Working out with Toddlers

jcpmoore

This question came up on our company board this week and I thought I'd post my answer here, too. How is a working parent supposed to find time to work out as well? And by working parent I mean one who works outside the home or full-time in the home (you stay-at-homers have the hardest jobs of all IMO!), so all of us!

Here is what I started with the birth of my second son. The doctor told me, "Don't lift anything heavier than the baby." But I wanted to workout every day. So, after I was back on my feet, I followed his advice and only lifted the baby. I lifted the baby up over my head, in front of my, to my shoulders, and more. IOW, I used the baby like a very well supported free weight. And the baby cooed and loved it. I also walked around the house holding the baby-heck, a few extra pounds never hurt, right?

But the real trick comes when they are toddlers and they are getting in the way when YOU want to 30 minutes to work out. So now what?

I continued what I did before. From the day he was born I continued to left him like a free weight and he continued to love it.The bonus is now that he's 40 pounds I can still pick him up.

In addition, I add him to my ab workouts. He sits on my abs when I do crunches. I sit up and kiss him.
He does tandem push-ups with me and we have contests to see who has better form.
He watches my feet when I do leg-lifts to make sure my feet don't touch the floor.
He does yoga and aerobics with me for fun.
When he was smaller I would carry him during the aerobics portions-again, a few extra pounds is helpful when working out, right? 40 is a bit much, though.

All in all, these are neat ways I found to incorporate him into my workouts so he felt included, was less intrusive, and we had fun. And I still got my exercise. HTH other parents out there.

What cool ways have you found to do this?

QueenJayJay

That's cool. I just go to a 24 hour gym late in the evening, after she's asleep. My husband or a sitter watches her.

TonyL68

Weights don't require a 529 account, don't cry, and don't have to be fed.



Seriously, your post is pretty cool and innovative.