As a parent it can be tough to find the time to workout and stay in shape. Between work, keeping the house in order and taking care of the kids there’s barely enough time sleep, let alone head to the gym several times a week.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in a little workout here and there. The key is to multitask and do a few exercises while the kids are playing, or napping, or working out right along with you. How you make this work will of course depend on the age of your kids and your own circumstances, but here are some ideas to get you thinking.
Invest in a baby jogger if your kids are small enough to ride in a stroller. Strap them in when it’s time for a nap and walk or run around the neighborhood while they sleep. If you have older kids, have them ride a bike or scooter and come along with you.
Check out the parks and playgrounds in your area. If you’re lucky you can find one with a playground area in the middle and a walking path going around it. You can run or walk laps while the kids play on the playground.
And speaking of playgrounds or even the swing set you may have in your own backyard. Take a look at it and see what kind of exercises you can do on it. You may be able to find a bar that allows you to do pull ups and chin ups while the kids play. Or use the steps leading up to the playground equipment to do some simple step workouts. Get creative and make it work.
And let’s not forget about just going out and playing with the kids. Go on family bike rides or take a Frisbee out to the park. Playing catch is a great way to get in an interval workout. You’ll be surprised how much of workout you can get just from running around with the kiddos.
Here’s one last idea for you. Get the kids involved and do your workouts together. That could mean holding your baby while you do crunches and squats. Or maybe you turn on a fun Zumba workout and have the kids dance around in the living room along with you. It’s a great way to spend quality time as a family and get everyone moving around more.
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