Woman reveals exercise she did over 6 months to get rid of ‘mama pouch’

A woman’s incredible weight loss transformation over 6 months has garnered over 14 million views on TikTok.

Society often rushes to discuss returning to your pre-pregnancy body, but the reality is much more complex. 24-year-old Ruby Venegas (@rubymonroe_ on TikTok) spoke to us about her diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is a condition that occurs in postpartum women when their abdominal muscles tear due to stretching during pregnancy.

Months or even years after giving birth, separation can cause a woman’s belly to protrude or swell. This is what some refer to as the “mom pouch,” and Benega’s athlete gained success with Pilates, a low-impact exercise method designed to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. , which I tried to get rid of at the gym.

Weightlifting and walking 10,000 steps each day reduced her weight from 207 pounds to 168 pounds. Her home exercises that focused on her core allowed her to lose an additional 38 pounds, reaching her ideal weight of 130 pounds.

a housewife said newsweek: “I look better than before I got pregnant.”

On February 21, Venegas shared a montage of herself doing Pilates at home while her 2-year-old daughter Brielle was napping. The footage begins with her six months old, and her frame gets smaller as the minute-long clip continues.

she said newsweek: “After giving birth, my stomach started to sag a little, so I was worried about my body shape.”

Discovering Pilates in July 2023 was a turning point for her.

“It changed my life,” she said. “I haven’t stepped foot in a gym since.”

Pilates helped her realign her body, improve her health and achieve a more toned physique.

Venegas said it’s difficult as a mom to find the time and energy to go to the gym, but praised the convenience of working out at home. She stressed that having a babysitter available all the time is not practical and valued discipline over motivation in maintaining a daily routine.

she said newsweek: “Pilates helped me put everything back in place.

“I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever been in my life. I’m very healthy and more toned and toned than ever before.

“As a mom, it’s hard to find the energy and time to go to the gym. Working out at home while the baby is sleeping is a little easier,” she said.

“I don’t rely on motivation, it’s about discipline. Even when I don’t feel good, I push myself.”

Tamara Galinsky, a fitness entrepreneur and founder of Jetset Pilates in Miami, Florida, explains: newsweek How strength training can help shift unwanted postpartum weight.

“Almost all Pilates exercises require additional core stabilization to maintain proper form and require deep recruitment of core muscles, including the obliques. They also increase your heart rate. Staying under tension throughout the class is a priority, with an emphasis on isometric contractions that recruit maximum muscle fibers,” Galinsky said.

“Pilates, which targets the core and obliques, provides a holistic approach to postpartum toning, helping pelvic floor muscles recover, correcting diastasis recti, and improving overall stability and posture.

“Through precise movements and controlled breathing techniques, Pilates helps new mothers rebuild muscle balance and functional movement patterns after giving birth.”

As of this writing, Venegas’ videos on TikTok about her fitness journey have garnered 1.4 million likes and many positive comments.

“Pilates has changed my body too!!! You look strong and amazing!!” praised one user.

Another said, “Okay, you convinced me.”

A third commenter said: “You’re an inspiration to me.”

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