Hey mama,

Have you ever thought...

"Why does my core still feel so weak? It's been months since I had my baby."

Or maybe it's been years.

You exercise. You're active. Maybe you've even been doing ab workouts. But something still doesn't feel quite right.

Your stomach might dome during certain exercises. Your back gets tired easily. You struggle to feel your core working. Or everyday movements that used to feel effortless suddenly require more effort.

Here's something I want you to know:

Just because time has passed doesn't necessarily mean your core has fully regained its strength and function.

Pregnancy changes the way your entire core system works—and rebuilding it often requires more than simply waiting for your body to "heal" or jumping back into traditional ab exercises.

Your Core Is More Than Your Abs

When we talk about your "core," we're not just talking about your six-pack muscles.

Your core is a system that includes your abdominal muscles, diaphragm, pelvic floor, and deep stabilizing muscles that work together to manage pressure and support your spine and pelvis.

Pregnancy and birth can affect how these muscles coordinate. That's why postpartum core recovery isn't simply about making your abs stronger.

It's about teaching your body to work together again.

So Why Might Your Core Still Feel Weak?

There can be several reasons.

1. You skipped the rebuilding phase.

Many women go from pregnancy → birth → six-week clearance → regular workouts. There's often an important step missing:

Rebuilding the foundation.

Learning—or relearning—how to coordinate your breath, core, and pelvic floor can help create a stronger base before progressing to more demanding exercise.

2. You're holding your breath during exercise.

Holding your breath can increase pressure through your abdomen and pelvic floor. Learning how to coordinate your breathing with movement and effort is an important part of postpartum strength training—especially as exercises become more challenging.

3. Your posture and everyday movement have changed.

Feeding a baby. Carrying a car seat. Holding a toddler on one hip. Sitting for long stretches. Motherhood asks a LOT from your body. Over time, these positions and movement patterns can influence how your core muscles are recruited throughout the day.

4. You're doing exercises that are too advanced for where you are right now.

More challenging doesn't always mean more effective. If you can't manage pressure or maintain good control during an exercise, stepping back to a simpler variation isn't going backwards.

It's building the strength you need to eventually move forward.

Here's Where I'd Start

Before worrying about crunches, planks, or heavy weights, start with the basics:

→ Learn how to breathe and coordinate your core
→ Pay attention to your posture and alignment
→ Practice gentle core activation
→ Gradually increase the challenge as your strength and control improve

Your goal isn't to stay in "rehab exercises" forever. The goal is to build a strong enough foundation that you can confidently progress beyond them.

Because yes—you can get back to lifting weights. You can get back to challenging workouts. You can build a strong core again. But you don't have to skip steps to get there.

Not Sure Where to Start?

I created my FREE Postpartum Core Strength Guide for exactly this reason.

It walks you through simple breathing, posture, and foundational core exercises designed to help you start reconnecting with your core and rebuilding strength from the inside out.

👇 Download your FREE Postpartum Core Strength Guide here:

​[GET THE FREE GUIDE]​

And remember:

Postpartum isn't a deadline.

Whether you're 8 weeks, 8 months, or 8 years postpartum, it's never too late to start rebuilding your strength.

One step at a time. 💛

Until next week,

Leslie​
Pre & Postnatal Fitness Coach
Leslie Ann Fitness

P.S. Have a postpartum fitness question you'd love answered? Hit reply and send it my way! I may answer it in an upcoming Ask Leslie newsletter.