Being pregnant and having a child is one of the most beautiful and amazing experiences anyone will ever have. On the other hand, what being pregnant and having a child does to our bodies is not so beautiful. Having a child certainly changes our body, whether for the good or bad, and often times leaves us with extra flab in places that once were flat. One of the most complained about after-baby problem area is the “mommy tummy.” You know, the extra fat that gathers just above and below your belly button? It seems impossible to get rid of, however, there are some fabulous exercise moves that target your core and shred that belly fat right off that mom tummy. While there are many ab exercises that target this area and work great to shred that fat off your belly, we have chosen 5 that are effective and can be done at home with no equipment. Keep reading to see the 5 best exercises to lose the mom pouch!
1. Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches are great for blasting stomach fat away because they engage all of your stomach muscles! While it’s great that you’re working all those ab muscles in one move, that also means that you’ll definitely be feeling the burn during this exercise and, of course, after. To do this move, lie flat on your back, shoulders off the floor, hands behind your head, and your legs in a 90 degree angle. Bring one knee in toward your chest while turning your shoulders and bringing the opposite elbow across your body to meet with your knee. Then alternate to the other knee and elbow and repeat. Remember to use your abs to turn your shoulders towards your knee so that you get the most effective ab workout. Repeat as many times as possible.
(For more fitness tips, as well as healthy recipes, weight loss advice, beauty reviews and more, head over to Women’s Health Magazine).
Source: skinnymom.com
2. Reverse Crunch
Simply doing crunches is not going to get you a flat tummy or chiseled abs. You have to do other exercises as well and this reverse crunch is a great alternative to the basic crunch. Lie on the floor with your back flat and your palms facing down. Bring your knees in towards your chest, then raise your hips off the floor and crunch your knees in with your toes reaching towards the ceiling. Slowly lower your legs back down into the starting position and repeat. Remember to use your core muscles to lift your legs and hips up so that you are correctly working your ab muscles. Repeat this as many times as possible.
(Check out Skinny Mom if you’re interested in learning more about great exercise to tone your body, healthy eating and lifestyle tips).
Source: shape.com
3. Plank Twists
If you want to engage your obliques to melt the fat off the sides of your stomach, try plank twists. These are killer, but certainly effective on targeting your side stomach muscles. Start off in basic plank position with your hands directly underneath your elbows and feet together stretched out behind you. Bend your right knee and bring it over to the left side of your body as your hips twist and your right foot comes to the inside of your left knee. Return your right foot to the starting position and do the same move with the left leg, then repeat. Make sure you are engaging your abs as you lift your leg up and over across your body to make it the most effective.
(Head over to Shape Magazine for more weight loss inspiration, healthy eating tips, fitness ideas and more).
Source: fitnessmagazine.com
4. Windshield Wipers
This ab move not only works the abs, but the obliques and hips as well, making it a great stomach exercise. To do this one you’ll want to lie on your back with your arms directly out to your sides with your palms facing down, and legs together. Lift your legs straight up into the air and over your hips. Slowly lower your legs about 45 degrees to your left, then bring them back up over the hips and then lower them down to your right. Repeat, alternating sides, always making sure to stabilize yourself using your arms and keeping your upper body on the mat.
(For more workout ideas, diet and weight loss tips, and beauty inspiration head over to Fitness Magazine).
Source: skinnymom.com
5. Scissor Kicks
These scissor kicks are brutal, but incredibly effective which make them a great workout to blast that lower belly flab off your body. To begin, lie on your back with legs straight, arms at your side and palms facing down. Lift your legs to a comfortable position. Be sure that your back is still firmly on the mat. If you notice your back is arching you need to lift your legs higher until it no longer arches. Bring your legs out to a wide “V” and then bring them in while crossing your right foot over the other. Open them again into a “V” and then bring your left foot over the other. Repeat while alternating which foot crosses over. If you want to make this more difficult, lift your shoulders up while crossing your legs over. At first, you may not be able to do very many of these, but if you keep at it you’ll be able to do more and get that flat tummy you’ve been wanting.
(Check out Skinny Mom if you’re interested in learning more about great exercise to tone your body, healthy eating and lifestyle tips).
Related Images:
Mary Mulroney
Latest posts by Mary Mulroney (see all)
- 5 Easy Changes To A Healthier You - October 12, 2020
- 7 Great Resources For Affordable And Beautiful Rugs - October 12, 2020
- Tips For Switching To A Dairy-Free Diet - September 29, 2020
