Tips for Training with Tots!!

With two toddlers, it’s not always easy to stay motivated with fitness goals; particularly on those bad days….those days, after the 7th sleepless night with a teething baby….those days that start with the alarm going off before I’ve been to sleep or those days when it’s only lunchtime and I’m wondering how I’ll make it to bedtime……yeah, those days are pretty tough and a workout is the last thing on my mind!!

I find the best way to boost my mood, and make it through ‘those days’ is to get moving…..here are some of my tips to keeping active with little ones around.

1. Go to the park….a great game I love to play is ‘push and run’. No,  not push and run away for good ;o)!!  I push my two on the swings and then sprint between the two swings, or run around them as many times as I can before the swing slows down…..let go of your inhibitions for this one and you’ll have their belly’s busting with laughter!! (See my Facebook page ‘VBFC’ for a video demo of this.
2. Play tag…….in the house, on a field, at the park….anywhere you can find with enough space to run around in circles….the kids love it, and it’s a dead cert to lift your mood!!
3. Pushchair squats and lunges; do some walking lunges or static squats – pushing the buggy away as you sit into the squat. WARNING: some babies find this hilarious so may prevent sleep!
4. Row, Row, Row Your Boat; or baby in this case. Hold your abs nice and tight in a C-sit position and rock back and forth with baby or toddler. Focusing on breathing (out as you come up), and keeping movements slow and controlled will help rebuild some of the core strength you may have lost during pregnancy.
5. Go to a Baby Yoga, Pilates or Buggy class….they are all over the country and are a great way to stay active and socialise with other Mammies.
6. Buddy up….find a good soft play, park or meet at a friends house and take turns going off for a quick run whilst the other takes care of the tots.
7. Dance…..just dance; stick on the lively music and dance around….another sure fire mood lifter and a great laugh whatever age your kids are….. although this may be less appreciated during the teenage years!
8. Go on a long walk or jog…..another great one if your baby needs motion to sleep. They nap (hopefully), you get your heart rate going and everyone gets some much needed fresh air…..and if the little ones are still napping when you get home, you might get to drink a coffee before it goes cold!!!!