I am so excited to start this program, preggers and all!!! I will of course skip the ab workouts but otherwise this is going to be great. I have been doing my P90X and I am so sore!!!! I LOVE IT!! This included with my daily dose of Vegan Chocolate Shakeology is going to have me ready to tear it up! Luckily The Husband is on board and so working out is that much easier. It's important to be healthy as a family and to set the example for our kids. In my old fitness blog I spoke quite a bit about kids and fitness. Even my four year old will do P90X until she is too tired (granted her moves aren't
exactly the same)!
Beachbody even makes a workout for kids. I have actually done this workout at least a dozen times. It's great for kids. The kids in this video are in junior high and high school, but I know children as young as 7 that have completed this workout with no problem. It doesn't hurt to have your kids try! :)
For the even younger kiddos KidsHealth recommmends:
Fitness for Preschoolers
The National Association of Sports and Physical Education recommends that every day preschoolers should:
- get at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led activity) - My daughter is starting Karate
- get at least 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (free play)
- not be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time (unless sleeping)
It's important to understand what preschoolers can handle. They should participate in fun and challenging activities that help build skills and coordination but aren't beyond their abilities.
Kids this age are learning to hop, skip, and jump forward, and are eager to show off how they can balance on one foot (for 5 seconds or longer), catch a ball, or do a somersault. Preschoolers might also enjoy swimming, hiking, dancing, and riding a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels.
Many parents look to organized sports to get preschoolers active. But the average 4- or 5-year-old has not mastered even the basics, such as throwing, catching, and taking turns. Even simple rules may be hard for them to understand, as any parent who has watched their child run the wrong way during a game knows.
And starting too young can be frustrating for kids and may discourage future participation in sports. So if you decide to sign your preschooler up for soccer or another team sport, be sure to choose a peewee league that emphasizes the fundamentals.
Eating Healthy
As far as food goes we all know that our kids can be SUPER picky. Try and make their food fun! For example let them craft some snacks of short celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins; let them make their peanut butter and jelly sandwich and use a cookie cutter to create a fun shape; and don't let leftovers be boring...try and use those leftovers as a pizza or a taco? Other good ideas are - Scheduled snacks served at the same times every day give kids a sense of control and also establish that snacks are available only at certain times. Offer two or three nutritious options and let kids choose. Try:
- low-sugar, whole-grain breakfast cereals
- cut-up fruit (if pieces are small and soft enough to avoid choking)
- graham crackers
- cheese slices cut into fun shapes
- applesauce
- yogurt
Exercise for Pregnant Mommies and Post-Birth Exercise for Breastfeeding Moms
My recommendation could be all over the place here. HA HA. My first piece of advice is to know when to stop. DO not overdo it. You will only hurt yourself. I love at-home workout programs such as ChaLEAN Extreme (which you can purchase through my Beachbody website-see tab at top of blog). If you do not already have a home workout program and cannot purchase one at this time I say get a 5lb set of weights and complete the
following exercises (no ab work preggo mommies!):
Chest Dumbbell Exercises
Flat Chest Presses
1. Lying flat on bench, hold the dumbbells directly above chest, arms extended.
2. Lower dumbbells to chest in a controlled manner.
3. Press dumbbells back to starting position and repeat.
4. Avoid locking elbows.
Incline Chest Presses
1. Adjust bench to an incline of 30 to 45 degrees.
2. Repeat as above.
Flat Chest Flies
1. Lying flat on bench, hold dumbbells directly above chest.
2. Bend elbows slightly and maintain throughout the exercise.
3. Open arms to sides. Elbows should remain 'locked' in a slightly flexed position.
4. When upper arms are parallel to floor, return the weights to the starting position and repeat.
Incline Chest Flies
1. Adjust bench to an incline of 30 to 45 degrees.
2. Repeat as above.
Shoulder Dumbbell Exercises
Seated Shoulder Presses
1. Sit upright on bench with dumbbells over head. Make sure back is flat.
not 2. Lower dumbbells slowly to shoulders.
3. When arms are at 90 degrees, press the dumbbells back up and repeat.
Lateral Raises
1. Stand upright, knees slightly bent, shoulder width apart, holding dumbbells at sides.
2. Bend elbows slightly and raise the dumbbells out to sides. Keep elbows slightly bent throughout.
3. When arms are parallel to floor, slowly lower back and repeat.
Reverse Flies
1. Sit on edge of bench, feet flat on the floor. Bend over so chest is almost resting on thighs.
2. Hold dumbbells next to feet and bend arms slightly. Open arms out keeping elbows bent.
3. When arms are parallel to floor, slowly lower dumbbells back.
Front Raises
1. Stand upright, knees slightly bent, shoulder width apart. Palms should be towards thighs.
2. Raise one dumbbell directly in front of you.
3. When arm is parallel to ground lower dumbbell slowly back. Repeat with the other arm.
Back Dumbbell Exercises
Dead Lifts
1. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
2. Bend lower back and knees to lower the weights down your legs. Back must remain flat, lower back should be arched inwards slightly. Keep head up throughout exercise.
