Post-Pregnancy Exercise: How I got back in shape

One of Jess' friends recently wrote a post on their Moms forum boards to ask about what everyone was doing for exercise, hoping to get back into post-pregnancy shape - or better!
We thought you'd enjoy learning what Jess has been doing. Here is her response:

Personally I follow a very strict exercise regimen:

Everyday at 7:30 I pick up my weight kit (started at just under 8lbs, now I am up to about 15 and will continue to increase) and do a few lifts high into the air. Then I do an extended squad next to the diaper changing table (which is very low to the ground) after which I do some simple dancing to help wake things up and get in the right mood.
Around 9:30 I lay on my back and put my weight kit on my shins and move my knees up to my chin and back away, repeating this for as many reps as I can. Then I transfer the weight kit to the bottoms of my feet, and lift it straight into the air, again for as many reps as I can do without running out of breath. This gets easier with time, but remember you are also increasing the weight fairly rapidly. I do another extended squat next to the diaper changing table.
Around noon, another extended squat followed by some rapid-yoga. You may be new to rapid-yoga, it is very easy. I use my moving weight kit, it moves and I try to sit in one place while still reaching it. Sometimes I move with it as well, using my arms and legs to keep it near me. The moving weight kit also gets faster and faster with time so this is helpful for increasing your endurance.
I also do more extended squats throughout the day, generally every two hours, sometimes more often. I do forget at times, but my weight kit lets out a smell so that helps me remember. (This is included in all weight kits, its a very good deal.)
In the afternoon I do chores while carrying my weight kit. It is usually set to active mode so that it requires a bit of work to carry, which helps to burn more calories and build muscle tone. I also do up-downs, this is where you lay the weight kit down until it makes a sound, then pick it up until it stops, then repeat. It can not be set, it varies by day but is usually very fast paced so you get in a ton of reps. This is also helpful for building strength and endurance.
Later I take the weight kit in the water, sometimes I take it to the pool, other times just the shower or bath. Water aerobics are very good for you and the weight kit is easy to use by yourself. It is usually set to active so I get quite a workout. I then eat a small meal while holding the weight kit or doing more up-downs, depending on the day. It doesn't seem like eating while holding the weight kit would be beneficial but let me tell you - wow! Doing this has increased my reflexes by incredible amounts. I am also more flexible.
Before bed I do a cooldown exercise that involves long repetitive swinging movements with the weight kit. Sometimes I do gentle squats with this as well. After this I am very ready for bed.

I hope this helps you ladies. It has certainly kept me busy and healthy and I am pleased with how much improvement I have seen already. Good luck!

P.S. If you need a weight kit, let me know. I have one you can borrow for a short period of time.

Volunteering Starts Early

Lily has been going with us on our weekly visits to the Tampa Bay Humane Society. She loves watching the cats when we photograph them, and they're always interested in her too! It was funny to see her get so excited when we brought in an orange cat - she is really interested with Engine these days. He's enjoying her attention too, and even lets her pet him.

Lily is 5 months old now, and learning new things faster than we can catch. We're enjoying her so much and love watching her grow.

babysteps..!

I realize that Lily is almost 5 months old and the last post on here is "4 months" ... time flies when you're teething!

Which is exactly what Lily has been doing for a little over a month now. She's found a new friend in Sophie the Giraffe, which is second best only to Mom and Dad's fingers or noses. And who doesn't like to chew on noses.

Eric has been working night shift for two weeks now, and it's thrown Lily a little bit off schedule. She has also become extremely attached to Daddy, and on his days off she likes to make sure he is within sight (if not touch) all day long!

If not we get this face:

But don't worry, it's easy to make it all better:

Lily's hair was getting long in the front and hanging in her eyes - long enough to braid if she is sleeping (and therefore sitting still!).

We gave Lily her first haircut this past weekend (with help from our friends, Kyle and Gigi - it was a team effort!). We have pictures of that to come. But first, you must know...

Lily has figured out how to take steps! She holds on to our hands but she can walk across the room! She was standing holding Jess' hands like she loves to do, and watching Engine and giggling at him when she just took off to get him! Engine must like making Lily laugh because he has even been letting her pet him a little bit. Lily walked across the room to Daddy and back to Mommy and you could just see how excited she was that she had figure this out... we are thrilled to see her enjoying life and learning so much (and actively prepping our home so that she can't get into things!).

More updates to come, we promise!