Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

Get Back Your Pre-Pregnancy Abs With Side Planks


The foundation of fitness for a mom is her abdominal area. To moms a flat stomach is wonderful; a strong abdominal core is critical. The cool thing is, you can get both at the same time with side planks.

Side planks are great for toning, without enlarging, the obliques on the side of your abdomen. Strong oblique muscles also add powerful stability to your back. Asthetically, side planks can sculpt your stomach in ways crunches or sit-ups just can't do. The nice thing about side planks is they can be done in little time and you don't need any equipment.

Before we get on to how to do them, I just want to add a little incentive...

A Mom with Poor Abdominal Strength is an Accident Waiting To HappenLet's face it, as your child grows the physical demand placed on your body increases. You start out holding a 8 lb. newborn in your arms, but that quickly changes into holding a 25 lb. toddler who twists and turns quickly.

You may be required to sweep your toddler up with your right arm while holding another child in the left. You may have to carry a 40 lb. child who is unhappy and doing whatever it takes to squirm from your grasp. If your body is incapable of handling these tough physical demands it will let you know, because back pain and fatigue will start compounding. Is your body prepared to handle the stress being placed on it?

A Side Plank A Day Keeps Back Pain AwayPlanks, build functionally strong, stabilizing abdominal muscles that allow you to bend, twist and reach with less chance of injury. Beginning an abdominal strengthening program now will prepare you for when your infant becomes a toddler and for those times your toddler becomes antsy and unruly.

Planks can not only give you back your pre-pregnancy abs, but they will prepare your body to deal with being a mom of a toddler! So let's get to the exercise itself.

How to Side Plank:

1) Begin by lying on your left side. Bend your left elbow and place the forearm on the floor directly under your shoulder. Your weight should be supported on the forearm and the left hip. Your right arm should be resting along the right side of your body with the hand resting on the right thigh.

2) Rise up so your body weight is resting on your left forearm and the edge of your left foot. Wear shoes that have a good edge on the sole to avoid slippage once you're in place. If you find this to be too difficult, start by placing your weight between your forearm and knee. After a few weeks, you'll be able to move to the more difficult position in which you are supporting your body between your forearm and your foot rather than your knee.

3) Lift your body up as high as you can and contract your abdominal muscles by bringing navel to spine. Attempt to form a straight line from your armpit along the side of your ribs to your hip, and down to your ankle just above your left foot. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds to start with. You can increase to 20 seconds over several weeks, but your goal should be to eventually build up to at least 60 seconds for each slow contraction.

4) Slowly lower your body back to the floor, then immediately rise as high as you can and hold it again. Repeat on the right side. Start with two sets of 10 repetitions on each side.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Helpful Hints:

- Don't hold your breath. This increases abdominal pressure which feels easier, but prevents you from getting the full benefits of the movement. Take a breath and exhale as you are lifting into the bridge.

- Avoid twisting or turning your trunk. This might cause a side strain and slow your progress.

- Stop if you feel back pain Everyone has their own rate of progression. If you feel pain in your back, stop. Try again on the next workout and you'll find your back will start getting stronger. If back pain continues, stop and consult a fitness professional.

Finish with a stretch

After doing your planks, lie on your back, relax, bend your knees with feet on the floor and tilt them from side to side. Do this a few times to lengthen your back and abdominal muscles.

Strong, flexible abdominal muscles are a moms best friend. Start developing yours today with side planks!

Curt Conrad, CSCS, is Founder and President of StrollerFit Inc. an international product and franchise company that helps parents exercise with their babies. He is author of The StrollerFit ExerBook. His companies have helped thousands of clients enjoy better life through better fitness. http://www.strollerfit.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Pregnancy - Google News

More evidence ties smoking, decreased fertility - msnbc.com


The Hindu

More evidence ties smoking, decreased fertility
msnbc.com
A new study shows smoking by women during early pregnancy reduces the number of germ cells in the embryo. Germ cells later develop into eggs or sperm, ...
Smoking in early pregnancy cuts cells on which future fertility dependsOnMedica
Smoking: fertility affected at foetal stageThe Hindu
Smoking Damages Men's Sperm, Harms EmbryosAOL Health (blog)
Insidermedicine -The Press Association
all 25 news articles »

More Kids for Tom & Katie? 'Maybe in a Couple of Years,' She Says - People Magazine


