I am usually a pretty avid exerciser. I try to do something most days of the week. After Charlie was born I became addicted to spin class, but I have found that it is difficult to find people to watch 2 children, especially considering that all of my extra caretakers have to take off of work if I need anyone to keep the kids for an hour or two. I just hate to ask, and I can’t bring myself to take Charlie and Maddie to the childcare offered by the gym.
This spring, summer, and fall we had a really great routine going with our friends at the park. At least three mornings a week we would go walk a couple of miles and then play on the playground. It was great to be outside and have adults to talk to for a little time in the mornings, and Charlie really enjoyed it. This winter, however, I have found myself in an exercise conondrum.
It is too cold to walk at the park, I can’t get to spin class, and my treadmill is broken! So this morning, I decided to create my own exercise plan. I put 10 minutes on the kitchen timer and went to it. I jogged around the kitchen island for 1 minute, did lunges for 1 minute, did 50 jumping jacks, did 50 situps (with Maddie sitting on my stomach because she loves to crawl all over me when I am on the floor), did 120 leg lifts, then 50 butt crunches, then jogged around the house for the remaining 1 minute and 45 seconds. The kids thought I was crazy, but towards the end Charlie was jogging around the house behind me!
I am planning on doing another 10 minute spurt later today, maybe this time including the stairs. I know it’s not much, but it’s definitely better than nothing, which is what I am doing currently.
Something fun I did with Charlie a couple of weeks ago: I tied a long piece of streamer to a rod that Charlie took off of my clothes drying rack. He had a lot of fun swirling it through the air. And when he eventually tore it to shreds I didn’t freak out because it cost me nothing!
Thank you for sharing! With two kids of my own, I know how difficult it is to find time for a workout, and I do love them also. The workout website I use only takes about 20 minutes of your day, and boy does it help! I also used to use my older daughter, who is one and a half as a weight:) She thinks it’s so fun, and I’m getting my workout in..can’t beat that.