You used to never miss your favorite class at the gym. Your Saturday morning long runs were with friends and followed by brunch. You LOVED working out.
I know. I remember. That was me too.
Then I had kids.
I know. I remember. That was me too.
Then I had kids.
2 beautiful, amazing miracles that I wouldn't change a thing about but it sure would be nice if they'd let me get a workout in sometimes. After my first, it wasn't so incredibly hard to get back into it. I got into a regular running schedule and I really enjoyed my home workouts. After my second? WAY harder. Now that I'm pregnant with #3 I'm fully aware of the challenge that is ahead of me. I'm also fully confident that I CAN DO IT.
After you have kids, you have to realize that exercise is going to be different. Hopefully different in awesome ways, but it's going to take some time to figure it all out. It takes a lot of commitment, drive, and usually, some creativity to make it happen But here's the thing. You CAN DO IT. You can make it happen.
Want to know HOW to actually get it done?
I'm sharing some awesome real life GET IT DONE tips in this Real Life I Workout With Kids post.
I'm sharing some awesome real life GET IT DONE tips in this Real Life I Workout With Kids post.
Next to SCHEDULING YOUR WORKOUT...letting your kids participate is my most common suggestion to mamas. Is it the most efficient? Nope. Is it always perfect rainbows & unicorns? Nope.
But it WORKS when you're a busy mom, AND you get the added bonus of showing your kids what being healthy looks like, and getting EVERYONE's wiggles out! The added weight you'll surely have to carry doesn't hurt your strength gains either!!
You'll have to take extra breaks, you may have distractions sometimes, but making your workout a priority, whether your kids are asleep or climbing all over you will make a huge difference in your success. And guess what? As your children grow, they'll know how important exercise is to their mama, and have a great picture of what commitment to health really looks like. I don't know about you, but that's worth some annoying workouts. I know it can feel like you just don't have time, or you feel selfish about taking the time, but trust me - you'll feel better, which in turn makes you a better mama, which is BETTER FOR EVERYONE!!!
But it WORKS when you're a busy mom, AND you get the added bonus of showing your kids what being healthy looks like, and getting EVERYONE's wiggles out! The added weight you'll surely have to carry doesn't hurt your strength gains either!!
You'll have to take extra breaks, you may have distractions sometimes, but making your workout a priority, whether your kids are asleep or climbing all over you will make a huge difference in your success. And guess what? As your children grow, they'll know how important exercise is to their mama, and have a great picture of what commitment to health really looks like. I don't know about you, but that's worth some annoying workouts. I know it can feel like you just don't have time, or you feel selfish about taking the time, but trust me - you'll feel better, which in turn makes you a better mama, which is BETTER FOR EVERYONE!!!
So, what are some of the BEST moves to do when you're kids are around? Here are my TOP 3 FAVORITES! They top the list because you can do them with kids of any age - from newborns to busy kids, and they target lots of muscle groups! That means muscle multi-tasking which equals greater calorie burn and more bang for your workout buck.
1. Wall Sits - These are a great leg and core strength move. See how long you can hold it, and each time you do it, aim for adding 15 seconds! You can do this with a front pack baby carrier, with a kid on your lap, or turn it into tunnel time for bigger kids! My oldest even likes to do them next to me sometimes!
Trainer Tip: Be sure that your knees are stacked on top of your ankles and your knees and hips are both at 90 degree angles. This will keep your knees safe! If you don't have a kid on your lap, don't cheat by holding your hands on your legs. Keep them on your belly, shoulders, or head!
Trainer Tip: Be sure that your knees are stacked on top of your ankles and your knees and hips are both at 90 degree angles. This will keep your knees safe! If you don't have a kid on your lap, don't cheat by holding your hands on your legs. Keep them on your belly, shoulders, or head!
2. Planks - Once you're ready to start increasing core strength after having a baby (and if you don't struggle with Diastasis Recti), planks are a great way to start. I love that it works your back, stomach, shoulders AND butt!! The ultimate multi-tasker! With little babies, you can lay them underneath you and talk, sing and make silly faces. As they get older, most likely they'll want to climb on your back (hello adorable weight vest!). We also like to do plank high 5's! It make's mama's plank even harder and kiddos have fun being a part of it!
Trainer Tip: Start with your knees on the ground in a modified pushup position. Lengthen out your body so that you still form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. As you feel stronger, raise to your toes, while keeping that strong, straight line. Squeeze through your glutes, lift and engage your core and pelvic floor, and press through all 10 fingers!
Trainer Tip: Start with your knees on the ground in a modified pushup position. Lengthen out your body so that you still form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. As you feel stronger, raise to your toes, while keeping that strong, straight line. Squeeze through your glutes, lift and engage your core and pelvic floor, and press through all 10 fingers!
3. Hip Bridges - This is hands down my favorite exercise for pregnancy and postnatal workouts. Even if it's been a while since you've given birth, it's an important one for all women! Since my little ones were tiny, they liked to be propped up on the front of my legs and taken for a little ride up and down as I raised and lowered my bridge. As they grow, mama gets stronger! You can also hold this bridge up for a period of time, and let them army crawl under you!
Trainer Tip: Take these nice and slow. Start with your feet on the ground and your knees bent. Tuck your pelvis under and lift your pelvic floor while pressing your lower back into the ground. Slowly raise your hips off the ground one vertebrae at a time. Squeeze your glutes at the top, and slowly lower back down, rolling through those vertebrae as smoothly as possible.
Trainer Tip: Take these nice and slow. Start with your feet on the ground and your knees bent. Tuck your pelvis under and lift your pelvic floor while pressing your lower back into the ground. Slowly raise your hips off the ground one vertebrae at a time. Squeeze your glutes at the top, and slowly lower back down, rolling through those vertebrae as smoothly as possible.
For a quick workout, do 1 minute of wall sits, 1 minute of planks and 10 hip bridges. Repeat 3x, or as many as you want! For more ideas on workout moves with kids, click here! What are you favorite ways to include your kids in your workout? I'd love to hear them!
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