My toddler won't let me work out!
Having our daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me, she is my life and my world, but trying to find the time to work out is next to impossible with a little one around the house.
Running around with your toddler everyday can be an exercise in itself. But you’ll have to put in a little more effort to stay fit or lose weight. If you feel working out can be really daunting because of your lack of time, you’re not alone. Sticking to a workout routine can be struggle of its own.
Including an exercise routine with your toddler’s playtime will not only help you reach your fitness goals but will also help your toddler understand the importance of exercise as a daily routine and will have a better chance of getting them inclined to staying fit in the future.
So here are some simple, effective and creative ways to carve out time for working out and to sneak in some exercises here and there throughout your day:
• Be an early bird: There’s no better time to workout than early in the morning. Start your day off early with a strong cup of black coffee which will give you energy for your workout and also kill hunger. As your day goes on, different activities and commitments will keep you occupied. Rise up early and sweat it out before your kids get up.
• Run with them: The best way to get in a good cardio workout is by using a jogging stroller. This might even turn out to be an adventurous experience for your toddler. And if by the end of your run you find your toddler sleeping, you can use that extra time for some strength training while he/she sleeps. You can also add more resistance while running by using ankle weights.
• Bust a move: Turn up some cheesy old school music in a room with enough space to move around and shake a leg with your kid or just let him/her sit and laugh at your ridiculous moves. This can also be a great stress buster and mood booster during those long humdrum days.
• Who said you need weights for strength training? : Instead using dumbbells for strength training, you can use your baby. You can do squats, lunges, push ups and arm lifts while holding your baby in your arms. As your kid gets bigger and heavier, you will get stronger!
• Take the stairs: Keep your baby’s diaper changing station on the first or second floor. So that every time you have to change your baby’s diaper you have to climb all the way up and burn calories in the process.
• If you can’t convince them, bribe them: If your kids are not willing to work out with you or are not cooperating with your work out schedules, sweeten your deal with them. Bribe them with a snack or a toy that’ll keep them busy for some time while you get in a good strength based workout. Your kids might even join you if there’s something in it for them.
• Be a biker mom: Instead of using your car for dropping off your kids to school or buying groceries, strap up a helmet and use that bike that has been rusting in your garage. You can even paddle down to your work place. Plan a bike holiday with your entire family and plunge outside into the warm morning sun.
• Make it a game: Make your toddler lie underneath you and give him/her a kiss whenever you bend down while doing push ups. You can also place him on your stomach, bend your knees, and then roll up and roll down. The added weight of your toddler will act as resistance and will increase the calories you burn. Once your toddler starts getting heavier, you can roll up, lift your child over your head, and bring him back to your belly before you roll back down.
• Why grow up? : Relive your childhood days by playing games such as tag, hopscotch or rolling and kicking around a ball with your toddler. This additional physical activity will help you burn calories and you’ll also get to spend some quality time with your toddler.
• Get down and multitask: Once you’re already down with your crawling toddler you can perform plank holds or side plank holds. You can even lie down on your stomach with your baby in front of you, bend your knees so that they form a 90-degree angle with your thighs. Then, keeping your feet flexed, slowly lift your knees off the floor and squeezing your legs together as you push your feet up. These moves will help you get a stronger core and a flatter stomach. Make those T.V commercials count with these simple moves.
Taking care of yourself will set you up to take good care of your kids as well and a good looking body will be a great confidence booster for you. So always try to carve out some time for yourself and your health every single day.
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