True story..when my son was three he grabbed the back of my arm better know as the tricep area and squeezed the fat as he hugged my arm. “I don’t like the hard parts of you like your legs,” he said. “I like the FATTY parts.”  As he squeezed my triceps he re-named the softer part of me:  mommy fat, mommy fat mommy fat, which he liked to sing every time he hugged my arms.

Before mother hood, anyone pointing out anything “fat” on me would have sent me to tears. My son redefined fat as soft and nurturing and comforting teaching me that we are more than HOW we look, we are how we feel and how we love.

Whenever I train new moms I share this story. Life changes when you become a mother and so may priorities and perspectives. Ironically I have found that the more I focus on how I feel versus how I look the happier I am.

Here are some of my fave Mom Arm exercises to tone up AND feel good modeled by new mom Danica McGreal.

 

BARRE PUSHUP 

Arms wider than shoulder width apart

Change up pushup speed and range of motion:

Slow on way down, fast on way up. Fast on way down, slow on way up

Pause half way down and hold. Pause half way down and pulse

 

BAR-BELL ROW

Butt touching wall for stability with slight hinge at hips

Keep core tight while rowing arms up

FOAM ROLLER STRETCH 

Allow the mid back to stretch is important for moms carrying babies and breast feeding

Lower body is anchored with top of feet pressing into ground while squeezing glutes

Feet hip width distance (or whatever distance feels best for your body)

Arms extended forward pressing forearms into foam roller, thumbs pointing up towards ceiling

Allow head to be neutral, finding the form that feels best for your neck

FOAM ROLLER COBRA

Draw elbows back towards body allowing chest to lift off of ground

Hold for two counts and return to stretch position

WALL ANGELS

Back pressed against wall arms to side

Feet forward two steps, hip width apart

Reach arms to side stretching overhead in a letter Y shape and return arms back down to side