Postpartum Workout

Before getting pregnant, I tried to make it to the gym at least three days a week. I'd usually do some cardio, hit a few weight machines, and take a workout class. When I found out I was pregnant, I was nervous about continuing my workout routine but my doctor assured me it would be fine considering my body was used to it. I knew she knew what she was talking about but it still worried me so I decided to cut back at the gym. In order to try to stay fit, I started walking three miles a day, three times a week. I kept this up until I was about six months pregnant. When I hit the six month mark, I started swelling pretty bad and was told to stay off of my feet. Unfortunately, this meant cutting out my workouts. So needless to say over the last three months of my pregnancy, the weight gain quickly started to rise. With that being the case, as soon as Harper arrived, I was ready to get back in shape.

The only problem was that I didn't have time to go to the gym so I had to start looking for alternatives. At our home, we don't have any workout equipment. We never had the need since Kevin and I both have gym memberships. However, we do have the INSANITY dvd's. Kevin and I have completed the INSANITY workouts twice before and they really do work. The only problem is they're about an hour long and if you stop in the middle of them, it's not as effective. And of course, with a newborn, just as soon as I start the workout, Harper needs to be tended to. So I had to come up with another solution. 

After spending a whole afternoon on pinterest looking up workouts, I finally settled on a few that I could adapt and do at home. It's been two weeks since I started working out regularly and I've seen a big difference in my post-preggo body. So I'd like to share my workout with you new mama's. Maybe it'll help you too!

Leg Circuit

20 squats

30 lunges

40 calf raises

50 second wall sit

100 jumping jacks

50 second wall sit

40 sumo squats

30 alternating leg raises

20 squats

Butt Circuit

20 alternating sliders

20 hip lifts

20 lunge kicks per leg

20 donkey kicks per leg

20 hydrant kicks per leg

20 booty kicks per leg

20 kneeling leg lifts per leg

20 hamstring curls

Ab Circuit

30 second plank

30 crunches

30 sit ups

30 Russian twists

30 V-crunches

30 bicycle crunches

30 alternating leg raises

30 side bends per side

30 second plank

Arm Circuit

10 pushups

20 arm circles (small forward)

20 arm circles (small backward)

10 dips

20 arm circles (large forward)

20 arm circles (large backward)

10 pushups

Each circuit takes anywhere from 10-15 minutes. I usually focus on two areas a day and try to get each circuit in three days a week. Though I feel better if I can get each in for five days a week. But as many of you know, life with a newborn doesn't allow much extra time (: