How To Workout With Kids

The infamous question. 

Two of the biggest barriers I see to running are time and kids. 

Time we can talk about separately, although it is of course related to parenting as well.

When I first started to get back into working out after having kids I equally beat myself up for missing a workout and for taking the time away from my kids.  Now years into this process I have realized that I do not need to stress over either of those things.  I have come a long way in my journey of realizing that exercise is more about enjoying what I’m doing and being consistent than it is following any plan perfectly.  I have also come to find many ways to include exercise as part of my lifestyle as a Mom.

The first thing I need you to do is take a deep breath.  You are worthy of exercise.  Your kids are worthy of you exercising.  And you are worthy of doing it with or without your kids at your side.

That being said, here are some tips that I have learned along the way:

Have a “plan” and ask for help

I know I talk about how adaptable we have to be, and this is true.  But also having a plan and talking it through with my husband was a game changer.  Once I was open with him about where I would workout, when, how long it would take and what I needed from him to make it happen, it became a lot easier and a lot less stressful.

Embrace the mess

Working out with my kids always adds some kind of change or mess to my workout.  Whether it's stopping to help with the bathroom, break up an argument, get yet another snack, or something else it’s not always going to be pretty.  Once I realized this and had it in my head that it would be an adventure and not a perfect picture, I was able to embrace the mess and get my workout in anyway.

Include your kids

This can look like so many different things.  When I first started running post-partum I had the kid(s) in a running stroller.  So I quite literally brought them with me. I then began to do more strength training in my basement and so would bring them down into the basement with me.  I could go on a tangent for tips on this one, but instead I’ll leave you these little snipbits.

Accountability buddy

Whether this is a friend, a family member, a coach, or someone else altogether.. Having someone to chat with through your messy journey will not only make it more likely for you to stick to your workouts but also make it much more enjoyable.  One of my favorite things is to complain about my soreness with my friends ha.

Hire a Coach

One of the best things I did for my running goals was to hire a coach. Not only did it allow me to feel confident in my training plan, but it also allowed me to gain the benefits without doing all of the work. People to tend to think of a coach when it comes to major goals such as a PR, a new distance, or needing a strength training plan. But a run coach is so much more than that. It allows you to have something to "just follow", takes the extra stress of what to do and when to do it off of your plate and gives you the confidence to know you are on the right path. It also gives you a personal cheerleader.. who doesn't want that?

Things have gotten easier for me as the kids have gotten older.  I didn’t say EASY, I said easIER. 

But as a Mom who needs fitness in her life, enjoys it and also needs and enjoys being with her kids - I can tell you that the combination is worth the work.