| Are you dreaming of having a flat, slim and stunning | | | | 6. Hold this position. |
| looking tummy not long after having your baby? Or are | | | | 7. Do small, slow movements forward as if you were |
| you worried about the fat rolls and flab? Maybe you | | | | trying to reach something with your hands. |
| have noticed the differences before and after a friend | | | | 8. Your shoulders should not be rocking forward and |
| had a baby and were horrified at how their figure | | | | back. The movements are meant to be very smooth |
| changed. You don't want that right? Well the fact is | | | | and small. |
| that when you are pregnant, your stomach muscles | | | | 9. Keep breathing normally. |
| do and will get stretched. You will also put on weight. | | | | 10. Do 20 repetitions. |
| Your body needs the extra fat (a little extra) to supply | | | | 11. Roll back down. |
| the baby with much needed nutrition. But, you don't | | | | 12. Rest for 30 seconds. |
| have to put up with a flabby, flaccid tummy for the | | | | 13. Repeat steps 1 - 10. |
| rest of your life. You can do something now. | | | | It is recommended to build up to 100 repetitions. You |
| Can you do stomach exercises when you are | | | | can break the above into 5 sets but if you find it's too |
| pregnant? Yes, you can, but the type of exercises you | | | | much at first, build it up slowly. Don't over exert |
| will do should be adapted to a pregnant woman's | | | | yourself. If you find your head feels too heavy, then |
| body. First of all you should not be doing any | | | | use one arm to support your head, but don't pull your |
| aggressive type of sit ups. This means that you should | | | | head with your arm; try to let your stomach exercises |
| not be aiming to build a six pack. You should not have | | | | do the work. Did you know that your head weighs |
| to lift your back off the floor. The following is a | | | | about 15 kilograms? That's the reason your neck |
| recommended way for pregnant women to do safe | | | | muscles might feel quite tired or stiff when you first |
| sit ups. | | | | start out. So don't worry if they do. |
| 1. Lie on a flat surface on your back with your knees | | | | Why shouldn't women do normal sit ups? A woman |
| bent. | | | | really needs her core muscles to be strengthened. |
| 2. Bend your neck forward, bringing your chin towards | | | | Deep inside you are muscles which support your |
| your chest. | | | | whole body. Your movement comes from your core |
| 3. Stretch out both arms and lift them parallel to the | | | | or from your center. If these muscles are not trained |
| floor. | | | | early on in pregnancy then you can suffer from back |
| 4. Using your stomach muscles slowly lift your | | | | pain. As the baby grows inside of you, a lot of strain is |
| shoulders off the floor. | | | | put on the back. These deep core muscle training |
| 5. Be aware of your breathing. It should be relaxed and | | | | exercises will really help to keep that pain away. |
| normal. | | | | |