One of the challenges that most moms face, after having a baby, is finding time to fit in a workout, specially if we don’t have baby sitters. Fortunately there are ways that we can get our workouts in while having fun with our baby.
Here are a few exercises that will help strengthen and tone your core, while playing and having fun with your baby. If you have other kids, you can ask them to join the fun.
Equipment: None
Time: 10 min
Direction: We have 4 exercises which we are going to do 60 seconds of each. After 1st round we take 60 Sec break. Repeat all 4 exercises. After finishing the 2nd round, stretch for 60 sec and you are done.
Exercise 1: Figure 8
Benefits: Works entire core specially obliques as you turn side to side
How to do: sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet on the ground. lean back as far as you can. hold your baby under his/her shoulder with both hands. Move your baby from side to side. Make sure you are keeping your abs in tight the whole time.
Exercise 2: sit ups
Benefits: Works ab muscles plus chest, hip flexors and lower back
How to do: Lie down on your back. Bend your knees and place your foot on the floor. Place your baby on your knees and hold him with both hands. Curl your upper body all the way up towards your baby, exhale as you lift. Slowly lower yourself down, inhale as you lower.
Exercise 3: Plank with shoulder touch
Benefits: works abs plus Deltoids, Triceps, and Pecs
How to do: lay your baby on the floor. Get into push-up position on the floor with arms directly beneath your shoulders and hips forming a straight line from your shoulder to your feet. Remaining as stable as possible, lift one hand off the floor and touch the front of the opposite shoulder. As you are lowering your hand tickle your baby’s tummy then place hand gently back on the floor. Continue the movement, alternating hands.
Exercise 4: Flutter kicks
Benefits: works abs, specially lower abs
How to do: Lie on your back. place your baby on your hips. Bend your elbows and place on the floor for support.Hold your baby with your hands. Extend your legs up to a 45 degree angle. Lift your head, neck and shoulder off the ground. Keeping your legs stick straight and glued together with your toes pointed, start lowering one leg. Rise your lowered leg and lower the other, focusing on keeping your core engaged, by keeping your abs in tight. Continue the movement, alternating between legs.
Please watch the video below to see how we did it.
Stay happy and healthy
Roya
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