We all worry about losing that awful baby weight. Every time I would mount the scales during prenatal appointments, my eyes would bug, my heart would race, and I would think, “I’m never going to lose this weight.” Then I happily went home after hearing that beautiful heartbeat and indulged in something completely naughty and fattening.
I finally lost all of the weight from my first pregnancy, but people kept telling me how much harder it would be to lose weight the second time. I was determined to prove all of them wrong. Besides, buying an entirely new wardrobe was just not feasible. New shoes already litter the bottom of my closet because my foot went up 1/2 a size with my older child, Brooks. That was unavoidable, but buying new clothes is.
Nursing, drinking a lot of water, and eating a high protein/low carb diet truly helps me lose baby weight, but it doesn’t help me tone, so I came up with a few toning exercises that include the baby. That way, I’m not leaving either of my kids to go to a gym, and I’m not getting up super early (other than the three times I’m up nursing in the middle of the night) to do Pilates, Yoga, lift hand weights, etc.
Further, the best way to lose weight is to combine weight bearing and aerobic activity which these five exercises do. Try them out. They work!
Plie squats while tightening the core: Works back, butt, hamstrings, quads, biceps, abs.
Walking lunges while tightening the core: Works glute muscles, hamstrings, quads, back, abs, biceps, and shoulders.
Modified plank position: When your abs get stronger, get off the knees and do a regular plank position. Works abs, back, arms.
Modified push-ups: Works chest, abs, back, shoulders. When you get stronger, move to traditional push-ups.
Yoga, pilates, breathing exercises: These type of exercises are great for the mood and body. With baby nearby, choose several stretching, breathing exercises that work with your body.
You’re totally making me feel lazy, but I love the stirrup pants! 🙂