Working Out for Mummies

I saw the film Love, Actually for the first time last week. My father-in-law, who also happens to enjoy romantic comedies, bought it for me. I really liked this movie! Loved it, actually. (Hahahaha! Thank you, I’ll be here all week, don’t forget to tip your waitress.)

Anyway, it’s got me thinking in a British accent, which is how I came up with that clever title.

Right.

Stop me if this is getting old…

Okay, I’ll get to the point, which is that it’s December and I’m trying to lose weight and since I am, myself, a…er…mummy…well, I know how hard it is to want to fit in extra working out time when you are also running. But when someone challenges you…that’s a different story.

So, a big thanks to Ms. Chelsea over at Will Run for Food for cooking up a challenge (HERE) for all those who need one. Whether you’re a mom or not.

I followed Chelsea’s lead and am setting a goal of 1,800 reps each for arms, legs and abs by Jan. 4. Find the spreadsheet HERE, and share the pain fun with your friends!

I know you know how to do this stuff, but it never hurts to review the correct way to do a pushup, right? I’ve compiled some good links and videos in one spot just for you. Here are a few exercises that I like and some things you’ll need:

Equipment

• Your body
• A couch (AKA: a sofa)
• An exercise/stability ball (optional)
• A partridge in a pear tree (optional)

Arm Exercises
(Reaching for another Christmas cookie doesn’t count.)

• Tricep dips
• Pushups
• Stability Ball Pushups (feet on)
• Stability Ball Pushups (hands on – below)

Squats

• Squats (Hehehe. She says “buttocks” in this video.)
• Wall Squats with Stability Ball (This is the one I do.)
• Lunges (Ouch)

Abdominals

• Crunches
• Crunches on a Stability Ball
• Alternating Crunches: Each time you crunch up twist slightly toward your right or left leg. Alternate between the two. I do twice as many as regular crunches in order to make sure I’m doing enough on each side. I believe this helps get rid of love handles.