I hear time and time again.
I just don’t have the time to work out. I am a parent.
I will admit; I used that excuse too in the early days. It was easier than getting up any earlier than I already was or staying up late past the point of exhaustion.
I would not suggest trying either of those by the way. I am a huge advocate for exercise, but you aren’t going to reap the full benefits of exercising if you are giving up other health necessities like sleep and food.
So, what if you tried working out WITH your kids?
I know it might not be as good as putting on your headphones and getting the solitude of a nice long walk alone, BUT you can still gain the awesome benefits of a workout by simply being active with your kids.
Here are some ideas:
#1. Go to the park and actually PLAY with your children
Most of the time taking the kids to the park isn’t the problem, it’s what we do when we get there. We sit down on a bench, grab a snack or a drink, and social media hop for a little bit. Maybe we take a couple of phone calls or maybe even watch a sports game that is on. Rather than doing any of these things, try to PLAY with your kids. Play a game of tag or try out some of the monkey bars. Both of these activities are actually a lot harder than they used to be which means that they are exercises to burn calories and get healthy!
#2. Go for a family bike ride
It doesn’t have to be an all-day thing by any means, but simply riding bikes with your kids can do wonders for your cardiovascular system. It may be a bit costly at first while you supply your kids with the bikes and helmets they need, but it is definitely an investment that can pay off for your entire family’s health.
Chad and I love riding bikes with our kids and we had to be a little creative early on since we had four kids under six. So, we purchased a couple of Thule bike trailers early on and eventually upgraded to tag alongs and even a tandem bike once our oldest was tall enough.
#3. Hike
This is one of the best activities you can do for your family in our opinion. Not only will you receive the physical benefits of the hike itself, but typically good hikes lead to great views! Check out the best hiking spots in your area and make your family a bucket list for the summer.
#4. Snow walk
Don’t let the cold weather get you down. You can still go out for a walk in the snow and earn some calorie burn in the process. Head to a local park that has good trails and take a walk. The snow will add an extra challenge to your walk while you get to enjoy the pretty white scenery.
#5. Family obstacle course or challenge
American Ninja Warrior obstacles are all the rage these days, but your family can make their own versions of the obstacles from the safety of your home. Make an obstacle course in the backyard that participants have to jump over, crawl under, and shimmy through. Grab stepping stones like these that participants have to use to “avoid lava or water”. The options are endless as long as a little creativity is involved.
#6. Sports
We get used to watching our kids dribble a basketball or kick a soccer goal, but when is the last time you got involved? A great way to get the heart rate going is by playing an athletic game with your kids. A game of one-on-one basketball is sure to elevate your heart rate and a game of soccer can definitely help you reach better results than a run on a treadmill. So, pick your favorite sport and get to getting!