Real talk: having kids can do a number on your body, no matter how great your genetics are.
I’ve always been naturally thin and live a fairly active lifestyle, so when I learned I was pregnant, I assumed my weight gain would fall in the average healthy recommended range, which is between 25 and 35 pounds for a “normal” BMI (Body Mass Index). Well, during my pregnancy, I gained 60 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. 6-0. I was off the charts in terms of what was considered “normal” weight gain.
Even knowing I was a bit ~ahead~ of the curve and with 60 pounds to lose, I had this lofty misconception that I would be back to my pre-pregnancy weight within days after giving birth. I even packed some of my old clothes to wear home from the hospital (LOL to the other moms reading this right now who understand how ludicrous that was). Nobody told me I’d walk out of the hospital still looking six months pregnant. I didn’t panic though; I thought that breastfeeding would be the magic solution for postpartum weight loss. I had friends tell me that nursing helped the weight fall off, and they were fitting back into their pre-baby wardrobe after only a couple of months.
That was not the case for me. Although nursing does help drop some of the weight due to the increase in calories burned per day, I needed more structure to help with the last 20 pounds. Now let me caveat this by saying that what women’s bodies go through to bring children into the world is nothing short of incredible, and I have so much respect and appreciation for my body, no matter the size I wear. I gave myself permission to take it at my own pace and remain so thankful that I was able to deliver and nurture a healthy, happy baby. That being said, I did crave the structure and endorphins of a great workout (not to mention the mental health benefits).
In January (five months postpartum), I decided to get serious about pooshing my fitness journey to the next level and headed to Poosh for some workout inspiration and to get rid of those lingering lbs.
I’m now three months into my Poosh-approved workout routine and have lost 16 pounds (and counting)! But more importantly, I feel strong and healthy and able to enjoy life with my very active 8-month-old son.
Below is a sample of what a week of my workout routine looks like. Disclaimer: I usually give myself a day off at some point during the week and/or scale back a workout. I hope all you mamas join me in feeling your best and giving yourself permission to invest time back into yourself.
The Workout: Kourt’s Full-Body Workout
Mom hack: if you don’t have dumbbells, use your baby.
The Workout: 5-Minute Cardio
The Moves:
Inchworm Squat Jumps
Close Squats to Wide Squat Jumps
Bear Crawls
Lateral Slides with Forward Hop
Jumping Jack and Tuck Jump
The Workout: 5 Sculpting Moves for Your Abs
The Moves:
Down Dog, Knee to Opposite Elbow
Pilates Crunch Extension
Leg Scissors
Modified Hundreds
Sideline Leg Raises
The Workout: Pilates Sequence for Rock-Hard Abs
The Routine:
1-2 sets (10-20 reps)
1. Hundreds
2. Clamshell with Kick
3. Bridging with Extension
4. Skater Lunge Series
5. Planks (with Tuck + Pike)
6. Wonder Woman
7. Scooter
8. Froggies + Circles
9. Teaser
10. Pilates Burpees
The Workout: Exercises for Stronger Abs
The 30-Second Moves:
Hip Drop Plank
Alternating Knee to Elbow Plank with Leg Raise
Side Plank with Upper Body Rotation
Hand to Forearm Plank
The 60-Second Moves:
V-Sits
Leg Raise
Scissor Kicks
Reverse Crunch
Plank-Toe Taps
*Perform each exercise for 60 seconds, and repeat the entire circuit two times.
The Workout: Jump Rope Routine
The Set:
4 sets of 5 minutes jumping rope
Between each set, alternate:
• 25 push-ups (you can do these on your knees if you need to)
• 25 dips
• 100 crunches
WEEKEND (I made these series up based on Poosh workouts)
Upper Body:
Push-Ups: 4 sets x 15-20
Dumbbell Seated Shoulder Press: 4 sets x 15
Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curl: 4 sets x 15
Bench Dip: 4 sets x 15
Dumbbell Overheard Tricep Extensions: 4 sets x 15
Dumbbell Front Raise: 4 sets x 15
Lower Body:
Dumbbell Walking Lunge: 4 sets x 20
Dumbbell Squat: 4 sets x 20
Dumbbell Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat: 4 sets x 20
Dumbbell Straight-Leg Deadlift: 4 sets x 20
Squat Jump: 4 sets x 30
Up next, shop the newest items from the Poosh Shop here.
