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Fit Mama Friday: Lindsay Brin’s DVD Workouts for Moms

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I am pleased to introduce you to Lindsay Brin, founder of Moms Into Fitness® – a company created to provide moms with “quick and efficient workouts to prepare, maintain and strengthen their bodies during (and after) pregnancy.”

The Moms Into Fitness® website offers a variety of workout videos by trimester, a maternity activewear clothing line, a small selection of free recipes, an FAQ section about exercise during pregnancy, and a list of links to fitness/nutrition websites that are relevant to moms.

Please welcome Lindsay to Metropolitan Mama today.

ME: What exercises/sports are “taboo” during pregnancy?
LINDSAY: If a woman is having a normal, healthy, singleton pregnancy she should be able to exercise most days of the week. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends not lying in supine position (on your back) after the first trimester. Other than that, most prenatal exercise programs are okay and not “taboo.”

A mom-to-be should test for diastasis recti, a common condition in the 3rd trimester, and modify the workout accordingly. It is the partial or complete separation of the abdominal muscles. No twisting and/or core exercises should be performed when diastasis recti is present.

Pregnant women want to stay away from sports like hockey, soccer, gymnastics, horseback riding, skiing, scuba diving, racket sports, baseball and basketball. These sports are dangerous because of possible contact trauma, balance loss or elevation.

***For twin pregnancies special permission should be obtained by the doctor, but it should be ok to exercise up to 28 weeks. ALL pregnant women should get permission from their doctor to rule out any reasons not to exercise.

ME: What are the best exercises/sports during pregnancy?
LINDSAY: The BEST exercise to do while pregnant is a program developed for a growing front side. Mom’s muscles, ligaments, blood volume, and center of gravity change – and the workout should change as well. Look into cardio, toning, swimming, and prenatal yoga classes and/or DVDs. Swimming and walking are wonderful as well!

It is best to moderately challenge your body. If you’ve never exercised before walking could be your moderate challenge. The American Council on Exercise recommends staying between a 5 & 8 on a RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale of 10. This basically means you can talk while exercising, but not necessarily sing a show tune.

I personally enjoy taking dance classes and teaching cardio/toning and stroller classes for my exercise when I am pregnant. Find something that works for you, but that is also SAFE for you and your baby.

ME: How soon can a mom resume exercise after giving birth?
LINDSAY: I lead a research study at SIU-E on this exact subject. We wanted to see how quickly mom could resume exercise after giving birth and how well it lifted her mood. All of our moms had vaginal, healthy births and returned to exercise 2 weeks postpartum. They were very tired, so you must consider how much sleep you are getting before adding exercise to your schedule. You must be very cautious at this stage in the game as your body is still trying to resume some normalcy. Our moms started with walking and light, light toning exercises using their babies as added weight.

Listen to your doctor – most doctors will release you to exercise 6-12 weeks postpartum. You know your body better than anybody…so take it easy and progress slowly. You were pregnant for 9 months!!!

***Most exercise DVDs and classes are designed for a mom that is 8-12 weeks post-baby.

ME: How quickly can a mom expect to get back to her “pre-baby” body/weight?
LINDSAY: Believe it or not, there are moms that are more fit after having a baby than before! Yes, it’s true. Your body works so hard during pregnancy that it benefits postpartum. I always tell moms you were pregnant for 9 months so you must give yourself 9 months to get your pre-baby body back. Set a goal for yourself: 9 months if you gained the recommended amount of weight and 9-15 months if you gained more than the recommended amount. After birth, your uterus (which is a muscle) returns to normal size within a few months. Slowly everything will fall back into place and what you are left with is loose muscles. So kick up your core routine a notch! And if you notice you are still carrying extra pounds, try some interval training.

If you do have the diastasis recti I mentioned above, which usually goes away after baby is born, try this ab workout to slowly resume your core routine. You can read more about diastasis recti in my newsletter.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, Lindsay!

WIN IT! There will be two winners. One mama will win Lindsay Brin’s Postnatal Boot Camp and one mama will win Lindsay Brin’s Boot Camp 2. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post prior to Tuesday, Mar. 18, at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). The winner will be announced and contacted on Wednesday, Mar. 19. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

* UPDATE * The winners are #32 sweepsblogger and #67 Kari. Congratulations!

