If I can, you can!

In my last couple of blogs, I focused on some pretty heavy topics. Today, I’m going to switch it up a bit. I’d like to take a moment to talk about exercise!

We’ve all heard, time and time again, how good exercise is for us. Its positive effects are endless, including but not limited to improving physical health, relieving stress, and improving mood.

Yet, we find it difficult to make it a priority. Why is it so hard to fit it into our day when we know it has a multitude of benefits for our lives? It doesn’t make sense, but it is a real struggle for many of us. And when I say us, I absolutely include myself. As I write this, I speak from experience. I have struggled to consistently exercise since graduating from high school. Then, after having children, forget it. My oldest son is four and I think it’s pretty accurate to say that I have exercised maybe a handful of times since he was born. Like every other area of life, it’s a new ball game trying to find the time and the motivation to get in even a quick workout.

So, I have to say I’m feeling like I have accomplished something lately. I’ve started to exercise with my two boys, ages one and four, right there with me. What caused me to go ahead and try it? First, I read a blog written by a fellow mama who shared that she does yoga with her young children and how they are learning the benefits of mindfulness and relaxation at a young age. I thought about how this mama is modeling for her children how to take care of one’s self in many ways. Second, I have noticed several friends post about their workouts on social media. Most of them are moms and some of them post pictures or videos of themselves working out at home with their children running all around them. The more posts I saw, the more I began to notice two things: 1. These moms are making it a priority to take care of themselves physically, and 2. It’s doable! If they can do it, I can! There is no right or wrong or perfect way to do it. For some, it might involve getting a sitter or leaving the kids at home with dad and going somewhere outside of the home to exercise, while for others it might look like going for a walk or a bike ride with their children. For me, it looks like following a yoga or cardio youtube video in my living room with my two giggly boys trying to follow along with me, crawling all over me, running around like wild men, or sometimes even sitting and playing nicely beside me. It takes some multitasking to watch the kiddos while exercising, but I’ve found that not only is it possible but it’s also fun to see them enjoy it and it feels good to model a form of self-care for them.

So, I thought I would just share a few things that have come to mind, which have been helpful to me and perhaps will be helpful to you:

1.       You might have to get a bit creative and be flexible, but it is doable. Is it my preference to exercise at home with children running around and/or crawling all over me? Nope. But, now that I have begun to exercise again, I realize that it is worth it because it relieves stress, increases my energy, improves my mood, and makes me stronger.

2.       If you are going to exercise at home with your children, you could do it during nap time. For me, I would rather use that time for other things – like getting a shower! So, I do it while they are awake, which makes it more “interesting,” but again, it’s doable. So, if you exercise with your children, pick a time when they are likely to be the most content for the longest period of time. My boys seem to be in the best mood mid-morning after a snack for about 30-45 minutes. 

3.       Remember, it’s ok to tell your children to go play. Entertaining themselves is good for their development. I have found that sometimes they play by themselves and other times they want to join me. If it’s the latter, it often involves them crawling on me or getting in the way or distracting me, but they are smiling, giggling, and obviously think it is so fun. It may not be the best, most focused workout ever, but I am at least getting in some exercise and quality time with my children.

4.       Think about what you are modeling for them. A mom who loves and takes care of her children and a mom who ALSO loves and takes care of herself.