I am a huge advocate for creating a fit and healthy life for you and your family. When it comes to eating clean, exercising, faith, manners, fashion, dialect…your children are watching. They are like sponges and are a reflection of you and your behaviors. I want my children to be well mannered, have respect for themselves and other, be kind, generous, have huge hearts, know the value of a dollar and hard work and that giving up or quitting is not an option. You are your children’s biggest role model. They learn from you what is normal and how to live their lives. If you are living a healthy lifestyle your children will learn to do the same. They will know no different. Exercising will seem like play time, or a game, and eating their vegetables will be normal. Chips and junk won’t even be an option. Television and video games will be a privilege. Get up Get active but get down on their level. I always remind myself that this is time that I will never get back so make the best of it.
The First Step in creating a fit and healthy life is to make it a habit. It takes 21 days to create a habit. In order to commit to that behavior that you are trying to make a habit, you might need to sit down and have a heart to heart with yourself and discover what I like to call your “WHY.” It is your reason and your motivation. It is not just to lose weight or get in shape but the deeper meaning that generates emotions that you can’t explain. Maybe you want to be stronger both physically & mentally. Maybe you have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, or cancer and you want to do everything in your power to prevent it in your life. Maybe it is to just find peace or release in your own life or to have something that is for you, a sense of happiness and accomplishment, that makes you feel good about who you are as a person in the body that you were given. Whatever it may be, discover that WHY and write it down. Put it on paper or a sticky note and place it somewhere that you will see it every day. It will keep you going on the days when you feel like you just can’t do it.
I am not an expert nutritionist or a celebrity trainer. I am just a mom and personal trainer who is passionate about helping other parents learn how to make their health, nutrition, and fitness a lifestyle. I want to share a few workout ideas and moves that you can do which include your kids and will allow you to bond with your little one and get fit at the same time.
Warm Up/Cardio:
Jog/Walk/Sprints
The first thing that we do almost daily is go to the park. He rides his bike and I push my 10 month old in jogging stroller. Just keeping up with him is a workout in itself. I run behind him and when he gets to far he will turn around and circle back, only to ride ahead of us again forcing me to sprint.
Incorporate your children in any way that you can to keep them entertained while you get in your workout. Get creative. Have fun. You may have to pause for snacks, or juice, and even switch it up when they get upset/bored. It is okay. You are still getting in the workout. When it isn’t always going your way remind yourself that 10 minutes is better than 0 minutes. Consider this quality time. Remember that you are beautiful, you are strong, and you are worth it!
