Family Fit: Exercising with Your Kids
By Lori Garcia, editor in chief

Between changing diapers, dropping off at soccer practice, cleaning spills off the kitchen floor, and reading your scriptures, you’ve got to fit in exercise. But maybe with hectic schedules and tight budgets you don’t have the luxury of going to the gym for an hour every day. Mommy Chic is here to help. We’ve researched ways real moms find ways to work out and stay fit while instilling good habits in your kids.

Fun Activities You Can Do with Your Kids

Nursery Age

• Walk, run, with strollers

• Bike with child seat attached

• Hike with baby pack

* Caution do not do any movement or activity where you could fall or could hurt the child.

Junior Primary Ages

• Dance around the living room

• Do exercises together with music (There are lots of kids exercise tapes that are fun for both kids and parents) Some fun memories I had as a child was doing our morning exercises with my mom. Not only was it fun, quality time we spent with our mom, it was physically and mentally good for us, and instilled a sense of exercise at a young age.

• Dance, move, have fun while you clean the house and pick up toys.

• Young children can be great cheerleaders too. A mother from “Family Fun” magazine said her 3-year-old holds the stop watch and yells, “Go Mommy Go,” while mom does push-ups, sit-ups, and other exercises.

• Swimming in the local pool. Join the YMCA or local community center to swim in their indoor pool.

Senior Primary & Teens

• Have exercise races with your kids to see who can do the most sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, etc. If you want to race your child, make sure you set up a goal of 5 sit-ups for your child, while you’re goal is 10 sit-ups in a given period of time.

• Play team sports. If your kids like to shoot hoops after school, spend some time with them playing a little one on one or a round of horse. Not only will this time be physically good for you, but will help you bond with your child.

• Go roller blading, jogging/walking, biking, etc., with your kids. This is a fun way for your family to get some exercise together.

• Take an aerobic or dance class together. There are many community and private classes for adults, children and both. In some cases, dance, cheerleading, etc., classes need parent helpers. You might be able to help and actually to get some aerobic benefit.

• Offer to coach your child’s soccer/baseball/basketball team. Community groups are always looking for coaches and helpers. Most of these positions are volunteers or lowly paid, but you’ll have the benefit of spending more time with your child and getting some exercise in the process.

• Rock climbing is becoming more and more popular at community centers and schools. Take your family on an expedition helping younger members.

• Walk to a destination. Whether it be to get groceries, a treat, to church, or whatever, try walking where possible instead of taking the car.

• Do Yard work together to burn off the pounds and clean you your yard. Raking leaves, planting flowers, moving the lawn, etc.

 

Strolling Your Way to Healthy
#1	The Super Stroller- Burn 250 Calories in this 30 minute routine.
Warm Up	Start with a slow 3-5 minute slow walk to get the blood pumping in your veins.
The Routine	Pick up the pace with a “hurried walk” like you’re running late for an appointment. Keep one hand on the stroller at all times. Alternate curls with the opposite arm. For added weight, do the curls with a water bottle.
#2	The Conditioning Course- Alternate walking styles and terrain to build endurance and muscle.
Warm Up	Same as above, start with a slow 3-5 minute slow walk to get the blood pumping in your veins.
The Routine	Alternate your pace and course throughout your routine. Start with walking slowing uphill for 4 minutes or so. Then add some speed so you are almost jogging. As you move through your neighborhood walking path, you’ll go up and down hill. This will vary your course. Continue to switch back between a moderate walk and a moderate jog. If you continue this routine regularly and your stamina will increase. You might be able to jog the entire course soon.
#3	Strength & the Stroller- Use the stroller to strength muscles and tone and tighten muscles.
Warm Up	Same as above, start with a slow 3-5 minute slow walk to get the blood pumping in your veins.
The Routine	Make sure you put the breaks on the stroller after the warm up so it is stationary. You’ve heard of using a chair to do swats and lunges, so why not a stroller? It’s got a perfect place to hold on and you can do this routine after the Conditioning Course or Super Stroller. • Lunges: Hold onto stroller bar with both handles. Keep one leg bent at a 90 degree angle (Make sure your knee is not hyper extended past your foot. You want to make you can see your foot.) Press back with your opposite leg and squeeze your buttock. Hold for 5-10 counts. Alternate legs and repeat. Lunges are great for your thighs and bottom. • Squats: Holding both hands on the stroller handle bar, bend your legs as if you were going to sit down. When you’re fully extended in the “seated” position and hold 5-10 counts. As you come back up, squeeze your buttock. Squats are the best way to tone and firm your bottom. • Leg Lifts: With both hands securely attached to the stroller handle bar, and one leg firmly planted on the ground, lift the other leg directly behind you as far as you can without hyper extending. Continue with reps alternating legs. You can short movements or “double-time” movements going starting as you would normally, but only releasing halfway so your foot doesn’t return to the ground after each lift. These little movements will really help tone your legs. You can try leg lifts at a diagonal angle and also sideways. Make sure you squeeze your buttocks as you go.