How to Tone Your Post-baby Belly

Pregnancy can be quite traumatic for your ab muscles. It stretches and weakens the muscles, and may leave you with a belly that looks like a deflated balloon. Some women also deal with the central abdominal muscle painlessly separating during pregnancy, which is known as diastasis recti, according to Parenting.com. You should discuss with your doctor the appropriate time to begin exercises to tone your post-baby belly. Exercising will help your abs tone up and gain strength in about four to eight weeks.

Things You'll Need

  • Exercise mat
  • Comfortable exercise clothes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lie on your back with your knees bent. While breathing steadily, tighten your ab muscles and lower one leg to the floor in a straight-leg position. Bring the leg back up to a bent knee and repeat on the other side for 20 slides to the ground per leg. As you get stronger, you can gradually move to raising each leg so that the calf is parallel to the floor, and then extended the leg into the air. Work up to 10 reps on each leg.

    • 2

      Work on planks for an effective ab exercise. From an upper push-up position, put your feet together and curl your toes to put some of your weight on the back of your feet. Lift one leg straight out and hold for five seconds. Repeat on the other side for eight sets of plank lifts.

    • 3

      Do "bicycles" to work the sides of your abdominals. Lie on your back, knees bent, and lift your left elbow to your right knee. Switch sides for a set, and aim to do three sets.