Peace FM Online

More Kids for Tom & Katie? 'Maybe in a Couple of Years,' She Says
People Magazine
Katie Holmes has a message for those engaging in persistent pregnancy rumors: Hold your horses! It could be a while before she's ready for ...
Sorry Suri! Your Mom Katie Holmes Says You're Going To Have To Wait A&hellipHollywood Life (blog)

all 196 news articles »

Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Rachel Dratch welcomes first son Eli - New York Daily News


New York Daily News

Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Rachel Dratch welcomes first son Eli
New York Daily News
Over the summer, Dratch told People that everything about her pregnancy had been "surprising." "The most surprising thing is that I am pregnant," she said. ...
Rachel Dratch welcomes baby boyUSA Today
It's Boy for SNL Alum Rachel DratchPeople Magazine
Rachel Dratch of 'Saturday Night Live' gives birth to baby boyOnTheRedCarpet.com (blog)
PerezHilton.com (blog) -PopEater -msnbc.com
all 22 news articles »

Nothing much works for morning sickness, study finds - Los Angeles Times


Daily Mail

Nothing much works for morning sickness, study finds
Los Angeles Times
Morning sickness can be one of the most miserable parts of pregnancy -- or, at least, so I am told. Unfortunately, new research reported Wednesday suggests ...
Morning sickness has no treatmentWLBT-TV
No Relief for Morning SicknessWHIZ
Morning sickness 'cures' put to the test... and none of them workDaily Mail
Metro -The Press Association -ParentDish UK
all 63 news articles »

Behind the Scenes on 'Showbiz Tonight': Does TV glorify teen pregnancy? - CNN (blog)


Behind the Scenes on 'Showbiz Tonight': Does TV glorify teen pregnancy?
CNN (blog)
Are these shows glorifying teen pregnancy? Or are they just raising awareness of the struggles in the lives of these young mothers? ...

Group Highlights Dangers Of Drinking During Pregnancy - WHMI


WHMI

Group Highlights Dangers Of Drinking During Pregnancy
WHMI
9/8/10 - A local child abuse prevention agency is hoping that events tomorrow will help reinforce the message that drinking and pregnancy do not mix. ...
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% PreventableFood Consumer
Facing frustrations of FASDHomer Tribune
Florida surgeon general to pregnant moms: Just say no to that drink10 Connects
Voxy -Scoop.co.nz (press release) -NKU The Northerner Online
all 44 news articles »

Bristol Palin to speak on teen pregnancy - WDRB


Bristol Palin to speak on teen pregnancy
WDRB
(WDRB-TV Fox 41) -- The daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be in Louisville Wednesday night speaking about teen pregnancy. ...

and more »

CT scans in pregnancy don't hike cancer risk - CTV.ca


CBC.ca

CT scans in pregnancy don't hike cancer risk
CTV.ca
TORONTO — - In about one out of every 160 pregnancies, a CT scan or other nuclear medicine diagnostic test is done on the woman to diagnose serious ...
No Cancer Risk Due To CT, Nuclear Imaging Tests During PregnancyVisit Bulgaria
Fetal exposure to radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: What is the ...EurekAlert (press release)
CT tests in pregnancy don't raise kids' cancer riskCBC.ca
Globe and Mail
all 21 news articles »

2010 Care Net National Conference to Pregnancy Centers: 'This is the Time' - Christian News Wire (press release)


2010 Care Net National Conference to Pregnancy Centers: 'This is the Time'
Christian News Wire (press release)
8 /Christian Newswire/ -- With an unexpected overflow attendance, the 2010 Care Net National Pregnancy Center Conference kicks off Wednesday in Grapevine, ...

and more »

Gastric Bypass Lowers Risk of Pregnancy Diabetes - CalorieLab Calorie Counter News


Gastric Bypass Lowers Risk of Pregnancy Diabetes
CalorieLab Calorie Counter News
Obese women who have bariatric surgery before pregnancy are three times less likely to develop gestational diabetes (GDM) than women who had the operation ...
Study: Bariatic Operations Lower Chances of Gestational Diabetes, Cesarean SectionHealthJockey.com
Bariatric ops reduce chances of gestational diabetesSify

all 19 news articles »

DietRight Domain Is For Sale - $10,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.DietRight.biz 2010

home | site map | links

 

eXTReMe Tracker