Happy Wednesday! I can hardly believe we are through another week and have already completed almost four weeks of the summer fitness challenge! Continuing on with a series of guest posts to keep us motivated to MOVE this summer, I am so excited that Giselle from My Healthy Happy Home graciously agreed to share some awesome tips with us about how to make time for fitness while raising our babies! I’ve been following her blog for quite a while now, and she is an amazing inspiration to me. Not only is she a true example of what it means to be healthy and active, but she also has a little guy that is a bit older than Baylen, and I love all the cute ideas she has to keep him busy. On top of that, I consider her one of the most creative party planners I’ve ever seen. If you’re looking to throw a party for a toddler or a shower, check our her create page! Thanks so much for sharing today, Giselle!
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Making Time for Fitness While Raising a Baby or Toddler
Hi there! My name is Giselle and I blog over at My Healthy Happy Home. I was so honored when Amber asked me to guest post because I love her blog and her adorable little family. Also, I am super passionate about health and fitness so any opportunity to share my passion with others I jump at!
First, a little about me.
I’m a thirty something stay at home mom to my little Love Nugget, wife to my wonderful husband and healthy living blogger. I love to cook, bake, exercise, travel and spend time with my family outdoors as often as possible.
Health and fitness has always been a part of my life but it wasn’t until after having my son and quiting my job, that I became much more passionate (some would say obsessed) with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Unfortunately with a two year old it’s gotten a little harder for me to find time to workout as often as I’d like. In the past two years I’ve learned some pretty good tricks to ensure I’m getting in my daily fitness for my health and for my sanity!
1. Workout when the baby/kids are sleeping –
We always hear, “Oh you should sleep when the baby is sleeping.” for me, that never worked. My mind was always racing with what I needed to get done, or what to do when the baby woke up. So since I knew I wouldn’t be able to do much sleeping, I made good use of that time and got in a workout. From early on when my son went down to nap, I would hop on my elliptical, head out to the garage for a quick circuit, or pop in a workout DVD for a fast 30 minutes of yoga. It helped to clear my mind, relieve stress and I was much happier when he woke up. I’m dreading the day my son gives up his naps as there are still days when I hop on my elliptical while he’s snoozing away.
2. Find a local moms workout group and join it –
There are tons of national fitness organizations that are mom based and kid friendly. When my son was 7 months we joined the local Stroller Strides group and loved being able to get out of the house, meet other moms and get in a good workout. We still go at least once a week to socialize, workout and usually play afterwards.
3. Find a gym with a daycare –
I was so hesitant on taking my son to daycare for the longest time. I was a first time mom, worried about germs, other kids, someone not watching him, him missing me… I could keep going (crazy first time mom!) When I finally took him in around a year, he did cry as I left for a few weeks. However, as soon as I was gone, he was just as happy as could be. Now we go several times a week and he LOVES to go play at the gym. Works out perfect for me as I’m able to get in a workout while he’s learning social skills 🙂
4. Learn to love TABATA and HIIT training –
Tabawhat!?! TABATA has become my saving grace for those days when I’ve only got a few minutes to squeeze in a workout. Basically it’s high intensity training followed by short spurts of rest. 20 seconds of work with 10 seconds of rest for as short as 4 minutes. HIIT training is along the same lines but for longer time increments and usually about 20 minutes rather than the shorter duration TABATA. There are tons of resource and sample workouts on the web but a few of my favorites are here, here, and here!
Check out Myhealthyhappyhome.com for lots more time saving workouts!
5. Make it a family affair –
The Love Nugget and I before our family 5k race last year
Luckily I married a man that is just as passionate about fitness as I am. This helps in so many different ways as he understands how important it is for me to get in my workouts and will happily join in as well! Last August, we ran a half marathon together which entailed many miles of training most done with our son in the stroller. As a family, we love to get outdoors and go for walks, jogs, and hikes which is such a great way to get in a little exercise, while modeling how a healthy lifestyle for your kids. We also like to sneak away from our little man and enjoy some fit activities as a date instead of just going to dinner or a movie. It’s a fun way to connect and get in some exercise as well!
My Hubby and I after finishing a Mud Run
Those are just a few things that work for me but definitely find whatever works for you!
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Mommy Needs to Move Week 4 Update: 
Our total mileage is at 1,407! We added another 277 miles this week! Keep up the great work…get out there and MOVE! I promise you’ll be glad you did!
Our total mileage is at 1,407! We added another 277 miles this week! Keep up the great work…get out there and MOVE! I promise you’ll be glad you did!As an added incentive, if you are participating, or if you join and you log miles either today or tomorrow, you are eligible for another entry in the LOFT Gift Card Giveaway! Claim your entry using Rafflecopter on the giveaway post.
5 Comments
Amber you are so sweet! Thank you so much for including me in your Mommy Needs to Move challenge! Love the inspiration and seeing all the moms working it!
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Great tips. I think it is great idea to maintain the fitness while doing routine activities. I would like to suggest few more activities that are fun as well as beneficial like dancing with your partner, going for hiking in the weekend for picnics, these activities will help in your physical fitness along with your family.
Your blog is just amazing. I agree here that fitness is very important aspect of life. If physical fitness is combined with fun then it will more productive than the doing it alone. If possible then traveling distance by walking or by cycling is also good way to exercise. Visit this blog also which might be useful for you of Find Fitness Courses: http://findfitnesscourses.com.au/want-your-blog-to-be-viewed-by-thousands-of-fitness-professionals/
Great post. Yes it is necessary to make a time for the exercise on a daily basis because it gives a great shape to the body and also helps the body in order to be fit and fine. I have been doing exercise since last years and would like to tel you that it is a worth thing for me.