Regaining Abdominal Muscles After a C-Section

Two of our lovely ladies in camp are moms that delivered by c-section.  This article is dedicated to all the new moms out there as well as anyone trying to lose weight around the mid section.

Simply adding ab toning exercises after c-section may not be enough.  You may also need to reassess your diet and add aerobic workouts in addition to the actual toning work.

To maximize the benefits of toning exercises after c-section, proper nutrition is a must. If you're still carrying around extra baby weight, just as with any weight, you need to take in fewer calories than you are burning, creating a calorie deficit. To do this, increase the fruits and vegetables, limit the processed foods, sugars, and fatty foods. The smaller changes will add up as you go along, but its up to you to find ways to ensure the calories you are consuming are not empty ones.  

By eating only when you're hungry as well as starting to eat smaller portions five to six times a day, you will start to notice weight dropping away.  

Ab toning exercises after c-section can be even more effective by including at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular workouts to your fitness program.

Here are a couple exercises to try at home in addition to your cardiovascular routine:

1. Pelvic tilt - By lying on your back with your feet on the floor, lift your pelvis off the ground while you pull in your lower abdominal muscles. You can either repeat this exercise or you can see how long you can hold your muscles in and then lower slowly.

2. Side crunches - To help hold in the skin that may be hanging on your stomach, you will want to strengthen your oblique muscles as well. Lying on the ground with your feet on the floor, put your hands behind your head, left up as though you were going to crunch normally and then twist to the side, letting the opposite elbow touch the opposite knee. Slowly twist back to the middle and lower down. Repeat on the other side.

Gina Katz is the instructor/owner of Operation Boot Camp Gwinnett (30 day, outdoor, co-ed fitness and nutrition program for all fitness levels). She enjoys sharing fitness and nutrition information and giving suggestions of healthy options at some of our local restaurants, shopping centers, etc. as well as suggestions of great places to stay active in Dacula. She can be reached at 770-310-6470 or gkatzfit4life@gmail.com. You can also visit www.operationbootcamp.com for more information or the Miss-Fit 4 Life Facebook page.