How Can Moms Squeeze in More Exercise?
In the glory days of my youth, I was an athlete. Then, came real life -it sneaks up on you when you least expect it - and before I knew it, I became a Mom. This glorious job position is certainly the one I covet more than anything else in my life. Yet, being a Mom 24/7 is a tiring task and I've found Motherhood equally exhilarating and exhausting. (Emphasis on the word exhausting, please. )
I've made compromises to my exercise routine, while being determined to do whatever it takes to maintain some level of fitness during my children's wild and crazy toddler years.
And when I say whatever it takes, I don't mean vacuuming all day to burn XYZ calories or eating celery really quick so I burn even more calories than I consume. (I'm not much of a housekeeper anyhow and really how much celery could I eat to make any difference in my total daily caloric burn??)
I squeeze in walks and short runs whenever I can a few times a week. Even if I don't have much time, I've found it's important to at least go on that 15 minute run or walk around the block. This keeps me from getting even more out of shape. I've also found a few sneaky ways to stay toned that don't impact my daily routine at all. Exercise while watching TV at night. I know it can be hard to get off the couch or out of bed as the exhaustion and laziness factor often win at my house.
But the 2 sneaky staples I try to maintain a few times a week are:
1. Sit Ups - 3x a week. Aim to build up to 100 sit ups. (2 sets of 50 or 4 sets of 25)
2. Dumbbell Curls - Work your biceps and triceps.
-For my biceps - I've got a set of 8 lb dumbbells as I find I do better with lower weight and higher reps. 2 -3 sets of 15 reps
-For my triceps, I use a 15 lb dumbbell for overhead arm raises with both hands on a single dumbbell. 2 sets of 15 reps
I know there must be a long list of quick and easy fitness drills I could do at home, but so far this is where I'm at. I'd love to add more sneaky exercise & toning tricks into my arsenal. How have you found time to sprinkle in mini sessions of exercise or toning into your hectic life as a Mom? Or how have your carved out a routine that works for you to regularly workout (go to the gym, running, biking, walking, aerobics class, Wii fit at home, etc) amidst the chaos of motherhood?
Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Healthy Choice. Please visit http://www.spokespersonwanted.com/ for more information on Healthy Choice and to print a free $1 off coupon.
posted by Classy Mommy at 1:24 PM
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Great tips! I find that I can easily sneak in shredding (just 20 min) or a 20 min walk or even a quick yoga session at home. It's really all about letting go of the "can't" and saying "i can". :)
I MAKE time and since my husband is liking this weight loss, he's more than willing to watch little man so that I can have 30 minutes on the treadmill.
Sit ups are very good to squeeze in and even jumping jacks. Very basic but highly effective as Jillian likes to say:)
I know it's not ideal but I have started working out when my older daughter wakes at 6 a.m. (which is before my little one is awake) She and I head to the basement and i hit the crosstrainer, while she watches a 30 min show. OR we'll do Cardiokie together. It's on Verizon OnDemand and she loves moving and grooving w/ me. Now I see where she gets her moves (or lack thereof!)! And now that the weather is getting better we can grab even more time in the double jogger, or simply just by playing dance party" where we dance around the house. It's a true workout and every little bit helps. It's a double dose of fun and the added benefit of weightloss and being healthy for my family makes all the difference:)
Do running up and down the stairs after my kiddos and constantly sweeping cheerios up off the floor count as exercise? If not, I don't think I'll ever find time! lol
Naptime is my time for Jillian to kick my butt ! On weekends I go for runs , it works great! Also I find if I change into my workout gear before I put my son down it will guilt me into not skipping a workout.
I walk on the treadmill after the kids are in bed and have managed to teach myself to walk pretty quickly while reading - very multitasking of me, I think.
An hour can fly by before I realize it!
Colleen - GREAT tips! I have to work out in the morning or late at night. It's a trade off right now! :)
You inspire me. I do NOTHING at the moment. And I can feel it. My waistline can feel it when I put on my jeans. It's a miserable feeling. I need to make some time for exercise.
Playing the WII with the kids works for me. I also use the WII Fit during nap time.
It can be hard to find time to do actual "exercise", but once you become a Mom you definitely have to get creative! After my second was born I found myself walking everywhere! I never used the car (only if where I needed to go was over a mile away) Living near the beach was an incentive to walk there and just in every day outings. I also rollerblade them to the park sometimes too...
My husband always says that all my walking has kept my body in pre-baby shape and he loves it!
Plus, when I take my girl's to the park I really run and play with them. Keeping after a 2 and 3-year-old is a work out in itself.
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I wish we could run together! Maybe when Mackenzie is older we can all run together more than just circles all over the house.
This is just what i needed. I was a runner and then got pregnant and my routine hasn't been the same since! I've been sporadically running a mile, but it's so sporadic that when I run it again, it's like I have to build endurance all over again! I don't like that! LOL
Thank you for the tips!
Just posted to my blog about this very thing and my sometimes embarrassing ways of sneaking in exercise. I love to know that other moms are experiencing the same thing! Keep up the great work. http://healthyrefuge.blogspot.com/2009/11/sneaky-exercise.html