9 Creative Ways To Exercise As A Busy Mom

Every year, we come up with our own personal goals and finding time to exercise is one of them.

With MomLife in the way, it’s not easy at all! Not everyone is successful in this aspect as we all have different priorities as busy moms. It’s a struggle isn’t it?

In today’s post, our MomBlogger shares to us 9 Creative Ways to Exercise as a Busy Mom.

Read this inspiring post and hopefully we can all gain new ideas from her and be able to practice it at home! Here it is.

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If you’re a mom like me, you probably look in the mirror with frustration.

I know I need to exercise more, but there’s always something that comes up. Appointments, Conferences, Taekwondo etc.

Oh yes, Life is busy.

By the time I get a free minute, it’s time for bed, or I’m exhausted. Sometimes it’s both.

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Here are 9 ways on how I get more exercise with the kids.

1. Bike It or Walk It Out

We all have plenty of errands to run throughout the day. I live pretty close to several of the stores I visit regularly, so I decided to ditch the car. I wrangle the kids, and we hop on our bikes or take a stroll.

It helps us get some sunshine, fresh air, and exercise all at once.

On the downside, this may not work for you if you’re too far or the road is too dangerous.

2. Find a Hiking Trail to Explore

Sometimes a walk to school or the store isn’t in the cards. It doesn’t mean you have to miss out on exercise.

Find a local trail – ones with plenty to see and learn about are the best. They’ll help you to keep the kids going when they get bored or tired.

Make it an adventure where you take pictures, explore, and interact with the world around you.

With all of this excitement, it will be simple to turn it into a family ritual.

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3. The Silly Plank Challenge

Sometimes you have to get to the heart of human nature.

It’s not always easy to get older kids off the couch and running around. Instead, approach it differently.

Challenge them!

For a while, we had a nightly family challenge to see who could plank for the longest. You know, every one of us got down on the floor together and set the timer. It was so much easier because it went from a chore to a competition.

4. Frisbee Anyone?

When I was a kid, we went to my grandma’s every Saturday for dinner. After we ate dinner, we went outside together to play a game of frisbee.

Little kids in the yard and adults and big kids got to be in the street. Frisbee can be as active or relaxed as you want it to be. Gamifying exercise will allow you to make it a habit.

5. A Good Ol’ Game of Tag Goes a Long Way

If you had a choice between HIIT training and tag, which would you choose?

Personally, spending time with my kids while getting the exercise we all need makes me pretty happy. It doesn’t matter how old your kids are if they have a competitive streak, you can definitely get them in on this.

The short bursts and sprinting will be as effective as any workout, but it will also be memorable quality time as well.

6. Go for a Swim

Have a membership to the local Y? Maybe there’s a public pool close by. If not, take a trek to a beach or lake. Any body of water will do, so long as you feel comfortable in it.

Getting in and moving around by playing games like Marco Polo, water polo, and tag will get your heart rate up without feeling like a chore.

Of course, you could always do laps if it suits you, but don’t forget having fun helps you keep the habit going!

7. Rainy Day Exercise

It’s much harder to get in that cardio when you’re stuck indoors, but there are still plenty of things to do.

I find thinking outside the box really helps to get the kids involved.

You don’t have to have a big space to get a workout or quality time with the kids.

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8. Non-Electronic Ideas for Rainy Day Exercise with Kids

In the modern age, it can seem hard to live without electronics.

Some of my fondest memories are using good, old-fashioned imagination with my sister, mom, and/or aunts. You can do the same for your children too.

Mix equal parts competition and imagination, and can set up crab walk races or an obstacle course.

Play a game of Simon Says, but ask for active directions like jog in place or do a push-up.

Turn on some music and start dancing together. Invent new moves and teach your kids some old ones too.

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9. Try Video Games to Get Exercise with Kids

You may not want your kids on electronic devices all day or spending all of their time gaming, but they can be useful too.

In fact, many businesses have used gamification in their business strategies because making a game of things gets people to do it regularly.

So, if you want to exercise with kids, you’ll have better luck if you make it a game.

My favorite game is Just Dance. Odds are you all know at least some of the songs, and they vary in difficulty.

There are opportunities for exercise with plenty of Wii, XBOX, and Playstation games.

There are games like Jedi Training, Wii Sports, and Kinect Adventures.

Are you still trying to figure out how to exercise with a toddler at home?

They are all easy, fun, and appropriate for many age groups.

Mommy and me yoga sounds great, but it’s not always ideal.

Think outside of the box when it comes to getting exercise and staying healthy.

You don’t have to sacrifice quality time with the family; you just need to find fun ways to include them.

How do you get your family to exercise together? Share your thoughts!

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About the Author:

Shire Lyon is a mom, parenting blogger, and digital marketer. She loves to write about ways to save time, prepare healthy meals, stay organized, and parent conscientiously. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Read more of her work at www.itsthesmallstuf.com and feel free to connect with her on Instagram @itsthesmallstuf, Twitter @itsthesmallstuf and Facebook @itsthesmallstuff.