Comments

  4. Oh I really need a boot camp to
    get my body in shape.My poor stomach is hanging,of coarse I
    understand why (kids) but I still remember how it use to be.I hope
    I win and thanks for the contest

    Reply

  5. i am three months away from having my second child and I think about how I’m going to lose the weight everyday, already! this will help, i really like doing workouts at home.

    lkdeangelo at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  8. Love the shorter segments, intense with variety; and leaves you not stretched for time; that is a valuable commodity, Many Thanks

    Reply

  9. I’m trying to get back on the fitness train, and I’d love to try out Lindsay’s workout. I’m ready to fit into my old jeans. I have ten pounds to go, and I’m ready to get rid of it!

    Reply

  10. This one is so easy for me. Yes. My daughter always thinks she’s fat and she excercises and watches what she eats. But her favorite are work out dvds. It would be wonderful to win these for her. thanks. please enter me.

    Reply

  11. Thanks so much for the info. I have found that exercising throughout and after pregnancy have helped me feel so much better. I would love to win a dvd for some variety!

    mccammacks(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    Reply

  14. After gaining a good 50 pounds during my pregnancy, this would really help! i can’t wait to try it out.

    Reply

  22. This would be great! I just went to the gym for the first time in ages since way, way before baby just yesterday! So I really am commited to working out and getting back in shape!

    Reply

  23. All I have to say is that I still weigh the exact same now as I did 4 months ago right after giving birth! I’ve lost none AND I’m breastfeeding! Aren’t you supposed to lose faster when you nurse?!

    Reply

  26. Wow! I didn’t know it takes a few MONTHS for the uterus to return to normal, interesting! I could totally use this to lose the lbs from #2 and the leftovers from #1. I’ve been longing for warmer weather so we can get out and walk walk walk but this looks like more fun.

    Reply

  29. I am motivated to do it myself, but I don’t even know where to start. These workouts could really help someone like me

    Reply

  31. I’m about ready to have number two and could use a boost to keep me motivated after baby comes.

    leanna at benandleanna dot com

    Reply

  35. brentandsarah@tds.net

    I just had my third baby a month ago tomorrow. I would love this to get back in shape! I had some problems and a difficult delivery with my last and am still kind of recovering mentally from it, would love this to cheer me up!

    Sarah

    Reply

  37. If you saw a picture of me, you would know why I want to win this! After having two kids in two years, my body hasn’t quite snapped back yet. And I’m thankful for the workout during pregnancy tips, too — who knows when baby number 3 will be coming along?

    Reply

  40. I’m having such a difficult time working off baby weight after number 3 – any help is greatly appreciated!

    Reply

  43. I would LOVE to go to boot camp…Wanna know my reasons?

    1) I’m single… again.
    2) I have six kids.
    3) I will be dating again sometime this summer.
    4) Well.. I’d send you a picture of my stomach but.. that might scare you more than make you want to give me a DVD..WAIT.. the might make you want to give me the DVD…. Picture on the way! (just kidding)

    Anyhow.. my little one is 9 weeks old, and I’d love to be in better shape by this summer.
    PLEASE :)

    Thanks (I know.. I need to bribe the random generator huh? :))

    Have a good day!

    Reply

  45. the words “boot camp” should scare me… but what scares me more is the state of my once decent stomach. yikes!!

    Reply

  46. Is it “disaster recti?” Because that’s what my abs are after having my 4 month old! He is huge (18 pounds) and I know I am going to be chasing after him…problem is my abs/lower back are so weak now even walking for any period of time hurts. This could really help. Thanks!

    tanisha at sigphi dot com

    Reply

  48. I would love to try this! I have already had one kid, and we are getting ready to have another, so I need to really get in shape!

    Reply

  54. I’ve had three babies in four years (all singles) and I HAVE to do something about this body now. What a wonderful opportunity to start a new workout! Thanks!

    Reply

  57. I’d love to know what’s safe to do after having a baby, but still be able to get into shape. I’d like to get my body back to something recogizable.

