Transform Mommy Chores into Fat-Busting Moves!

by Karina L. Fabian

Your Everyday Routine

Look around your home and environment for workout tools. Here are some examples to get you started:

  • Climbing Stairs: Do you live in a split-level or multi-story home? Your children's main play area may be on a different level than where you do much of your housework. As you find yourself rushing up and down stairs to clean or check on your kids, carry laundry, a vacuum cleaner, toys, books, or a child up and down the steps for added weight.

  • Gardening: If you don't already have a garden, set aside a small space on a deck or in your yard for planting. Lugging bags of soil and potted plants, as well as raking, hoeing, and weeding will get you outside and work muscles you may have forgotten about! Invite your children to help and enjoy family time together while you weed, landscape, or plant.

  • Packing and Moving: Moving to a new home is rife with exercise opportunities! Boxes of stuff make great free weights, and walking up and down entryway and interior stairs, lifting, and packing all work both upper- and lower-body muscles.

  • Playing with the Kids: Chasing runaway toddlers and playing tag in the backyard are fun ways to fitness. Enjoy a run-around at the park or sprint-walk relay races in your driveway. Pace changes like walk-run-walk work your body better than walking or running at a steady pace.

  • Breastfeeding: Although not really a workout, nursing is a great way to get in shape. On average, a nursing mother burns 500 fat calories a day producing milk for her baby. In fact, that's why women tend to gain around the hips and thighs during pregnancy: fat storage for milk production.

    • You have all the tools you need for your own fitness plan—no gym required! These tips will help you get energized, take your mind off otherwise boring chores, and get you and your kids moving and having fun.

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