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Working in the Workouts: Yoga class with your kid

Posted: Jun 27th 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Emotional Health, Fitness, Healthy Kids, Working In the Workouts

I signed my daughter and I up for yoga class this summer. She's been doing the upward and downward dog poses since she was about 18 months, so I figure she's ready. And so am I, after practicing very sporadically throughout the 15 years since I took my first Hatha class in college.

At first, yoga for a 3-year-old might seem silly. Efforts to get my daughter to hold any pose for more than 5 seconds, let alone something specific that requires following instruction from a teacher, can be futile at best. My daughter has definitely hit a stage during which focused activity has become necessity to get through the day. Discipline has become more of an issue. But I'm hoping the novelty of the yoga class will play big. And listening to a stranger is always easier than listening to Mommy or Daddy.

But we might get more than that. Experts suggest yoga for kids can increase self-esteem and body awareness in a noncompetitive way and can even help children who suffer from hyperactivity disorder.

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Working in the Workouts: Being reasonable about weight

Posted: Jun 20th 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Emotional Health, Diet and Weight Loss, Working In the Workouts

Last week I wrote about my goal to drop six sticky pounds. And a reader asked why, suggesting the scale is not the sole determinant of good health. This is certainly true. But my experience is this: Weight gain begets weight gain and pretty soon you can find yourself heavier than your heart valves, vanity and wardrobe are comfortable with. And I believe vanity, within reason, is an important part of our emotional health. Maybe not as important as clear arteries or wellness in general, but important nonetheless.

Here's some perspective: I'm essentially near the top of what's considered a healthy weight for my stature. That means I have no leeway for vacations or Thanksgiving or GNO. I like leeway. And I like nipping things in the bud before they're a problem. Or before I can't squeeze into my bathing suit to join my daughter in swim class. That's my strategy, and it's worked for me so far.

I think it can work for any parent struggling to keep tabs on their health and find time to exercise. It's all about staying on top of things as much as possible because none of us has room for big problems in our lives. It's about being reasonable. Losing six pounds is a whole lot easier than losing 60. Sixty pounds is a lot. Trust me. I just pushed that amount around in a double stroller yesterday as a way of getting a workout in while babysitting my daughter's best friend before my in-laws arrived in town.

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Working in the Workouts: Stuck with six pounds?

Posted: Jun 13th 2008 11:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Diet and Weight Loss, Working In the Workouts

Moderation is my motto. And most of the time it works for me when it comes to food, exercise and maintaining weight. But since I stopped nursing my daughter a year ago, six pounds have slowly crept onto my frame and they seem to be sticking more than in the past. I guess it's because I'm now 36. And I'm a mother. And I have an evening glass of wine to wind down more often than when I was childless.

So, am I stuck with these six pounds? Probably not. If I want to do the extra work it will apparently take to get them off. Clearly, I can't cut a few calories here and there for a couple weeks and do my usual two or three workouts a week plus walking, mowing the yard, etc. and watch the scale go down. It's going to take more. Ugh.

So, my goal after I get back from celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary with a weekend in NYC and consuming Tapas and Italian aplenty is to do just that. Wish me luck.
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Working in the Workouts: Bicycle trailers

Posted: Jun 6th 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Kids, Working In the Workouts

Last weekend, my family had a wonderful workout together on a local trail thanks to our jogging stroller. We contemplated breaking out the bicycle trailer, but opted for pushing something with wheels rather than pedaling.

Looks like we're going to have to stick to indoor workouts this weekend with heat and humidity off the charts. But it remains a goal of mine to put some more miles on our bicycle trailer this summer. Kids can kick back and enjoy the breeze as you cruise to your heart's content. They even have "windows" to look out of. And they keep them safe should you crash or tumble somewhere along your route.

Safety and maneuverability were big factors I considered when reviewing options for carting kids along on bikes. I grew up riding in the seats that attach to the bike, usually behind the rider. And they still exist, although they are much improved. There's also a seat that attaches to the front. And there are several trailers that have their own wheels and attach to the back of the bike. There are pros and cons to all of them. In the end, the trailers seemed the safest to me.

Here's a look at some of the options:

Gallery: Taking kids along on a bike

CoPilot LimoKettler Teddy child bike seatiBert Safe-T-SeatInSTEP Take 2 bike trailer
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Working in the Workouts: Walk your kids to school

Posted: May 30th 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Healthy Kids, Working In the Workouts, Obesity

I don't like school buses. It's mainly because of the lack of seat belts. But I also wonder why, in an age of childhood obesity becoming too common and people of all ages not getting enough exercise, parents don't walk their kids to school more often when it's a reasonable distance from home. Certainly, time is a factor for many who are struggling to get on the road in order to make it on time to work. But for the rest who don't have to work for money or work from home, this is a big opportunity to develop good habits.

