Help! Need suggestions!

nwmm

I just had a baby 2 months ago. Im a stay at home mom and I need some ways to get in some cardio. My daughter helps me do sit-ups and lunges and I lift her for my arms. However, I know that without cardio my diet and exercise are usuless. I really want to tone up and my midsection is flabber that ever. Please HELP!

grumpz

Put her in a pram and go for a walk. You'll both enjoy it

ladybu6205

Leslie Sansone's walk at home video's are awesome! I couldn't figure out how the heck you could watch a video and walk at the same time but everyone raved about the video's so I bought one to check them out. It's actually more marching, stepping, sidestepping, etc... it's a great workout though! I think I got my DVD's at Walmart... Congrats on the new baby!

Lisa

Hourglass25

I lost 26lbs six weeks after having my daughter. I put her in her stroller and go for walks, beastfeeding also helped a lot. Go up and down stairs, or you can also get a exercise DVD and workout out while the baby naps.

TropicalKitty

Congrats on being mom!

Like one poster said, go for walks, if it's warm enough where you live.

Also, check Exercise TV's website. YouTube...even MSN has fitness stuff. These places have some videos you can do that are free. Check out your local library for exercise DVDs. Or, if you are willing to pay, you can get DVDs. I'm not super video knowledgeable, but I did one of the Flirty Girl fitness workouts on video on demand (if you have cable), and that left me feeling pretty good.

TrainerRobin

No! Your diet and exercise are not useless without cardio!

Of course cardio is important but I'll be honest and tell you what most personal trainers won't -- diet (eating the right number of calories and eating clean/healthy food) is 90% of the "ballgame."

That said, do add cardio however you can get it. Your little one is at the stage where you'll get "nap breaks" to workout. There are basic cardio moves you can do in your own home, without equipment. Here are a few:

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING MOVE
This is a great cardiovascular exercise that involves total body movement that simulates cross county skiing. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Start in an upright position with the legs in a staggered stance (one leg about 3 feet in front of the other).
2. If the left foot is in front, put the right arm out in front, and visa-versa.
3. Start the movement by shifting the feet (right foot in front) and the arms. Make sure the front arm goes up in the air and the back arm should be down at the side, slightly behind.
4. Repeat to the other side. Keep repeating in a continuous fashion for a timed period. Make sure to keep the core tight throughout the exercise.

INVISIBLE JUMP ROPE
This traditional exercise can also be used without any equipment, which can sometimes get in the way. It focuses on conditioning, core, and ankle stability and strength. To perform this exercise correctly,

1 Start in an upright position, with the feet shoulder-width apart.
2 Pretend that you are holding a jump rope in your hands elbows stay in at the side
3 Begin by jumping, pushing off on the toes and swinging your arms in a circular motion, as if there was a jump rope in your hands.
4 Repeat for a number of repetitions or a timed period.

TRADITIONAL JUMPING JACKS
This traditional exercise can still be a challenging exercise. It focuses on conditioning and total body endurance. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Start in an upright position with the feet together and hands to the side.
2. Begin the movement by jumping vertically while at the same time move the feet out shoulder width apart and the hands coming up above the head.
3. Return to starting position and repeat for a number of repetitions or a timed period.
4. Make sure the core stays tight and the movements are quick and controlled.

ROTATING PIVOTING UPPER CUTS. This is a great conditioning exercise that improves trunk flexibility, shoulder endurance and is also a great way to release stress. To perform this exercise correctly,

1. Start in an upright position with the feet pointing straight, shoulder-width apart. Make a fist with the hands and place them in front of the face.
2. Begin the movement by cocking the right elbow back and rotating to the left side while swinging an upper cut punch, stopping at eye level, and pivoting the right foot towards the punch. Repeat with the left side.
3. Make sure to pivot with every punch, but keeping the head straight at all times. Make the movements fast and explosive.
4. Advanced clients can use light weight from 1 to 5 lbs.
Repeat for a number of repetitions or a timed period.

ROTATING PIVOTING PUNCHES. This is a great conditioning exercise that improves trunk flexibility, shoulder endurance and is also a great way to release stress. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Start in an upright position with the feet pointing straight, shoulder-width apart. Make a fist with the hands and place them in front of the face.
2. Begin the movement by punching with the right hand to the left side, using trunk rotation and pivoting the right foot towards the punch. Return to starting position, repeating with the left side.
3. Make sure to pivot with every punch, but keeping the head straight at all times. Make the movements fast and explosive.
4. Advanced clients can use light weight from 1-5 lbs.
5. Repeat for a number of repetitions or a timed period.

BODY WEIGHT BASE ROTATION. This exercise improves on rapid response and is great for conditioning the core muscles. This drill can also improve an athlete’s core performance. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Begin with the feet shoulder width apart and a slight bend in the knees (45 degree angle). Make sure that the shoulders are squared and aligned with the body
2. Begin the movement with a small hop while rotating the hips 45 degrees to the right and the arms counter rotate to the left. Make sure the shoulders stay facing forward by only using the hips.
3. Quickly hop while rotating the hips to the left and the arms counter rotating to the right. Make sure the shoulders stay facing forward by only using the hips.
4. Pretend there is an “X” on the floor and your feet move to the ends of the “X”
5. Make sure to rotate from the trunk, not the shoulders

HOPSCOTCH DRILL. This exercise is great for conditioning or increasing performance for an athlete. This drill is also great for increasing balance, stability, and reaction. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Begin with the feet shoulder width apart
2. With every move, you are going to be hopping forward
3. Start by hopping forward onto the right leg, then hop forward landing on both feet
4. Continue by hopping forward to the left leg, and then hop forward landing on both feet again.
5. Continue this pattern for repetitions or a timed period.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS. This is a great conditioning exercise that increases core strength and endurance. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Begin in a push-up position (arms lined up with the chest, legs extended out)
2. Make sure to keep the head in line with the body and the stomach muscles contracted throughout the range of motion.
3. Start the movement by bringing the right knee to the chest and back to starting position.
4. Quickly alternate to the left leg and continue this movement for a timed period (anywhere from 30 seconds - 5 minutes).

SWIMMERS. This is a great exercise to strengthen the core while providing cardiovascular endurance and at the same time involving the entire body. To perform this exercise correctly

1. Lie on the stomach with the arms and legs extended straight in line with the body
2. Make sure to keep the head looking down so that it is in line with the body.
3. Begin by lifting the chest, arms and legs slightly off the floor keeping the head in line. The only body part touching the floor should be the trunk.
4. Lift the right arm and left leg up and then quickly alternate to the left arm and right leg. Continue in this motion at a quick pace while keeping the stomach, legs, and glutes tight throughout the motion.
5. Perform for a timed period, anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes
6. Make sure not to shrug the shoulders, and also the arms and legs do not touch the floor.

LUNGE JUMPS. This exercise is a very effective way to firm, shape, tone, build and increase muscular endurance for the legs. To perform this exercise correctly:

1. Stand in a lunge position, right foot forward
2. Make sure to keep your hands behind your head
3. Jumping up and switch foot position in mid-air, landing in a lunge position, with the left foot forward, keeping the hands behind the head.
4. Repeat 10-15 repetitions, or timed

cmrich0511

Do you have cable or a Netflix subscription? I know some cable channels have workouts, and Netflix has some really good dance workouts that I stream through my Wii. I'm a stay at home mom too, and that's what I've started using along with my Wii Fit.