I am doing the Tough Mudder in June. It is a half-marathon race with military-inspired obstacles through the mud. I only have about 45 days to get ready and I am not sure how I am going to get ready for this! I have been working out and doing some different things to train different muscles, but I am nowhere near ready! One thing I have been doing is incorporating some exercising into my time with kids (playing, running around, etc.).
1. Walk or run with kids. You can ALWAYS find a way to run or walk with them! Just get outside or find a large indoor place and start moving!
2. Squat while your baby is in his Bumbo or baby swing. Each time you get close, make a funny face. To really add a challenge, squat facing them, then jump facing back, then jump and face forward. After only a few of these you will feel it – and the baby will love it!
3. Chest presses Lift the baby in the air and then bring her close to your chest doing chest presses. Count to 10, then repeat!
4. Push-ups Lay your baby on the floor facing you and do a push-up over top of them. Each time you come down give her a kiss!
5. Dance around the house with your baby in your arms. Bend your knees and raise to your toes whenever you feel inclined. Your baby will love the range in levels, and you will get a great lower-body workout!
6. Crawl with your baby. Once babies start crawling they love it when you chase them on your hands and knees!
7. Sit-ups Sit your child on your lap and do sit-ups. Depending on your child’s age you can adapt the sit-up range; you can find a way to make it work!
Finally, just start moving! Babies love movement so start throwing some punches in the air or doing jump rope. . .they will love it (at least for a few minutes). The trick to exercising with your kids is just to stop thinking about what you should be doing and start doing SOMETHING . . . anything!! Just start moving! Try to enjoy yourself when doing these activities! You will be surprised how easy it is (and how much faster your day will go).
Toni Langdon is a stay-at-home mom of two daughters and an in-home child care provider. She is a black belt in martial arts and has worked with Chester County, PA children with special needs. This post is adapted from her blog, Tickles and Time Outs. 
