The holiday season is WONDERFUL but can also be CHALLENGING! With all of the happy celebrations and cheer, comes realization that it’s harder than ever to stay on track with your health. And as tough as you may think it is to fit in time for you and fitness, we are here to help guide you back to a happy body and mind. There is that happy medium!
As far as that next holiday party goes, try keeping an eye on what you are putting into your body. Keep those sweet drinks and indulgent goodies to a minimum. Taste, but don’t gorge. It’s all about balance and moderation. You can still satisfy those temptations and cravings by having only 1. Celebrate this season with you feeling divine not discouraged!
And as far as that exercise, you know you can carve out a few minutes each day! Instead of sitting on the couch for that reality TV fix, get MOVING! And when that weather allows, strap those kiddos in the stroller and head outside!
Shoulders – Deltoid, Pectoralis and Abdominal. Whether your kiddos are with you or not, try this out on your next outdoor walk. And even if you find you can’t get outside, find a sturdy chair or steps in your house to use, while those little’s are napping or occupied! Using a fully locked stroller (or chair/steps), position your hands so your thumbs and pointer fingers touch, creating a diamond shape. Kick those feet back so you are in an inclined plank position. Keeping that tummy tight and that rear end down, spread your feet apart to where you feel comfortable and stable. From here slowly head down into a push-up – holding your body in the downward position for a count of 2 and slowly come back up into your inclined plank position. A faster pushup doesn’t mean you are getting the most out of this exercise. Take your time – engage those shoulders and cores so you feel those muscles contracting and releasing. Repeat this for a total of 10 pushups. Take a 30 second break and repeat for another 10. If you are feeling strong, increase the amount of pushups each time you do this series. If you want to take it up a notch, try extending 1 leg up behind you while pushing up. This will be sure to engage those core abdominal muscles! And every 10 pushups, switch to the other leg!
Arms - Triceps. Keeping in line with using the stroller outdoors (or indoors a chair or step), turn around so your fingertips are facing your feet, and your arms are supporting your body, with your rear hanging over the edge of the stroller or chair/step. Your knees should be bent and heel resting on the floor. Now you’re ready to Tricep Dip! When ready, slowly bend those arms so your elbows are bending facing back until your back side hovers the ground, then, slowly push yourself back up to the starting position. Again, this should be a slow and fluid motion – don’t rush through this exercise and get those triceps and anterior deltoids blazing! Repeat this movement for a total of 10 tricep dips. Take a 30 second break and repeat for another 10. If you are feeling strong, increase the amount of tricep dips each time you do this series. If you want to take it up a notch, try extending 1 leg straight out and up in front of you while dipping. This will be sure to engage those core abdominal and quad muscles! And every 10 dips, switch to the other leg!
Again, these are simple and very effective exercises you can do just about anywhere. Don’t forget to make fun and silly faces to those kiddos while in motion! Those curious eyes are always watching! Taking a few minutes out of your day to boost those endorphins, making you a happier Mom, will be sure to help fight those Holiday blues! We are here to help you by making strides in fitness, Motherhood and life! Happy Holidays from our Hamptons Fit4Mom family to yours!!
Brooke Cracco and team have built Hamptons Fit4Mom into an incredible outlet for families to get fit while having FUN! Stroller Strides is the Nation’s largest stroller based workout program designed for moms with little ones in tow. Hamptons Fit4Mom currently has 6 Stroller Strides classes offered per week and weekly play dates, Moms nights out, family fun days and more!
Brooke Cracco
Owner Hamptons Fit4Mom
www.hamptons.fit4mom.com
www.facebook.com/hamptonsfit4mom
brookecracco@fit4mom.com
