Working out with kids; where the distractions are harder than the workout! Anyone with kids knows how frequently we are assaulted with unhelpful (and usually unsolicited) advice. Just lock yourself in a room. Tell them you need 20 minutes. Push through it. Include them in the workout. While that last one sounds nice in theory and may even work well for 5 minutes, I somehow wind up with no workout mat space and getting elbowed/kicked/hit while in various positions. To be fair, the afore mentioned guidance does occasionally work for the older kids. But not the toddler. Toddlers are ruthless.
While I have no advice to offer, I can at least provide a chuckle while I show you a smidgen of what working out with a toddler looks like for me.
Warm-Ups
Turn on TV to toddler’s favorite show. Sneak out warm up mat. Begin stair runs or treadmill walking. On stairs day: reassure alarmed toddler that I’m not actually going upstairs. Proceed to do entire warm-up while avoiding toddler’s haphazard ascent/descent directly in the pathway. On treadmill day: immediately relinquish control of treadmill and remote while toddler takes his own walk for 5 minutes. Proceed with warm-up at a fast pace while attempting to maintain balance and keep curious fingers from moving belt. Stretch. Skip the ad on the TV. Pull out phone to look up workout plan; assure toddler you are not in fact watching a train video without him.
Main Workout
Select the day’s exercise and get situated on workout mat. Direct toddler towards show/toys. Make room on the mat because it didn’t work. Go through first set, attempting not to laugh at my miniature workout buddy’s adorable attempts. Suggest a toy/show again. It worked- success! Begin second set. Pray that the little feet coming into view don’t jump on my scoliotic back during this plank. Collapse under the extra 30lbs suddenly thrust upon me. Recover enough to make requested chicken nuggets. Resume plank. Spend recovery time grabbing bottle of Ranch dressing that my Midwest, ranch-on-everything toddler requests. Next set. Stop to replace batteries in a beloved toy, in hopes of buying more distracted time. Begin next set but sense a set of eyes on your back. Stop abruptly when you realize the eyes belong to the beloved, yet forgotten, cat sitting outside, staring through the window. Let her back inside and feed her breakfast. Finish set.
Cool Down and Stretch
After skipping another ad, begin stretches. Marvel at how much more limber I feel after exercising. Regain balance as workout buddy crashes into leg, my pants a convenient tissue for his “treasure” he found digging in his cute nose. If time allows, slow stair climbs or moderate treadmill walk. Who am I kidding? More like, if toddler allows, which is rare. Roll up the workout mat and stash it safely in the closet before cat uses it as a scratching pad. Head to the kitchen for water and to make an easy protein drink.
It’s amazing how one, 60-second set can take 5 minutes. Anything is possible with a little tike in tow! If anyone is curious, I like to bounce between using this calisthenics workout plan and this 15-minute daily workout. Working out, while tough with young ones around, has been crucial for my mental and physical health. At times its frustrating, but more often comical, a time I know I’ll look back on and laugh.
