How much exercise do your kids get every day?

Oh, hi there. You still here? Whenever I go for longer than a week without blogging, I start to hear a little nagging voice in the back of my head. I'm not sure why I feel obligated to keep writing, but I do. For you bloggers out there, why do you blog? Is it because you feel a responsibility to your readers? Is it because you are one of those lucky bloggers that actually makes money blogging? Is it because it helps you have a voice? Is it because of the amazing people you get to "meet" that you wouldn't get to learn from otherwise? For me, it's many of those things (minus the money), but it's also therapeutic...especially during the seemingly endless winter months. But dare I say it? SPRING IS ACTUALLY HERE! So I've been (as MizFit likes to say) LIVING not BLOGGING.

A few weeks ago, I watched my friends' two cute kids while she and her hubby celebrated her 30th birthday on a trip to New York. (I keep dropping hints to my DH that my 30th is coming up in August...having a newborn baby sure puts a damper on the celebration. There will be no trips to New York...I guess I'll just stay 29 this year). Anyway, for the first time this year, the weather was FINALLY warm! I literally could not be happier about the sunshine. I didn't realize how spoiled I was growing up in California--where we could spend time in the sun all year long--until I moved back to Utah. And actually, living in Utah as a college student is MUCH different than living in Utah as a stay-at-home mom.

I love the change of seasons, but let's be honest...once Christmas is over, I'm ready to get outside! Parenting is so much easier when you have the great outdoors to entertain the wee ones. A few weeks ago, I was feeling like the worst parent in the world. I was tired of entertaining, listening to whining, and really had to use all of my self control not to sit my kids in front of the TV all day to pass the time.

But spring is actually here! I never thought I'd be able to say that! While my friends' kiddos were here, we spent all day outside. We walked to the park (about a 3-mile round trip trek) every day. I pushed the 2-year olds in the jogging stroller while the 4-year olds walked. We got to the park, they ran for a few hours, then walked home complaining of tired legs. But they all slept like champs, and I have a nice farmers' tan to prove the sun is actually shining! (I also got to enjoy some nice comments on my ever-expanding belly. While running around with my little boy and his soccer ball, I was asked if I'm trying to make myself go into labor. Thanks...but no...I still have two months left! I know...shocking. And no, I'm not having twins!)

As a fitness-minded mom, it's really hard for me to figure out how to get in the recommended hour each day of physical activity for my kids during the cold winter months. I drop them off at the kids' club at the gym, fully expecting them to play on the little indoor playground, and come back only to find them watching the movie instead. We go to Costco (always a workout for me), and I think they'll be good little listeners so I can let them walk, but after darting in front of one grumpy-old-man's-cart too many, I'm forced to use the seatbelts instead. We go outside to build a snowman, only to come inside minutes later for a potty break, and decide it's too much work to bundle back up. Getting little kids to exercise in the winter is not easy. But warm weather is here, and I'm going to take advantage!

So if you need me, I'll be sitting lazily in the front yard reading a book, and chatting with neighbor friends while the kids run like mad until their hair is sweaty, their cheeks are rosy, their tummies are hungry, and their mouths are thirsty.

Spring is a blessing for all, but at this point in my life, I'd like to think it's a special blessing just for ME! Some Vitamin D is definitely what the doctor ordered for this mama. And after months of beating myself up for not finding better ways to keep my kids moving, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. It's not a work-out; it's a play-out. What could be more fun than that?

How do you keep your kids moving? And how are you living not blogging these days?

The TENTH Day of Fitness...teaching your kids to love exercise!

On the TENTH Day of Fitness, FitMePink Blog gave to me...workouts for the family!

As I've mentioned, we're currently visiting my parents for Christmas. I'm a little strange in that vacationing for me just means more time to work out! My husband happily watches the kids while I do my thing, or my parents watch the kids so we can go on a run together. It's great!

Yesterday morning, however, things weren't quite working out as planned. For some reason, my P90X DVD's won't play in my parents' player. So I've been using the computer. I woke up, changed my clothes, and started into a session of Plyometrics. I'm not sure I was mentally geared up for an intense workout anyway, but was super irritated when my kids found me upstairs in my sweaty state.

If they're in the room while I'm working out, I normally don't mind. But it's never very long before they're in need of something. I'm definitely a happier mama after working out, but during my workouts I often turn into monster mom. Leave me alone for 10 more minutes! Raaaaar!

At first, things started out okay. The kids were even jumping around with me. But then my almost two-year old found the computer. And before I even knew what she was doing, she turned it off. I freaked out, yelled for my husband to come get his children, started turning the computer back on, and decided to go for a run instead. The weather was beautiful, and I needed a place where I couldn't be bothered.

My 3-year old asked me where I was going, and I told him I was going running. He rushed off to get his shoes on before I could remind him that I was going alone. He came back in a few seconds all ready to go. I told him that I wanted to run by myself, and the tears started. I glanced at my heart rate monitor, irritated that I had already recovered from my first attempt at a workout, and started to walk out the door with a crying little boy still inside.

But then I remembered. This isn't really all about me. My THREE year old wants to go running. I should be jumping with joy that he, at his young age, thinks that running just to run sounds fun! I decided that I needed to be okay with the fact that I only got in a 40 minute workout instead of the full hour that I had planned. I am on a FAMILY vacation!

We grabbed our coats, and my little 3-year old and I set out on a "run." We went for about a mile in my parent's hilly neighborhood, and it was great! I got to hold my little guy's hand and listen to him as he told me to watch out for cars, as he counted airplanes that flew by overhead, and as he inspected all the neighbor's mailboxes for spider webs. I watched him run as fast as his little legs would carry him up the final descent to my parent's house, and laughed as he told me that he needed to lay down on the street to take a little nap when our run was over. I smiled as he put his hood on to "protect his face" if he fell. I marveled at his confidence as he bragged about what a great runner he is. And I loved that he wanted to eat a banana when the run was over to "give [him] back [his] energy".

One of my BIGGEST goals in life is to train my kids to enjoy living a healthy life. I'm pretty sure letting my 3-year old join me on my run did a lot more good for both of us than a solo run would have done for me. I may have burned a few more calories, but I would have ignored the passing planes, barking dogs, flying birds, and crawling bugs.

How selfish of me to think that my workout would be lacking if I let my little boy come along. I hope this experience will remind me of why I wanted to be a mom in the first place. As we walked up the steps to the front door, my son said, "Mom? You know why I wanted to run with you? Because I love you." All it took was ONE mile. If that's all it takes to bond with my kids, we're running every day! I love you too, little buddy!

How do you encourage your kids to be healthy and active?

Birthday Biathlon...A Race for the Kids

When your 2-year old spends countless hours in the jogging stroller during the week, he's bound to want to get out and run. As he sits in the bike trailer watching you pedal, he's bound to want to get out and ride. He has more energy in his little pinky finger than you have in your big legs. Sitting still is not his forte.

When your 2-year old spends several Saturday mornings cheering you and your hubby on as you race, he's bound to want to get out and...race! He has more will power in his little toes than you have in your entire body.

When your 2-year old is approaching his 3rd birthday, he'll want to have a party. And what could be a better party than one that includes three of his favorite things: running, biking, and racing! A birthday biathlon is the key to his happiness. What should you do?

1. Chart out a course along the local jogging trail. Mark it with blue sidewalk chalk arrows pointing the way...you never know when someone's going to take a wrong turn!
   
2. Instruct "race participants" to bring their bikes and running shoes.
3. Give the biathlon-ers a choice...bikes or running. Switching from one to the other might just be more than 3-year-olds can emotionally handle.
4. Have parents stationed around the course to cheer their racers on.
5. Be thrilled as your 3-year-old comes in 2nd place!
6. Smile as your one-year-old stains her entire body with a red-ice-cream-man-popsicle instead of racing.
7. Give each little racer a medal, a juice box, and a banana.
8. Love the accomplished look on each of their little faces.
9. Eat the birthday boy's "Trail Cake".
10. Laugh as the kids leave the cake to "race" again. (More cake for me! Why can't I have my priorities that straight?!?!)
    

See? Fitness CAN be fun! How do you encourage your kids to be physically active?

13 Reasons I Love the Gym Kids' Club!

What. A. Week. Let me tell you, fit-me-peeps, life after the big vay-cay sure stinks! I'm pretty sure my kids didn't poop this much before I left. I'm also pretty sure they didn't cry this much before. My baby girl will NOT let me leave her sight. I sort of enjoyed the neediness for the first day or two--8 days away from my babies left me longing for their cries--but NOW I need a break.

My normal pre-Cruise routine consisted of a near-daily trip to the gym, with a glorious drop-off at the Kids' Club. But I have not visited the gym this week. I'm pretty sure leaving my baby for the brief hour would have sent her over the edge. I've taken the week to remind her that I'm not going anywhere. But next week? We're going back. I LOVE the kids' club. I feel GREAT taking my kids there. When I work out at home, sometimes I end up feeling more stressed out when the workout's over. Here's why I heart the kids' club so much:

1. They know that I'm going to work out. I'm hoping my example will teach them the same behavior.
2. They get to play with fun, exciting, different toys.
3. I don't have to scream from the treadmill for them to share, not hit, and to stay off!
4. Someone else gets to listen to the whining! (Or lack thereof...they're having fun!)
5. My needy children always get special attention.
6. They learn that fitness is fun.
7. They've made friends, and look forward to gym playdates!
8. I get some much needed ME time!
9. Since we're regulars, the "gym ladies" know and love my kids.
10. It helps with socialization.
11. It gets me out of the house.
12. If I don't accomplish, or do anything fun for my kids for the rest of the day, I know they had at least one fun hour.
13. We all leave happy!

