Exercising With Your Babies

I'm going to share with you a few ideas for getting a workout in when you have babies that don't take naps that allow you to be serious about exercising.

Immediately after the birth of Eowyn I worked at repairing my diastasis recti. I had done my research ahead of time and landed on this article that gives some great ways to begin. I followed her advice and any time I thought of it during the days after delivery I'd do the exercises.
As time went on and my diastasis recti healed I started to add more core strengthening sets as well as lunges, squats, and a few others hoping to lose weight and gain strength.

To be honest once I hit my goal weight I have become pretty lazy about it, I know that just because I'm as small as I intend to be doesn't mean I shouldn't still be working at getting in shape but it has given me less drive to make time for it, unfortunately.

Plus, Eowyn has gotten really heavy and my muscle building didn't keep up with her weight gaining ;P

Here are a few pictures of my exercising and a brief explanation of the process.

Lunges:

 We usually start(ed) with lunges. I would hold Eowyn on one hip and lunge forward on the opposite foot then switch her to the other hip before lunging the next side. My form is NOT very good in these examples but you get the idea.

And of course Jerusha would need a turn. I usually aimed for twenty lunges per side and did them in two sets. So counting to twenty twice.

Squats:

 Holding your baby with arms fully extended (or as close to that as you can get) you do a squat.

We could usually handle about four sets of five. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. 

Calf Raises:

 Again, DO NOT copy my form.. I would just hold either child and do your basic calf raise. It was a fun and gentle break from the more intense exercises.

And up.. I would try and get thirty in before the babies got bored and wanted to move on to their most favorite of all..

Bridge/Pelvic Tilts:

 Both girls would sit on my tummy and I would do a bridge five times and on the fifth hold it for ten seconds. I did four sets like that, typically.

The key to working the most muscles is to pull your heels as close to your butt as you can and keep your tummy tense as you arch up.

This was by far the exercise the girls enjoyed the most and nearly always morphed into an air plane ride for Jerusha which can also be a great leg work out!

Elevator Lifts(?):

This is pretty self explanatory. Keeping my head and arms on the floor I would lift my hips pulling Jerusha towards me and lower my hips as I extended her out.

We would do this until she got wiggly and bored. Probably only fifteen or so.

And there you have it. My attempts at balancing working out with mommy-ing. Hopefully posting this will inspire me to get back at it!