Lindsay Brin has spent years telling new moms how to get back into shape with her Moms Into Fitness videos and personal training. A year and a half ago, when she had her first baby, she got to experience the changes a body goes through first-hand.



After coaching moms about staying fit during pregnancy, did you find it easy to stay fit during yours?

After a rough start with some IVF complications and not being allowed to work out, I found it very easy to stay fit. It was the only thing that made me feel better. I did it more for my mental state, energy and getting rid of nausea and swelling — not just fitness.


After your daughter was born, how quickly did you get back into fitness?

I started with some simple movements that I learned while working with a 2006 research study I did with Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Just getting my muscles used to working without a baby in there. I used these movements about one week after my C-section. I started walking at four weeks. And gradually got back in the swing of things at six weeks. Weeks 6-10 were the most difficult for sure. I guess it helped I had a photo shoot for my new book at 14 weeks post-delivery ... nothing like a little extra motivation.


How does your daughter motivate you to stay fit?

She loves being in the stroller outside. But honestly, it goes back to more energy and feeling better when I do. Everyone in the household can tell when I need to go workout and vent. I am a better mother when I stay fit.


Do you incorporate her into your workout?

When I do my videos she thinks it's pretty cool to dance along, although after 20 minutes she is bored. So I do a lot of exercises while holding her — although I can't do my core exercises while holding her right now — little too strenuous on the pregnancy. And if we're not working out inside, we are outside, which is our favorite. I put her in the stroller and do an interval workout with weights in the bottom of my stroller.

When she was born, she spent half of her life in the Baby Bjorn. One can get a lot of things done (including exercise) with those handy things!


Now that you are expecting baby No. 2, how are things different this time?

This pregnancy is different because I spent the first 14 weeks on bed rest due to three separation bleeds that happened at implantation. My mood was horrible, and I am not quite sure how my husband put up with me, the dishes, the laundry etc. And I couldn't pick up my daughter, which was hard. But now the separations have heeled, and I am back at it, slowly but surely. I got out of bed and my house got a face-lift, Taylor liked me again, and the cellulite is slowly becoming a thing of the past. I didn't gain that much weight while on bed rest but could tell my muscles were going through atrophy from not using them. I'm just a little more tired this time around. It could be that I'm a work-at-home mom with four new DVDs and two new books, or the fact that 17-month-olds keep you busy!


How do you find the time to stay in shape with all this work and a little one?

First and foremost it's a priority. But naptimes are great, as long as I don't give myself a list of excuses. Plus I have the most supportive hubby there ever was.



What's your plan for after this baby is born, as far as staying in shape?

Believe it or not, I do my DVDs so I don't have to think about what I need to do (usually on mute). So I will start with my CFS method (the movements I talked about earlier that can be done soon after pregnancy) and then add in some of my other DVDs. I also enjoy my boxing bag in our home gym and of course the stroller interval workouts. I usually teach stroller classes so I will probably get back to that. I am really excited about my new double jogger.

I know I have to do it for my own sanity. And if I am happy and healthy I can support my family much better on a daily basis (happy being the important word here).

My goal is to work out at least four times a week for 30 minutes. Most of the workouts will be toning/cardio intervals so I get the most out of my time. That's what did it last time. And I think trying to stay in shape during pregnancy will help me afterward.