One of the best ab workouts is related to the simple exercise: Sit Ups
Once again, you use the weight of your baby to increase the resistance on your way up, similar to when you hug a weight against your chest as you do sit ups.
Sit Ups:
1) Lay down on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the ground.
2) Place your baby against your chest so that they are lying flat against it. This is the Start Position.
3) Raise your upper body until your baby's back touches your knees.
4) Lower yourself back to the Start Position.
5) Repeat steps 3 & 4 for a total of 10 reps.
6) Rest for 60 seconds.
7) Complete 3 sets.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 9: Hiking
Two New Words: Baby Carrier
As your child grows, you realize that the Baby Bjorn is no longer the right size for your child. The child appears to be uncomfortable and for dads, you'll notice their feet can now reach an undesirable area.
At this point, it's time to move on to a baby carrier. I selected the Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier - Titan (Google Affiliate Ad). The benefit of this baby carrier is the storage space for milk, snacks, diaper kits, and some small toys, if needed. As the baby carrier fits like a backpack, it has extra waist pads to make it more comfortable. It also has a stand so you can set it down without having your child fall over.
As with all carriers, the biggest benefit is that your arms are not tired by having to carry 20+ pounds of weight all day. However, you still get the benefit of 'walking with weights'.
With this new carrier, a great exercise is to go out on a hike.
Whether it be on a trek in a nearby nature park or canyon, or down the road to a neighborhood park, your child will enjoy the view while being perched several feet off the ground. At the same time, you can discover some new trails in the area and point out some flowers and birds to educate your little one.
As your child grows, you realize that the Baby Bjorn is no longer the right size for your child. The child appears to be uncomfortable and for dads, you'll notice their feet can now reach an undesirable area.
At this point, it's time to move on to a baby carrier. I selected the Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier - Titan (Google Affiliate Ad). The benefit of this baby carrier is the storage space for milk, snacks, diaper kits, and some small toys, if needed. As the baby carrier fits like a backpack, it has extra waist pads to make it more comfortable. It also has a stand so you can set it down without having your child fall over.
As with all carriers, the biggest benefit is that your arms are not tired by having to carry 20+ pounds of weight all day. However, you still get the benefit of 'walking with weights'.
With this new carrier, a great exercise is to go out on a hike.
Whether it be on a trek in a nearby nature park or canyon, or down the road to a neighborhood park, your child will enjoy the view while being perched several feet off the ground. At the same time, you can discover some new trails in the area and point out some flowers and birds to educate your little one.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 8: Calf Raises
Do you have stairs in your home? If not, do you have a stool?
A quick exercise that you can do with your baby is Calf Raises on a stair or step stool. As you use not only your weight, but the weight of your baby (feel free to add layers of clothing to your baby for more weight), you can complete a quick set in no time!
Calf Raises:
1) Stand straight and face your stairs or step stool.
2) Set your legs shoulder width apart and lift your baby into your arms and against your chest. This is the Start Position.
3) Step onto the first stair and/or step on the step stool with the balls of both feet so that the rest of your foot has the ability to be raised up and down. .
4) Lower yourself as low as you can go while still maintaining your balance with just the balls of your feet still on the stair / step stool and hold for 3 seconds.
5) Raise yourself as high as you can go on your tippy toes and hold for 3 seconds.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 for a total of 10 reps.
7) Rest for 60 seconds.
8) Complete 3 sets.
A quick exercise that you can do with your baby is Calf Raises on a stair or step stool. As you use not only your weight, but the weight of your baby (feel free to add layers of clothing to your baby for more weight), you can complete a quick set in no time!
Calf Raises:
1) Stand straight and face your stairs or step stool.
2) Set your legs shoulder width apart and lift your baby into your arms and against your chest. This is the Start Position.
3) Step onto the first stair and/or step on the step stool with the balls of both feet so that the rest of your foot has the ability to be raised up and down. .
4) Lower yourself as low as you can go while still maintaining your balance with just the balls of your feet still on the stair / step stool and hold for 3 seconds.
5) Raise yourself as high as you can go on your tippy toes and hold for 3 seconds.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 for a total of 10 reps.
7) Rest for 60 seconds.
8) Complete 3 sets.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 7: Leg Raises
Here's an easy exercise routine that is fun your baby as well!
Seated Leg Raises:
1) Sit in a chair that allows you to bend your knees at a 90 degree angle (or slightly more).
2) Set your legs close together and have your baby stand up against them.
3) Place your hands on your baby's back or shoulders to secure them and have them grab hold of your legs. This is the Start Position.
4) Slowly lift both of your legs straight in front of you so that they are parallel to the floor.
5) Hold for 3 seconds and then slowly bring them down to your Start Position.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 for a total of 10 reps.
7) Rest for 60 seconds.
8) Complete 3 sets.
Seated Leg Raises:
1) Sit in a chair that allows you to bend your knees at a 90 degree angle (or slightly more).
2) Set your legs close together and have your baby stand up against them.
3) Place your hands on your baby's back or shoulders to secure them and have them grab hold of your legs. This is the Start Position.
4) Slowly lift both of your legs straight in front of you so that they are parallel to the floor.
5) Hold for 3 seconds and then slowly bring them down to your Start Position.
6) Repeat steps 4 & 5 for a total of 10 reps.
7) Rest for 60 seconds.
8) Complete 3 sets.
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