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 too am a mom to 3 small children and although it can be difficult, its not impossible to get exercise into my day. I always tell my clients that they have to take care of themselves first so they can take care of their children. Plus, like the others have said, when our children see us exercising, they get in on the act too. We’re their best role models!
I love when my clients find extra ways in their day to get in a little extra exercise: walking vs taking the car, parking further away, doing various squats while getting the baby to sleep, etc. I don’t think that’s a substitution for a “full” workout. As parents we need to take care of ourselves so we can be there for our children. Plus, our clients should be focusing on what their doing, what muscles their working and their alignment. We’re not talking them having to do an hour workout, but even 10, 20 minutes of engaged activity is better than an hour workout where they’re just “trying to get it in”! Show them how to do a circuit, go to the park and let the kids play while they workout, go to a field and do the same. Go for a hike or run (kids can bike or be placed in a stroller) and add in 1 min of body weight strengthening activities.
After awhile, once parents start seeing the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle in their lives, they’ll wonder how they ever didn’t fit it in.