11.17.2012

BOSU BALLS



Well here we go! SHAPE IT UP SATURDAY is on its way! This is one of the things that during the next few months (and the rest of my life) I really want to focus on. As you know I just had a baby and like moms know and probably the men in their lives know too, it takes quite the toll on the body. Before I got pregnant I was probably in the best shape of my life so looking in the mirror these days has been hard, but the little one is totally worth it. I just need to get back on the band wagon. Not that I really got off all the way. I exercised clear through my pregnancy, in fact the exercise shown above I did the day before the little one was born. Yes, I got a lot of funny looks in the gym, (a nine months pregnant woman squatting and balancing on a rubber ball...yep that was me. the looks were almost as good as the ones i got when i would get off my road bike at work...that i wouldn't recommend.) but it helped maintain some muscle tone, so hopefully it won't take quite as long to get it back. I gained a total of about 40 lbs during my pregnancy, more than i wanted to. Even though i excercised a little bit, mostly light weight training and walking i still managed to pack on more pounds than anticipated. It was hard for me to control my diet as well, so I definitely slacked off in that department, so here we go about three weeks after delivery I am ready to get started. (mostly with diet right now and walking with a gradual increase in weights and more intense cardio.)

I have lost about 20 pounds so far, thanks to the baby and extra fluid, so i think it is safe to say I have a weight loss goal of 15 more. This will be a slower process than normal because i don't want to jeopardize my milk supply and it isn't as feasible to hop on my road bike for 3-4 hours, so this will be a new adventure for me too. I will keep you posted on progress and what i find helpful and fun new exercises that are quick and effective.

This is the first one I have come to really love. I first heard about Bosu Balls from my sister in law a couple of years ago.  She and my brother were using them to help train the cross country team they coach. I didn't think much of it, but the last few months I have really come to love them. Like i said before I was doing some light weights and further into my pregnancy squatting with weights became too difficult, so I resorted to no added weight but doing them on the ball. (like above) The excercise is simple, and you can add dumb bells if you wish, but place legs shoulder width apart in the center of the ball and squat down. Keep your back straight and focus on tightening your core as well as having the least amount of wobble as possible as you squat down and then back up. Positioning your hands and arms like the woman above is really helpful as well.

It really is a great part to a workout. I would usually do 3 sets of 20. They really will help to increase muscle strength in your upper legs and bum.

Have fun this week eating good and exercising. I have tomato soup cooking on the stove that I am going to go and eat (if it is good i may post it for what to eat Wednesday). Let me know what type of exercises you are doing this winter and how you are maintaining or losing weight this holiday season...or if you are taking a hiatus :) Have fun! Enjoy your weekend.

4 comments:

  1. I love the Bosu ball--I do all manner of excercises on it at the gym .One legged squats with one foot resting on the Bosu is a good one!

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    1. that sounds like a great idea! I'll have to try that one when i get back into the gym! what other ones do you like to do?

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  2. i am going to look into this!! i like your exercise posts- especially because they are really relevant to me...i am in due in two weeks and will need some good post baby workouts! :) I think for most of my workouts, i will do snowshoeing and hiking, as they are the most convenient where i live. Also, i think i may try getting a swimming schedule going...

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    1. Oh mary i am so excited for you, you are going to love being a mom! I am so excited to meet your little one and for he and my little one to be friends. Snowshoeing and hiking sound like great ideas. I'm still hoping this winter will bring some snow so i could do that too. Last winter was really dry. What kind of swimming workouts do you do?

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