What Do You Mean I Can’t Wear Skinny Jeans Home From The Hospital?

Ask and you shall receive.

You all asked for my top workouts for after the baby, so here you go. Now, if only it was that easy: to ask and receive. To ask for your pre-pregnancy body back and POOF! You received it just like that! As moms, don’t we all wish that our breast-feeding-sized boobs would stick around and the post-baby weight would just fall right off? (I do!!) Instead, our boobs soon become like deflated balloons and the baby weight just won’t budge.  If you’re like me, you enjoy working out, eating nice sensible meals, and drinking tons of water – it all sounds great in your head, right?  All until reality sets in and you don’t have any time to do anything but BABY. And, not to mention how disgusting this NOLA heat is! I don’t blame any of you for not wanting to take baby, or yourself, out in it for fear of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or sweaty face syndrome! No way.

Don’t fret; that’s why I’m here to share my story of how I lost the last few baby pounds and share my favorite TOP 5 Post-Baby Workouts for moms on the go, just like you!

I was a gym junkie before I had Emma. I went every day, sometimes even twice a day!  After I had Emma, that all changed abruptly. I was an emergency c-section delivery, so even if I had wanted to get back into working out, the doctor gave me a big ole pink slip that said “not for 12 more weeks.” WHAT?!?! That was my entire maternity leave! After taking the doctor’s orders and taking it easy for 12 weeks, I slowly got back into things when I had time, which wasn’t very often. I could squeeze in a few walks here and a few jogs there, but it definitely wasn’t what I was used to. I missed the gym terribly, but there just wasn’t time to go in between Emma’s 30 minute cat naps because I was washing bottles, planning dinner, or resting my own eyes, nor did I have the energy to go.

That’s when I found Beachbody (or it found me rather), and was introduced to their amazing at-home fitness programs and nutrition. It’s like they knew exactly what this “starving for a workout, stay-at-home-mom” needed most! I signed up to start Les Mills Pump, the “at-home” version of BodyPump gym classes that you’ve seen become very popular in gyms today (which, again, I never have time to go to!). I joined a 90-day Challenge Group and my husband and I worked our tails off, motivating each other the whole way through. Yes, hubby politely gained the pregnancy weight with me – what a supporter, right!?! After about 2 months of Les Mills Pump and 5 pounds slimmer, I was hooked! And, that’s how I got to be where I am today.

Now, although Beachbody isn’t a part of every success story, it has helped many, and a couple of their programs have made my Top 5 list! In full disclosure, I am Independent Team Beachbody Coach, but I truly believe in their workouts! If you have any questions about the products below, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Here’s my TOP 5 Post-Baby Workouts:

Bodyrock.tv: You will never again be able to complain that you just “don’t have enough time to workout!”  These short, but really hardcore, workouts are only 12-15 minutes long.  That’s it.  12 minutes a day.  And, even better, you can do the workouts in your living room, garage, or even at a park with just your body weight.  They sell themselves on needing minimal equipment and they include modifications for all fitness levels.  Best of all it’s FREE.  It’s all online, so just click to try a Bodyrock.tv workout today and get that very long and lean look.

TurboKick/TurboFire:  Talk about a calorie-scorching workout!  If your gym offers one of these classes … GO!!  TurboKick (what it’s called in the gym) classes include Fire Drills, also known as High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).  These drills push you to your max for up to 1-minute bursts, with quick recovery periods. Studies show that HIIT ignites your metabolism, enabling your body to burn more calories for up to 48 hours after your workout.  Can’t find a class; forget the gym and let the classes come to you. Try the intense 90-day cardio-conditioning TurboFire program on DVD.

Zumba Fitness: This a cult that you want to be a part of!  It’s a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that combines hot international music and crazy dance steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive.  The music keeps a great beat, the moves make you sweat and the energy keeps you wanting more!  I’m sure every gym has a Zumba class by now, and if not, try one of their best-selling at-home fitness DVD series, the Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System.  Who knew working out could be so much fun!

Insanity: I’m sure you’ve all heard of Insanity and how INSANE it is.  It’s another Beachbody program, but it’s made my top 5 list because it’s just that awesome!  Insanity might just be the hardest fitness program ever put on DVD. The personal trainer, Shaun T, is one of the most high-energy people you will ever “meet” on DVD and he’ll push you past your limits with 10 workout including: plyometric drills on top of nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance, and ab and core training moves. No equipment or weights needed…well, maybe a towel to wipe off all the sweat!

And, last but not least for those of you that CAN make it to the gym:  When it’s too hot to exercise outside and you’re dreading the gym, cheer up—here’s a workout that will have you in and out of there fast!  I LOVE my incline treadmill workouts.  This is probably the fastest way to a tight tush; well, other than doing those squats and lunges!  Hop on the treadmill:  Do intervals for 10 minutes: Jog 1 minute; sprint (for real) 1 minute; jog at a 2 to 5 percent incline for 1 minute; repeat 3 times. Finish with a 1-minute dash.  You can add repetitions as your body works up to it (this is the beginner interval).

We all know that half the battle with losing weight is accountability. So, tell me. Which workout are you going to try first?

4 COMMENTS

  1. Recieved some much needed encouragement from today’s post. I have been walking 2 miles everyday 6 days a week for 21 days now. Feeling better physically and mentally. Accountability is a key part of losing the weight and getting healthy. I am thankful for my weekly weigh in.

    • Great Karen! That’s incredible that you’re walking 2 miles 6 days a week!! A walk does amazing things for the mind and body! Any tips on how you got started, or how you stay motivated?

  2. I bought a Pure Barre membership while I was nine months pregnant because I spent those nine months fretting about my weight (I gained 50 lbs). I started working out about nine weeks after my son was born and now I’m 5 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. The only exercise I do is Pure Barre 3-4 x a week, plus I breast feed. I am a huge advocate of both these things!!

  3. Way to go momma!!!! I’ve done a few beachbody programs and love them. Currently 31 wks prego and can’t wait to get back into my skinny jeans I do have a question… Do you know if Shakeology is safe while breastfeeding?

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