These tips for staying active when you have young kids are so helpful! If you aren’t sure how to find ways to exercise and stay fit with kids, this post is for you!
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Having kids changes your life in lots of ways. I would definitely argue that having kids makes your life better and more fun, but it also makes your life harder.
One thing that has really changed for me since having kids is my ability to stay active. Before my kids were born I could go anywhere I wanted and do anything I wanted whenever I wanted. But with kids, you’re pretty much on their schedule. So it got harder to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
But I’ve been a mom for almost three-and-a-half years now, and I think I’ve got a pretty good handle on how to stay active despite having two crazy kids around.
Today I want to share some helpful tips for staying active when you have young kids. Because honestly, I think every mom could use all the help she can get!
1. Walk anywhere you can. We have a park in our neighborhood so we love walking to it instead of driving. We also enjoy walking to get the mail every day! It’s a super easy way to get some extra activity in!
2. Play dates to trampoline parks or tumbling gyms. Have you ever been to one of these places with your kids? Oh my goodness, the are a workout! We took our kids to a trampoline park a few months ago and I was exhausted by the time we were done! Such a good way to stay active and help your kids release some energy!
3. Go swimming. Even if your kids are babies, you can participate in swimming. Moving through the water while carrying a little one is a sure fire way to burn some extra calories. Even if you aren’t swimming laps it’s tiring!
4. Take your kids to the park. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I definitely can’t just sit still when I take my kids to the park. Especially when they are little and you worry about them getting hurt! My kids both love going to the park and I love taking them. They have fun going down the slides, doing the swings, and even just climbing around. And like I said, I’m pretty much moving the whole time, too!
5. Invest in a good jogging stroller. If you’re going to try and be more active, having a good jogging stroller is a must. I was given a chance to try out the Baby Jogger ® SummitTM X3 Single Stroller and let me tell you, it’s amazing! It glides smoother than any single or double stroller I’ve ever tried, and it makes jogging with young kids a breeze!!
6. Try indoor workouts on YouTube. Another way to stay active when you can’t go outside is to do workouts on YouTube. This is actually how I lost my baby weight after my son was born, so it’s very effective! Babies will be in awe watching and toddlers love trying to do it along with you!
7. Go for walks with other moms. When we lived in Iowa, my best friend had a little boy two weeks before our little boy was born. We went for tons of walks together and it was a great way to be accountable and stay active. It also helped us both get out of the house when we had little babies!
8. Wake up early and work out or do it after your kids are in bed. If working out with your kids isn’t your thing (or you have like quadruplets and it’s not an option), then try doing activities before your kids wake up or after they go to bed. You’ll have more time to focus on yourself and less time worrying about what your kids are doing.
9. Sign up for a gym membership. I’ve never done this personally, but I’ve heard good things about going to a gym with childcare. You can participate in classes or work out on your own. Either way, if you’re paying to have one you’re probably more likely to use it!
10. Explore your city. One thing that’s been a lot of fun for us in our new city is exploring and getting to do all of the “touristy” activities here. We’ve loved checking out the zoo, the tea garden, theme parks, and downtown. And the best part is, all are active activities!
Hopefully these tips will help motivate you mamas to stay active! It’s definitely possible (and fun!) to stay active and have fun when you have young kids!
Sarah B says
These are really great tips!! When my daughter was a baby, our moms group used to walk the mall or the park trail almost every day! I wish I had this stroller then!! I love the easy one-hand fold! #client
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks! And that’s perfect! I just joined a little daily walking group and even though we just go around the neighborhood, it helps a lot!
NIna Makes says
I used to walk everyday with my kids in a jogger stroller when they were little. I miss it so much! I find it harder now that they want to walk/scooter/bike they can’t go as far and cars coming out of driveways scare me silly. You’ve got some great tips there, I will have to get better at going while they are at school!
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s a lot easier with less of them, that’s for sure! Joggers are the best!!
Katie Clark says
Great tips – that jogging stroller looks awesome. I really want to get one – we had one, but it was kind of junky. haha. It’s definitely harder to stay active at times with kids, but there really are so many simple ways to do it. We love going to the gym because ours comes with free child care 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Free child care makes a huge difference! I would consider joining a gym just so I could take advantage of free child care! And it really is an awesome stroller. I definitely would recommend it!
Jeniece @ On the Go Mommy says
Great ideas!! I didn’t think about watching YT videos. That jogging stroller looks amazing. The one I had with my daughter had a fixed front wheel. It didn’t allow a change to swivel and it was so annoying! We went to a trampoline place once and it was so much fun! You’re right though, it’s exhausting. Although I don’t usually have an issue staying active with 5 kids, these are more fun ways to be active together! Great post 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Oh yeah, the swivel wheel is a game changer!!! And I’m sure you’re plenty active chasing around 5 kids!!! Thanks!
Susannah says
With my next kiddos I’m DEFINITELY getting a jogging stroller!
Tiffany says
Awesome tips lady! This post was right up my alley. We love our jogging stroller and have gotten more use out of it than any other baby product we’ve ever owned. And working out with the little ones is fun. My daughter loves to join in and baby boy loves watching!
Chelsea Johnson says
It’s the best when they want to do it with you! Plus you’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy habits! Thanks, Tiffany!
Christine says
These are fantastic tips! It gets harder to get in my daily workout with every child I have. I used to get out every day and run and now I’m lucky if I get to do it three times a week. But, I’ve learned to get in my exercise in whatever way I can, like walking around the playground while watching the kids or getting in the pool with them while they are at swimming lessons. I love that stroller!
Chelsea Johnson says
That’s awesome! You really can stay active and find what works for you even when you have a kid (or kids!). Thanks so much!