5 Workouts Busy Moms Can Do With Their Kids
Working out isn’t working out. We all have things we’d rather do than exercise, and now that you’re officially a mama, you’d rather cuddle with your little angel than get in a quick pilates class. Oh yeah, and you don’t actually have the time either. There’s no reason to nix your workout routine completely just because you gave birth. Instead of bailing out on physical activity, swap those solo sessions for a few parent/child ones. Not only can you fit stress-beating exercise into your day, but bonus — you get to spend that time with your kiddo too!
1. Yoga Together: Not only does yoga do some pretty rad things for your body, but it also helps you to relax and center yourself. And you definitely need that right now. Instead of trying to invent a few new dynamic-duo positions on your own, check out a parent/child or parent/baby yoga class. Look for a yoga studio that specializes in children’s classes and has an instructor who understands infant and child development.
2. Dance Party: It’s rainy, snowy, kind of cold, or way too hot out. Your kiddo is stuck inside, and so are you. Turn up the tunes (and the fun too!), and have a dance party. Clear some space in your living room so you can dance together. Entertain your baby as you do silly dances for them. They’ll giggle as you get in a workout. If your tot is up and walking, have them join in and get their groove on too.
3. Stroller-cize: Pushing your little one and that supposedly lightweight (but not really) stroller is a workout in itself. Now add in some fancy footwork and you’ve got an exercise routine that’s fun for both of you. Some community centers, mothers’ groups, and gyms offer specialized mom/baby stroller classes. If there isn’t one in your area, create your own. Gather together your girls — or at least the ones with small kids. Go for a walk around the block, stopping every so often to do a few squats, lunges, or leg lifts while holding onto the stroller.
4. Garden Games: Gardening might seem like a chore. But it’s also a way to get a workout in and spend time with your child. Your little learner can explore the science of growing or just get a super sensory experience digging in the dirt. After the digging’s done, set up a backyard obstacle course that you both have to run around, army-crawl through, and jump over.
5. Indoor Obstacles: No garden? That’s okay. You don’t need a yard to make an obstacle course for you and your young child to exercise in. Pile up the pillows, making a tunnel to crawl through, leapfrog around the living room, or create your own slalom race around paper cones. Obviously, this (like the garden games) won’t work well if you have a baby or younger toddler who isn’t especially mobile yet. But if you’ve got an older toddler or preschooler, this might just be the key to an awesomely active time together!
Tweet us your favorite way to sneak in a workout with your baby or young child in tow @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
