TDF Magazine Volume 1 April 2014 | Page 12

New Moms Can Get Fit! By Stephanie Powell I was not a fit person before getting pregnant, and I was certainly not a fit pregnant woman. I can proudly say that I became a fit mom a few months after my daughter was born. I had so many reasons to live a healthier lifestyle after welcoming my little peanut into the world. I created new habits by slowly implementing the following changes into my life. Home workouts became my best friend! I recommend that you buy yourself a few sets of dumbbells, a resistance band, and an exercise ball. With this equipment, you can replicate a gym workout in your own home! Play your favorite music and remember to have fun; You can even use your baby as weights during the workouts. Don’t have the energy for a typical hour long workout? Can you can find 20 minutes to workout, whether it is before your kids wake up, during a nap, or after the kids go to bed? A 20 minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is better for your health than hours spent on the treadmill! HIIT alternates short intense bursts of exercise with either active recovery or complete rest. Try the sample workout provided on this page! 1 Jumping jacks 2 High Knees 3 Burpees 4 Jump squats 5 Punches Complete each exercise for 1 minute with a 30 second rest in between. Living a fit and healthy life is something you should enjoy, not dread. Try not to spend your days worrying about losing the baby weight. Fuel your body with proper foods, live a balanced life, and your body will thank you.