I admit it. I hate working out. But I wasn’t always like this…it’s an unfortunate side effect of motherhood.
I used to love exercise, and was a total gym rat before kids. An hour of cardio a day, then an hour of weights afterwards 3-4 times per week. I loved the way it made me feel…and look.
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| Me 10 weeks preggers with baby #1. (2008) |
But since we had kids…working out is torture, as I have been sleep deprived for 5 long years. I work too much…blog too much…and the thought of waking up before the kids to exercise sound like hell.
But as they say…if you want to see change, you have to make a change. And like most moms, I am not ready for bathing suit season. So I’m making adjustments to my diet, steadily decreasing sugar and carbs and trying to meal plan and eat as clean as possible.
And I do workout out occasionally (twice a week if I’m lucky)…but I have mom guilt galore. The thought of leaving my kids even more to exercise saddens me. I do classes sometimes, but the perfect formula for me is to do cardio with my kiddos!
I walk with them, rollerblade, and sometimes we ride bikes. I also have an elliptical in my guest room and I can sometimes get 30-40 minutes in while they play. It’s usually disrupted of course with potty breaks, tantrums, or fights over toys. It works for me…well…sort of.
Cardio a couple times a week though isn’t cutting it anymore,the baby hips gotta go! I want to be toned, fit and fabulous…and since I am ready to take fitness to the next level, I recently teamed up with trainer Josh Anderson of Always Active Athletics. His motto is ‘the # 1 source for at-home fitness‘, and gives great workouts that you can do quickly at home, and with your kids if necessary. Josh has a private Facebook group, and sends weekly workouts via the group, and if we need examples he posts videos. (Which I watch every workout to ensure proper form.)
So ladies, if you want to join me and get movin’, Josh is kindly allowing me to share one of his workouts. This is a great one I do out in our backyard while the girls are playing on the swingset. Put away your phone and do it! It’s very important to me that our girls see me exercising and staying active. I don’t tell them I’m trying to lose weight though…my message is that mommy wants to be healthy, fit and strong!
Swing Set Circuit
- Planks
- Tic-Tocs
- Burpees
- Leg Holds
- Mountain Climbers
Here are some examples from Josh of how to properly do these exercises.
- Bicycles
- Jump in Place
- High Knees in Place
- Toe Touches
- Squat Jumps
- Push Ups
If you can, perform this circuit 3 times, which should take around 20-30 minutes depending on your rest periods between sets. This will help work your core while keeping your heart rate high, burning calories, and increasing your cardiovascular endurance. Also, you might be surprised that your kids want to do these with you too! And nothing says an easy bedtime like a tired toddler…
For the kiddos that are too young to swing themselves and need you to push them, try performing squats or even burpees between each push.
Even though moms are usually tired and use playground time to rest – think of it as a way to get some energy, release those endorphins, and have fun!
For more information on any of these exercises, you can check out Always Active Athletics. Or leave a question in the comments below and I’ll get back to you pronto!
Love this idea! I struggle to find the time to work out, too. Getting up early means no mom guilt because everyone’s asleep, but it also means I’m exhausted. This just might get me back on track.
We all do Stephanie! Join me on my park play/workout groups. We had a few moms picking up their kids and doing squats with me in the middle of the park. It was awesome! And soccer with the kids for 20 minutes and I was toast! Good luck!
I’m the same! While Claire went with Grandma and Grandpa’s I suddenly got motivated and realized how hard it is to always be negotiating and working around 3 little personalities instead of just my own. This work out looks great! and way to go at 10 weeks! You looked great!
Looked, past tense Georgia! Work in progress…hope this motivates you!
I’m going to need your help after the baby’s born when I want to get back in shape!!! You’re an inspiration!!!!
Love this idea. I did the elliptical while son played and then it broke and I have yet to replace it. I did T25 for a bit and liked the results but it’s tough to keep up with everyday. My son would always join in with that one so this program looks like a great compromise!
When I was doing music in a nursery class, one boy stopped the Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes actions in lieu of downward facing dog, and other yoga poses. I told him mom later and she said I’d caught her–she gets her workouts in by conning her toddler to do it with her.
Great tips, I’m a gym goer 6 times a week and I think it’s vital to get some form of exercise whatever shape or form. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
I was using the elliptical and having my kids have a dance party for a half hour, but now my son wants to use the elliptical…(I don’t agree with that- he is too young!) so I now am working out after they go to bed, but I feel bad that they aren’t getting a work out with me. Oh the Mommy Guilt, I even get it over exercise HA!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
Some great ideas!! I am trying to figure out how to keep my cardio in my schedule now that summer vacation is here and my daughter is home again. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Thanks for sharing at the Say G’day Saturday linky party. I’ve just pinned your post.
Hope you can join us again this weekend.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz