It’s no secret that the majority of women gain a bit of weight during pregnancy, but there is a bit of a myth that the “baby weight” is something that simple to lose – or, if not simple, that it’s a priority.
The truth, at least for me, was that a year (or two) passed before I even had time to shower and change clothes on a regular basis, never mind consider my health and wellness.
Honestly, all parents – not just mothers – can struggle with finding the time to spend on themselves in those early months and years. Between diets of foods that can be grabbed and snarfed on the go and zero time to get to a gym, fitness is often something that makes us laugh.
These 13 posts sum up what it’s like to try to keep fit while raising young kids, and they really hit the nail on the head.
13. You could make a fortune on this.
I would definitely buy it.
An home exercise video for parents where all the lunges are just you going around the house picking up juice box straw wrappers.
— Rodney Lacroix (@RodLacroix) May 4, 2020
12. That’ll burn quite a few calories.
Especially if you add bending to pick up the LEGO you step on.
My daily workout is walking through the house 14 times a day turning off all the lights my kids have left on in every room.
— Goddess Of Mischief™ (@AsgardianRose) June 11, 2015
11. I’m not sure this burns calories.
But it is a sport.
Working out when you're a parent is less actual exercise and more working out how to eat snacks without your kids seeing you.
— A Bearer Of Dad News (@HomeWithPeanut) August 26, 2018
10. Naked time after baths.
That’s a protip right there.
My favorite form of cardio is wrestling pajamas onto damp children
— That Mom Tho (@mom_tho) April 23, 2020
9. It’s a delicate balance we keep.
And sure, sometimes it’s all in our minds.
Me: I’d get up early to exercise, but I’ll be a better parent if I get some sleep. It’s for the children!
Also me: *scrolls twitter until past midnight*
— Richard Dean (@dad_on_my_feet) December 4, 2018
8. There are very few reasons to run.
This is definitely a good one.
You may not like running for exercise, but if your toddler comes over w/ a panicked face, holding their hiney & says "Hurry!"
RUN. Run fast— Marl (@Marlebean) June 4, 2013
7. I’d say it counts.
That’s the official judge’s ruling.
Me, walking around with a 3yo and 4yo wrapped around my legs: is this exercising? Am I exercising?
— Marcy G (@BunAndLeggings) September 1, 2020
6. There’s no reason to go to the gym otherwise.
You can’t do anything useful with kids running around, I swear.
If you're not using the gym solely for childcare, we probably can't be friends.
— Ramblin Mama (@ramblinma) February 12, 2016
5. I never leave the house not in a sweat.
It’s a whole process.
I just got winded buckling my toddler into his car seat. So if you're looking for a health and fitness page to follow, I'm clearly your girl.
— Moderately Mom (@moderately_mom) February 5, 2020
4. That sounds about right.
I bet the kids laughed and laughed, too.
Kids dug out the Wii and we all did the fitness age test. According to Wii Sports, I'm 77.
— Sara (@smilely_gal) May 24, 2016
3. No point in pretending we’re something we’re not.
That’s a lesson for the kids.
My daughter’s former teacher asked me if I’d be interested in joining her health and fitness group and the fact that she saw what I packed for my daughter’s snack each day should have been a pretty good indicator that I’m not into that sort of thing.
— Jessie (@mommajessiec) June 15, 2018
2. Write a note ahead of time.
That means you can just split.
Running from the house as soon as the sitter arrives is my cardio.
— MyMomologue (@MyMomologue) May 16, 2018
1. We can only focus on one thing at time.
And that’s on a good day.
Listen. I’m raising kids. I think that makes me mentally strong. I shouldn’t be expected to exercise too.
— Sara Says Stop (@PetrickSara) October 2, 2018
I feel these in my bones, I swear.
If you’ve got young kids and manage to have some time to exercise every week, share your tips and tricks with us in the comments!