7 Ways to Combine Playtime and Fitness: Week 2

{28 Days} Exercise with your Kids

Contributing Writer: Alaina Holland our fitness expert from  Holland Family Life

Here’s part 2 of our 28 Days of Mommy & Me Fitness Fun with: 7 Ways to Combine Playtime and Fitness. If you missed Part 1 you can go here and for the month of February you stop by here every Monday for the next 7 tips and exercises.

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{Day 8} Run & Walk with Stroller: whole body cardio

Focus: Endurance Cardio Training.  Spend at least 20 minutes in cardio workout with either a fast walking pace or running.  If you like getting outside, smelling the fresh air, and exercising, it is worth your money to invest in a jogging stroller while your child is young.  If you don’t have a jogging stroller go for a quick walk with your child strapped to you in a secure way.  When you slow down share a nursery rhyme or song with your child for some fun interaction or if you can talk and run sing with them.

Note:  If you want faster results bump up the time to 30 minutes a day for 4 days in your week for the next 3 weeks.  But you must watch your sugar intake during these three weeks.  Eat healthy whole foods.  Avoid fast foods, carbonated sugary drinks, and anything that comes in a pre-made package!

Tip:  To keep me motivated I personally love to use Nike+ tracking when I go running.  
I have a chip in my Nike shoes that tracks where, how long, and how fast I run.  I have a free App on my phone (found here)  http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/gps_app/ that syncs with the chip in my shoe.  The app even has a training feature for a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon with a coach to help you accomplish your goals.  We just love it this is not a sponsored post by Nike though I wouldn’t mind a Nike gig, he, he, he.

I can also link it up on Facebook and Twitter for encouragement to continue pursuing my goals.  You can even ‘run’ or ‘race’ with others who have the device in a different city, state, or country!  When you involve friends you are more likely to complete your goals.  Accountability is the unlocking key to exercising.   

To read more about the Nike+ tracking devices go here:  http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/.

{Day 9} Abdominal Cuddle Twist: abdominals, back, biceps, & triceps

Focus: Flatten those abs!  When I weaned my boy he still wanted his mommy cuddle time.  Some days I was happy to give it to him and other days I was wondering why he was so clingy.  Once I started recognizing his clinginess was due to wanting to be close to me I started rocking him in my arms and singing him a song.  This is also a great abdominal work out if you concentrate.

Hold your kid in your arms.  Twist to your left side tighten up your abs.  Twist to the right concentrating on contracting your abs.