This is the first of three guest posts by our friend Amy, who blogs at The Finer Things in Life. Her three part series focuses on getting things done with toddlers. As a mom who has had toddlers for the past 13 years I cannot wait to read her ideas. Her first post is all about getting fit!

As a mom of busy, energetic little people (ages 1, 3, and 5), there are some things that just fall by the wayside. Nail polish, dusting, and rock-hard abs (are you kidding me?) to name a few. But you know what? It is important for all of us moms to take care of ourselves. Our bodies need exercise. We’ll feel better. We’ll be healthier. We’ll have more energy and be better able to take care of our precious family.

When we moved to Tiny Town over two years ago, I fell off the exercise bandwagon. I had been faithfully attending Curves for the previous two years and was in the best shape of my life… after having my second baby! (If you have access to Curves and can swing the time and budget to make it work, I highly recommend it. I love that place and still miss it dearly.) My new “exercise routine” was built around excuses.

And on, and on. Here’s the thing. Life is about choices. Priorities. I had a choice to make. I either needed to ditch the excuses or ditch the kids. Since I’ve grown quite attached to my children over the past 5+ years, I thought I better keep them and make it work. I need to exercise.

Here are a few of my exercise solutions… which all involve my small children. Please remember as you read this that I am not an exercise guru. And please don’t laugh too loud when that becomes incredibly apparent through my suggestions and photos. I am well aware even while writing this post that anything I can do you can do (better…)

Capitalize on their energy. Kids love action and movement. My kids are half monkey, I’m certain! They love exercise, so make it a family affair. Go outside when you are able. My younger two enjoy a ride in the jogging stroller. We pass the time playing “I Spy” as we run jog walk pretty fast through town. If you have older kids, they could ride their bikes alongside. We also enjoy family bike rides with my littlest strapped to a seat behind me. Go to the park, and when you do go to the park… leave the laptop at home. Turn the cell phone off. Get up off of that bench! Either chase your kids around (that will get the heart rate up!) or use the equipment to your advantage. I like to use the playground steps to do my own little step aerobics routine, and I do some angled push-ups on the climbing bars (see embarrassing pictures since my playground equipment vocabulary isn’t so sophisticated to explain this properly).

Focus on your muscles while you step.

Just keep moving! Use those arms.

Elmocize! Okay, so I’m not a big fan of Sesame Street (we don’t even have that channel) and I cannot deal with Elmo’s voice, but my kids love this video and they love to exercise with me while we watch it. (And I found it for basically nothing at a garage sale!) Sophisticated moves? No. So don’t follow their moves… make up your own. I used lightweight dumbbells until this happened… and now I use exercise bands. They provide great resistance without the drop (OUCH) factor.

Her well-intentioned brother handed her a dumbbell... on her face.

I also use my kids for resistance. Nothing like tossing a squealing toddler in the air to get the biceps burning. We also love a quick game of “airplane” where I lie on the floor with my knees bent and my kids take turns hopping on my feet for an airplane ride. That’s good for the abs and legs… a great “balance” workout, too!

No more excuses! Even with Especially with children underfoot, there are many many ways to get that blood flowing. No one is asking you to develop rock hard abs… thank goodness. Your family just wants a healthy mommy. And you will relish the extra energy and fun times with the kids.

Make it a priority. Get movin’ with your monkeys

Great post Amy, I am ready to head to the park and try some of those exercises. If you are interested in guest blogging for Happy to be at Home email the 3 Moms at 3Moms@happytobeathome.net.

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