How many different ways can we come up with for busy parents of small children to squeeze a workout into their day?
Get up early & work out. Do a DVD at nap time. Run to the store, ride the bus home with milk eggs & bread. Do an extra 4 sets every time you have to go up or downstairs to fetch something. Bike commute instead of driving to work. Kid’s Club drop-off and a gym workout. Walk or run through the park while your child is participating in their sports practice.
I know, I know, I just listed a bunch of ideas, but I know you have MORE to share! And busy parents of young children need as many options as possible (not to mention the forethought of scheduling it into their day) to get it done consistently. Parents of young children are often sleep-deprived, scarf half-eaten graham crackers and eggies for their daily energy, and have to be “on” until the kiddos are in bed. A workout opportunity needs to be recognized and grasped at the drop of the hat. Let’s help them do that, because there’s always time. We just need to teach them how to grasp it.
I believe you should not focus on squeezing in a workout into their day. A child (depending on age) does not need exercise as well as lacks the motor capabilities unlike an adult to perform fluid exercise movements. Also, children have the ability to expend energy (burn calories) similar MUCH easier just through performing activities. A University of South Florida study showed that kids expend enough energy (burn calories) from utilizing 30 minutes on a playground. So the focus should be that their day is full of activeness. It does not good if a child works out for an hour and is sedentary all day playing video games, watching tv/movies, sitting at school. I encourage engagement in sports especially as they get older. However, no matter who active they are – what you let your children intake will ultimately determine their body composition.
Please check out my article I wrote on this,
http://issuu.com/reitdesign/docs/u4ufall11
Hope this helps
Fuel the Movement,
Jason