Simple Exercise Tips
Before I became a mom (actually, before I became a mom-to-be), I was pretty dedicated to getting some exercise. I used to take long walks, and even took regular aerobics classes for several years. When I was pregnant, I basically became a couch potato, and it was hard to get back to some good habits.
For several years, I made only half-hearted attempts at exercising. I suffered from back pain for a couple of years after my pregnancy as well. Once I decided to make an effort to lose the 'baby fat', and when I got major relief from my back pain by doing the exercises I learned at physical therapy, I got back into a regular exercise routine. I still don't have time to join a gym, or take aerobics classes, so my routine is simple and quick, but I believe it helps me stay healthy, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid back pain. Here is my routine:
First, I use my husband's bow-flex machine to do three sets of ten upper arm exercises.
Next, I do floor stretches for my back, including pelvic tilts, and side stretches.
Third, I use five-pound hand weights to do a combination arm exercise and back stretch that I learned at physical therapy.
Then, I do three different types of abdominal exercises: Crunches, side crunches, and reverse crunches.
I finish with some leg exercises.
After each set of exercises I stretch out whichever muscles I was focusing on.
The entire routine takes about 15-20 minutes. I do this nearly every morning, as part of my morning routine. Now that it is a habit, I hardly notice that I am doing it, but I sure do notice if I skip it, and my back reminds me the next day! As an added bonus, I try to take a walk with my son around our neighborhood occasionally, as this gives me some aerobic work.