Lie on your back with knees bent. Looking up to the sky, bring your head and shoulders off the ground to contract your abdominal muscles. Do not pull on your head or strain your neck. Lower back to the ground and repeat 15 times. Before performing any abdominal exercises, make sure to check your abdominal muscles for separation – How to check for Diastasis
Before performing any abdominal exercises, all moms should check for abdominal separation (diastasis recti). Abdominal weakness, hormonal changes, pregnancy, c-sections can all cause this separation. If you do traditional abdominal exercises (such as crunches) with a separation, those exercises will only make the diastasis worse. To do a self-check, lie on your back with your knees bent. With your fingers pointing down toward your feet, hold two fingers flat on…
Standing on your right foot, extend left leg behind you. Bring left leg back to center then extend again. Do 15 reps then switch legs and repeat on opposite side.
From a push up position, rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands. Form a straight line with your body from your shoulders to your ankles. Hold yourself in this position by keeping your core tight and bellybutton drawn in. Hold for 30 seconds. Work up to holding the plank for 60 seconds or more. If your lower back starts hurting, check your form.
Standing tall and keeping abs tight, place hands on hips and look straight ahead. Lift one foot slightly off the ground and extend out to the side. Slowly lower leg to starting position and repeat.
From a hands and knees position, bring your bellybutton towards your spine and pull your shoulders down and back. Exhale and push your spine up using your abdominal muscles. Hold for 10 seconds. Inhale and push your spine down towards the floor. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat.
On hands and knees, without straining your neck (I should probably be looking down in this photo), pull your bellybutton up towards your spine. Hold and release. Repeat 15 times.