3. Stand upright using lower back and legs, maintaining flat back and keeping your head up.
Single Arm Row
1. Stand upright next to bench. Place one knee and hand on bench. Upper body should be parallel to floor.
2. Hold one dumbbell with arm extended.
3. Raise dumbbell up to your midsection keeping back still throughout movement.
4. Slowly lower dumbbell to start position and repeat. After desired number of reps repeat for other arm.
Lying Bent Over Rows
1. Lie face down on a flat or slightly inclined bench. Hold two dumbbells and let arms hang down. 2. Pull dumbbells up towards chest.
3. Slowly lower dumbbells back down and repeat.
Trapezius Dumbbell Exercises
Upright Rows
1. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
2. Keeping dumbbells close to body, raise them to chin.
3. Hold for a count of 2 and slowly lower to start position and repeat.
Shrugs
1. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
2. Keeping arms straight 'shrug' shoulders as high as possible and hold for a count of 3.
3. Relax and repeat.
4. Do not roll shoulders backwards as you shrug up.
Biceps Dumbbell Exercises
Decline Seated Bicep Curls
1. Adjust bench to a 45 degree incline.
2. Hold dumbbells at sides. Arms should be fully extended.
3. Keep elbows close to body and curl weight up by bending elblows.
4. Slowly lower dumbbells and repeat.
Hammer curls
1. Stand upright with dumbells at sides.
2. Turn palms inward so they face body.
3. Curl dumbbells up slowly keeping your elbows close to sides.
Preacher Curls
1. Set bench so back rest is approx 45 degrees.
2. Stand behind the bench. Holding dumbbell rest back of upper arm on back rest, arm fully extended.
3. Keep back of upper arm against back rest and curl dumbbell up towards face.
4. Slowly lower dumbbell until arm is not quite fully extended and repeat for desired number of reps before switching arms.
Concentration Curls
1. Sit on edge of bench with feet flat on the floor.
2. Holding dumbbell place elbow on inside of thigh, just above knee.
3. Curl dumbbell up towards your face. Do not swing back as you lift the weight.
4. Slowly lower the weight and repeat for desired number of reps before switching arms.
Triceps Dumbbell Exercises
Overhead Triceps Extensions
1. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart.
2. Hold dumbbell directly above head with arm fully extended. Clasp elbow with free hand for support.
3. Slowly let elbow fold so dumbbell is lowered behind head. 4. Extend arm back to starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps and switch arms.
French Presses
1. Lie flat on bench. Hold dumbbells directly above chest with palms facing each other. Dumbbells should be just about touching each other.
2. Keeping your shoulders locked, let your elbows fold so dumbbells are lowered down to either side of head.
3. Extend both your arms back to start position and repeat.
Triceps Kickbacks
1. Stand upright next to bench. Place one arm and leg on bench. Upper body should be parallel to ground.
2. Holding dumbbell raise elbow so upper arm is parallel to ground. Elbow should be bent at right angles.
3. Extend elbow so entire arm is parallel to ground.
4. Slowly return to start position and repeat for desired number of reps before changing arms.
Leg Dumbbell Exercises
Half Squats
1. Holding dumbbells at sides, stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Bend from knees until thighs are almost parallel to the ground (avoid letting knees turn inwards).
3. Keep back flat, lower back slightly arched inwards and head up.
4. Return to upright position and repeat.
Dumbbell Lunges
1. Holding dumbbells at sides, stand upright with feet slightly less than shoulder width apart.
2. Step forward about 2 feet with one foot and bend knee to about 90 degrees. As you plant your foot bend trailing knee so it nearly touches floor.
3. Push off with front foot to return to starting position.
4. Repeat for the desired number of reps and change legs.
Calf Dumbbell Exercises
Single Leg Calf Presses
1. Set the back rest to upright position. Holding dumbbell in one hand at side, place other hand on top of bench for support.
2. Stand on one foot on edge of bench frame.
3. Stand up on tip toe using free hand to balance yourself. Do not to push yourself up with your hand.
4. Slowly lower yourself to the ground and repeat for desired number of reps before changing legs.
Seated Calf Raises
1. Sit on the edge of the bench, feet flat on the floor about 12 inches apart.
2. Rest dumbells on thighs while keeping hold of them.
3. While staying seated raise heels by just using toes.
4. Lower your heels to the ground and repeat.
Here is another excellent link for those who just want to grab a pair of weights and get to it!!
Workout at Home
For breastfeeding mommies.......DON'T FORGET TO EAT!!!!!!
