How to Lose Your Mommy Tummy

Walking is a great way to begin gentle exercise; it works the entire body, and you can do it with your baby. Push him in a stroller and take in a scenic view of the park. Or if you don't have much time to get out, invest in a fitness video for walking. Your baby can sit nearby as you step into shape.

Yoga is another gentle but effective way to get back into a fitness regime. Look for area classes, or check out a couple yoga DVDs from your library. (You can even practice yoga with Baby.)

No matter what type of exercise you decide to start with, finding a local fitness class can be a great idea. It will get you out of the house and around other new moms.

Tummy Flatteners

To really get rid of that mommy tummy, you have to do more than eat right and do general exercises. A bit of concentrated effort on the area of concern is needed to flatten and tone those overworked muscles. Try the following ideas to help shape that midsection:

Be mindful of your core: The core refers to your core muscles, which lie in the abdomen. The technical name for them is the transverse abdominis. These are not the muscles that may have separated during pregnancy, called the rectus abdominis, but rather the muscles that lie behind them. The core muscles "pull in your waistline like a corset," says Druxman, and by strengthening them, you eliminate the tummy pooch.

Druxman offers a great way to be mindful of your core by visualizing yourself trying to squeeze into a pair of super-tight jeans. Once you get them on (in your mind of course), imagine the button is broken, so you have to really tighten up that tummy to keep the zipper from shooting down. Try maintaining this core hold throughout the day, while sitting and standing.

Get your heart rate up: Strength exercises alone will not burn much fat. They will surely tone the muscle beneath the fat, but no one will be able to see the results. Engaging in cardiovascular activity regularly will help burn fat from your tummy, buttocks, thighs, and anywhere else that may have expanded during pregnancy.

Walking is a great cardio exercise, but if you feel like taking it up a notch, try working out on a stationary bike or get moving with an aerobics video. Take your time and build up your own level of endurance. The pounds will come off when they're ready to come off.

Crunch galore: Tightening your core and breaking a sweat are surefire ways to tone your tummy, but sometimes tough areas like the abdominals need a little extra work. Be sure to do your crunches as a part of your fitness routine (only after receiving the go ahead from your doctor, of course). After all, the more muscle mass you build, the quicker you burn calories!