For my Chicas - Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Abs

Lately I have had a few friends ask my how to regain their pre-pregnancy abs.  Motherhood is an honored position.  It comes with the undying love of a small child but also stretch marks and paunchy ab muscles.  So, give yourself a break and know you're part of the club.  Instead of searching for perfect look for improvement.  Here are my quick tips of gaining improved abs.

1. Order a post pregnancy belly wrap.  Most women have separated ab muscles after having a baby.  Using a wrap will help hold your muscles in place while you practice correct posture and strengthen these muscles.

2. Do 30-45 minutes of knee lifting cardio 4-5 times a week.  The pot-belly that we hate is partially caused by weak lower ab muscles.  Lifting your knees will drastically strengthen these muscles.  This needs to be high intensity exercise ( you need to sweat).  Good exercises include running, stair stepper, running your apartment stairs, or high intensity kick boxing.

3. Do Daily Ab Exercises:  The core muscles are rare because they can be exercised every day without much rest.  Buy a set of ankle weights to add resistance.  Here are three quick exercises that I find helpful.  I often do them while I watch my son eat breakfast.

a. Flutter kicks: lie on your back with your legs straight out.  Elevate your feet 2-5 inches off of the ground and do small slow kicks.  Your legs must remain straight.  Try for intervals of 45 seconds kicking and 15 resting.  Repeat 10 times.

b. Hello Dollies:  This is the same as flutter kicks but instead of kicking when your legs are extended slowly do the splits making a "V" with your legs and then returning them to a straight position.  Try 12 -15 intervals.

c. Overhead kicks.  Lie on your back with your legs straight out. Try to roll up onto your shoulders and kick the sky above your head.  Try 12 intervals at a time.


***This is just my take.  If you have other great ideas I would love to hear them!