Being a parent is a full-time job and it often leaves you with a very small amount of time you can devote to yourself. Many new parents experience extreme stress and shock when their lives turn upside down with the arrival of their new bundle of joy. It’s hard to stick with healthy habits when every day flies by in a rush. But, instead of thinking how you need a day that lasts at least 48h to get everything done, you should consider adapting. Simply turn your workout into a fun family activity, while staying focused on your fitness goals. Here are some of the ways you can try that.
Dance, Dance, Dance!
Instead of signing up for Zumba or some other fitness activity that has dance elements incorporated, pump up the volume and have fun goofing around with your kids. Dancing can actually be a great cardio exercise: try moving as much as you can to keep your heart rate high and burn those calories! Depending on different factors (e.g. weight and height, the intensity of movement), you might burn up to 250 calories for just half an hour. Focus on your moves: you can do a couple of squats or standing kickbacks to target your gluteus. In addition to being a moment of fun bonding with your kids, it’s a worthy daily workout.
Jogging Together
A morning jog is a great way to start your day and it can be beneficial for the whole family. Depending on the age of your kids, it may be a bit more challenging to establish it as a fitness routine. Kids with a good sleeping cycle are natural early wakers. If you have a baby or a toddler, invest in good jogging strollers and inform yourself about the options you have. Not only will you keep maintaining your fitness, but it might actually be an upgrade: pushing the strollers will keep your arm muscles busy, which can result in a more toned physique.
Yoga At Home
Roll out your yoga mats and create a fun family activity at home. The important thing here is to make this experience entertaining for the kids so you end up with a win-win situation: they’ll enjoy it while you get your oms. They need the moment of playfulness or a challenge: propose them to try to imitate your yoga positions. There are many benefits of yoga for kids and since they are more flexible than adults, it’s a great way to maintain that flexibility while developing concentration and coordination. You’ll stay focused on your fitness, while your kids will be learning about the importance of nurturing healthy habits from the youngest age. Celebrities are doing it, too!
Go On A Family Field Trip
Going outdoors offers you many opportunities to stay active. Play tag, jump a rope, play with your dog, and enjoy playing volleyball or some other kind of sport. Studies have shown this type of group physical activities are good for strengthening emotional bonds among family members, relieving stress, and improving overall mental health, while getting fitter and stronger. Kids love competition and you can use that to make your trip more fun and worthwhile. Organize a running race or show them how to do a plank: turn on the stopwatch and measure each other’s endurance time. The winner gets to sit in the front on the ride back home! You can also go cycling: if your precious little one is too small to ride on its own, purchase a seat you can attach to your bike.
It does take a little bit of effort to stay healthy and fit while being a busy parent. Use these tips and be creative: you will find a way to stay active, guaranteed.
