Fitness with Babies and Toddlers: The Hilarious Reality
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably realized that trying to maintain a fitness routine with kids around is like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle— chaotic, a little exhilarating and you’re never quite sure if you’re going to succeed 😂
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about the benefits and empowerment that come with exercising as a mom, but let’s be honest: while we know it sounds great, the reality of making it happen is a full-on adventure.
Let’s Start with the Great Journey of Getting Out of the House 🏠
First, we face the chaos of getting out the door. With an infant, it’s all about timing their eating, pooping, and napping. And just when you think you have it figured out, they change it up without any consideration for your workout schedule, jk. If you have a toddler, it’s the battle of getting shoes and socks on, and getting dressed—which makes you question whether anyone would judge you for bringing them to the gym in just a diaper. Then there’s the challenge of figuring out how to entertain them the whole time. You pack every snack you own, knowing it still won’t be enough. You also pack every toy you can find, but let’s be honest—they’re just going to want to use your phone. Ms. Rachel ultimately wins every time.
Next, you have to get everyone into the car, which is a full-time job on its own. If you have more than one child, at least one will always be crying about something. By the time you get everyone settled in the car, your mind is convinced you’ve already completed your entire workout.
Next, Let’s Tackle The Workout Itself 🏋🏼♀️
You finally make it to the gym, but now you have to reverse the process and get everyone out of the car and set them up so you can work out. A baby will almost always decide this is the perfect time to have a blowout or suddenly become hungry—even though they never eat at this time. Meanwhile, a toddler will want to run amok, touching everything in sight. So, you try to corral the toddler while also feeding and/or changing your baby’s diaper. Just when you think you’re set to start working out, you realize you forgot your water and are still wearing your nursing bra instead of your sports bra. But you roll with it because you’re here, and getting here is often the hardest part.
The workout begins, but of course, 2 minutes in, your toddler has already eaten their first round of snacks and needs more. So you give them more, but as you do, you walk out of your baby’s sight, so then your baby starts crying. You race back and tell them you’re right here, but then your toddler starts yelling because you gave them their next snack but didn’t open it. So you run back while still talking to your baby so they don’t cry again. You’re back to working out; a couple of minutes go by, it feels so great to move and sweat, but then the baby starts getting a little restless, so on each squat, you tap their car seat/bouncer to give them a little movement. And you think, awesome, I got this, I can multitask, I’m doing it when your toddler starts yelling because they’re hungry again. But you have no snacks left because they ate them all, even though you brought double the amount as last time, so you give them some toys and notice your baby has fallen asleep. You get back to the workout and feel so great! You’re able to finish the workout and quickly feel so accomplished.
I could go on forever with different scenarios of what pops up from exercising with kids. I started working out with my son as a baby, then I’d bring him as a toddler, then I’d be pregnant with him as a toddler, then I’d bring him as a toddler and my new baby at the same time. Sometimes now I have just my baby, and sometimes I have just my toddler, and sometimes I still have both. Every single time, something new and unexpected happens. Even if sometimes the new is that they both are very content the whole time.
Some days you will push through it and be so glad you went, other days it’s okay if going just isn’t worth it. Just always remember this is your journey, and whatever helps you be the best version of you is what you should always focus on. Have a plan, have accountability, but give yourself so much grace. And if you’re looking for a place to workout as a Mom that truly gets what it’s like to be a Mom, reach out! We’re here to help you!!
Burpees and Babies
Mommy and Me Fitness
