Loosing your pregnancy weight after you have a baby is hard enough without having to arrange for childcare. Fortunately, it isn’t hard to exercise with your baby. You can shape and tone your body back into something that resembles what you used to look like without having to leave your baby behind. Exercising together can make getting back in shape more fun and can take the guilt associated with leaving your new baby away. It has the added bonus of giving you some quality time with your baby.
Walking with your baby is great exercise and it a nice, low-impact exercise to increase your activity level. Walking increases your strength and burns fat. This is especially good if you have spent any time on bed rest and need to rebuild neglected muscles. When your baby is young you can use an infant carrier. This will keep your baby close and add some extra weight to your routine. As your baby grows you will want to switch to a stroller.
Strollers are a great exercise tool for new moms. Be sure that you are walking upright and avoid leaning on your stroller. Keep a brisk pace to keep your heart rate up. Walking continuously for 30 minutes a day is an excellent part of any exercise plan. You can vary your routine by taking different routes and by including some that have inclines to make your walk more difficult.
Balance balls are very versatile and can be easily used at home. Strengthen your core muscles by sitting on the balance ball while holding your baby and bouncing up and down. Your baby will love the movement and the close physical contact. You can also try lying on the floor with your baby sitting on your stomach. Bend your knees and rest your feet on the balance ball. While holding your baby, slowly extend your feet and lift your body slightly off the ground.
Weight lifting does not have to mean a trip to the gym. Your baby is the perfect little weight and will conveniently grow as your muscles strengthen. Lay on the floor holding your baby above you. Gently lift your baby up in the air and bring them back down again. The slower and more control your lifting is the more your muscles have to work. Stand up and do the same thing lifting your baby over your head.
Push ups will strengthen your weakened abdominal muscles. Lay your baby on the floor and get into the push up position. Your face should be just over your baby’s face. As you do pushups your baby will squeal with pleasure as they watch your face come closer and then go away again. For a variation on the standard push up, drop down to your elbows while the rest of your body remains in the push up position. Hold that position while counting to 15 then relax. Repeat as many times as you want. Keep your abdominal muscles tight while holding this position. Chances are your baby will be laughing at the funny faces you make as you try and strengthen your muscles but at least you know they think that their mommy is funny.
Rachel Lister - Rachel is a mother to three beautiful and very active boys, ages 5 and 3, and 15 months. When her oldest son was born she quit her ...
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