It's no surprise that new moms have a hard time getting to the gym. You have to find a babysitter, have enough stored milk if you're nursing, be struck by anxiety every second you're gone, etc etc etc. So I put my thinking cap on and came up with a few workout you can do at home using your baby. The good news: the bigger your baby, the better your workout! 12 pounds gets real heavy real fast. As always, listen to your body. If something hurts, don't do it, or check your form.
10 minute mama + me sweat sesh
1. Plank to Down Dog
Starting from a plank position, kiss your babe on the forehead, then draw your hips up into a downward dog and kiss your babe on the belly. Reapeat 15X, tightening the core the entire time.
2. V-Ups
Sitting on your sacrum, the spot between the sit bones and tailbone, lean back far enough to feel gravity forcing your abs to engage, toes on the floor. Then, lift the toes and torso at the same time. Repeat 20X.
For stronger babies, you can hold their hands to give yourself a bigger range of motion.
3. The Russian Twist
Staying on the sacrum, abs engaged, twist left and tap your baby's toes on the floor, then do the same to the right. Right and left is one rep, do 20 reps total.
For an extra challenge, try lifting your toes off the floor and balancing.
4. Plie Squat
Starting in a wide second position, heels in toes out, lower into a squat, keeping your knees tracking over your toes, tailbone tucked, chest high, and hips right between your knees.
Then, straighten and raise your babe above your head.
5. Standing Twists
Staying in a nice low plie, core engaged, twist your baby to the right and left.
6. Inner Thigh Lifts
Laying down on your side, one leg extended, the other crossed in front. Flex the extended leg's foot then lift and lower.
Hold at the highest point the pulse up. Repeat each step 20X.
7. Tabletop Glutes
Starting on your hands and knees, toes pointed, lift and lower the leg straight to the back. Here you can experiment with pulses, tiny circle, extending and bending while flexing the hamstring, and so on. Also try bringing a bent knee directly to the side (think dog peeing on a fire hydrant) and repeating the same exercise.
8. The Pushup: Tricep version
On your knees or on your toes, make sure you're keeping the correct pushup form. Lower, keeping the biceps close into your sides, elbows going straight back, kiss your baby, and lift.
9. Stretch it out
Whatever feels good, make sure to stretch out the muscles you worked to avoid a bulky look (unless that's what you're going for).
My outfit: Beyond Yoga
Ever's outfit: June Park