Anyone with kids knows for a fact that it is very, very hard to find time to exercise ... between feedings, activities, errands, work, school, the list goes on... how ever is one to fit in the recommended 4 days per week of about 1 hour each time?!
Easy, it is not. Impossible, no. Necessary, yes, a resounding yes! And find the time we must -- not only for parent's health and sanity but for your child's health and sanity as well -- present and future.
Adjustments need to be made, if you will -- you may need to change your usual regimen that you have been doing for years and do various activities, cross-train, if you will. One day you may need to do one activity, the next day a different one. Be creative! it comes in really handy with this sort of thing. Here are some examples:
- Sculpting, kickboxing, or aerobic videos at home while your child exercises with you or plays close by
- Exercise with your child in tow attached to your bicycle or place them in a jogger to run errands
- Rollerblade or jog next to your child while they are on their own bike
- Put them in a special backpack on your back to go hiking
Take it from a first-hand family of 4 with 2 daughters less than 5 years of age). Heidi Hill, author of Fit Family: The infant, Toddler, and Preschool Years (VItesse, 2008), has written a how-to book on continuing to exercise through these challenging first years. It is a great resource for tips, ideas, support, and encouragement.
It is vitally important, parents and primary caregivers, that your child(ren) see you active, exercising and perhaps actually enjoying it (even more effective)! In this manner, these super habits that they incorporate as children will continue on into adulthood. And above all, have fun and enjoy each other's company! This will do you more good than anything!
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