Editor's Note: This article come to us from our friends at SqueezeItIn.com. Please be sure to consult with a health-care professional before starting any workout routine. These exercises are intended for women who are not pregnant.
If you're a busy mom at home with a baby, trying to squeeze a trip to the gym onto your already crowded to-do list may seem impossible. But what if your to-do list were your workout? We like to say, "Life's a gym. Work it out!" So here are some terrific ways to tone and trim your way through the day.
- Clutter Killers
Moms know clutter never really dies, but you can give it your best shot and firm up your legs and buns with this clean up move.
Start on your right side. Step out bringing your right leg forward and across your left leg with both feet facing forward. Lunge down while picking up some clutter. Put your weight on your front leg as you push yourself back up to a standing position. Repeat, lunging as you put the piece of clutter away. Repeat until you have completed at least one set of 12 on each side or until your room is clutter-free!
- Super Mom
Put yourself back on your to-do list with this playtime multitasker.
While playing with the kids lie on your stomach. Extend your arms out overhead and your legs straight out with toes touching the floor. Keeping your core engaged raise your right arm and left leg a few inches off the floor. Hold position for a 3-count of SQUEEZE-IT-IN then lower and lift the left arm/right leg. Your hips should not leave the floor and your head should stay aligned with your spine while you look directly at the floor.
- Inner-Child Inner-Thigh Slimmer
Get your play on and make the most of those hours on the floor with your little ones.
Lie on your side with your arm under your head for support. Your hips should be stacked one on top of the other. Bring your top leg forward and place that foot flat on the floor in front of the bottom knee. Lift the bottom leg hold it up for a 3-count of SQUEEZE-IT-IN and then slowly lower leg without letting your foot touch the ground.
 - TV Twist
Put a new twist on watching TV and whittle your middle!
Sit on the floor or edge of your sofa on your "sits" bones. Lean slightly back and pull your legs up off the ground with knees bent. With hands placed gently behind your head, twist to bring your left elbow to the outside edge of your right knee. Switch and bring your right elbow to the outside edge of your left knee in a slow and controlled movement.
- School Yard Squats
Watch the video!
The playground isn't just for kids. It's a workout waiting to happen!
Find a step, slide or other stable, slightly raised surface. Stand with one side facing the step, (standing perpendicular to the step), place one foot up on the step while the other foot remains on the ground. Your legs should be hip width apart with both feet facing forward. Bending at the knees, squat down without letting your knees extend in front of your ankles. Keep all of your weight in your heels. Squeeze your bottom as you slowly push back up to the starting position. You can extend your arms in front of you for balance. Continue for a set of 12. Switch sides and repeat.
- Park Bench Push Ups
Watch the video!
The playground isn't just for kids. It's a workout waiting to happen!
Stand behind a park bench and place hands on the back of the bench about shoulder width apart. Extend your legs out behind you. Bend arms as you lower your chest to within a few inches of the bench. Push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat for 2 sets of 12. To make this more challenging do your push-ups from the front seat of the bench.
- Cardio
Every good workout needs some quality cardio and it doesn't get better than old school jumping jacks or jumping (an invisible) rope. Click here for more great examples of do-anywhere cardio from SqueezeItIn.com.
Want more ways to Squeeze It In? Check out the SqueezeItIn.com Workout DVD. Use the special coupon code SPARK20 to receive 20% off the DVD at SqueezeItIn.com.
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