It is possible to keep fit despite the demands of parenthood. Having a child does not have to tether you to crib and playpen; as long as you’re willing to be flexible and use your imagination. You might have to change the way you do things but you won’t have to cut a fit lifestyle completely out of your life.
Workout Strategies
Trade babysitting time with a friend and use your time to workout at the gym.
Use a jogging stroller to slip in a morning jog.
Attach a baby trailer to your bicycle.
Workout to an exercise video while your baby plays on the floor or in a playpen. You won’t fail to amuse him/her.
Working Out With a Toddler
With a toddler around, the world is your gym. Consider the following venues and then apply the same strategies to other places you frequent and activities you perform with your toddler.
Playground: While your toddler is tackling the slide you can be doing chin ups on the jungle gym. While the little one is playing in the sandbox you can power-walk or jog the perimeter of the area. Take a set of handheld weights and do strength training while watching (you know the refrain – “watch me”, watch me!” “WATCH ME!!!”).
Home: They’ll get on the floor right along with you and make entertaining attempts to imitate your workout routine. Likewise they’ll dance along as you follow your favorite aerobic video. Just like at the playground, jog around the back yard while keeping an eye on him/her, or do the toning or strength training you were too embarrassed to do at the playground. When they want me to “watch” I find that the perfect time to do aerobics while watching them skate, dance, practice baseball, etc.
Beach: Play chase (running in sand is killer for your leg muscles), toss a ball, dodge your child’s attempts to get you wet with a squirt gun, race down to the water and back to the towel (several times) …
