I love that word pooch it’s an American term but I think it’s very apt. In the United Kingdom would call it a post-pregnancy tummy or belly but whatever we call it the way to lose it is the same.
Once you’ve been cleared by all general practitioner to exercise again particularly if you’ve had to have a caesarean section then apart from being a little bit more careful working out all the standard rules apply.
The tummy muscles require a little bit more care because in all likelihood due to the pregnancy your abdominal muscles will have been lengthened. It is therefore important that we pay particular attention to form and the way we perform any abdominal exercises to ensure we don’t make the problem any worse.
With the abdominals lengthened we want to make sure that were exercising them in the shortened position. One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re exercising your abdominals correctly would be to go to a local Pilates class with a qualified Pilates Instructor. Pilates instructors are well-trained in showing you how to recruit your TA (Transverse Abdominis) ensuring it’s flattened and not “Doming” (pushed out) before you start to work out RA (Rectus Abdominis or your six pack muscles).
It’s important to start working out again as soon as possible after your baby is born. It will become more challenging to get back to your pre pregnancy shape if you leave it several months before you start working out again.
I know it can be difficult with a new born baby to find the time to exercise but believe me it’s well worth the effort. I only wish someone had given me that advice as I left it almost 2 years after the birth of my daughter to do anything about it and it was a real struggle I can tell you.
If you’re looking for a Personal Trainer In The Hull Area please feel free to contact me.
Carol J Bartram
(Personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor)