How is a new mom able to commit to a regular exercise program when she hardly has time for a bathroom break? The truth of the matter is that you can easily turn everyday activities into a workout. Fitness easily becomes part of your daily mom routine.

It is simple, the more you move, the more calories you burn. Try and be consistent and try to incorporate physical activity in whatever you do.  Instead of driving your car through the car wash, do it yourself!  Its not only fun, it’s a great workout. Same goes for house cleaning, raking the leaves, gardening and even shoveling snow!

Here are some great ways to incorporate fitness into your routine.

·         Walk – You’ve heard it time and time again but it is true. Walking can be an especially good workout while you are pushing your stroller or carrying your baby in a carrier. Give yourself opportunity to walk whenever possible. Park in the farthest spot from where you are going and take a walk! You can also kick it up by adding some interval training. Walk for 30 seconds as hard and fast as you can, then recover by slowing down your pace a little for 30 seconds, repeat the intervals for 5 minutes.

·         Row, Row, Row, Your Stroller – You need a small hill for this exercise. Face the stroller downhill. Have feet your hip width apart, have your hands shoulder width apart on the stroller handlebars. Allow the stroller to roll forward so your arms are extended out, using your upper back muscles, pull the stroller back in to you. As you do this exercise, sing a verse of Row, Row, Row, Your Boat to your baby.

·         Lunge Walking – One of the most effective exercises a mom can do to strengthen and tone her lower body is the lunge. The lunge works a lot of muscles in one movement. Do this exercise as part of your walk. Lunge Walk by taking really long strides and lowering your upper body down until your front thigh is almost parallel to the group. Make sure your front knee goes no further than your shoelaces. Lower your body slowly and squeeze your thighs and glutes as you come back up.

·         Stroller Squat – Another extremely effective exercise for the lower body. Stand behind your stroller, make sure your brake is off; hands should be shoulder width apart holding onto the handlebars.  Face your feet and knees forward with your legs hip width apart. Sit your bottom way back, with your weight on your heels, like sitting back in a chair.  Push your stroller out in front of you as your squat down, and pull it back in as your pull yourself up to a standing position. Do not bend forward with the upper body; the lower body should reach back, making sure you knees go no further forward than you shoelaces.

Written by;

Susan Enslen & Ann-Louise Parry (You can find their bio’s here.)
BCRPA Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Pre/Post Natal Certified
Lulu Ladies & Babies / Stroller Strides Richmond
www.newparents.meetup.com/294
www.strollerstrides.net/richmondbc
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