WORKING OUT WITH A TODDLER

I have to be completely honest, I don’t technically work out. Every once and a while I’ll go for a run (I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than two miles) or I’ll try a class with Lo. Other than that, nada. Don't get me wrong, I understand the benefits of working out and I know that I should start, but currently, it's not something I put first in life. So how do I stay active when I'm with a toddler around the clock? First off, we go for walks daily. This was something I never prioritized until a few months ago. We’ve always been fans of walks, but we always had something else to do that felt more important. Now, we walk almost every day and it feels so great! Aubs gets a little antsy in her stroller, so our walks sometimes turn into me running her stroller around in circles to make her giggle or jamming to some music. I think the best thing I’ve found about going on walks is that it gives us time to explore together. Toddlers minds absorb everything, so going on a walk feels like an adventure. The second thing I do to stay active - dance parties, all of the dance parties. There’s nothing better than an impromptu dance party with that little nugget. Her favorite songs include “The Chicken Dance” and anything from “Moana” :) I’m pretty sure our dance parties happen multiple times daily, and it’s such a fun way to get some exercise! I suggest to any new mom to introduce music to your baby at a young age. I don't know if I've met a baby or toddler that doesn't love it! We also found music to be a great way to calm Aubs down when she was throwing a fit - but that's a whole other blog post ;) A third way that I get in a bit of activity during the day is throwing in a couple simple exercises while performing daily activities. For example, if my coffee is in the microwave (I never drink the whole cup before it gets cold - oops!) I’ll do a couple squats while waiting. Or if aubs and I are watching a movie, we will both do some sit-ups. I think the best thing about any sort of exercise is that you can do it with your toddler. So, although I don’t truly work out on a daily basis, there are plenty of ways to sneak in some activity! Xo, J