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Getting And Staying Fit For The Busy Mom

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The day Haddassah turned six weeks old, I strapped on my running shoes, ecstatic that I was no longer under the post-partum take-it-easy-or-your-intestines-might-fall-through-the-floor exercise ban. (That’s not to say that you can’t exercise prior to six weeks, you just don’t really want to perform high-impact stuff).

Image shows a pair of running shoes next to a child's stuffed penguin with text that reads "Getting and Staying Fit for the Busy Mom"

The day Haddassah turned six weeks old, I strapped on my running shoes, ecstatic that I was no longer under the post-partum take-it-easy-or-your-intestines-might-fall-through-the-floor exercise ban. (That’s not to say that you can’t exercise prior to six weeks, you just don’t really want to perform high-impact stuff).

I had a 10k to train for. Yippee! Freedom!

Except… It’s not so easy to just up and go for a run when you have two little kids. Haddassah’s not old enough to bounce around in a jogging stroller – even if I had a double jogger.

The maximum number I’ve been able to find a time when Gabriel was available to watch the kids when I had time to go do something not strictly necessary was twice a week.

After a few weeks of this frustrating nonsense, I realized that I was pursuing the wrong goal.

As a mom with small children, I need to be more flexible. Rather than train for a 10k, my goal needs to be to get/stay fit… Whatever that takes.

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to exercise that don’t require a babysitter, and while I don’t pretend to have all the answers, here are a few ideas.

Getting And Staying Fit For The Busy Mom

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Very basically, this means doing something at the highest intensity you can manage for roughly 30 seconds, then recovering for a minute or so before doing it again. It’s a great way to get a lot of “bang for your buck” or, in this case, time. (You can read more about HIIT and its benefits here)

There are several ways to implement this:

  • Sprints. These are a good choice, especially if, like me, you wish to train for a distance run. You’ll burn an amazing number of calories and build muscle at the same time.
  • Kettlebell swings. You don’t even have to leave your living room for this one. KB swings are an awesome core, glute, and hammie, strengthening exercise.
  • Burpees. Everybody loves to hate burpees, and you’ll know why once you’ve done them.
  • Jump rope. I’m not a fan, probably because I’m so uncoordinated, but it’s a great conditioning exercise. Jumping rope will definitely set your lungs on fire – and your calves too!
  • Jump squats. You think barbell squats make you sore? Try squat jumps. Then you’ll know pain.

There are lots more, I’m sure, and as always, I’m a big fan of barbell training for strength and using HIIT for strength/cardio supplementation.

HIIT is also not necessarily the only way to get fit while keeping an eye on your kiddos. If you prefer medium-intensity, sustained workouts, running is not your only option.
Try jumping jacks, butt kicks, jump rope (and you can use an imaginary rope), push-ups, speed squats, skaters, jump twists, burpees, and the list goes on.

There have been many times when I’ve just wanted to get my heart pumping but couldn’t get away, and I’ve been known to do exactly that – taking ten-second breaks to stir the food on the stove or whatever, of course.

I think when it comes down to it, everything comes down to how you train your mind. If you’re mind and body are in the habit of being active, you will generally find a way to be active. 

Gabriel mentioned a few days ago that he’d like me to switch over to the 5k so we can run together, so I probably won’t end up running that 10k. Still, I’m already finding that even though I don’t run as often as I want to, I’m still progressing fairly well thanks to other forms of cardio conditioning, as well as strength training.

In conclusion, if you’re a busy mom and getting into shape is your goal, you can do it! I’ll be your cheerleader.

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