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Morgan Manages Mommyhood

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How to Sneak in Workouts With a Toddler

August 31, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: December 5, 2020

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #onestopshopforbaby #CollectiveBias

When I was pregnant, I had grand visions of being that marvelously, awesome mom. You know the one, she’s always challenging her kids, has a killer body, hits the gym daily, makes perfectly balanced meals, nails always done and not a hair out of place.

Fast forward to my reality, where I’m in yoga pants 2/3 of the time, my hair is in a messy bun just about always, my toe nails have vague remnants of purple polish, and I haven’t had a gym membership in well over 2 years. Yes, I believe I’m an awesome mom, but I’m not the awesome I envisioned.

You guys, the truth is that as much as I adore my (free!) at-home workouts, sometimes I just can’t find a spare minute to fit one in between chasing around Ryan, making meals, and attempting to keep a relatively livable clean house.  So I’ve had to get creative with ways to keep myself active. I want to put a focus on being and staying active in my family so that Ryan learns that it’s just a part of life – that being active and moving your body isn’t something that you do because you “should” but because you want to and it’s a part of your daily life. Now that Ryan’s running around, I’ve found that sneaking in a workout by playing with him can actually get my heart rate up and my blood pumping!

Sneaking in a workout while playing isn't hard!

Sneaking in a workout while playing isn’t hard!

How to Sneak in Workouts With a Toddler:

Dance party: Ryan loves to dance. His little booty is always bouncing when one of his jams come on, and if you start singing he’ll go at it with full force. I love to put on the Disney Junior channel on Spotify and have  dance party. Sometimes we’ll just dance together, and other times I’ll pick him up and dance around the house with him. Have you ever danced around your house holding a 25 pound weight? No? Well try it. You’ll be sweating in minutes.

Sometimes he runs away from me to play along.. only a little rude.

Sometimes he runs away from me to play along.. only a little rude.

His perspective: When Ryan’s a little cranky and bored, I like to stop what I’m doing and get on his level. We play and crawl around (the crawling is key!) the house on hands and knees together exploring.

Okay, so I think Ryan was winning this tickle fight!

Tickle fight: The great big belly laughs I get out of Ryan when I tickle him like crazy makes my heart so big. Just five minutes of keeping him in one spot and tickling like crazy can put us both out of breath – even if it’s just from non-stop laughing!

[Tweet “Tickle fights and crawling around – how do you sneak in workouts with a toddler? #onestopshopforbaby #ad”]

Obstacle course: A fun way to keep Ryan active while we’re stuck at home is to build a little obstacle course. Along our hallway, I out pillows, boxes, hang blankets etc for him to climb over and under. Sometimes I join in and as silly as it seems, I definitely feel a little sweaty after a few rounds of crawling up and down my hall way! Ryan LOVES to climb over things, so this is always a hit with him.

keeping baby out of trouble

yes, I was right there when that picture was taken. This is what I deal with all day! He’s crazy.

Keeping him out of trouble: The main way I get a “workout” each day is simply keeping Ryan out of trouble. In the past month or so, this kid is a tornado. He gets into everything and sometimes we genuinely feel like he has a death wish. I spend the majority of my day chasing after him, pulling him off things, and kissing boo-boos. Especially now that he’s walking more than he’s crawling, I definitely feel like I’m on my feet and go-go-going all day.

A big problem we faced when Ryan started crawling at super speed and then later walking was leaks. Some diapers we tried would leak when he did a lot of moving since they weren’t made to be used on a non-stop moving booty. We tried a few different diapers until we ended up with Huggies.

Huggies Little Movers diapers with new Dry Touch have been amazing at stopping leaks by absorbing on contact. With 12 hour Leak Lock protection, we can play and move without worrying about uncomfortable accidents to messes on my floor. They also work great as a night time diaper, keeping Ryan dry and happy through the night. Little Movers are Huggies’ driest feeling diapers, and I can definitely tell – Ryan never complains about a wet diaper! Keeping Ryan dry through the day is hard enough (uhm, does the kid had a hole in his lip?! Also, SO MUCH DROOL.) without having to worry about a leaky diaper.

Know what else I’m obsessed with on these diapers? TWO different sticky/velcro spots. My middle finger above is pointing the type of closure that most average diapers have that stretch to connect the back side of the diaper to the front. That purple square near my pointer? A Godsend. It sticks to the INSIDE of the diaper – so little to no movement or shifting of the diapers when the little guy is on the move!

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Filed Under: Parenting

Comments

  1. Jessie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:44 am

    I feel ya girl. I still tell myself from time to time that I need to start doing my hair more. Only to realize 2 days later that it’s not easy. Sure celebrities do it.. but they also have a nanny.. or three. I find exercise by doing similar things. I also sneak in some when pushing them around in their walkers.

    Reply
  2. tiff @ love, sweat, & beers says

    August 31, 2015 at 8:41 am

    I hardly need to work out now that I have a toddler. He keeps me busy all.day.long. And you’re right, those little guys get heavy!! I just sneak in some stroller walks and some quick toning before he wakes, and then he takes care of the rest.

    Reply
  3. Kate says

    August 31, 2015 at 8:41 am

    Just from babysitting I KNOW how tiring taking care of young children are. These are great ideas- especially the dance party! I love how you include him in your ideas.

    Reply
  4. Jamie says

    August 31, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Although I don’t have a toddler, I find it’s easiest to get my workouts in early. I think it has definitely eliminated excess stress when I am able to get them done and out of the way. Allows more flexibility with the rest of my day 🙂

    Reply
  5. Alexandra @ My Urban Family says

    August 31, 2015 at 10:48 am

    I love the obstacle course idea! So creative and great for a small space!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:22 pm

      It’s so much fun too! Ryan loves it!

  6. Sarah @ Seriously Lovely says

    August 31, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I laughed when I read your description of “that mom” cause that’s how I’ve been optimistically wanting to picture myself when our little one arrives even though I KNOW it’s insanely unrealistic. Love the practical ideas on how to get some exercise and movement in even if you can’t manage an official workout!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:21 pm

      Hahahha I had grand visions, but I love the version that came out instead!

  7. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    August 31, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    oh it’s been a long time since I had a toddler and I do remember how challenging it is!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      It so is! THanks for stopping by Deborah!

  8. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    Keeping up with a toddler in general would count as a workout in my book! When I babysat my cousin a few months ago, I was exhausted just after two hours.

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      The older and more mischievous he gets, the more exhausting it is!!

  9. Melanie says

    August 31, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    It is hard getting an “official” workout in with kids, that is for sure!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:18 pm

      It so is! I commend all the mommas who manage to get in full 60 minute (or even 30 minute!!) workouts daily!

  10. [email protected] says

    August 31, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    I love the tickle fight idea. Baby laughs are the best!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:17 pm

      We’re a big tickle fight family!! I can’t even take how happy baby laughs make me feel.

  11. emma @ be mom strong says

    September 1, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I just have to wake up before the sun does to get half of my workout in. The other half seems oddly familiar to these you listed!

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      Haha I wish I had your determination! I can barely wake up to get the baby when he wakes up! hhahaha

  12. sue says

    February 25, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    Good for you with some creative workout ideas for mums! #FTAF

    Reply

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