Getting the Family Involved with Fitness

One thing I have learned as a mom is that working out and staying fit isn’t as easy as it was before children. Even if you are passionate about working out, finding the time to go to the gym or head out for a run isn’t easy. One of the ways you can conquer this obstacle is by getting the family involved with fitness.

Getting the Family Involved With Fitness

I like to run and I also like to do different at home training programs. If I could run every day I would, but it doesn’t usually work out that way.

I have a toddler and on days where it is really nice outside I can take the stroller out for a run, but if it is windy or cold I have to stay at home. More often than not, the weather isn’t ideal for taking the stroller for a run and honestly it isn’t the most relaxing way to exercise.

When I don’t have the time to workout like I wish to, I still want to try and be active a little bit each day. The way I do this is by getting the family involved in fitness.

It won’t be an intense workout regimen or the hardest workout you’ve ever done in your life, but it’ll get your blood pumping, improve your mood, and you will get to bond with your children.

There is something about setting all of your worries aside and just being present with your family. No thinking about the work you could be doing, the dishes that aren’t done, or the phone call that you forgot to make. Just being there with your children, engaging with them, and moving!

Brandon isn’t 100% in on exercising yet because he doesn’t have very much time with the amount of hours he works, but when he is off of work he plays with B outside or stays active somehow…even if that means mowing or working on his truck 😉

Your children can be 2 years old or 15 years old…there is a way to bond with them while getting your exercise in!

Tips for Exercising as a Family

Family walks or hikes

It might amaze you what you learn about your children or spouse when you take a walk and together and only focus on each other. The conversations that come up are ones that you would never have while sitting at home in front of the TV.

My daughter is only 2 1/2 and when we take walks together we talk to each other the entire way. She tells me about the moon, the stars, her daddy, the tall grass, and the tall trees. I get to here what she is thinking about all day without the interruptions of toys or screen time.

Think about the time spent with just your spouse while taking a walk. This would give you the time to really hear each other like you used to when you first met.

Bike rides in the neighborhood or on new trails

It doesn’t matter how old you are, bike rides are always fun. Whether you are just going through the neighborhood or adventuring on a new trail your family is bound to have fun with each other.

The kids will love that you are doing something with them that they love to do!

Outdoor games

Kids love playing games outdoors with each other, but how much more special would it be if their parents joined in on the fun? It would give you kids the time they need with their parents while still fulfilling the exercise that you wish to get that day!

Ideas for outdoor gamesL

Red light, green light
Mother, May I?
Simon Says
Tag
Hide and Go Seek
Red Rover (if you have enough people)

Training for/Running a 5K

When you children are a little older you can involve them in your love for running…I can’t wait for this! You can all spend time with one another using a training program like Couch to 5K and run together a couple of nights a week.

Set a goal to run a specific 5K race in your area, finish the training program, and run the race together as a family!

Outdoor Sports

If you children play outdoor sports or if you all just have an outdoor sporting hobby, get out and play together!

A lot of the times kids won’t have the same interests in the same sports so take turns picking the activity. Depending on how many children you have let one choose each week or every other week, but the one rule is that everyone has to participate.

If you don’t have a sporting hobby and would like to pick one up as a family here are some ideas:

Tennis (very active!)
Football
Baseball
Swimming
Golf
Volleyball

None of these sports have a requirement of being good at them in order to have fun. You can never have once picked a tennis racket up and go to your community tennis courts and have a blast as a family playing teams!

Yoga

One thing that B and I do if I am feeling like she is needing my attention is Mommy and Me yoga. All I do is Youtube “mommy and me yoga” and many videos come up. There are beginner videos, you don’t have to be experienced in yoga to do these with your kids.

In my opinion, exercising as a family is more about me bonding with my family and showing interest in their interests than it is getting in my cardio (although that does help!).

When my daughter is acting out and my patience is running thin. I will do mommy and me yoga or take a walk with her. Me engaging with her and giving her the attention that she is craving relieves her bad mood and in turn improves my mood.