Exercises that I can "sneak" into my day?

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I'd love to hear any and all ideas! Even if it seems obvious! What can I do all day long to get more exercise? I'm a SAHM. Most of my day consists of routine stuff. Cleaning, parks, grocery shopping, taking care of the kids (4yo and 20mo), cooking, etc. What are some things that I can incorporate into my daily routine that will burn calories, build muscle, and tone my body?

[loveandkindness]

Do you have stairs in your house? I have really toned legs because every single time I go up the stairs (only a million times a day ) I take them two at a time. If I am carrying laundry or my daughter, I go forward. If I am not carrying anything and can hold the railing I go sideways.

I also lift the grocery bags up and down while carrying them from car to house.

I have been known to do push ups on the bathroom floor while DD was playing in the tub.

Just be creative and have fun!

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I do have stairs and go up them a million times a day! In fact, I keep DS's diapers on the second floor so I have to either go up and down to get one, or I have to carry him (26lbs) up for a diaper change.

Great ideas, exactly what I had in mind. Thanks! Keep them coming!

[luvmybaby333]

I homeschool, so I was looking for a physical activity that I could do with my girls to satisfy their physical education needs on a daily basis (versus the once a week "gym" days ODD had been used to at public school.) It had to be something fun for them and physically possible for me, since I'm pretty badly out of shape. So I had my DH find me some yoga videos. We are currently trying to add yoga time to our morning routine. I find that I feel much better throughout the day after doing the yoga. The videos we have at the moment are geared toward children, so it keeps their attention and is very physically appropriate for them. I also plan to mix it up with adult "beginners" videos, since the idea of folding yourself into a pretzel shape is pretty much appealing to children no matter the format it's presented in.

[pacificbliss]

Squates can be done while brushing your teeth or just about anywhere. If you have to go down the hall instead of walking try lunges. If you have an exercise ball you can sit on it and do crunches. Even just sitting on it engages your core more than sitting in a chair.

[chiromamma]

When mine were young and at home all day I walked everywhere...park, grocery store, coffee shop.
A double jogger can open up a world of exercise options!
Drop and do as many push ups as you can. Squat thrusts, burpies, jumping jacks. These are all things your kids can do as well.
Squats, lunges with your 20mo in a backpack.
Planks with a kid on your back.
Run races with your kids.

[busymama77]

I agree with a lot that has been said. I carry my DS on my back - he's only 16lbs - while I'm doing housework and bending over, squatting down, I can feel the burn in my thighs and calves. We have stairs as well and I'm up and down them constantly with DS in tow. When he's not in tow, I'm running them. That's was my cardio for a while before I just started running again!

What does your current workout routine outside of the home entail? Do you go to a gym? Or do you workout at home in the evening? Maybe pick something that you enjoy from your workout routine and incorporate it into your daily activities - like the squats, lunges, etc.,

[rootzdawta]

Yup, I do wall squats while brushing and flossing. Walking lunges anytime I am going through the hallway and I take two steps at a time when climbing stairs. I constantly remind myself to pull my stomach muscles in/contract them. At the playground, I work on my pull-ups and actually monkey bars are a good exercise for me (i.e. helping my kids on them).

[proudmomof4]

How about walking while you're on the phone?
If you use public transportation: get off one stop early.
If you use a car: park far away from the store / office / ...
Try walking to errands if that works where you live.
Dance with your children (silly CDs, charts - whatever works for you).

[phathui5]

Do you some some small weights you can use?

[tri31]

Great thread. I would add dancing. I use Pandora on my computer, I made a station just for dancing and hooping. It's fun and I can do it no matter what. It's my back up, though. I try to workout when ever my four children can spare me a few minutes. Namaste.

[proudmomof4]

Originally Posted by phathui5

Do you some some small weights you can use?

Half-gallon bottles (like milk) work well when you fill them with water or sand.

[jazzharmony]

Dancing while holding your children (probably one at a time

We have "dance parties" often. When it gets dark we use a plug in disco ball (not for the faint of heart!) and we put on music and dance like crazy.

Pilates. Lots of gain in little time. Great for the back and strengthens the core. Lots of results in very little time per day. You can sneak it in here and there throughout the day. Or just simple push ups and sit ups throughout the day.

Games with your kids that involve movement. We used to do airplane (I would lift and lower each child with my feet on their belly, while holding their hands for balance) We then graduated to what we call "elevator" which is fantastic for my legs. I lie on my back with my feet up. I lower my feet enough for the child to sit on them. I then raise and lower my feet/legs while balancing the child. It takes strength and balance and is fantastic exercise while having fun.

My kids absolutely love to play "chase". Just like it sounds. I chase them endlessly at the park or in the yard.

We wrestle on the bed.

[bjorker]

I came here looking for a thread like this! Thanks!

The stuff I already do has mostly been mentioned: Dancing like a banshee around the house whenever possible, I do *crunches* while brushing teeth, leg stretches when BF'ing, parking further away than I need to, squatting with dd2 in the carrier, etc. I only have seven steps in my home so it's not really enough to do much on the stairs. DP has been putting dd2 in the carrier during her fussy time at night and jogging/walking on the treadmill. Unfortunately I get way overheated doing that, but maybe as it gets cooler out I'll be able to as well.

Thanks for the ideas

[Bettercare]

Well stop using ur TV remote.....go there and change each channel 4m the TV itself...that shud b a gud little exercise 4m ur sofa to TV........Cant think of more rite now...

[mama_y_sol]

I love taking the kids to the park- I get in all sorts of resistance/strengthening exercises. I always find places to do push-ups, squats, lunges, step-ups, etc.

I agree with pp, we love chase too.