Love Handles: Spring Back Into Shape (guest post)

**This is a guest post written by Joanna, inventor of Love Handles. It was submitted to me by Betsy at Brilliant Baby Products (I recently worked with her for a review/giveaway on this blog). You can find these Love Handles at their online store as well. Disclaimer: I have never used this product, but am interested in it. If anyone out there has tried Love Handles out, I’d love to hear from you!**

The first day of spring is right around the corner and that means time to spring back into shape. Perhaps you are a go-getter and have been working on your “get in shape” routine since the New Year, but either way, now is crunch time.

For new moms (and dads), one way to jumpstart your shape up routine is by adding a cardio boost and resistance training to your stroller walks or jogs with your baby – and targeting your whole upper-body. To help you do that is Love Handles – the first and only product that turns your average baby stroller into a full body elliptical trainer. Founded by Joanna James and her (future) mother-in-law, Mary Moschos, the duo designed Love Handles out of their passion for fitness – to make it easier for moms to get back into shape and lose that baby weight.

Joanna has provided four tips to help new moms (or dads) spring back into shape in today’s busy, multi-tasking world.

1. Boost it up. As a busy mom, time is of the essence so be sure to make the most of your workouts. While walking or jogging with Love Handles alternate your cardio levels by first warming up at a low to mid level speed. Next increase your speed to high for two minutes and really pump those arms. Then stay at a mid- to high-range level for four minutes. Begin the alternating cycle all over again. These aerobic exercises are great for new moms because it really increases your metabolism rate and helps you lose weight easier and faster as opposed to reaching a plateau. And equally important is adding an upper body and core workout, especially after pregnancy – which you can now do it all at once using Love Handles.

2. H2O. It’s important to drink plenty of water to keep you from feeling dehydrated, which you might mistake for a “candy bar craving.” Try to fit in eight glasses of water per day, and if you are breastfeeding, bump that number up to 10. Just remember to always take a water bottle with you – wherever you go!

3.  Lift it. By adding a weight lifting component to your aerobic exercise routine, you can speed up your metabolism and increase muscle mass, which will help you burn more calories and fat – exactly what new moms want! With Love Handles you do just that by adding the resistance factor to the full cardiovascular workout you’re getting. Just twenty minutes, 3-4 days a week should do the trick. Do some interval training during your walk or jog by stopping mid-workout to do two sets of 15 reps of tricep push-downs, bicep curls, back/shoulder push-forwards and lunges using Love Handles.

4. De-stress. Even though as a new parent “stress free” may seem like a foreign word, it’s important to have that goal in mind. To reduce stress, try getting out of the house – go for a walk or meet a friend to socialize at the park and enjoy those natural endorphins. Fresh air can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, which will lead to reducing stress. And that’s exactly why we created Love Handles – to get you out of the house and enjoy a quality workout while spending quality time with your babies!

About the Author: Joanna James is the inventor of Love Handles, the first and only accessory that attaches to your stroller and turns the average stroller into an extraordinary elliptical trainer.  Joanna says moms can burn up to three times as many calories using Love Handles over an ordinary stroll.  Contact her at www.LoveHandlesInc.com.