Family Work Out...a..k.a. Gym Class!

Well, this is the year I promised my self the baby belly bulge will be a thing of the past... and what could be a better way to shed the fat than to share my work out with my children? So, we break from school work and head on down to our family workout room, the weight bench and elliptical are set up, as well as 8 year old Michael's Christmas gift, a heavy bag and speed bag stand, we also use a step stool and free weights for step ups.

My 11 year old daughter Cheyla, Michael and I take turns leading stretches, Michael shares with us some pretty intense stretches he does prior to his boxing training, Cheyla the ones she likes from basketball practice, and me, those most beneficial to my mid section, and legs! I would have to say, my favorite part of our stretching and warm ups has to be my 5 year old, Joshua and my 3 year old Rachael doing them with us!

Because we work out in intervals, Joshua and Rachael can also participate in our workouts, they get to hit the heavy bag, do jumping jacks, "push-ups" (or something like it ;), sit-ups/crunches, running "in place", and step ups... the older two rotate between running in place and "reaching for the gold", jumping rope, push-ups or burpys, sit-ups/ crunches, leg lifts, weight lifting, hitting the heavy bag and step-ups. I rotate those things as well, but instead of running in place or jumping rope, I spend my cardio time on the fat burner cycle on my elliptical, oh and to try to maximize my work out, I have been wearing my belly burner and ankle weights...

To keep up the energy we enjoy working out to the Manafest station I set up on Pandora. I have to say the music helps us keep going, and the kids enjoy dancing after our workout is finished!

My workouts in the Motherhood is a fun time with my kids, they get to stay in shape and get stronger for their favorite activities, I get to get back into shape, and we get to be silly. (We sometimes make up funny stretches, like the "angry mommy" (bent over wagging finger), and the "kid in trouble" (bent over looking back, covering behind) and my personal favorite "the embarrassing mom dance" (you now, the dance we do to absolutely mortify our children)... we have talked of making a video with our invented stretches, when we do I will post it.

I am blessed that I have the opportunity to homeschool, there are so many things I get to do with my kids during the day, that I otherwise wouldn't  consider. I admit, the kids always being around was a reason I didn't work out before, I don't know why it never occurred to me to include them in my workout time, but now that I have it is everyone's favorite part of the day, they actually ask when we are going to work out!

I have to admit, I too look forward to my workouts in the Motherhood!

Originally Posted on my blog Life in the Motherhood on Jan. 23, 2012