FIVE EXERCISE STRATEGIES FOR MOMS WITH “ACTIVE” KIDS

After having my daughter, losing weight was easy. No sleep. No time to eat. Breast feeding. Trudging up the steps 20 times a day to clean up yet another blowout. Not to mention the incredible anxiety eating away at me about caring for this tiny, fragile little being. But after a while, the anxiety began to fade, I started to sleep again, the diva weaned herself and my ass expanded seemingly overnight.

When you’re pregnant, it’s assumed you can eat whatever you want. I mean when you spend all day creating new LUNGS you need the extra fuel. Same with breast feeding – although you actually need a few more calories when breast feeding than when your pregnant. I guess becoming a maker of liquid gold as opposed to creating a living, breathing human takes more work. Go figure.

But as my life was transforming and my stay-thin tactics started to flitter away, my eating habits didn’t change. Going from eating whatever, whenever back to a diet of rabbit food and tasteless chunks of chicken is not an easy feat. So here I sit, on my exponentially enlarged butt.

I don’t have time or money for the gym. The last time I attempted an exercise DVD, I ended up with a 27 pound 18 month old sitting on me yelling “Bounce! Bounce!” Not exactly motivating, people. I went in search of exercises I can do without getting up before the sun and while entertaining an “adventurous” toddler. So if you hate 5 a.m. AND have a household to run, read on.

Walking – Walking is one of the best exercises you can do. It’s low impact. Free. And best of all, you can wear out a toddler in just 20 minutes.

Pump up the jam! – If that reference eludes you, get off my blog right now! Seriously. Just kidding. Don’t go anywhere, I have 3 more tips for you! Is there a better way to play with your child and get a good workout in than dancing? Turn on the music – it doesn’t matter if it’s top 40 hits or Mickey Mouse singing nursery rhymes – anything that will get you moving will surely entertain your toddler while you burn some serious fat.

Get outside! – Hike, swim, participate in a fun game of hopscotch, ride bikes (don’t forget the helmets!), garden, play a game of soccer or kickball or softball. Whatever it is, have fun and get moving!

Jump in the game – Too cold or rainy? Bring the fun inside. Jump rope, do jumping jacks, run in place, lunges, squats, play tag. Surely you can take a cue for how your kids play to get involved.

Grab a controller – Got a video game addict in your child … or hubby? Turn on the Wii or Kinect (no, they didn’t pay me to say that) and challenge your kid to a serious game of tennis or bowling or whatever it is that they also enjoy.

Do these in short bursts and you’ll end up with the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Now get off your tushie and MOVE!

By: http://motherhoodontherocks.com/