Exercise in the Winter

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Getting exercise in the winter isn't easy, especially if you live in a cold, snowy climate -- which I definitely do, in Ohio! It's even harder if you have little kids and can't just dash out for a quick jog on a relatively "okay" day, or go to an expensive gym. So what's a busy mom to do?

One popular way for my friends and I is a "stroller stroll" at the mall. We load up the kids in their strollers and walk laps around the mall. This is best done with small children (read: ones who will still actually sit in their strollers for any length of time) and in the mornings on weekdays, when the mall isn't very crowded. Depending on how heavy your kids are, this can be a pretty good work out! It's also nice to chat while strolling, do a little shopping if something catches your eye, and have lunch at the food court (bring your own if you can't stand the options there) before heading home for naps.

If your kids won't sit in a stroller, or don't live close to the malls (now, I live less than five minutes from a mall...but growing up it was at least twenty minutes, so we didn't go too often), mall walking won't work for you. Other indoor stores can, if you can get your kids to sit still, or at least run after you. Sometimes there are museums or indoor playgrounds that you can go to, so your kids are entertained but you can get some exercise in too. Look for local mommy-and-me type events too, or join a group on Meet Up (I did!).

But, if you need something a little older-kid-friendly, try using a Nintendo Wii! It's my understanding that a lot of people have these now. We actually do have a Wii, and the Wii Fit. It's a great way to hop into exercise everyday, and you can do it for five minutes or an hour, and you can start and stop whenever you need to. Most exercises are only a few minutes long, so it's easy to do while you're coordinating dinner, kids, laundry, etc.

Failing a Wii (not everyone can afford one), you can also do routines from the fitness channels on TV, or exercises videos (DVDs?) from the library. If you're desperate, use your kids' silly dancing videos!

There are other small ways to exercise around your house as well. Wearing wrist or ankle weights while you go about your daily chores can be a great idea. Running up and down stairs more often than you really need to (you know, you went up to get your toddler's cup but forgot your next load of laundry) is great. Cleaning various rooms is exercise too. It really is built in!

Of course, the best exercise is your KIDS! Chase them, tickle them, "attack" them, just go nuts! Dance with them, sing, do gymnastics, etc. Your kids will give you PLENTY of exercise if you let them. I, personally, am trying really hard to limit my computer time to when they are having short play time in the morning, naps, and evenings. This is so I spend more time with them during the day in general, but also so I don't spend a lot of time just sitting down. I have to get up and chase them!

I do other random things, too. I also keep all their diapers upstairs so every time someone needs changed I have to run them up there. I try to do chores on each level everyday so I spend some time upstairs, downstairs, and in the basement. If I leave the basement door open, Bekah will inevitably down and probably feed the cats (she knows how to open their food and give them extra, although she's not supposed to) and then I'll have to run down and grab her and make her clean up and run her back up to time out.... You get the idea.

How do you exercise in the winter? Do you involve your kids? Let's hear all about it!