5 Maxims to Exercise While Raising Pre-Toddlers

I recently took on a Health and Fitness Challenge for the month of December. Fellow blogger Valerie at AtlantaMomOfThree challenged us to set an exercise goal for the month and to report how we did on Mondays.

My puny goal: Exercise 15 minutes, 3 times a week. Not so puny though with two pre-toddlers running around my house.

How did I do this week? Mmmmm, not too well. The holiday festivities and terrible weather kept me from moving. Terrible excuse, but overall I’m glad I took the challenge.  I was challenged to be proactive and actually think about how I’m going to get my body moving during my precious free moments in the day.

Here are 5 Maxims to Exercise While Raising Pre-Toddlers:

1. Exercise with pre-toddlers won’t happen unless you schedule it. This maxim was given to me by one of my mentors (a much wise and older woman). You really aren’t committed to anything unless you actually write it on your calendar, or in my case, iPhone.  The last week of the challenge fell around Christmas. I wasn’t proactive enough to schedule my workouts and therefore didn’t meet my goals.
2. Something is better than nothing. Don’t be a perfectionist. In my book, if you consistently work towards a goal every day, you’ll find that over time you move miles towards it. (Hmm, the same can apply for writing.)
3. Hit the road with your stroller. I’m more inclined to be mobile if I bring my girls with me.  The girls enjoy the fresh air and eye candy, while mommy burns calories.
4. Plan on Nap Time Workouts. Grab your favorite workout DVD and start working out while your baby naps. It’s convenient and you’re just a room a way if your baby fusses.
5. Find an accountability partner. Tell a friend about your goal and ask them to hold you to it.

Thank you AtlantaMomOfThree for challenging us!

What about you? Do you have a maxim to share that gets you exercising while raising small children?

Related posts:

• December Health and Fitness Challenge
• Viva La Resistance
• December Health and Fitness Challenge Week 2
• December Health and Fitness Challenge Week 3
• I Was That Big?