Who Needs a Gym When You Have a Toddler?

In mommy circles everywhere, I hear the same complaint: “I don’t have time to work out!” Because I don’t like to give unsolicited advice to adults, I usually keep my lips sealed when I hear this. But, I always wonder:

“You have a kid, right? And they like to play?”

In the months following P’s birth, I’ve gotten into the best shape of my life. My secret: play time. Because when you have a toddler as your trainer, who needs a gym?

Maybe it’s because I’m a kid at heart (26 going on 6, according to my husband), but I look forward to active, evening play sessions with P. She thinks it’s a riot when I shimmy my way through her play tunnel. She particularly enjoys what Chad and I call “Baby Relay,” where one of us picks her up, runs halfway around the house, and then passes her off (baton style) to the other parent. After a few laps, P is squealing in delight, and we’re usually laughing, too.

And, of course, we dance. To the average person, I am probably a horrific, cliché of a dancer, but I don’t care. P and I have been dancing together since she was just a few days old. In fact, I’m pretty sure there is a video out there of a 10-week-old P and I “Gettin’ Jiggy with It.” Every evening, we turn on one of the music channels on our television (usually “Pop Hits” or “90s”), and let loose for 10 to 20 minutes.

Some of our other activities include: playing “chase,” climbing and running at our neighborhood tot lot, playing “leap frog” (given P’s immature gross motor skills and coordination, I play the role of frog), going for after-dinner strolls around our neighborhood, and playing “airplane,” which is getting increasingly difficult with a now-22 pound P.

Some of you may be thinking, “Yeah, that’s great, but I’m tired.” Or, “I have too much else to do.” Both are completely valid points, to which my responses are: you don’t need to play every day; you can play for as little or as long as you are able, whether it is five minutes or 45 minutes. Any amount of physical activity is good, right? I will freely admit there are days when my body aches, and I’ve fought to keep my eyes open. On days like this, I usually manage a short, 10-15 minute active play session, but not always. In regard to the time issue, I get it. If household clutter and dirty dishes make you crazy, then I see why you would forgo play time. For me, if the laundry isn’t finished, or the kitchen counters aren’t clean every day of the week, I can deal with it. I prefer to play!

I often joke with friends that having a child is the best exercise/diet program you could ever be on (albeit an expensive one with an initial 20-35+ pound weight gain): carrying the child around, chasing the child, cleaning up after the child, the child not letting you eat anything by yourself, etc. I can picture the infomercial now:

“Are you disappointed with the number on the scale?” (Camera pans to sad-faced, sighing mom.)

“Are you tired of struggling to button your jeans?” 

“Do you long for lean, toned, upper arms?” (Camera pans to mom looking longingly at an athletic woman’s arms.)

“Then, have a baby!”

“With a baby, you’ll always be on the move, have limited opportunities to eat, and have ample opportunities for weight training. You will be sure to feel the burn while carrying a 5-10+ pound baby around for hours each day!”

“Have a baby and watch the pounds melt away!”

All silliness aside, with a little creativity, and a few minutes each day, even the busiest mom can squeeze in a play-time workout.