Starting Over After Having A Baby

Hello there everyone!!
I know it's been quite a while since I wrote a post and I apologize for that! As some of you may know, I recently had a little baby girl. She is 3 months old now and so much fun! I didn't have any energy or time to write, but since I have been asked by a few people when I am going to start blogging again, I figured I should probably do it :). Plus, it will give me more motivation to workout.

Charlotte

Let me tell you, working out after having a baby can be tough. It kind of feels like I am starting all over again with my workout goals. It's ridiculous how weak I am! But that is all going to change now. I am hoping we can all set some goals and work hard to be healthier and more fit.

Now like I said, I am much weaker, so my workouts are going to be easy for some of you. Just remember that you can always add more reps and weight to any move that I do.

Post Baby Workout 1

Warm up for 3 minutes

Round 1:
20-30 Walking Lunges
10 Wide Stance Squats
5 Jump Squats
Rest for 1 minute (very important)
Repeat 2-3 times

Round 2:
1 minute step ups (I step up onto my kitchen chair and I make sure yo switch which leg I step with at 30 seconds)
45 Seconds Knee Ups
Rest 1 minute
Repeat 3 times

Round 3:**
Plank until failure
Crunches until failure (make sure not to pull on your neck)
Rest 1 minute
Repeat 3 times

Make sure to stretch really good and you are done!


**Make sure to check if you have diastasis rectus. If you do, it is very important to fix it before you do these abdominal exercises. To learn how to fix it and to check if you have it go here.

Ab Shredder

This quote is very true but a workout like this one helps a ton! If you are wanting the ultimate ab workout do the following 2 times a week in addition to your other full body/cardio workouts. It is also nice to add any of these exercises to your other routines. 

Get ready to make those abs burn! 

Hanging Knee/Leg Raises: 10-12 Reps, 3 Rounds 
If you have a pull-up bar this is a great lower abdominal and entire core workout. Hang from the pull-up bar and lift your knees at moderate pace towards your chest. If you are advanced, keep your legs straight and lift them up as far as you can go (should be about a 90 degree angle). Pause at the top then release slowly.
30 seconds to 1 minute
Repeat 3 rounds

Mason Twists: 30 Reps, 1-3 Rounds (if form is lacking then stop!) Use a kettle-bell, dumbbell or weighted ball here
To start, sit firmly on your rear, bend your knees and lift your feet a few inches off the floor. Lower your torso to a V position. It's important to keep your abs pulled in to maintain balance.
Twist your torso from side to side and tap the kettle-bell/dumbbell/ball to the floor on either side. Torso and legs are to stay in the V shape and don't slouch. Make sure you breathe!
 A rep consists of one twist to one side, for example, a twist to the left side.
(you can even use a can of soup or something weighted if you don't have ANY sort of weights)
30 seconds to 1 minute
Repeat 1-3 Rounds

Swiss Ball Jack-knives: 15/10/10 Reps, 2-3 Rounds
This one is tough and takes balance. You will need a stability ball.
Start in a push up position with the top of your feet (shoelaces) on the top of the stability ball, legs straight and extended. While keeping your upper body steady and contracting your abs, roll the ball towards your chest until your quads are perpendicular with your butt. Make sure your back stays flat and doesn't arch or round very much.
Roll the ball back out and repeat.
After doing the center reps follow them by pulling your quads diagonally towards the left elbow, then roll back out to starting position. Do the same thing but on the right side. Alternate sides and do 10 reps on each side.
30 seconds to 1 minute
Repeat for 2-3 rounds

Stability Ball Crunches: 15 reps. 3 rounds.
Position yourself so that your mid-back is on the stability ball. Keep your feet flat on the floor, hip distance or
slightly wider apart. Knees bent and core strong.
Contract abs, lift up into a crunch and exhale at the top.
Make sure to not pull on your neck or wobble around.
30 seconds to 1 minute
Repeat for 3 rounds