Advice for the New Year: Dance With Your Baby

Many of the new moms I see complain about the lack of opportunity to exercise.  They often only get to the gym once on the weekend when someone else is able to care for the baby.  Like them, you might feel cooped up, especially at this time of the year, worrying about not losing that "baby weight" more quickly.

As an older person when I talk to new moms about some of the ways I've discovered to exercise at home they often give me a look that says "fine for you, but that's not what I call exercise".

My answer to that is: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE BENEFITS OF LIGHT EXERCISE!!!
So when you're feeling stuck in the house with a small baby, why not make "walking the floor" more beneficial for you and more stimulating for your baby by putting on some music and throwing in some dance steps and variations on walking?  Walk side to side, march, go backwards and forwards, throw in a cha-cha, a little salsa or whatever you enjoy.
 
What if your baby is crying?  Well, babies cry for all sorts of reasons; providing your baby is fed and dry, you will most likely be walking the floor in your effort to soothe your baby.  Why not add some movement and music?  Maybe baby will end up being rocked to sleep, or be distracted by the sound of the music, the rhythm of the movement, or the changing sights as you move around the room.  If your baby is very calm, he or she may be happy to just watch you; a dancing mom is definitely more interesting to watch than a mom who is doing paperwork, watching TV, or otherwise sitting still.

What if you also have a toddler at home?  What better way to spend time with your infant and your toddler than moving to music.  The idea is that your enthusiasm will be infectious, inviting your toddler to join in. The main thing is that you will be getting exercise: using muscles, stimulating the right hormones, burning calories, increasing your heart-rate, and it just might lift your spirits.

So instead of waiting around for others to grant you the opportunity to go to the gym or out for a run, add a little light aerobic workout to your daily routine.  It will be good for you and good for your children.  Be creative, think outside the box and have a little fun.

HAPPY NEW YEAR