Core

Lie on your back with knees bent, and extend arms down your sides with fingers pointing toward your toes.  Gently exhale and stabilize your core muscles.  Cross your legs at the ankles and slowly bring your legs back and up “crunching” your abdominal muscles.  Inhale and slowly lower legs to starting position.  Repeat. Before performing [...]

Before performing any abdominal exercises, all moms should check for abdominal separation (diastasis recti).  Abdominal weakness, hormonal changes, pregnancy, c-sections can all cause this separation.  If you do traditional abdominal exercises (such as crunches) with a separation, those exercises will only make the diastasis worse.  To do a self-check, lie on your back with your [...]

From a push up position, rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands.  Form a straight line with your body from your shoulders to your ankles.  Hold yourself in this position by keeping your core tight and bellybutton drawn in.  Hold for 30 seconds.  Work up to holding the plank for 60 seconds [...]