You see the simple joy of playing every day. Our children do it with ease. Can we do it too? What was your idea of fun as a child? Jumping rope? Playing hopscotch? Climbing trees? As a child, did you have any idea how many calories you were burning? Maybe not then, but as mom’s with little time to exercise, consider some playful ways to get your heart pumping, muscles stretching and lungs expanding.
Try these tips for putting the fun back into fitness:
Join the competition. Try softball, volleyball, tennis or other sports. Find partners at the same fitness level as you so the games won’t be too vigorous. Or play a game of soccer in the backyard – parents vs. the kids!
Invite yourself to a dance party. Line dancing, square dancing, belly dancing—or a spontaneous dance party in the kitchen. Turning up the volume of your favorite music and moving your body is a great way to get active.
Take a ride. Find a bike trail that suits you and pedal away. Remember the freedom that bike riding gave you when you were a little girl.
Let it bloom. Turn to the garden, where you can exercise your body—and your creativity.
Play! Your children can be a great excuse for hopping on a swing or a seesaw. Teach them the songs you used to sing when jumping rope.
Go sightseeing. Take walking tours through neighboring towns, a local park or your own backyard. Collect treasures along the way and use them for story time that night.
Play mind games. Distract yourself from the treadmill or stationary bike by coming up with your Top 10 list of movies or songs. Formulate your to-do list or tackle a pressing problem.
It’s challenging to make time for your personal fitness. Why not trying to do as your kids do and play! To help you along your journey, sign up for our Healthy Living newsletter that always provides fitness and nutrition tips, as well as healthy recipes and health information from our experts. Or check our event’s calendar often for classes and activities.
