Making
exercise a priority is a challenge for everyone. And for
parents it can be especially difficult to find time to
workout because of the full plates that they often
juggle. When summer arrives the juggling act becomes
even more tricky with kids home from school and involved
in extracurricular activities.
But, finding
time for regular physical activity is so important that
it should be a priority placed on your calendar, just
like your kids� softball game. A parent needs to
exercise not only for themselves, but also for their
kids benefit. It�s important to set a good example. If
your children never see you engage in fitness or if they
hear you complain about working out, then they are going
to have a negative image of exercise. Let them know that
you workout to stay healthy, to be strong and to have
more energy and stamina (so you can keep up with them)!
The big
question is how to make it a priority that fits in your
schedule. Well, it�s actually easier than you may think.
With a little planning you can find ways to incorporate
workouts into the time you spend with your children.
Regardless of what age your children are, there�s a way
to find time to workout (often even with your kids)!
Here are some tips based on the age of your children.
Age: Infant
through pre-school
-
Fit in
exercise time while they are napping. Try a home
exercise video, walking or jogging (if you have a
treadmill), jumping rope.
-
Occupy
them for even 15 minutes with a video or toy while you
do some toning exercises like squats and tricep dips.
-
Grab your
stroller and go for a brisk walk*. Or, buy a jogging
stroller for more flexibility. With a jogging stroller
you can walk faster, jog or even run at a fast pace.
And, for veteran rollerbladers, you can even use the
stroller for some skating time.
-
For
younger children, you can use a back carrier to
transport them while walking. This can burn even more
calories as the extra weight makes it more
challenging.
-
Turn on
some music and dance together. Toddlers love dancing,
especially when their parents joins in.
-
Push your
kid on a swing. And, after every push complete one
squat.
-
Use an
infant carrier or bike trailer to enjoy a bike ride
together.
Age: Grade
School
-
Try
rollerblading or skating together.
-
Spend an
afternoon at a park with a playground, but don�t spend
the whole time relaxing on the sidelines � join in on
the fun. Spend some time swinging to help workout your
legs. Try making it across the monkey bars � even just
once (it�s a great upper body workout and you�ll be
amazed that your kid does it with such little ease).
Try some pull-ups using a bar on the playset. Do some
tricep dips on a nearby park bench.
-
Play catch
with a ball or get a small group together for a
kickball or softball game.
-
Make
Saturdays family bike outing day.
-
Involve
your kids while you strength train. Let them count
your reps out loud for you and/or clock your rest time
in-between sets.
-
For pool
outings, don�t just spend time soaking up the sun.
Walk back and forth in shallow water while your kids
have fun splashing about.
-
On rainy
days that force you inside, walk or run up and down
the stairs. You might even make it a contest to see
who can finish 5 complete rounds first.
Age:
Teenagers
-
Register
for a fun run (or walk) event and spend time together
training for the event.
-
Purchase a
family gym membership and workout together weekly.
-
Play
tennis or basketball together.
-
Consider
joining a community volleyball or softball team that
includes enthusiasts of all ages.
-
Don�t just
sit and cheer your kids at their sporting events.
Every few minutes do some walking or jumping jacks or
squats.
-
Implement
a daily family walk each day before or after dinner.
-
Work
together in the yard raking leaves, planting flowers,
trimming trees.
So, with all
the above recommendations, you no longer have the �I�m a
parent � I don�t have time to workout� excuse. If you
implement these activities for just 30 minutes three
times per week, you can easily burn an extra 450
calories or more! Plus, working out sets a great example
for your children that will teach them at an early age
how important (and easy) it is to make physical fitness
a part of daily life. Exercising with your kids also
provides the extra bonus of spending quality time
together.
*For a complete stroller workout
plan, visit:
http://www.workoutsforyou.com/stroller_plan.htm
Lynn Bode, author
and certified personal trainer, offers her services
online through WorkoutsForYou.com.
Workouts For You
provides
affordable online exercise programs to help even
the busiest of Moms lose
weight, tone-up, build muscles, increase stamina and
more via the Internet. Let us
guide you one-on-one through your fitness
journey. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for
a free sample workout.