By Kelly Gray
The most common complaint I get from women as to why they don’t exercise is that they are too busy and just too tired. They’ve got full time jobs and full time kids. Squeezing exercise into the equation is enough to make a busy mom explode. Relax. It really isn’t as bad as you think. Slow down, and take a minute to explore some of the ways you can get in a workout, spend time with your kids and be a positive and healthy role model.
- Join a gym. Many - if not most - health clubs provide some type of daycare or child watch for parents who have to bring along a little one. Check out the website or visit various gyms in person to decide which best meets your needs.
- Take a class. This can be done through a gym or through various local recreational programs. Many localities offer “mommy and me” type classes where as a parent you participate while your child learns an activity or sport.
- Play with your kids. That’s right. Instead of declaring your tiredness and plopping your kids and yourself in front of the TV, take them to a playground. Once you are there, get in on the action. Working your way across the monkey bars is an excellent workout for your entire upper body and abs. Plus your kids will be tickled that you are actually playing instead of watching.
- Make TV time exercise time. Okay, it can be hard to pull away from Dora the Explorer or SpongeBob SquarePants, but you can make it active as well. Do jumping jacks during the commercial breaks. Do a push up every time SpongeBob laughs. Make up your own rules!
- Recruit another parent. Get as many people as you can who also have children and make an exercise play date. It can be at a park, a sports field, the beach, wherever. While one parent keeps an eye on the children, the rest of the parents can run or walk laps. It doesn’t take much to get active. Just be sure to rotate so that everyone gets a turn.
The bottom line is that you are an example to your children. You want to be fit for yourself, but more importantly, you need to be fit for your kids. If you are active, they will be active. If you are a couch potato, you are increasing their odds of living an unhealthy lifestyle.
