4 Ways to Make Your Workout WORK with Kids!

You used to go to the gym (and shower afterwards!) every day. You loved working out! You could spend your weekend mornings on long runs with your besties followed by brunch. All of a sudden you're waking up a zillion times a night, you've got some extra pounds (because, duh, you just grew and birthed a HUMAN you superwoman, you!), you're tired,  you thought you'd be able to make the time to workout once you had kids but IT. IS. HARD. 

​I know. I've been there. 

Here's the thing about working out once you have kids. It's gonna be different. Hopefully a different kind of awesome, but it might take you some time (and yeah...some motivation and effort) to get there. It wasn't so hard to get back into a good rhythm after I had my first baby, but that second one, man...it's been tough. Now, with #3 on the way I know it's going to take some serious effort. But I know I can do it. I put that priority on fitness and know that it may look different, it may take longer, but it WILL HAPPEN.

​You've gotta believe that too. 

Here are few things that have helped me (and continue to help me) along the way when it comes to motherhood-fitness. Plus - below, I'm gonna show you a few of my favorite exercises to do anywhere WITH my kids! 

4 Ways to Make Your Workout WORK with your KIDS 

1. Think outside the box! Turn a coffee date with a friend into a walking or running date instead. You can still have coffee afterwards! Or find a mom in your same boat who will swap childcare while you get a REAL workout in. Find ways to fit exercise into your daily schedule (like walking during a kids sports practice, or running to the store instead of driving). You'll definitely want to make sure you've got a good stroller. 
2. Set a timer. Find a 10-15 minute window of time (naps! Daniel Tiger! Some magical coloring trance!) and just set a timer, throw on some music and see what you can get done. Pick a few exercises and do them each for a minute at a time, or find a quick YouTube video. 
3. Ask for help. I know - it's a hard thing for most moms. But whether it's from your spouse, a neighbor, friend or family member...if they know you are trying to prioritize something and need a little extra help - I bet they'll be willing to help. I remember a conversation I had with my husband when I decided to train for a half marathon during his busiest work season - we talked about priorities and how we could help each other make it happen. He committed to 1 early morning a week being home so I could run at 5:45am. I committed to doing 75% of my runs with the stroller. He promised to make me breakfast on the days he was home after my long runs. We made it work. 
4. Make a plan. Yes, we're busy. But we often THINK we are busier than we are. If you plan ahead, write down when, where and what you're going to do for your workout, it's much more likely to happen. Your kids might make it difficult, but when they see their mom committed to something and work hard, that rubs off. Mommy getting a workout isn't mommy being selfish. It's mommy being AWESOME. 

Want more ideas? Check out this post! #RealLifeIWorkoutWithKids 

What better way to multitask than to workout WITH your kids? They'll have fun, you'll get a workout, and they'll see how important fitness is to your family!

​3 of my go-to exercises to do with kids anywhere:

1. Wall Sits - These are a great exercise for building leg and core strength. I love letting my kids join me on this one - little ones (or big ones if you're feeling STRONG) can sit on your lap, you can even do this one with a baby carrier on the front. My girls often like to arming crawl and chase each other under Mama's tunnel. 

Form Tips: Keep your back pressed against the wall and your core engaged. Check your hips and knees that they stay at 90 degree angles. Knees should sit right above your ankles. 

2. Planks - In my house, a plank is just an invitation to climb on my back. I like how easy it is to drop into a plank while we're playing on the floor our out in the driveway. Kiddos can sit or lay on your back, crawl underneath you (motivation to stay up!) or little babies can lay under you face to face while you make silly faces! My 4 year old likes to give me plank High 5's - which increases the intensity even more! 

Form Tips: Squeeze everything tight! Squeeze your legs, butt, core, press evenly through all 10 fingers and check that your wrists are directly below your shoulders. Modify by coming down to your knees, but keep a straight line from your knees to shoulders. If you have a kiddo on your back be extra conscious of your core engagement, don't let your back sway. 

3. Bridges - If you've had kids, or are having kids, this is an amazing exercise for your pelvic floor, your lower back, glutes and legs. It's also super fun to do with kids. From the time my babies were tiny, they would lay back on my legs while I raised them slowly up and down. You can also hold the bridge up and see if they can crawl through! 

Form Tips: Tilt your pelvis while you're engaging and lifting your pelvic floor and core. Slowly lift your butt off the ground, rolling up one vertebrae at a time. Squeeze your glutes as you get to the top. Slowly lower back down one vertebrae at a time.