Motherhood is a pretty big workout on its own.
By Joseph Barberio, Working Mother
Your gym bag is packed—no small feat— and you’re
heading out the door when your oldest can’t find her backpack and your
youngest throws up on your brand-new rug. Looks like those squats will
have to wait for tomorrow ... or next week.
[post_ads]Don’t feel bad. As it turns out, being a working mom is a pretty physical gig.
We asked Cate Shanahan, M.D., family physician and director of the Los
Angeles Lakers PRO Nutrition Program, to tell us how typical mom moves
are making you fitter. So the next time you skip sit-ups, you can pat
yourself on the back for the following.
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Pushing a shopping cart can be quite the workout.
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Shopping at a big-box store
If you’re dreading another wholesale stock-up, think about how you torch 5 to 10 calories a minute pushing a cart down aisles the length of airport runways. Bonus: the more you buy, the heavier the cart, the more you burn.
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It's also a great way for you and your kids to get some fresh air.
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Pushing a stroller
It’s not a chore—it’s exercise! It also can burn between 5 and 10 calories per minute. You toast even more when you step up the speed, head uphill or lug more weight.
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You can even mix in other exercises to give yourself an even better workout.
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Playing catch
Sit still, and you burn 1 or 2 calories a minute. Toss a ball to your Little Leaguer, and you double or triple that.
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You can burn calories while also having a great time.
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Going to the pool or beach
Swimming laps can blast up to 20 calories per minute depending on intensity. Plus, “just playing around in a weightless environment can improve your exibility because you can adopt postures that you can’t achieve while standing,” Dr. Shanahan explains.
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Remember to use good form to prevent injury.
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Picking up a toddler
Soothing your screaming 2-year-old isn’t just good for your ears. “This is extremely beneficial for upper-body strength and ultimately your spine’s bone density,” says Dr. Shanahan. “Many women lose bone density in their spine after age 40 much more rapidly than in their hips, possibly because we stop picking up kids then.” Technique is key: Protect your lower back by keeping it straight and bending at your hips.
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Burning calories never felt so good.
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Taking a hot bath
OK, you might not get to this as often as the others, but a recent study from Loughborough University in England found that soaking in the tub for an hour in 104-degree water melts 140 calories. Magical. (Just don’t attempt while pregnant.)
