New mom needs tips/advice

K

kiniwini

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Hi, everyone. I recently gave birth to my daughter in March. Since then, my stomach hasn't been the same. It is now jello status. Although I have lost some weight, thanks to breastfeeding, I'd still like to lose a couple of more pounds. Right now, I am probably about 125. I don't want to go under 120. Pre-, during, and post pregnancy, I was never much of an exerciser. So, that shows that I need to also tone up.

I eat 3 times a day. My biggest mistake in this is that I tend to skip breakfast (I sleep past it because I go by my newborn's natural sleep schedule -when she sleeps, I sleep) and I eat late at night (sometimes snacks, sometimes burgers). But anyway, I've always eaten this way. Meals I would eat would be foods like turkey sub, tuna melt, burgers, any Mediterranean foods, tacos, etc. I think these days, what I can even register as exercise is taking a walk around, like, Target, and then I am back at home caring for the baby and mostly, in bed.

Lately, I have been doing random squats. Since I'm a big money saver, I use whatever I can at home as weights. I have found holding my baby while doing it adds the weight in.
My past experience with working out would be minimal. The number of times I have ever set foot at any gym is minimal. And the doing at-home workouts? Attempted, but never followed through.

So here are my stats:

- Female - 26 years old - 5'5" tall - 125 lb. - body fat - unknown

Help!
 
I do have a time set goal. I hope to lose a little weight and to tone up. If I can describe my physique, I'd say I'm one of those "skinny fat" girls.

Background wise, I've always been skinny, but not really toned. It never bothered me - up until now after having my baby this past March. This is the point where I feel pretty self conscious.

If I can choose the body I'd describe how I want my body to look, it'd be a body like......say, Nicole Scherzinger.

I hope someone can help me here. Because to be honest, I don't know anything about working out as far as what to do, how many times, etc....

(sorry if I wrote too much)
 
Sorry, I forgot to add:

Pre-pregnancy weight was 108. I gained 20 pounds. And now, I am around 125, give or take. I don't know if this info may help. Just thought I'd throw it in.
 
What is time availability and what kind of things are you willing to try? 'Mommy and Me' classes are seeing an increase in popularity, since you can get a workout in with your baby being supervised within your sight. Having an instructor would help a lot, since you're fairly new to formal exercise. Otherwise, if you have someone else able to watch your child at home, any other type of fitness class will be effective.

Other than that, take your child for walks outside, do some gardening, or anything else. Honestly, it doesn't have to be high intensity just to start off.
 
I have some time 3-4 days out of the week, and within those days, I probably can do 1-2 hrs worth of some exercise. This is usually when baby is asleep.

As for classes, I don't have the funds to pay regularly :(. So everything must be done at the comfort of my home.

What kind(s) of cardio can I do at home?
I have a shake weight; using this alone, will it be good to tone the arms?
If I do only squats and lunges, will these 2 help tone my thighs?
The hardest, I think, would be toning my abs. It's not biiiig belly jiggly tummy! I'm a skinny girl, so there's a small pooch - jelly belly. I just hate the jiggle. People tell me, "ooooh, just do sit ups". I just don't think it can do anything - at least not alone.

I need help. I guess I want to tone my tummy and legs. Every thing else is fine. I think if I work these out, I can achieve it soon because I'm not a big girl. Even while I was pregnant, I didn't look like I was chest up and from behind! I hope someone can help with what to do and how many times to do it per session.

Sorry I wrote so much! But mama needs help!
 
Squats and lunges are fine for the thighs. You can also add in step ups and downs.
Getting rid of your belly fat will have to be done in the kitchen. Don't listen to people telling you do to situps. People doing situps tend to use their hip flexors anyway. Work on your food.

Also, lift heavy. Don't do those light weights for 15+ reps. Doesn't work.
 
If you are one who needs external motivation try the library for some workout videos like kick boxing-even yoga. If you are good at self motivation create a routine that has multiple exercises in it like walking lunges, squats, burpies, push ups, planks etc. Find 4-5 exercises at 10+reps each that together can give you a full body workout-put on your favorite music during nap time and do your circuit in order as many times as you can before the song is over. If you are new to exercise just using your body weight for resistance is a good place to start (push ups, planks, dips on a chair etc). I echo the belly jiggle conquered in the kitchen comment. Your diet will be 80% of your success.
 
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