both the legs. You may read more on exercise for pregnant women.

Cycling
Lie down with your lower back on the floor and your upper back supported by your elbows firmly pressed into the ground. Now, tightening your abdominal muscles, kick your right leg in the front. Next, kick with your left leg. Repeat this exercise alternately on your legs with ten repetitions on each.

A routine of stomach exercises after pregnancy should be started, only after the pregnant woman has consulted her doctor. For example, if a woman has had a cesarean, she might be asked by her doctor not to exercise until eight weeks after delivery. Exercising regularly has a lot of benefits for the new mother. Exercising increases circulation, raises the metabolism, maintains healthy weight, tones the body, relives stress and keeps up a new mom's energy levels. Thus, exercising everyday, drinking lots of water and eating a healthy diet are the most important keys for a woman to lose postpartum weight and to remain healthy.