How do you fit in fitness while still fulfilling your mommy role?

Fitness For Tots...Getting the strong-willed child to eat his stinkin' dinner!

OK, so I don't know about you, but I DREAD mealtime...namely DINNERtime with Mr. Stubborn-2-year-old. Every night, it's a power struggle. The food will sit untouched on his plate for HOURS until he realizes that I'm not going to budge and let him have bread/cookies/cereal instead.

I'll admit it. For a long time, I've used dessert as a reward for eating dinner. But don't the "experts" say not to use food as a reward? Isn't eating something that should just be done, regardless of what one is going to get afterwards? It's kind of a responsibility as a member of the family. We eat dinner together. We eat what's on our plates. We don't whine and moan and groan (and gnash our teeth) until we finally give in, and eat the vegetables. We just eat.

I'm not a short order cook. And I don't think you should always get "something" for eating. Just eat, d**n it! Mr. Moody (yes, the I'm-never-going-to-get-out-of-the-terrible-two's-phase-toddler has many names and faces) NOW says (before taking a single bite), "what will I get when I eat my dinner?" If I answer with, "a brownie-goodie-treat-candy-whatever," he'll eventually eat.

But I'm done. I'm trying something new. Something I started last night.

I'm doing NOTHING. I'm putting his plate in front of him. We're sitting down as a family to eat. I'm not negotiating. I'm not even talking about it. When we're done eating, he can get down from the table, even if he hasn't had a bite. If he starts asking for something to eat later, I'll direct him back to the table. He can choose.

This doesn't mean there will never be dessert. But there doesn't NEED to be. Dessert should be something occasional, something special, something you don't get EVERY time you eat your food.

Am I wrong to think that this will empower him to eat better if it's his decision whether or not to eat? Tonight he went to bed hungry. He didn't eat his dinner. But he didn't cry when he went to bed, because he knew he'd made that choice.

I'm actually going to try the same approach with potty-training. (And sorry for getting side-tracked with potty talk...this really should be another post on a different blog. Just have to say it.) Anyway, I'm not going to make a big deal out of it (he did great for 3 days, and is now rebelling and refuses to go in the potty). After the dinner non-episode (non-episode because I didn't make a big deal about his non-eating), he actually told me he needed to go potty (for the first time in weeks). I just looked at him and said, "Then go. You know what to do." He looked at me funny, then went in the bathroom and pooped!

So this is my experiment. I'm tired of negotiating. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of rewarding for behavior that should just be expected. We eat dinner. Period.

Am I mean? Unreasonable? Right on? What are your tricks for getting your kids to eat their food? And what are your opinions on rewarding with sweets? Share your knowledge, advice, opinion, whatever!

Fitness for Tots

Since the new theme for Tuesday's at FitMePink is FITNESS FOR TOTS, how appropriate that today's show on Oprah is just that! We'll watch and find out what Dr. Oz has to say about: Why America's Kids Are Fat! Ouch! If you get a minute, watch it so we can discuss what we can do to help our kids!

Fitness for Tots

I don't know about yours, but my busy kiddies wake up with WAY TOO MUCH boundless energy. While I just want to lay on the couch, they're ready in an instant to play hide-n-seek-tag-catch-swing-etc. Rain or shine, they are ready to move. Someone once told me that the key to raising boys is giving them room to run! This is proving true for my girl, as well!

I'm trying to find ways in the middle of nasty-January-winter to include physical games into playtime. For a 2-year old that may just love Dora more than running, this is sometimes hard to do. Here are a few fun physical games we like to play:

Follow the leader: Your child follows you while imitating your steps: fast, slow, big, small. Imitate animals: hop like a kangaroo, slither like a snake, wag your "tail" like a dog.

Catch: Fun at ANY age, and easily adjustable to your child's level. For wee ones, roll a big ball back and forth on the floor between open legs. Switch to a smaller ball, and increase the distance between you and your child. Then try actually throwing and catching!

Dance party: My favorite! Try different genres of music and make up dances to match! (Most of ours look the same (mine included), but that doesn't matter! I recently taught my 2-year old (and friends) the Chicken Dance. Cutest. Dancing. Ever.

Pray for Spring: When you can sit on a park bench WATCHING your kids have the time of their lives sliding, swinging, and climbing...it's exercise at it's best!