If you’re a mom and no matter what your deal is (working mom, stay at home mom, whatever mom), you’re busy. I can tell myself every day I’ll get up at 5AM and workout but it’s not going to happen. Not when I’m up until midnight doing crap. Not when the baby is waking me at 3AM because he’s teething. I can try all day to fit in a workout but the day flies and there is no time. I can attempt at night after the kids go to bed but let’s face it, that is wine and work time.
Luckily, I’ve invented my own unconventional workouts that can be included in everyday life. I like to think that each of these burns calories and provides me with the lack of guilt that I didn’t go for a jog or hit up the gym. If you need a quick go to workout, try one of mine! Guaranteed to make you sweat!
The Grease.
Put on the soundtrack of Grease and let her rip! I perform all the songs and dances from the movie and my kids love it at the same time they think I’m crazy. You do that hand jive fast enough, you can feel the burn! You’re the One That I Want and all those Sandy hip gyrations are more than enough to break a sweat. The best part of this workout is not only are you listening to fun music while entertaining your children, you can also multi-task! I do the dishes, pick up toys, and so much more while doing The Grease.
The Oopsie I Forgotsie.
I’m one of those planner people. Before I do anything, I plan my step after it. This is specifically my deal with the stairs. I never go up or down the stairs in my house without planning what needs to go up or down. My hands are never empty on the stairs. However, if I want to get some extra steps in, I will not bring everything at the same time. Time to fill up the diaper bag? I’ll run up and get diapers. Then I’ll go back up for the wipes. One more trip for the extra outfit. After three flights at top speed, I’m breaking a sweat. Yeah baby! Work it!
The Ooopsie I Forgotsie can be utilized any time you’re leaving the house as well. You’re in the car with the kids and all your gear and start backing out of the driveway. Wait! You forgot your cell phone. Sprint into the house. Sit back down and buckle up. Then, wait! You forgot your water! Two to three forgotten items provides a few opportunities for some prime sprints! Yay for multitasking!
The Target 20.
Need to get some supplies? Get your list ready, put on your kicks, and hit the store! Put 20 minutes on your phone timer, put the kids in the cart, and run like hell! See how fast you can make it through Target or whatever shop you’re in before your timer goes off. Pushing a cart with kids while maneuvering the aisle turns at top speeds makes, you feel amazingly high on life! Not only are you getting some cardio but you’re getting in and out of the store before the kids start to whine! For extra calorie burn, use the ginormous two-seater cart at Target. That beast really helps you maximize your workout while shopping.
The Jump Around.
One of my favorite all time songs, Jump Around by House of Pain. When this songs kicks off, my kids get huge smiles and are so excited! Not only do I love sharing classic hits from my youth but I love jumping to this song. Talk about cardio! The key is to jump around, jump around, jump up, jump up and get down - for the entire song. I do this while doing clean up, laundry, whatever really! Sometimes we play it just for fun. For extra calorie burn, play it twice in a row and wowsa!
The Red Light, Green Light.
This simple kids game is a great way to get in some exercise and play with your kids at the same time. Our kids really just want to play - all the time. So use this game to accomplish both. The key is to let them be in charge of the signals and get a good 20 minutes in. If you don’t know this game, it’s easy. Your child is on one end of the room or yard and you are on the other. They give you light colors and you head towards them based on the color.
Green light = run
Yellow light = walk
Red light = stop
We also added:
Black light = walk like a zombie
Blue light = swim
This is more difficult to play when you’re holding your other child. I usually have my 9 month son on my hip when I’m running back and forth. If you don’t have another baby to carry, try holding your cat or dog. Or anything to help add extra calorie burn!
The CLAM.
The CLAM = Cleaning Like A Madwoman. When your house needs to get clean each week, plan on doing it all in one go, as fast as you can. I usually vacuum, dust, and mop all in one go like a madwoman. I’m sweating like crazy when I’m done and my back is aching. But I have a clean house and can call off the need to workout the rest of the day! If you CLAM it once a week, that’s definitely considered a workout each week!
The LEGO.
If you have kids, you most likely have LEGOs at your house. And sometimes they are everywhere. The LEGO is easy - let your kids play with LEGOs and then just clean them up off the floor! Squat and pick up. Squat and pick up. The LEGO can be used for any toy clean up but doing this with small LEGO bits allows for many more squats and lots more thigh burn!
Try one of these unconventional workouts today and abolish that guilt that you're too busy to exercise! But mostly, have fun!
