8 Unexpected Benefits Of Working Out At Home When The Kids Are Around

My schedule is ridiculously busy, so if I have any hope of fitting in a workout I often have to squeeze it in at home. This used to be simple because I only had one kid and I could just do it during nap time. That kid grew into a non-napping three-year-old, though, and then I had another baby, and now my workouts are more like a stop, drop, and crunch in the middle of a three-ring circus. It’s difficult at times, like when I’m trying to do a push-up and one of my kids attempts to climb on my back and straddle me like a horse, but we’ve gotten so many positives from it that I really can’t complain. Here are a few of the many advantages to working out at home with little kids:

1. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and also adorable.

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My daughter has a blast trying to copy my sweet workout moves, and I swell with pride when she tries to pick up one of my weights and says it’s time to do her exercises or when she tells her grandma she loves doing “yogurt” (yoga) with mom.

2. The kids get to see you making yourself a priority.

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It’s important for your kids to see you doing things for yourself and taking care of yourself. You’re a person just like they are, and knowing that will make them not only more appreciative of you, but also more confident about making their own needs a priority when the day comes that they have multiple responsibilities.

3. You get to show them exercise is for everyone, even imperfect people.

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So often we’re bombarded by images of perfect, super toned bodies. The fitness world can feel pretty exclusionary when we imagine a gym full of oiled up six packs and Photoshopped bikini bodies. Regardless of your body shape, it’s good for your kids to see you working out and maintaining a healthy body. You’re “normal” to them and that shows them that exercise is for everyone, including them.

4. You get to model a healthy lifestyle for your little ones.

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They’ll learn from watching you that a healthy life is about balance: they don’t have to work out until they puke or go on extreme diets to feel good about themselves, but moving your booty every day and striving to be your best self is still important. 

5. They’ll learn exercise is important, even when you’ve got a busy schedule.

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Yes, you have a million things going on, but you still make time to work out and they see that. They see you lunging across the living room and doing crunches amidst the Fisher-Price figurines scattered across the rug. Exercise is a part of your routine no matter what, and it will become a part of theirs.

6. They might find a new skill or interest.

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I love to run and my daughter really wanted to join me for runs, but she’s too small so I started doing cardio during the day with kids in tow: long walks to the park to play basketball, kick the soccer ball, play chase around the playground. Turns out my daughter is super coordinated and loves soccer, and now she has a physical activity that she’s interested in all on her own.

7. Exercise burns energy.

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Your kids might not be able to do all the things you do, but they’re totally going to try, which means they’ll completely exhaust themselves without even realizing it. I’m pretty sure my daughter thinks jumping jacks are the same thing as flailing around the room until you have no energy left. We have a lot of snow days where we can’t go outside, so that is fine with me.

8. Seeing you love your body will make them love theirs.

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Whether you adore what you see in the mirror or you’d like to change a few things, making the effort to take care of yourself sends a big message that you believe you’re worth the effort. That goes a long way with little eyes that are looking to you to help them navigate the tricky world of self image.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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