The Key To Working Out When You Have Kids? Flexibility
I have the distinct honor and pleasure of introducing this week’s guest writer—my brother, Steve Poehler. He discusses working out when you have kids.
You can read more about his background after his article.
Without further ado, let’s get started…
You’ve all probably heard the saying, right? “Having kids changes everything.”
That certainly is true, especially with working out.
For me personally, there’s the time in my life “before kids”—and then the time “after kids.” This covers my workouts, too.
Back in college (again, “before kids”), I used to work out four to six days a week, for about an hour per workout. I also biked everywhere, I went to the gym to work out, and I ran—a lot. I used to compete in races, including numerous 5K’s, countless 10K’s, a handful of half-marathons, and even a full marathon after college.
Then post-college, I kept up that routine, until eventually, I started working out with Beach Body’s P90X at home. Each session of this intensive workout program runs an hour-plus (up to even 90 minutes for yoga!). I loved it, and it was much cheaper than having a gym membership and was more efficient, as I didn’t have to drive to the gym and could just work out in the living room.
Then came “change #1.”
Changing Things Up
After my wife and I had our first daughter, I tried to keep with up P90X. But eventually, the sleepless nights and the lack of time (those kids sure need a lot of attention!) caught up to me.
I had to stop doing P90X.
Now, I am grateful for a workout of even 30 to 40 minutes a day, with my goal of six days per week. This includes two days of strength training, two days of cardio, and two days of yoga. I try to take at least one day off a week.
In other words, gone are the 60-plus minute workouts. But that’s OK.
Creativity is Vital
I’ve (slowly) learned how to be more flexible, and I’ve also added a 25-30 minute “walk break” in the middle of my workday, which helps to offset the decrease in “intensive” workout time. The walk gives me the added benefits of stress relief during a busy day, and it allows me time to either listen to podcasts or music or talk to my family on the phone while walking.
I bring all of this up because my overall theme in working out with kids (or at least trying to) is—to be flexible.
I will admit it—I can be stubborn. This is certainly the case for working out. I hate cutting back or giving up my workouts. It’s hard for me to not work out at all, even when I’m sick or injured.
I often think in black-and-white terms, as well, meaning I either work out for 60-plus minutes—or not at all. That can be dangerous thinking, though!
Find a Compromise
Every day is a different day for kids. So giving myself the grace and flexibility to change up my workouts has been key to both my long-term health and my sanity. If I didn’t work out at all, I honestly don’t know how I would survive—God, love those kids!
Finding a compromise by doing shorter workouts and adding a walk has been vital. (You can see how important having creativity can be in all this, as well.)
Of course, as with any change, it didn’t come easily—it took time. I did, however, get there eventually.
Before, on my lifting days, I used to dedicate each day to two different body parts—for example, legs and back, chest and triceps, or shoulders and biceps. Now, during each lifting workout, I do a few exercises for every major body group. That way, if I have to deal with a sick kiddo and miss a lifting day, I’m not “behind.”
Before, I used to run outside two to three days per week, at about five to seven miles per run. Now, I try to run outside once per week for about three to five miles, and I either run a second time per week or use a cardio DVD and work out in the dedicated small gym in my garage. (Kickboxing is awesome!)
Before, I used to not do yoga since classes cost too much (other than the P90X yoga). Now, I use a cheap but awesome yoga app on my phone (Yoga Studio, which costs me $20 per year) and do this at home. Yoga helps with my mental and physical health.
While I prefer to work out first thing in the morning—at least during the work week—I sometimes need to be flexible there, too, and work out in the evenings. On the weekends, I let our girls’ schedules dictate when I work out, but I make it a priority, and it usually happens in the afternoon or evening.
Setting a Good Example
Another added benefit to being flexible while working out with kids is, that my girls (we have two of them now) will sometimes either join me for a couple of minutes during a workout at home, or they will watch me. There’s nothing cuter!
My girls can see their dad taking care of himself by getting some exercise. They also have a dad who is happier and less stressed/agitated when he is around them.
So my advice is if you love to work out, and you also have kids—be easy on yourself, and get creative. Most likely your workouts will not look the same “post-kids” as they were “pre-kids”—and that’s OK.
Nothing is the same!
Steve Poehler is a father, a husband, and a huge sports fan. A former sports writer, Steve is now a CPA who spent five years working at a public accounting firm before becoming a Senior Financial Analyst for a nonprofit organization, the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland. Steve loves to work out, be outdoors, and follow sports, including his beloved Denver Broncos. Steve lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family.
