Let the baby that gave you the fat, take off the fat! Make it a daily event! These are exercises that can be done with your baby in your arms.
Some of you that know me are probably wondering why I would be writing about taking off the fat when I've always been thin and trying to gain weight. Well after having my two babies, yeah, I was thin, but I had no tone and cellulite was making me feel even less sexy.(For those who don't know, cellulite on a skinny woman really makes us look lazy! LOL) But seriously. After having my second child I really wasn't getting out at all; even now.
So here are a few moves from my "Lazy Lady Workout Routine" that I do right in my bed or on the couch watching Young & the Restless (my guilty pleasure). If you're like me, you will almost feel guilty getting in a nice workout without having to go to the gym!
A couple of these workouts work great while breastfeeding but overall for just bonding with your baby through holding or touch while you tone up during a busy day.
Stretching:
Short and sweet honey... don't hurt yourself but make consistent holding efforts for a few short minutes.
- Naturally stretch your entire body. Take at least 5 to 10 minutes total.
Before each position, make yourself comfortable but make sure it's you, and not your pillows doing the work!
Grab & Lift:
- Literally grab anything that you can hold with one hand while you cradle your child in your other arm. I don't care if it's your remote, or a can good. I use my purse if it's by my bed because it usually has a bit of weight to it.
- Lay close to the edge of your bed (or across the couch) with baby in arm opposite the edge.
- As you are cradling your baby, do simple arm lifts with the arm that hangs off the edge. Lower your arm as much as you can stand it and lift it back up.
You can do this with your arm straight or bend at the elbow.
- Do 3 sets, increasing the number of lifts each time. I usually go as high as I can tolerate the muscle burn - that is normally the number I stick to until I no longer feel the burn at that capacity and so I up the anti until I do feel it. I call this the 'burn notice' which is that tense burning feeling we get in our muscles. The burn is a sign of building and toning. Usually I simply do 3 sets of 35. 35 is my burn notice. Be realistic. Many do more and many do less.
- Switch baby into the opposite arm now. Also you will have to switch opposite edges of your bed or couch to let your other arm hang now. Repeat. Don't forget to keep baby as a loving focus.
Rock-A-Bye-Baby:
My son use to fall asleep to this one.
- Lay flat.
- Cradle baby across your chest into your bosom with both arms and do half sit ups.
- Don't tense any other parts of your body so that all the muscles in your upper torso are obliged to work.
- Once again, you set the count according to your burn notice.
- Do 3 sets.
Get 'Em High:
- Lay flat on your bed as you hold baby in the air (straight up & out) for fun & allow your legs to slightly hang over the bed.
- Either keep baby high, keeping playful eye contact, or gently raise and lower baby as you begin to do partial sit ups while doing leg lifts (3 sets per leg).
With each leg lift, raise or lower baby (or just keep baby gently held up).
- Allow as much tension to go to your lower torso as possible.
- You can also lay flat and do this as well. However, sitting up causes the neck, abs, arms, buttocks and legs to work harder.
- Do 3 sets
Be a 2:
- If you wish to be a 2 and healthy then grab your toddler child and run, jump, giggle and wiggle with him/her. Acting like a two year old is not only great for your body and soul, but for you & your child's bond!
These were just a few quick tips for a lazy but valuable workout...Why work harder? Work smarter right?
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*Do these exercises at your own pace and at your own risk.
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