Moms give unconditional love to their kids but often don’t give that same love to their own bodies. No matter what pre-pregnancy fitness level a new mom was in, it will take some work to get muscles back in shape post-baby.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, Fitness Town and Life Fitness is sharing top workouts for moms who sacrifice fitness time to take care of their families.
Don’t skip cardio. Even if you do mostly strength training and toning exercises, you won’t be able to see your muscles if they’re covered by a layer of baby fat. Boost your cardio to burn calories and show off those muscles you are building. Spend 20 to 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer or the treadmill before or after you hit the weights.
Test out Pilates. Pilates can be the answer to zipping up your skinny jeans again. Pilates is a system of precise, focused movement that strengthens the abs, the pelvic floor muscles, and the entire back.
Pilates emphasizes on contracting the Transverse Abdominis, the deepest layer of the abdominal wall. Its fibers run horizontal across the abdomen and around the back, acting as an internal girdle. Every Pilates exercise starts with this deep contraction helping to close abdominal separation from the inside.
Be smart in the kitchen. Remember to eat clean any chance you can. Skip preservatives, chemicals and added sugars that cause inflammation, fat build-up and cravings. Aim to eat mostly colorful fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Keep in mind that exercise and nutrition are so intertwined that you likely can’t accomplish a fitness goal unless both areas are working in sync.
Start from the ground up. Literally start with your pelvic floor by trying out the Kegel exercise, the single most important thing you can do for your pelvic floor. The Kegel exercise can be done before birth and as soon as possible after delivery. If you have never done Kegels before, find the correct muscles by stopping and starting the flow of urine. Start by contracting these muscles and holding for one or two seconds and then releasing.
