Postpartum Fitness Blog

Get a Stronger Core Without Crunches. Try These 3 Awesome Exercises.

Did you know that crunches actually aren’t the best exercise to get a stronger core?

And they’re definitely not something I recommend for most moms – especially new moms.

So what exercises should you do to get a stronger core?

There are actually so many great options out there beyond the traditional core exercises.

Like these 3 moves. These are great for moms because they’ll help you develop more strength in your core and they also mimic movements that you’re already doing on a daily basis. That means you’ll have more strength to keep up with the demands of motherhood.

All you need is a dumbbell, heavy ball, or even a small backpack with something in it (like a couple soup cans or a bag of rice).

Go light if you’re newer postpartum and still working on rebuilding your core strength.

If your body is ready for more of a challenge, grab a weight that feels heavy but doable.

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2 Must-Do’s if You Have Diastasis, Prolapse, or Other Core & Pelvic Floor Issues

If you have diastasis, prolapse or other core or pelvic floor issues you might be worried to do anything – especially exercise – because you don’t want to make it worse.

You don’t want to lift that weight because “What if?”

You don’t want to do that thing that you used to love doing because you’re not sure if your body can handle it.

You don’t want to sign up for that rock climbing class, say yes to the salsa dancing, run after your kiddo…

You don’t want to even try because you’re just so darn worried that something will go horribly wrong.

But here’s the truth.

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Want More Energy? Do This to Get More Energy-Boosting Workouts In

Words matter.

You know this. You know that there’s a big difference between saying to your toddler…

“You can’t do anything right.”

And…

“Whoops! That’s not right. Let’s try again.”

That’s why it’s important to remember this when you’re talking about yourself too.

The words you use can truly have a huge impact on whether you reach your fitness goals or find yourself – yet again – wondering why you can’t just do the things you say you want to do.

If it feels like you’re constantly saying “I don’t know why I can’t just exercise more!” then it’s time to make some changes.

And the most simple place to start is to change how you talk.

Here’s what I mean.

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Quick Core & Booty Workout For Moms

You know by now that regaining your core strength post-baby is essential.

You want a strong core. You want to have abs that can handle all the lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing… you do as a mom. (And maybe you’d love to have a more lean looking torso #youdoyou).

But did you know that putting core and booty exercises together in one circuit is a smart-cookie strategy because your glutes are actually a key part of your core?

Yes. Your booty, abs and pelvic floor (and a few other key players like your diaphragm and back muscles) work in sync with one another to keep everything feeling strong and capable of doing all those mom things we do all day, everyday.

We pick up our kiddos (and all their things) approximately 5,256 times a day. Not to mention all the running up and down stairs, squatting to wipe bums, lunging to catch the soother before it falls on the dirty grocery store bathroom floor.

We need a strong body to be able to handle motherhood.

So treat yourself to a quick (but powerful) core and booty workout.

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“Hey Busy Moms, When Do You Workout?”

You’re busy.

You’ve got to make breakfast, clean up breakfast, get showered, dressed, hair and makeup done (ish), get the toddler dressed (after spending 12 minutes convincing her that wearing shorts when it’s below zero is probably not the best choice), change the baby for the third time because he pooped (again), get snacks and lunches organized, put shoes and coats on (plus spend 8 minutes looking for that purple hat because she won’t wear the green or blue one), carry the toddler to the bathroom because she forgot to go pee before putting her shoes on, get everyone out to the car, kiddos in the carseats, come back in to grab the coffee you forgot on top of the dishwasher, lock the door (while you precariously balance your coffee, your bag and 2 lunch kits in one hand), put your seatbelt on, and try to take a deep breath before heading off.

And that’s just the first hour of the day.

You’re already exhausted. You’re already behind. You’re already feeling the “Ain’t nobody got time for that” frustration of #MomLife 😳

So how – for the love of all things motherhood – are you supposed to find time to workout?

How?!

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Do This to Get (At Least) 52 Workouts In This Year

Have you ever found yourself saying “I only got one workout in this week, what was the point?!”

Or, “I only have 10 minutes to get a workout in, I probably shouldn’t even start. It’s not worth it.”

Or, “I have to workout for at least an hour or it doesn’t really count.”

If you’ve found yourself uttering this (or something like it) at some point, you’re not alone.

All or nothing thinking – and the perfectionist mentality that goes along with it – is rampant in the motherhood community. And postpartum fitness is no exception.

It’s easy to put pressure on yourself to be perfect and “do good/be good” at all times.

You gotta workout this many times, in this way or it doesn’t “count”. It’s not “worth it”.

And I know you know that this mentality isn’t giving you that feel good “I’m doing amazing!” feeling. You know it’s wrecking havoc on your joy and confidence.

But do you know exactly how it’s hurting you? And – more importantly – do you know how to stop it?

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