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It is no surprise that raising children cuts into your workout time. But what you might find surprising is
what a complete workout you can get being a great parent.
One of the most common complaints parents express is that they don’t have enough time to stay in shape.
But one of the best things you can do for your children is to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
In order to stay healthy in the hectic world of child rearing, you must re-vision your life, rethink your
priorities, redo your routine, re-imagine possibilities.
This does not have to be a complicated, expensive, or stressful endeavor.
Most likely, small changes will simplify your life and make you and your family happier and healthier in the
process. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Make exercise a priority. It might seem near impossible, but by committing yourself to even one hour
per week, it well soon become something you crave and look forward to rather than an extra burden.
- Make exercise a part of family time. Bike to the park, walk to the library, plan a soccer game with other
families, invite the kid’s friends over for a dance party. If you live out of town, go on nature
walks, play tag, climb trees. You will be surprised at what a great work out you will get pulling your
kids in their sled through fresh snow, or racing them through a homemade obstacle course around the yard.
- Whenever you can, leave the car at home. Instead of driving to the store, ride your bike and pack the
trailer with groceries. Walk to work. Jog to the bank. Don’t think of it as time wasted but rather
as good health gained.
- Invest in equipment that will allow you to incorporate your kids into your workout--a jogger stroller,
a trailer for the bike, a ski polk, a backpack big enough to carry a toddler. These items can be expensive,
but the years of good use and enjoyment you will get out of them are well worth the investment. Remember,
buying used and selling the items your kids have outgrown can also cut down on the expense.
- One of the keys to making your life more active and less stressful is teaching your kids to enjoy the
outdoors. That means getting your kids outdoors everyday starting when they are infants. Make sure to
have appropriate gear on hand so they will be comfortable in the cold, rain, sun, or snow. Invest in
tag-alongs, skis, snowshoes, skates, bikes, balls so your kids become confident doing all types of activities.
Then as they get older they will be able to work out with you.
- Alternate watching the kids play on the playground, at the beach, or in the warming house, as you take
turns with your spouse jogging, biking, swimming, or skiing. Or better yet, make friends with other families
who have similar interests as you and do these types of outings together so the kids can play with each
other and you don't have to work out alone.
- Take advantage of drop-off child care at your local YMCA or health club.
- Get rid of the snow blower and leaf blower. Do yard work while your kids are playing outside. Shoveling,
raking, and digging in the garden are great exercise.
- Enter family friendly races. Make it a mini-vacation. With your spouse, alternate watching the kids.
Kids love the excitement of race starts and finishes. Use the time between to take the kids for a hike
or bike ride.
- Find a reliable babysitter and set up a weekly date night. You don’t always have to go to dinner
or a movie. Use your date night to play tennis, go canoeing, go rock-climbing, or play a round of golf.
- Consider whatever exercise you get a good accomplishment. Don’t beat yourself up for not getting
as long or intense of a workout as you would if kids weren’t in the picture. Make up for it by
doing a wider variety of physical activates. Rent exercise videos or take a class on how to do yoga with
your kids. Put on some favorite music and dance around the living room. Jump rope. Your kids will love
it and your heart and soul will get a great workout.
- Realize that though staying in shape and feeling healthy is important and necessary, being present when
your children are young is more important than coming in first place in the big race or looking perfect
in your swimsuit. Lower your competitive expectations. Set your goals on having a fun time and staying
healthy with the entire family, everyday.
By Joanna Dane
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