Monday, October 27, 2008

Lose your Tummy - 5 Tips to Stop you from Quitting

By Teresa Brown

As a new mom you have the joyful but demanding task of looking after your baby and somewhere in the busy mix of family life and responsibilities, you have to find a way to lose the pregnancy weight. Starting your weight loss plan to lose your tummy is the easy part. It's committing to your plan that can put a strain on reaching your goal. Adding these 5 spicy tips to your plan may just do the trick to keep you motivated to stay in the game.

1. Yoga - This is a popular exercise for moms who are keen to lose the tummy and get toned and lean. Yoga comes in various traditions so find one that suites your tastes and sign up and get stretching. If you like saunas and don't mind sweating, you should try a 90 minute session of Bikram Yoga to burn the baby fat and sweat out those toxins from your body. Or you can join a Yin Yoga class for deeper stretching and challenge your muscles with its longer duration of the poses. No time to leave the house? Then rent or buy a Yoga DVD and workout at home.

2. Kickboxing - A fun way to lose your tummy and spice up your workout sessions is Kickboxing. It's a welcome alternative to the treadmill and unlike the treadmill or stationary exercise bike, you get a total body workout. Kickboxing also increases your stamina, strength and flexibility. You can ease into these high-intensity workouts by building up your endurance with some low-impacts aerobics.

3. Tea Time - If you like a good cup of coffee, you can get to like a good cup of tea. Drinking teas such as Green or White tea gives you a three fold benefit by providing you with anti-oxidants, satisfying your caffeine needs and helping you to lose your tummy. Compared to a specialty coffee at your local cafe, a cup of Green tea will save you the calories and the money.

4. Beef is Back - Beef is an excellent source of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins. Maintaining a healthy diet to lose your tummy includes ensuring a balance in the nutrients your body receives and in keeping your size portions small. Beef is no exception and like any good protein source, it needs to be eaten lean and in moderation. Also switching to lean meats helps to sustain low saturated fats in your diet.

5. Laughter - Laughing really is the best medicine when stuck in the stressful chore of losing pregnancy weight. Rent a comedy or play some games over dinner with friends. Laughter releases endorphins just like your morning jog and can take your mind off your bodies weight gain and loss.

Losing your tummy can be a long and unpleasant journey but only if you make it that way. Getting healthy and staying that way will require throwing out the old bad lifestyle habits to embrace new healthy ones and having fun along the way. - 15683

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