Weight Loss for Breastfeeding Moms: Home Exercise Equipment

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

24 Feb 2007 08:11 AM

Last week, I talked about finding the time for exercise. Some new moms take their babies to the gym and leave them in the daycare room. Personally, I can't do this yet. Logan is still too little and doesn't take well to strangers. I needed to find a way to work out in my home.

This week, my husband got his annual bonus at work. We decided to use a portion of it to purchase some home exercise equipment. This will allow me to work out at home. The time I would spend driving back and forth to the gym can better be used exercising at home.

We bought an AB Lounge work out machine. I don't know if you've seen these on television, but they are made to work all areas of the abdominal muscles. The machine looks like a chair. You sit in the chair with your feet on the foot supports and your hands are positioned above your head. The movement is similar to doing crunches, but is more effective at targeting the muscles and offers support to the head and neck to help avoid injury.

This was the piece of equipment I wanted the most. Since I've had four babies, the abdominal area is the one that needs the most work. We set it up in our family room, since that is where I spend the majority of my time. I told my husband that if I'm going to use it, the machine must be easily accessible. The Ab Lounge folds easily and can be stored under a bed or in my case, behind the entertainment center. I've only used it for a few days, but I love it.

We also purchased a weight bench and weights. The bench has all the attachments to work the lower as well as upper body. My husband set this up in our basement. So far, I haven't used it. I am determined to start this coming week. This will help tone all the other areas of my body that have gotten flabby and loose over the years.

If you are a breastfeeding mom and want to start exercising, consider purchasing some equipment for your home. You can find good deals online or in stores. We bought the Ab lounge machine at a local store that sells used equipment at prices that are less than half what we would pay for the same machine brand new. We really got lucky this week. The Ab Lounge was still in its original box and never used. Someone bought it and never bothered to use it. If you shop around, you may get lucky too.

You'd be surprised at how often this happens. People start out the New Year with a resolution to work out. They rush out to their local sporting goods store and buy expensive equipment and then don't use it or rarely use it. Once it sits in a corner collecting dust for six months or a year, they decide to sell it. This is where you can find a great deal on new or like new equipment. Check your local newspaper or second hand sporting equipment store to find great deals.

Related Articles:

Weight Loss for Breastfeeding Moms: Finding the Motivation

Weight Loss for Breastfeeding Moms: Finding the Time

Weight Loss for Breastfeeing Moms: An Introduction

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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Lisa P (24013) 24 Feb 2007 03:36 PM

I started walking on a treadmill after my son was born. I had a baby carrier (front), would put him in it and then walk. Within five minutes he was always asleep. It worked well for both of us :-)