As the mom of a toddler, it’s pretty easy to find endless excuses not to work out. She’s all over the place, my house is a wreck, and sometimes it feels like we never stop for a minute. Also, she gets whiny and frustrated when I do — or even try to do — anything that doesn’t directly involve her. Recently I realized that I was mistakenly using these truths as a crutch to get out of exercising, when really I should be maximizing them as a way to tone up. Rambunctious little always on the go? Come on, Mama, I decided, It’s time to start going at her speed.
Here’s the thing: Before they’re mobile, it’s actually much easier to work out with your kid. They can be included in so many at-home workouts, worn in a carrier as you clean the house, or even toted along to mommy-and-me workout classes. But as soon as my now-19-month-old started walking, we were so out of there. Aged out of baby-barre class and all our other favorites, I fell into a slump. With a husband who works very long hours and not much extra cash to pay a sitter, I pretty much stopped working out for months. My body felt the impact, and that’s when I decided to get creative.
Every day is not going to see victory; life with toddlers is unpredictable and sometimes I’m lucky to get a meal in, much less the opportunity to burn it off. But little by little, I’m toning up, moving around, and stepping away from my phone to have a lot more fun with my little girl. And it really feels amazing. Here are some of our favorite at-home workouts that are easy — and fun! — to integrate into your life with a toddler.
More for Toddler Moms:
- The Trick That Will Make Your Toddler Want to Share
- Common Household Items Toddlers Wear Instead of Clothes
- Best Activity Centers for Toddlers
Kid-Approved Ways to Tone Up With Your Toddler
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Imitate your toddler’s moves.
You'll get a unique workout. I used to float from room to room and chat in her general direction while my little girl busied herself around the house. Now, I'm literally mimicking her motions. If she squats to get something, I do, too. If she sees a glint of light coming in the window in an adjacent room and bolts across the floor to chase it, I follow suit. She thinks it's absolutely hilarious that Mommy is "copying" her and she also really loves when I’m down on her level. The great thing about this workout is that toddlers seemingly never tire, so you'll be at it a while, and if you're doing it "right," you'll definitely break a sweat.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Turn up the tunes and dance.
This is my favorite way to work out and always has been, even long before I had a baby. Most little kids enjoy music, and I've happily found that my own prefers "real" music to those tired kiddie songs. We blast the radio, where I know the bad words are bleeped, and get moving at least once or twice a day. Just like when you chase them, this is one where you can either cheat or not. Yes, it's possible to gently sway your hips or move one arm around to "join in" on their dancing, but the real workout -- and the real fun! -- comes from getting very into it. Here's the good news about toddlers: Unlike older kids, they pretty much think you're cool no matter what. Also, when they do laugh at you, it's the cutest thing ever. So, bust a move, girl! You're in the living room, not a club, and no one cares what those moves look like, but your waistline will thank you later.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Take a walk and target your abs.
A long walk around the neighborhood is a really good way to get your heart rate up and tone your body. I make sure to engage my core as I'm walking, and contract my stomach muscles as I would if I were in a workout class. Basically, be an active participant in your walk, not just an ambler. When I used to do Pilates, my core was involved in nearly every movement; now I make sure to keep that in mind on our daily walks. As a result, my abs are looking and feeling tighter after just a few weeks of these "targeted" walks with the tot, and my chronic back pain has been easing up, too. Sometimes we take the stroller for more intensity for Mommy and sometimes we just step out hand-in-hand; either way, it's always a blast for both of us.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Try some mommy-and-toddler yoga.
When my little girl was a baby, we did a lot of mommy-and-me yoga, and she would stay put as I got through most of the poses. My, how times have changed! Now, my wriggly tot is always in motion and it's hard to get her to stay still for much, let alone reflection and stretching. But in recent months I've found that if I am doing something "out of the ordinary," my young daughter is intrigued and will often come over and try. I was always a big yoga buff before, but even if you've never taken a class, download a free yoga app, and just follow along with the instructions. Many of the moves can be done side-by-side with your little shadow (mine loves to hang out in down-dog for minutes on end, which is adorable). But you can also pick them up which adds more weight, intensity, and balance challenge to the poses.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Use your toddler as your weights.
This won't work for all of your favorite free-weight series, but it sure makes them giggle while you build up some serious arm strength. I lay my toddler horizontally in my arms so that one wrist is at her lower side waist and the other supports her neck, and I pull her up in a series of arm-curls, kissing or blowing "raspberries" on her belly each time she reaches the top. This, apparently, is the funniest thing ever, and after three sets of ten, I am already feeling the burn. Another one she likes is when I hold her upright, lift her up over my head, and then scoop down, adding a lunge. She giggles at the top and bottom and this one works the whole arm in sequence. When they're little babies, these exercises provide some gentle strengthening; at my daughter's current nearly 30 pounds, I'm sweating big-time after just a few minutes. Also: My arms have never looked better.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Squat while you toss a ball.
You're running, you're leaping, and you're engaging your core as you toss the ball. There's definitely a good workout to be found right in your own backyard with a giant $3 ball and a toddler. My daughter is completely obsessed with balls. Needless to say, we have many. Gone are the days when I'd watch her kick it around the yard and cheer her on passively. Now I'm up, down, jumping around, squatting between passes, and sprinting after it when she throws it farther than expected. She's having a blast and I’m getting a great workout.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth -
Paint and squat.
Creativity is so important for a toddler's development, and my girl loves painting. Whether with a brush or her fingers, she could make an artistic mess all day and be thrilled. If you have a garage or outdoor wall that's easy to hose down, that's probably the best spot for this activity. But I'm also fine doing it in our finished basement as washable finger paints clean up easily with baby wipes. Use a roll of easel paper or improvise with several pieces of blank paper like I did here and tape it to the wall. Break out the paints and let your little artist get to work. Meanwhile, as you paint alongside her, hold a yoga chair pose or a traditional squat. For more of a challenge, rise up on your toes while squatting. Release and repeat.
Photo: Jenny Studenroth
