If you’re not happy with what you see in the mirror, then promise to get back to your fitter days and do your self-esteem a favor by taking on an exercise routine on this Mother’s Day. Bingo wings, belly fat and thunder thighs are no longer the stereotypes associated with mommies. Who said you can let yourself go? For the sake of your health and the ability to keep up with your child, resolve to live a healthier lifestyle by dedicating just 30 minutes of your day to exercise.
In fact, if inspiration is what you’re looking for, take cue from these celebrity moms who are in fighting fit shape, and have left all their weighty issues in the past.
Just take the first step and sign up for a Pilates or yoga class. To initiate you into the practices, here are some at-home moves from both disciplines, which will give you a full-body workout that will strengthen and tone your muscles.
The Arm-y
The dolphin plank pose or makara adho mukha svanasana helps strengthen your forearms, as you are required to place your entire body weight on them. On the other hand the staff pose and dandasana strengthens the biceps and arms and should be practiced only once you are comfortable with the other asanas (intermediate yoga).
If some Pilates moves are in order, work with our in-house expert Karon Karter, who perfectly demonstrates the Pilates push-up exercise that will contour your arms and make them stronger.
Get To The Core Of The Problem
Pawanamuktasana or the wind release pose helps strengthen the core muscles by releasing the pressure in the abdomen. This relaxing exercise is beneficial for women with abdominal pain, acid reflux and excess belly fat. You could alternately try the warrior pose, as it stretches out the muscles and opens up the hips and groin—great for new moms suffering from pain in the lower back.
In fact, you can also reduce the risk of injury and release the stress in your back by engaging your core muscles with these basic Pilates moves that target the abs to give them definition, lengthen your torso, and make your spine stronger. Later, get working on a slimmer body with the neck pull; just take your cues from Karon Karter.
Thigh-Land
Do the hero pose to stretch your feet, ankles, knees, thighs, hips and lower back muscles. Another yoga pose that strengthens the various leg muscles and stretches your hips and groin is the tree pose.
As for Pilates, do this standing leg workout to improve your balance and posture, while shaping and toning your pins to perfection. Karon Karter, the host of Pilates: From The Inside Out, also shows you how to engage your inner thigh muscles by applying the thigh-master technique to your Pilates practice.
Add to the mix, our recommended list of boob firming exercises (should you need them), and baby mama, you’ll be looking sexy as sexy as ever in no time!
PS: Here’s the low-down on Exercise Programs For Weight Loss.
Also, head here to catch the latest in Fitness Trends.
Read More:
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The New Mommy’s Yoga Guide To Better Sex
