March Fitness #2 - Workout with Baby

Not only do my husband, Jared, and I want to look and be our best, but we also want to set a good example for our son.  He’s 6 months old, so, why not start early? I am a firm believer in children mimicking their parents or caregivers.  If Cayden is raised with parents who eat junk food and watch TV as soon as they walk through the door, who’s to say that he won’t do the same?  We would basically be supporting an unhealthy lifestyle. I want to live a long life, and I want my family to as well.

My time with Cayden during the week is very precious because I work full time, and I don’t want to waste one minute.  I’ve been working on what I can do to be fit and exercise while I am spending quality time with my babe.  Multitasking at its best.

Photo from Google Images

Here are some ideas that I’ve gathered.  All sources to these are listed if you want to go directly to that site.

1.       ZUMBA FITNESS: Something that I love to do, and what Cayden seems to enjoy watching me do, is Zumba.  I am awful at it (completely uncoordinated), but we both love the music, and he laughs at me as I attempt to mimic what I see on the TV.  Hey, a workout is a workout, right? Positive Side: I can burn about 600 calories in one session.  Negative Side: If baby boy is moody, then I cannot complete the dvd in one sitting. (http://www.zumbafitness.com)

2.       Walking Outside: Walking, in general, is awesome!! Especially if it’s done in an “Interval Style”.  When you walk or run in intervals, you burn so many calories, and your heart gets a good workout.  Also, your child thinks they are on a fun roller coaster when you start running.  Click on this link (http://www.fun-baby-games-online.com/walking-with-baby.html) to get some great walking routines.  Positive Side: Fresh air is amazing!! Negative Side: Weather watch! Can’t so much walk outside if it’s raining/snowing/hailing/etc.

 The next 6 ideas came from Fit Pregnancy

(http://www.fitpregnancy.com/workouts/postnatal-workouts/squeeze-quickie).

3.       Baby Dancing: Dancing provides a light cardiovascular workout that involves all the major muscle groups and improves balance and coordination. It’s also sure to elevate your mood, no matter how tired and stressed you might be. You can do this while holding your baby or with him in a front carrier that keeps him close to your body and supports his head (a carrier with straps that fit over your shoulders and around your waist is best). Just put on some music you love and dance, keeping your abs drawn in. For variety, try intervals of slow and moderately fast music to keep your heart rate elevated. (If your baby is in a carrier, be cautious when turning quickly and avoid bouncing.) Breathe deeply or sing out loud to monitor your exertion level; you should be able to speak without losing your breath. You also can place your baby in a bouncy seat or swing and dance around him. Make your movements large and animated (reach above your head and stretch your arms out to the sides, for example) and maintain eye contact with him.

4.       Baby Curls:  Lie face-up on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat. Place your baby in a seated or reclined position on or just above your pubic bone. Hold him securely under his arms with your fingers wrapped around his torso.  Contract your abs and lift your head, neck and shoulder blades off the floor in 2 counts; lower in 3 counts. Exhale through your mouth as you curl up, drawing your abs up and in. Do 15 to 20 reps. Rest and play, then do 1 more set.

5.       Reverse Baby Curls: Lie face-up on the floor and bring your knees toward your chest; place your baby on your shins. Keep ahold of your baby.  Contract your abs to gently tilt your hips up off the floor as you lift your head and shoulders at the same time. Lower and repeat (this will gently rock your baby forward and back). Do 15 to 20 reps. Rest and play, then do 1 more set.

6.       Baby Overhead Presses:  Sit cross-legged, holding your baby in front of your chest with your elbows bent.  Straighten your arms upward without locking your elbows. Pause, then lower your baby to the starting position. Do 10 reps, rest and play, then do 2 more sets.

7.       Baby Bench Presses: Lie face-up on the floor with your knees bent. Contract your abs and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold your baby securely and bring him close to your chest.  Pause, then lower your baby to the starting position. Do 10 reps, rest and play, then do 2 more sets.

8.       Pliés and walking lunges: Pliés and lunges tone the quadriceps, hamstrings, buttocks and calves.**Place your baby in a front carrier, making sure his head is well supported. Begin with 2 minutes of baby dancing to warm up, then alternate 1 minute of baby pliés with 1 minute of walking lunges. Alternate the combination 4 times for 4 minutes. To cool down, walk for 2 minutes, then take your baby out of the carrier and stretch for 2 minutes.  BABY PLIÉS: Stand with your feet farther than hip-width apart, turning feet out slightly. Keep your abs drawn in and bend your knees, lowering your hips and pressing your weight into the heels. Slowly straighten your legs and squeeze your but- tocks to return to standing.  WALKING LUNGES: Stand tall and look straight ahead. Take a large step forward with your right leg and bend both knees 90 degrees. Keep your front knee over your ankle as your back knee approaches the floor, heel lifted. Push off the back leg and step your feet together. Repeat with the opposite leg.