Bumps SmittenWhile it can be such a wonderful and amazing experience to bear a child in your womb and meet a cute little angel 9 months after, has its own share of not-so-good effects. Whether you like it or not, being pregnant can change your body in more ways than one. Most of the time, it leaves behind some excess flabs in areas that used to be flat.
The so-called “mommy tummy” or “kangaroo pouch” is among the most common complaints after childbirth. This is the extra fat that accumulates right below and above your belly button. Getting rid of it may seem impossible at first.
The good news is that when it comes to how to get rid of kangaroo pouch, there are several simple and easy tips that you can follow to shred off that extra flab.
What is a Kangaroo Pouch?
Kangaroos with their pouches are cute and adorable. But the same thing doesn’t apply to women. A kangaroo pouch is an affectionate phrase used to refer to the flab of fat found in front of your lower abs. Going on a diet is not enough to see it gone.
You also cannot just exercise your abs and assume that spot training can help you out either. More often than not, it won’t. The truth is that it takes a powerful combination of several healthy habits so you can say goodbye to that kangaroo pouch once and for all.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a magic pill that will help you get rid of the unsightly pouch under your belly button. Losing that kangaroo pouch fast means you need to have the willpower to eat the right foods, exercise, and look after your overall health.
This is probably the trickiest part about the kangaroo pouch. You cannot expect it to go away overnight if you don’t put some hard work into it.
Here are some of the top tips that will help you say goodbye to that bothersome mommy tummy:
Eat Right
If your goal is to get rid of your mommy pooch, the first and most important thing you have to do is to eat unprocessed and clean foods. Watch out for hidden sugars. These often lurk in dressings and sauces, and many other seemingly innocent foods. This is the reason why it is often better to prepare your meals on your own so you will know what really goes into them.
This is also the reason why you should stop drinking calories. instead of your usual cup of morning coffee, try to drink it without cream and sugar. It is best to skip everything sweet in the meantime. While a treat now and then won’t hurt, you can keep a food journal to make sure that you don’t go overboard with rewarding yourself.
Your regular meals should also include more lean proteins such as prime flank steak, skinless poultry items, and tofu. Add more whole grains to your diet as well and see to it that plant-based portions such as green vegetables are the main star of your plate.
Swap out junk foods with fresh fruits for your snacks. For example, during hot summer days, nothing can be more rewarding than munching on some cool watermelon slices. This can curb your sweet cravings and at the same time, it will quench your thirst and fill up your vitamin requirements.
Take note, however, that you don’t need to make all of these healthy changes to your diet in just a single day. But you can at least try to add a new change every week so your health stays on track and your belly will be back to its flat appearance all over again.
Sweat It Out the Right Way
It is important to keep in mind that spot training never does the trick. Although you get to tone and strengthen those muscles, which is actually a good thing, it won’t still make your kangaroo pouch go away. The best way to attack that flab is to come up with a comprehensive workout plan.
You should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio a week. This is a great place to kick off your weight loss goals if this is your first time exercising. Once you develop this habit, you can then try to increase the duration to 250 minutes a week. Your total sessions for body strength training should be done twice a week.
Below are some of the best exercises you can try that can help you get rid of the kangaroo pouch:
- Deadlifts
- Lunges
- Presses
- Pulls
- Squats
You might want to incorporate weights that can leave you feeling more tired and exhausted after you finished 8 to 12 reps. You can start with one set first and start adding more as things become easier for you. You will gain muscle that can allow your body to efficiently burn off fat and calories.
Get a Good Night’s Rest
Now, this tip might be a bit difficult, especially if you have a newborn or other kids in the house. However, sleep is one of the most important things you can ever give to your body. Your body’s cortisol levels will go crazy if you never take some time to get a good shuteye.
You can have your spouse or partner look after your baby while you get a nap. You can also ask family or friends to lend you a hand if your spouse is not available. Sleep is the best time when your body restores itself and your muscles recuperate, which makes it important to get it every time you can.
Relax and Enjoy the Ride!
The last but definitely not the least tip on how to get rid of kangaroo pouch is to focus on lowering your stress levels. Take a stroll with your baby and other kids. Go out to meet your friend at the mall. Read your favorite book. Get a relaxing soak in the tub. Rejuvenate yourself by doing the things you love the most.
Do these four things and say goodbye to that mommy tummy in no time!
