Managing Exercise with Kids
We all have excuses as to why we can't exercise. Time is the biggest excuse found. We do not have time because of work. We do not have time because of other commitments. We do not have time because of family. The truth is we rarely make the time to exercise.
By making the time to exercise, we show others and ourselves our commitment to fitness. This will, in turn, influence your children as they grow up. As they see your commitment to exercise, they too will learn that it is an important part of life and that they must make time for themselves.
Essential
Besides exercise, breastfeeding is another way to help curb the problem of childhood obesity. While we know that breastfeeding has many benefits to you as a mother, there are also many benefits to your baby, many of which extend beyond those first few months. A reduction in obesity later in life is one of those benefits.
When to Exercise
Set aside some time each day to work out. This does not have to be an hour every day. It does not have to be at the same time, though that often helps when trying to establish a routine. Do not make the time you choose so late in the day that you are too exhausted, or that you allow other things to take precedence.
Sometimes you will want to exercise alone, without your new baby or other children. Perhaps the answer for this situation is to get up before your husband leaves for work to walk or do an exercise video. This often works well because it starts your day out on a positive note with one major thing already accomplished.
An alternative to this schedule would be to exercise when your husband comes home from work. The problem with waiting this late in the day is that we are usually tired at this point and less willing to get out and move.
While the free time might be greatly appreciated, it takes a lot more motivation to get outside and move, rather than curl up and take a nap. If you choose this type of arrangement, be sure to find a way to stay motivated to get out and go.
Fact
Even working out for 20 minutes four to five times a week is a great boost to your self-esteem and your fitness level. Remember that working out consistently is important. In fact, inconsistent exercise can be more hazardous than no exercise
Another difficulty with late-in-the-day exercise is that your schedule may be interrupted by delays because of your husband's work schedule, the weather, or traffic. Try to find alternatives to do in case this happens. This always allows you the ability to do your exercise or workout, while still planning for contingencies.
Work Out with Your Baby
While the baby is still small, you might be able to work out with the baby present. Some moms use a swing or bouncy chair to entertain the baby while they throw in an aerobics or yoga tape. Your baby is usually entertained simply by watching you work out. You can talk to your baby while working out, a great way to check your exertion level! Babies enjoy the visual and auditory stimulation.
Alert
Be very careful while using your baby as a weight. If the baby resists or is fighting you in any way, immediately stop the workout. The workout should be a good experience for the baby as well as you. It also needs to be a safe experience.
The use of a sling can also be beneficial while exercising. Using a sling or other infant carrier can allow you to get some forms of exercise done, while holding on to your little one. Try doing some light aerobics or stretching while carrying the baby this way. Try to keep one hand on the baby at all times to ensure his or her safety.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this, or prefer your workouts in solitary, naptime may be another time for you to try to squeeze in a workout. Not every baby will have a predictable naptime, so this may throw you off, but you can usually get in one workout every few days with most babies. You need to be prepared to get up and get moving as soon as the little one is down.
