Exercising with baby - 10 Different Ways

When you have a newborn baby, finding time to exercise can be, well, almost impossible sometimes... or maybe even all the time, depending on how busy baby keeps you. So why not try exercising with baby? Here are some different ways you can incorporate baby into your workouts, so you get that special bonding time as well as a workout: 1. Push-Ups. Have baby lie on the floor on their back. Get yourself in a push-up position with your hands on the floor on either side of baby's head. As you're doing push-ups, you can lower yourself, give baby a kiss, then raise and repeat. 2. Dancing. Make exercising with baby fun; turn on the music and dance around, either with baby in arms (which will give you more of a workout) or as baby watches. Baby will probably enjoy watching as mommy dances around. Add some singing in too for some real entertainment! 3. Housework. Put baby in a carrier while doing your housework. There may be some housework tasks that can't really be done with baby "attached" to you but try certain tasks and see what works for you. The added weight from baby will make doing housework more of a workout. 4. Mommy and Me. Try joining a mommy and me exercise class if there's one in your area. This is not only fun for exercising with baby, but also a great way to meet other moms (if you so desire). There are classes such as yoga, pilates, swimming and stroller fitness that many places offer for mommy and baby to do together. See what types of classes there are where you live and try one out! 5. Swimming. Whether it's taking baby to the beach or a public pool, or even a wading pool, you will get exercise by moving around. You can also have baby sit in one of those baby rings/tubes while you push him/her around as you're swimming. You can also use baby as a weight as you lift him/her up into the air and down again, and repeat that several times to get a good arm workout. Baby will have fun too! 6. Squats. You can do squat exercises with baby as an added weight, or without, whatever is more comfortable with you. If you have knee problems, you may want to do the squats without holding baby. An idea though, is to put baby in something like a bouncy chair on the floor either beside or in front of you, and every time you squat, give them a tickle. To keep them even more entertained, sing as you do your squats. 7. Wii. Okay, this isn't direct exercising with baby, but you can have baby in their baby swing or jumper watching you dance around. It may be pretty entertaining for them. The Wii has many different types of games to get you moving. Find a game that interests you and try it out. Some examples are Dance, Dance Revolution, Wii Fit, Just Dance (1, 2 and 3) and then there is a Biggest Loser one and all kinds of different sports games. 8. Home. Again, this one isn't really exercising with baby directly involved. Try a workout DVD as baby watches you. They are inexpensive and there are a large variety of workouts to choose from. Also, many workout DVDs offer quick workouts nowadays, such as 10, 20 and 30 minute workouts, which is great for a busy mom. So, plop in your workout DVD, put your little one in their baby swing (or somewhere they really like to be) with some favorite toys, and start exercising! 9. Outdoor Walks/Hikes. Get out and enjoy the fresh air with baby in their stroller. Walk around the neighborhood, park, zoo, hiking trails, etc. For a really good workout, try to find somewhere hilly to walk. Also, it is best to do a brisk walk as opposed to just a regular slower walk. If you have a jogging stroller, work your way up to jogging. If you have older kids, they can ride their bikes while you jog to keep up. 10. Pelvic Lifts. Pelvic lifts will target your belly. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Have baby sit on your abdomen (make sure you're holding them safely). Now, contract your stomach muscles and tilt your pelvis up slightly, hold and repeat. Be creative and make exercising with baby fun. Try to think of new ways where you can do things with your little one while you get exercise at the same time, and you'll shed those pregnancy pounds in no time! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristin_L. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7466721