Before I had my baby I always thought that he would be just that; a baby until he was like 2! Of course I knew he wouldn’t, but I never expected the baby phase to fly by so quickly.
When your baby is walking months before they turn a year old your entire world changes. You suddenly have to be on guard every second, looking for items your child can stuff into their mouth; aka day old minute pieces of food they magically find, watching for them to fall and looking for every edge they “might” bump into (ever want to get rid of furniture? That wooden bench, that wooden table, that chair?? Now is THE time!)
I love my workouts each day and have since I was cleared to workout after delivery.
At first they were pretty easy to get done while he was happily swinging, or bouncing until he grew out of them!
I’ve picked out a list of my top 10 things you can do to make working out with a toddler easier! So you can get your workout done and know they are safe. Maybe you can workout while they are sleeping or once your significant other comes home, but if not-try these ideas!
- Plan ahead and get your workout gear ready to go the night before. After a short night or waking up early, it is so much easier to stick to your workout plan by SEEING your clothes laid out. It gives you a reason to put them on and it’s so much faster to do than to shuffle around through drawers or shelves looking for something for the workout with a little one waking around.
- Clean up your workout space. This doesn’t have to be a room makeover or anything fancy. I spent a day rearranging our basement family room so I have a huge area I can work out in, he can play in and I am able to see him at all times.
- Block the getaway exits! When you live in a multi-level house with odd angles so baby gates just don’t work you have to become creative on blocking stairs. I love that my little one can crawl up the stairs but I also want to be able to get my workouts done in a timely manner and do not exactly LOVE rushing around and following him up the stairs repeatedly during them. So, I use a basket and pillows to block the stairs, so if he tries to go that direction they will block him as well as protect him.
- Do not be afraid to let them eat while you workout. Kiddos love watching you, so why not give them a show? Some mornings I can prep his breakfast and then get everything set up and he can eat while I workout. This works best on quick workout days, not those longer workouts.
- Have your weights set out of your child’s reach. My weights used to sit on the basement floor, of course tucked next to the tv stand, until the day my little one tried to pick up an 8 lb weight. Instantly I chose a new place for the weights, in a room he couldn’t enter unless he was with one of us so there could be no fingers smashed or tears if he tried to grab them. This works great, but I still have to haul my weights out for each workout and put them away after. I now put them on the couch during the workouts where he can’t reach them, and it’s one extra little step for me but the peace of mind to know he can’t reach them is worth it.
- Find a workout buddy! My mom has started working out with me some days and that has been great! She and I workout and also work together to talk to and help little man find new toys so that we can get in shape all while he is around.
- Put your little ones music on. Maybe you want to workout to your favorite playlist, or you like working out in silence, whatever it may be if you put some songs on for your little one they might be more inclined to dance instead of fuss if your workout is a few minutes longer than normal. I have a few go-tos that I know he can dance to and loves!
- Have a play area near your workout area. My workout area and his play area happen to be in the same big space and this has been perfect lately. I can watch him, workout and know what he is playing with each day.
- Use your little one in your workout! I have had days when he does not want to be put down no matter what so instead of getting frustrated or giving up, I have just modified and carried him around during the moves for my workout. He LOVES it and laughs and I think really enjoys doing what Mama is doing!
- Be kind to yourself. If you’re anything like me, I try to do it all. The dishes, cleaning, laundry, taking care of little man, cooking all the meals, meal planning and prepping and working out. You know what? There are some days when I want to do nothing, some days I am exhausted but I know a workout will make me feel better. On those days it’s not about how perfect my workout is. It is about the fact that I chose to do something for my body! If you have days where you just get a walk in or you carry around your little one all day. That is OKAY. You are worthy of rest and listening to your body!