3 Exercises to tone your Lower Body
By Michelle Biton
Although
you can't control WHERE you put your weight on, there are some exercises
you can do to take charge of your problem areas.
For
example, if you're a Pear body type, you will most likely find yourself
gaining weight in your butt, hip and thigh area (urgh!).
My first
piece of advice is - don't worry too much about these body parts right
now, everything WILL go back to normal after pregnancy. In fact, in my
personal trainer days I was told that post-pregnancy is the only time
during the course of your adult life where it is EASY to lose weight
around your hips (hooray!).
Although
I didn't find any scientific research to prove this theory, imagine the
positive energy from just believing it? I know it worked for me! I was
NOT concerned about my butt (cellulite and all!) during my pregnancy and
I swear it HAS gone smaller.
But if
believing is not enough for you, here ARE some exercises that you can do
now to tone up your problem areas.
3 GREAT Hip, Butt and Thigh Exercises:
(Note:
please always make sure to get the OK from your Doctor/Midwife before
doing any type of exercise)
1.
Bum Raises - lie with your upper back and neck on your
body ball. Slowly drop your bum down towards the ground, and then lift
up, squeezing your glutes (bum muscles), until you're parallel with the
floor. Repeat up and down 12-15 times.
2.
Inner Thigh Squeezes - sitting tall on the edge of a
chair or on the floor, place your body ball between your legs, hand(s)
holding the ball, and squeeze your knees together slowly. Hold and
release ONLY part way. Repeat 12-15 times.
3.
Lunges - standing, step one leg forward (big step),
hold on to a wall or railing and then dip down to the floor and back up
again, squeezing your bum and pushing through your heel. Do NOT let your
front knee go past your toes. Repeat 12-15 times each leg.
For
those of you who are rolling your eyes saying - "But I don't
have a body ball!" - my answer is "Get One!".
It will be one of your BEST investments both NOW and AFTER you deliver
your beautiful baby (it can also help you out tremendously DURING labor!).
If
you're not sure where to get a body ball (or WHICH ball to get), here's
one that I like - the
Maxafe Ball (Blue) (size will depend on your height). You can buy it
online by clicking on the link below:
Maxafe Ball (Blue)
For
those of you who do not want to order online, try your local fitness
store or see if your gym has one (most do these days!).
For LOTS
more TIPS on how to tone your problem
areas (butt, hips, thighs, arms and more!), as well as which
specific exercises you need to do NOW to prepare
yourself for an easy labor and a quick
post-partum recovery, read my kit at...
www.pregnancywithoutpounds.com/thegoods.htm
Written by Michelle Biton who has 15 years of
experience as a Health and Nutrition Coach, a Masters Degree in Holistic
Nutrition, a Personal Training Certificate and a Psychology Degree.
For LOTS MORE tips and secrets on safe
exercise, healthy eating and surefire beauty secrets during your
pregnancy, click on the link below to download Michelle's kit:
Pregnancy
without pounds
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