One Tough Mother

The Plank

Ever feel stuck at home with your kids and wishing you could do something good for yourself and at the same time, give your little munchkins all the attention they crave? For many new parents, exercise time is limited and harder to get into especially with sagging energy and motivation levels due to a full day of handling little children on mere sleep. You can still squeeze in a little something while you're on mommy- or daddy-duty. If you have a few minutes to spare and happen to be playing with your kids in the living room (by kids, I mean ages 2-6, maybe 7), have them sit on your back while you do the plank (see above). They'll find it fun and think you're playing horsey while you're busting a sweat.

Don't get mad if they bounce on you! They're finally helping their mommies get fit after long baby bump months of stretched out and weakened core muscles! For beginners, start with 4 x 15 seconds hold for the first week and in increments, build up by a few seconds to a minute as weeks go by... maybe two if you're feeling determined.

Let your kids bounce or jump on you all they want. If you fall, suck it up and get back up. Come on, it's only for a few minutes out of the 1,440 minutes you have in a day. Don't despair. If they tell you to move, accept and suffer. Crawl on your forearms and toes. Listen to them so you confuse your muscles to get better results. BUTT DOWN. Do not cheat! You'll know you're way too up high if your kids tell you to lower down to make their horse-riding experience more pleasant. Make it a routine with your kids. 3-5 times a week? 30-Day Challenge?? Whatever works for you. Do as much times per week, sets and minute duration as you and your kids please. If you're feeling feisty, more photos below to crank up the challenge a notch.

Your little Jillian Michaels might even ask you to play horsey again. Accept it as a reminder that you should at least spare a couple minutes few days a week to strengthen your midsection. Another great reason for this... b-i-k-i-n-i season!

One Leg Plank

One Shoulder Plank