    Reply

  62. I could really use some motivation to lose this baby weight, I’m starting to feel pretty down on myself these days because of how much weight I have gained. It’s so hard being a mom and finding the time to take care of yourself as well as the rest of your family.

    Reply

  63. My daughter has gained 45 pounds so far in this pregnancy. Luckily she only has a couple of weeks to go. She could really use this, she is so worried that she won’t be able to lose the weight.

    Reply

  64. Though I probably need it just as much, I’d love to send this to my sis-in-law, who is struggling with self-esteem issues over her baby-weight gain. She’s due in just over a week, and maybe this will help her get right back into the swing of things!

    Reply

  67. I definately could use this. With my daughter, I gained about 40 lbs but right now I’m 15 under my pre-pregnancy weight. I still have this nasty flab of fat around my tummy though.

    Marcia
    learningmama at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  69. I read about Lindsay before my son was born and now I could really use her stuff!! Thanks for the entry.

    Reply

  70. I always swore I’d never be one of those moms who puts on preg weight and never loses it again…but I’m on my way! I really need something inspiring like this to get me to exercise again!

    Reply

  71. I’m due in May, and diabetes is looming over me. Losing baby weight and then some would help fight it off for at least a few more years (and maybe longer!

    nifferjeno at gmail dot com

    Reply

  73. Too cool! I wish I had known how quickly I could have started working out again–I could use this because I am about to hit the 9 months out mark, and I am in a rut!

    tobefrank[at]tds[dot]net

    Reply

  79. I enjoyed the Fit Mama work out DVDs while I was preggers…but I don’t really like her post-baby work outs. Too much equipment involved! Lindsay really seems to know what shes talking about, and with these last stubborn extra pounds I could use a little kick start! (Especially if I get a body like hers! ….Does it come with a guarantee??)

    agoodfellow@cox.net

    Reply

  82. Do I have to have had to look like her before I got pregnant in order to look like that afterward? :) She looks amazing! Great motivation.

    Reply

  83. Awesome, I’m stocking up now so I can have an arsenal of workout options come November.
    Thanks,
    Marissa :)
    md-sweeps (at) hotmail (d0t) com

    Reply

  85. gosh with this video I can’t claim I don’t have time to workout because now I’d have the opportunity to exercise at my convenience at home.

    Reply

  88. I go to a boot camp class twice a week at our local gym. Once the kids are out of school for the summer, I don’t know if I will find time. Count me in! I love a good workout.

    Reply

  89. My little one is a month old today. I feel like I could definitely start a workout routine at this point providing that he takes a nap at some point during the day. :) I have already been walking as much as possible and try to sit instead of lie, stand instead of sit, walk instead of stand. :)

    Reply

  91. I so admire you for taking the time for yourself and your family to exersise, Steph. I need motivation to stop eating the chocolate and start moving my flabby booty! Lindsay Brin might be what I need. Thanks! gumbi1313@msn.com

    Reply

  92. I would love to win!! I am in a high risk pregnancy so can’t work out right now, but can’t wait to get back at it after this baby arrives in July!!

    Reply

  93. My favorite pregnancy exercise is belly dancing!

    These look like good dvds. I’m going to check out some of her other youtube videos.

    Reply

  94. I’m mom to 3 kids, the youngest is almost 6 and I’m still trying to get rid of my stomach.

    I know this is due to my pregnancies, but I can’t seem to get past a certain point. Maybe this will help!

    Reply

  98. This is great! I’m struggling to lose baby weight from my little twins. A great workout video could be just the thing!! These are great when it’s just too yucky to get the kids out in the stroller for a walk.

    Reply

  104. It is so funny that you are talking about postnatal exercise. My daughter is turning 1 in a month and I was just talking to my friend about my weight loss or lack there of. I have gone down a couple jean sizes but still do not have my body back. This would be a great exercise for me to do while my daughter naps. Thanks! katebeth45 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  105. These both look great. I like how the segments are broken up into ten minutes. That’s about how much of a workout I can get in at home before the kids “need” something.

    Reply

  107. after seven kids I really need this! please pick me :)
    this is so great that Lindsay has foudn out what works best for pregnant and postpardum moms, thank you!

    Reply

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