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6.16.08 Have you contemplated plastic surgery since becoming a mom?
Even now, 18 months post-partum, my 4-year-old daughter Julia will say things to me like: "Mommy, I know why your belly is still so big. Because all the food inside is pushing it out." Or, Charlie, our 18-month-old, will toddle up to me, lift up my shirt, and laugh as he playfully pats my jiggling belly.I'm not laughing so much.
I must confess that once or twice in the past few months, with bathing suit season fast approaching, I've stood in front of the mirror and thought: "Wouldn't it be great to just get a tummy tuck?!"
I'm not serious. But, it's seriously fun to think about. Afterall, when months and months of daily 5 a.m. trips to the gym haven't really done much to firm my flabby abs, the thought of a quick-fix solution is pretty enticing.
But, let's face it. There really are better ways to lose the baby fat for good. If you find yourself standing in front of the mirror, wondering what's happened to your post-baby bod, here's help. Starting on Day One, we've got some gentle exercises to ease you back into shape and help your mind and body heal. You can gradually work your way up to these 7 surefire ways to lose the baby fat. We've got prenatal workouts to keep you fit through pregnancy and beyond, and plenty of postnatal workouts that you can even do with your baby in tow. Looking for a little more inspiration? See how celebrities like Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Reece lose their baby weight. And for those really hard days, here's a little moral support from our Mommy Measures Up blog.
Yes, you really can get your abs back without going under the knife. With that thought in mind, I'm off to do a few hundred sit-ups.
What activity got you back into shape after the birth of your baby? Take our poll.
Dana Rousmaniere is FitPregnancy.com's Managing Editor. 18 months ago, her abs were in another zip code.
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— J-ra