Tips For Working Out At Home With Kids

I love going to the gym and doing my own thing, going to group fitness classes, teaching group fitness classes, etc., but there are also times when working out at home is the best option for me. This of course brings with it a whole new set of challenges that I don't face at the gym. However, I have found that a few things work best for me when it comes to working out at home with my kiddos.

1. Start Early 

A huge thing for me is to start early in the morning. The earlier I start, the more likely the kids are to sleep through the majority of my workout. This is by far the easiest method for me when it comes to exercising at home, but of course things don't always go as planned. Sometimes I sleep in, other times the kiddos wake up much earlier than planned, but when it does work this is golden!

2. Distract The Kiddos

If my one or both of my kids are awake, then I am not ashamed to say that I try to distract them as best as I can ha. This may involve giving them toys, a book, the iPad, some breakfast, or something along those lines. This generally won't keep their attention the entire time, but it gives them something fun to do while mommy gets some much needed "me time". 

3. Involve The Children

Rosalie likes to exercise with me for part of my workout, so I just include her. She has some light weights of her own and just joins right in. She generally doesn't last long, but she loves that she gets to exercise with momma and it is something that I try to make fun for her. I just make sure she stays a safe distance from my weights so she doesn't get hurt. 

4. Keep The Breaks To A Minimum 

I find that the more "breaks" I take when the kiddos are awake, the harder it is to finish my workout. Sometimes you of course have to stop, like when one of the kids needs to use the potty, but I try to push through most of the time and just get my workout done. This not only helps me make sure I get it done, but I feel like I get more out of my workout because I don't get keep starting and stopping. 

5. Be Patient 

I think my biggest lesson in life right now is to be patient. I am the least patient person in the world, so this is a challenge for me. With my at-home workouts I have learned that I just need to be patient with myself and the kids and do the best that I can. Not every workout is going to be perfect, but doing something is always better than doing nothing. 

Some of these tips may sound like common sense to some, but they have helped me get the most out of my at-home workouts. And if you mommas are like me, getting your workout in is essential for you sanity. ;) If you have any more tips please let me know!

xoxo

Rachel