My neighbors and I were just talking the other day about raising kids who are physically fit and finding ways to fit exercise into their lives. One of them said, "All I care is that they learn to make a habit of moving around for 30 minutes a day for the rest of their lives."

I actually timed out the walk to and from the local elementary school a while back. My kid is just short of 3 years old, so we've got some time before this is an issue. Still, I was curious. Low and behold, it's 30 minutes, round-trip.

Of course another neighbor pointed out the social aspect of the bus and how they would miss out on going to school with all their friends. I've been thinking about it. And I've been getting this image in my mind of a big parade of kids, parents in tow, walking down the street to school with their hearts pumping. It could happen.


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Working in the Workouts: Stuff with wheels

Posted: May 23rd 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

Mommy and Daddy can't decide what we want to do today. Haul the jogging stroller to a hiking trail along the Potomac River? Hook up the bicycle trailer and head out on the Washington and Old Dominion trail?

Either way, stuff with wheels will make a good workout in the nice weather possible with our toddler. Some might think it's crazy to have three strollers, as we do. But once your kid weighs more than 30 pounds, putting them in a body carrier just doesn't work. We've put plenty of miles on the jogging stroller, and not all of them jogging. Trekking over grass, mud and stone is nearly impossible without one. Certainly, an urban or suburban walk around town serves as a wonderful workout with a conventional stroller, too. We just love being among more trees, water and wildlife. And the jogging stroller makes it possible.

As for the bicycle trailer, that was last year's Father's Day gift before we spent a family weekend vacation in Chincoteague and rode rented bikes around the nearby Assateague Island. Our daughter loved cruising along, looking out the plastic windows, safe from the mosquitoes that seemed to be hatching faster than you could say no DEET please. The really cool thing is that mosquitoes couldn't make a swift landing on our skin with the breeze whisking past as we peddled.

My point is that stuff with wheels have been a crucial element for our active family activities that have been well worth the investment. You don't need to spend a lot, either. Both the jogging stroller and bicycle trailer were purchased at Target for a little more and a little less than $100, respectively.
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Working in the Workouts: Running the bases

Posted: May 16th 2008 6:15AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

My husband, a baseball editor for a national newspaper, taught our daughter how to say "pitching mound" when she was about 18 months old. We are lucky to have a field down the street. We drive by it every time we go somewhere in the car and every time we do, our daughter yells "pitching mound!" with gleeful delight.

We've now started making treks on foot down to the field on a semi-regular basis. And our little girl, now almost three, is learning about the rest of the landscape covered with red dirt and grass and framed by two dugouts. She isn't skilled enough to hit yet. Not even off of a tee. But boy do we run those bases. Over and over. And we jump on them. And we cheer at home plate.

By the time we've walked there and back and run the bases a few times, I figure we got more exercise than most players do during a whole game. And it certainly didn't take nine innings to do it. Quick and easy workout, and the kid's exhausted. Perfect!
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Working in the Workouts: Meadow frolic

Posted: May 9th 2008 10:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

I'm so happy to be back to incorporating outdoor workouts into my routine, sporadic as it may be. It's been almost three years since I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and I still don't have winter workout gear in my wardrobe. So I tend to wait around for April to go for any lengthy walks or jogs outside.

But that would be so normal.

The other day, I actually did sprints, played hide and seek and pretended to be Dora the Explorer in a field of tall grass down the street from our house. Of course, I wasn't alone. This was my daughter's idea of a grand time. And it turned out to be a pretty darn good workout, too.

No trails, stroller, trails, or special gear needed. Just an empty meadow and our imaginations.
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Working in the Workouts: Mow the lawn

Posted: May 2nd 2008 11:46PM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

It's that time of year again. If there's anything I've learned about living in Northern Virginia, it's that the grass keeps growing and the mosquitoes always hatch.

Well, the mosquitoes aren't here yet, but boy is the grass going crazy. Thanks to a whole lot of rainfall so far this spring -- a good thing for the recovery of last year's drought -- weekly mowing is already a part of our routine. Well, mine. My husband and 2-year-old typically leave the lawn duty to me.

But I've decided that's just fine. It takes me a good half-hour to cut our grass and by the time I'm done, I've worked my arms and legs enough to sweat a good bit even when the heat and humidity isn't here yet. And all the while, my daughter is pretty happy digging in her sandbox.

So all you people who pay a gardener to mow the lawn and then wonder where you're going to find the time to work out, save your money and crank up the mower.
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Working in the Workouts: Playgrounds

Posted: Apr 11th 2008 10:32PM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

It's spring and in my Northern Virginia neighborhood that means kids and parents are hitting the playgrounds again. Kids are flocking to swings and slides while parents, mostly moms, sit on benches and gossip, read or do some crafty thing with their hands. Well, here's a novel idea. Get up and get moving with your kids because it's a good chance to get some exercise.

