Here are some simple exercises you can do with your kids anytime, anywhere if you are a super busy mom with no exclusive time for a workout or if your kids are inseparable and just won’t leave you alone.

Well, I told you that I have a small daughter and she loves to cling around me. She wants me all the time. Obviously she sees me exercise and she wants to replicate. Any attempt at fitness in her presence is completely futile. I searched the internet for exercises a mother can do with kids and they were all suited for mothers of 4 year and above.

A mother of a toddler and infant has a unique situation where she can’t exercise because the kid is too dependent on her and wants everything with her.

CHALLENGE : 

  • HOW TO EXERCISE IN THIS BUSY ROUTINE?
  • HOW TO FIND TIME FOR EXERCISE WHEN YOUR CHILD  JUST WON’T LEAVE YOU?
  • HOW TO WORKOUT WITH YOUR KID?

Dejected with my stubborn pregnancy weight, I asked my mom (who is very fit even at this age and an ardent Yoga fan). I had an ah-ha moment when she said “Onam, you are a fool if you are trying to find exclusive time for a workout. Make your Mommy-child time a big workout. A workout doesn’t have to be running laps or lifting weights. Change the way you look at the workout. Think of it as an active lifestyle, which you can adopt with Priaana, and you’ll be able to fit in more than you think.” To make it easy, She suggested a few exercises and Yoga poses which can be combined with your children and together makes it a fun activity.

1. Post Dinner walk

Walking is a delightful exercise for mind and body. I got into the habit of walking with my husband. He makes it a point to walk for at least half an hour after every meal and drags me to walk too ( duh..I am damn lazy after eating food). We take our daughter along – when she was an infant we took her out in a pram and now she walks with us too. We let her talk her heart out while we walk. She gets happy to see the dogs and trees while we burn those calories effortlessly. It’s a wonderful time for us to bond as a family while burning fat.

( Bonus: sometimes she sleeps in the pram so we both get a romantic walk time)

2. Boogie Woogie

My daughter loves to dance and what can be better than dancing with her. Push the chairs and tables out of the way to create a stage space, Turn up the music, put on some dance numbers your child loves and groove on the music with your children. Bhangra -salsa tries your hand at anything. If your child doesn’t stand or walk yet, she will love to watch you dance. In-fact Dance – baby- dance turned out to be my favourite post-natal workouts. So mommies, groove with your kids to lose those devil kilos.

3. Play Chase

Playing chase is the most entertaining activity for all children. They love being chased in the house, in the garden, or the terrace or in the verandah. Make any place a chasing ground to give your body the best Cardio workout. You can combine Chase with Dog and the Bone or any other game your child likes the most.

4. Use the Bed

Simple exercises using the bed

Belly fat is the biggest enemy of any mother. It’s damn hard to lose. But core exercises are simple and mostly need lying down on your back. A lot of time your kid is playing on the bed while you are sitting or lying alongside. Use this time for ab exercises. You can do

  • cycling
  • leg lifts
  • side leg raises
  • ab crunches
  • toe touching (while sitting or standing)
  • Set a target that you have to do 200 cyclings or 50 leg raises or x number of crunches. Then tune your mind to remind you to exercise every-time you lie down on the bed. You will soon shed off that cruel fat on the abdomen.

5. Jumping Jacks 

Jumping is every child’s favourite. It gives them a high. So why not jump with them. Help them learn numbers while you do jumping jacks.

Tell them to count every time you clap. They ll find a fun activity in this. Don’t worry if they start copying you or fall on the floor. Its a part of growing up, so you continue your jumping jacks.

It’s gonna do fantastic work on your hip flexors, glutes, quadriceps while also involving your shoulder and abdominal muscles.

6. Sitting See-Saw

When my daughter was 8 months old, she learnt to sit. I would make her sit and sit in front of her with open legs. I would go back and come forward towards her touching my head on hers and saying some cute cheeky lines.

She laughed so much. Ohhh. those sweet baby giggles they are such music to ears. I still do it with my daughter now that she’s two years old. It’s her favourite exercise. It will help you lose the fat on the upper legs.

7. Downward Facing Dog

Downward facing Dog- Exercises to do at home with your kids anytime anywhere

Downward facing Dog

Seeing the picture of this exercise is self- explanatory. You can imagine your kids going under you and coming out laughing. They found a tunnel in you. Downward Dog is an amazing exercise as it strengthens your core and arms. As you go flexible you can add variations by raising alternative legs and holding the pose.

Moms, recovery after childbirth is more than healing the stitches, be determined to get back in shape and it will make you feel good about yourself. I understand it’s tough, but incorporate these small simple routines in your day to day activities and just like that, without even realising, you will start shedding the inches and kilos.

Be consistent, and before you know it, you will be on your way to establishing lifelong healthy habits for you and your family. Try out these simple exercises on a daily routine basis and you’ll definitely feel the difference.

Good Luck and cheers!! Write to me/ What’s app me to share your fitness story. I would love to share them with fellow moms and make you a part of this “new moms support”.