Every mother out there knows that losing pregnancy weight is not easy. However, getting rid of the dreaded “mommy pouch” is the hardest of all. That’s because belly fat is different and burning it off requires more than a few crunches a day paired with a healthy diet.
Do bear in mind that shedding fat in that particular area is not merely a cosmetic matter. According to Dexter Canoy, who conducted a study published in the European Journal of Preventative Medicine, increases waistline is directly connected to heart disease risk. Therefore, removing that visceral fat is essential in order to help you be as healthy as possible.
Exercising to Get Rid of Mommy Pouch
When women want to get great abs instead of that mommy pouch, they usually turn to crunches. And it’s a very good idea because those exercises are necessary to get the loosened muscles toned again. However, if your pregnancy weight gain was even a little bit excessive, which it usually is, you’ll need to not only tone the muscles. You will also be dealing with abdominal fat.
Crunches are very useful and you should include them in your post-pregnancy workouts. However, they aren’t enough. An effective exercise plan to help you get rid of the mommy pouch must include a variety of aerobic and strength exercises focused not only on your core. You should be doing sit-ups, crunches, planks, squats, lunges, and push-ups of any kind. They are versatile exercises, so you’ll be able to come up with many unique workouts to avoid getting bored.
Moreover, you should walk, jog, or bike. These aerobic activities will help improve your wellbeing as well as tone up your whole body, abs included.
Non-Invasive Fat Burning Procedures for Problem Areas
Sadly, human biology is such that sometimes it doesn’t matter whether you eat healthily and exercise regularly. Some pockets of fat are just “stubborn” and your body’s natural power isn’t enough to deal with them.
That’s why such “problem areas” require specialized treatment that will help break down the fat layer using some type of outside power. CoolSculpting uses low temperatures (cryolipolysis), which makes it one of the safest options for new mothers. Ultrasound treatments are also very effective, but it might be best to avoid them until you stop nursing. The same goes for treatments that use laser and therefore break the fat layer down using heat. You’ll need to consult your doctor about when you can start with such procedures.
Note that if you are recovering from a C-section, you might need to wait a bit longer to start with non-invasive fat removal.
It’s also very important to understand that while all these treatments are effective, they aren’t magical. This means that they can be used as an aide to get rid of the areas you can’t reshape with exercise and diet. However, used on their own, their effects won’t be impressive. That’s why when working to get rid of your mommy pouch, you should always start with lifestyle changes.
Consider Going Keto for a While
An experienced health reporter from London cites multiple sources that prove the efficiency of the keto diet in fighting stubborn belly fat. But remember that you should only do this after you stop nursing.
The benefit of the keto diet is that you should be able to achieve results fast. However, it’s not exactly a sustainable diet, so it’s best to use it when your post-pregnancy weight loss program needs an extra boost. Then, gradually shift to a healthy well-balanced diet that contains reasonable amounts of protein, fats, and carbs.
Born in Belarus, 1985, a pedagogue and family psychologist, mother. Taking part in procedures of social adaptation of the foster children in new families. Since 2015 is a chief editor of the motherhow.com project, selecting the best and up-to-date material for those, who are planning, expecting, and already having babies.