My daughter often yells, "Your turn, Mommy!" after her spins on the slides. Climbing the steps and going down the slide over and over has got to be worth something. Then she runs over to the swings and I run after her. Then I push her hard because she wants to go "super high." At one of the bigger, more elaborate playgrounds there's a zip cord. And it's a big hit. My little one isn't quite big enough or strong enough to do it herself, so I prop her up on one arm and run back and forth with her holding on. Believe me, it's a workout.

So put away the phone, reading material and knitting and shut your trap and get moving next time you take a trip to the playground with your kids. You'll be the "cool mom" in your kids' eyes and your body will thank you.
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Working in the Workouts: Jump!

Posted: Apr 4th 2008 6:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

So, I admit to faltering big time on workouts lately. By the end of winter, facing the gym or even another day in the cold just gets to me. But now, spring is here! And the neighbors' trampoline is open for business!

It often happens on nice days. All the neighbor kids get off the bus and the siblings come out to greet them and everyone ends up staying outside romping around and enjoying the sun and air. In our neighborhood, the kids invariably end up piling into the trampoline in the back yard of one of our neighbors. They got it as a big family Christmas gift a couple of years ago. And boy has it gotten some use since then.

Every so often, the parents join in at their own risk. Jump. Kick. Twist. Turn. Fall. Laugh. We're rewarded for the courage by burning a few calories while we spend some good old fashioned quality time with our kids. And it almost feels like we've found a little fountain of youth. Almost.
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How does Usher get those abs?

Posted: Mar 24th 2008 3:46PM by Mary Kearl
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Habits, Celebrities, Working In the Workouts, Body Bloggers

Well, after doing some serious celeb snooping to pick AOL Body's Hottest Bodies I found out more than enough celebrity diet and fitness secrets. Some were so not That's Fit/AOL Body approved (over yo-yo dieting and super-scary liquid diet weight loss are some of the culprits among female celebs). But Usher's dedication to ab workouts is pretty inspiring. When I found out he does 1000 crunches a day, I was really impressed. A friend of mine blew that off saying that doing 1000 crunches is nothing. So I tried it out myself and got tired after 300. Oh well, 1000 is something to work up to.

How many crunches do you do a day? Do you have a specific time of day that you do them when you're really energized?
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Working in the Workouts: Dance!

Posted: Jan 18th 2008 1:30PM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Home, Healthy Kids, Working In the Workouts

Dancing with your kids in the living room can burn more calories than you think. I've heard of this idea as a workout option before and thought you could never get your heart rate up high enough for it to count. That was before I danced with a 2-year-old.

I've danced with my toddler to various types of music several times in the past couple of weeks. She's like a personal trainer. She doesn't let you cheat, take breaks or stop for anything. You can certainly break a sweat if you attempt to keep up through an entire CD's worth of songs. And it doesn't have to be whiny kids' music, either.

My daughter loves The Beatles and anything Latin. I can't have music on in the house anymore without her wanting to dance. So go get groovin' and have a good time!
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Working in the Workouts: Everybody in the pool

Posted: Jan 11th 2008 6:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Working In the Workouts

January isn't typically synonymous with taking a dip, but indoor pools in winter can be a great resource for parents and children. We're lucky enough to live walking distance from such an amenity. Next week, it will be the site of the regular playgroup my daughter and I sometimes host at our house.

The playgroup has become an institution for many modern parents. I can't remember such a thing when I was a kid. In fact, I can't remember playing with anyone accept for my cousins before kindergarten. But anyway, winter has left the moms itching to get out of the house. So among several ideas that came out of a brainstorming session was the pool. It will be a great place for us to let the kids play while we take shifts to do laps or water aerobics.

Talk about multitasking! Playgroup, gossip and workout all in one place in an hour!
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Working in the Workouts: Ice skating

Posted: Dec 21st 2007 6:00AM by Deanna Glick
Filed under: Fitness, Working In the Workouts

Last week I told you about carpet skating. This week, I'm going more traditional. How about a spin on an ice skating rink?

As most of us are probably still spending more time with more family members than we typically do the rest of the year, it's important to come up with ways to keep moving while spending time together. Ice skating provides the perfect option, whether you live somewhere cold enough to enjoy an actual frozen lake or or you have to find an indoor facility where they recreate a frozen lake. Or maybe you're somewhere in between like I am near the nation's Capitol, where you can find many man-made outdoor rinks in the middle of town.

No matter how the ice under foot came to be, it's great family fun for a few bucks plus renting a pair of blades if you don't own them. Many rinks offer lessons for the less confident. And if you've got family members that are too old or young to join in the activity, I'm sure they'd enjoy watching the advanced set show off while the beginners fall on their butts.

Gallery: Capitol area ice skating

Herbert Wells Ice RinkTucker Road Ice RinkThe Gardens Ice HousePershing Park Ice Rink
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