Battle the post-baby bulge

Hello fitness fans! Thanks for stopping by the blog. This week we continue our workouts with our coworkers. Lynn Melling asked for a routine to blast her our of her post-pregnancy plateau and we all got our butts kicked because of it!

From a lack of time and sleep to too many hormones and diapers - new moms have a lot to juggle. Oftentimes - exercising is not on the "to do" list.... but it should be. I think that’s what’s so hard with a new baby,” says Lynn, “you feel like you can’t leave him or her, and where do you find the time?!?” This workout shows you how to get started, and how to whip that post-baby body - or any body - into shape.

"For new moms, they’re dealing with a lack of sleep and concentration,” says personal trainer Angie Gallagher, “so you don't want to do exercises that require a lot of complicated choreography." And Angie should know … she’s the proud mom of two little ones. "Also, there are hormone issues that relax the joints so be careful about high impact moves and over-stretching." If you’re a new mom, you want to make sure your doctor has cleared you to exercise. Once it’s ok, you can even use your baby in your at-home routine. Lynn is able to entertain her son Jack while doing modified push ups and kneeling bird dog moves. In minutes, he’s smiling and laughing and mom is getting some crucial ab and back work accomplished.

"Those last ten pounds are the hardest, and those last few inches!" That's where Lynn finds herself stuck, one year after having Jack and Angie has created what she calls the “Post Baby Plateau Buster!” It’s eight cycles of resistance training and cardio and it moves fast. "The nice thing about this workout is a lot of different muscle groups at the same time,” Angie explains, “it’s all compound moves." What that means for us, is our heart rates staying high during the entire workout. Lynn is training for a marathon, putting in many miles every day and she’s surprised that this hour is pushing her to her limits. We are doing everything from burpees and tricep dips to lunges and speed skating, and all three of us have to take breaks at different points in time. This routine is not for beginners and Angie keeps reminding us that it’s the struggle that gets results. “It will get easier eventually, just because your body is so efficient to adapting.” And that’s when she’ll change things up all over again. Angie may look sweet, but she will push you hard. If you need a jumpstart, contact her at 710-6987 or fitnesswithangie@gmail.com

Also - there are two great new programs starting at Gigi's Pilates & Personal Training. The first is C.U.R.L. ... "Change UR Life." It's for kids in third through eighth grades who are struggling with weight. It starts Monday, September 13th. "KRUSH" is a program for adults with fifty or more pounds to lose. It starts the 20th, but auditions are happening this Sunday, the 12th and Monday the 13th. If you're interested in either program check out www.gigispilatesstudio.com or call 279-0242.

Have a healthy week!
EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com