Kerri Walsh drops 36 pounds in three months post-preggers, ripped ab reveal at AVG Crocs World Tour

Reports from the AVP Crocs World Tour Challenge show a post-preggers body and ripped abs from pro player and new mom, Kerri Walsh, Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images / Photo (Below, Left) Associated Press

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Pro volleyball player Kerri Walsh is keeping her rap as a beach babe as she prepared to set the sand on fire in the AVP Crocs Tour World Challenge in Glendale, Arizona last week.

The hot volleyball match-up of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor helped lead the United States to a 26-22 score lead against Brazil at the Westgate City Center.

The 31-year-old and new mother of baby boy Joseph Michael Jennings hit the sand displaying quite the post-baby body at the net.

The volleyball gold medalist gave birth to the baby in late May with husband and fellow beach volleyball player, Casey Jennings (shown below left,).

Walsh hiit the gym hard to build muscle and slim back down to her ripped Olympic physique.

Walsh competed in her first volleyball match less than three months post-birth.
 

In an interview with LA Times' William Brink, the volleyball pro revealed she turned to other pro moms for working mom advice.

Walsh looked to former pro volleyball goddess Gabrielle Reece and pro soccer player Mia Hamm. Walsh said the fellow female athletes were supportive and reassuring.

"They're like: 'It's possible. Just give yourself time and be patient,' " Walsh said to the TImes. "Which is truly the hardest part, being patient. I want to be fit yesterday."
 

But Walsh didn't want to wait.  The sand star stayed on top of her fitness all the way through the pregnancy and even shaved time off the recommended four-week rest period offered by her doc after birth.

Walsh, who delivered her baby boy via Caesarean section, was told to avoid physical activity for six weeks and to lay off abdominal work for an additional two weeks past that.

As Walsh battled back after birth dealing with a "lack of strength" and an extra 36 LBS, she focused on weight training, sprints through the sand and strict Pilates sessions.

"Usually you're terrible at volleyball but you're really strong, and now I'm just really weak and I have no touch because I haven't played since November and it's all very scary," Walsh said to Brink. In a seperate interview with People magazine, Walsh spoke of her initial weight loss and fine tuning needed after the baby.

"It’s crazy. A lot dropped in the first week,” she said to People. “Now I just need to build my muscle because I’m skinny soft, which is the worst thing to be.”

While most women shy away from the weight room, stars like Kerri Walsh and Mena Suvari defy the "skinny soft" look and aren't shy in dishing on their hot body finesse via barbell work. Even Bridget Jones' Renee Zellweger is defying gravity by building muscle for strength and health.

But as time traveled and so did Walsh and real-life teammate and husband Jennings, their tour schedules made things tough to manage the new fam. To free up some time, the duo hired a nanny to give Walsh more time on the sand.

In preparation for her comeback, Walsh has proved a quick one, perhaps one of the best among celeb moms who are quick to slim down post-pregnancy. Photos shot during the AVP Crocs Tour in Glendale showed a sleek mid-section on the star and anything but "skinny soft".

To view the rest of the AVP Crocs Tour World Challenge photos on Zimbio, click here. 

To read more about Kerri Walsh's Pilates workout tips, click here.