Heavy Lifting: A New Mom's Guide for Avoiding Injury

Did you know that strengthening your abdominal, back, pelvic, and hip muscles can reduce your risk of developing a repetitive-stress injury? Brill recommends practicing this simple exercise at least three times a week.

1. Lie on your back with your arms straight up toward the ceiling.
2. Keeping your back flat against the floor, lift your legs straight up over your pelvis and bend your knees at a 90-degree angle.
3. In one slow, smooth motion, bring your left knee toward your chest as you extend your right leg, in a "bicycling" motion.
4. Keep alternating legs as you incorporate your arms: When your left leg moves toward your chest, extend your left arm over your head and vice versa.
5. Repeat up to a count of 60.