by Jennifer Johnson

Created on: July 25, 2009

With the time you spend chasing after your little ones, running errands, and trying to keep the house (somewhat!) presentable, you probably feel as though the last thing you have time for is working out. However, there are several exercises that even the busiest housewife can fit into her crowded schedule.

When your children are very small you may not have the option or the desire to take an hour or so out of the day to drive to the gym for a workout. With a little planning, though, you can incorporate a 'workout' into your daily routine WITHOUT leaving home or buying a lot of expensive equipment.

We'll explore just a few possibilities you have to fit exercise into an already overcrowded schedule:

Walking/Jogging/Biking

If you are the mother of an infant, a nice stroll around the block is a great chance for your child to get some fresh air and be exposed to wonderful new sights and sounds while you get in a little cardio.

You can invest in strollers designed especially for jogging, but even a normal stroller will allow you to take a brisk trip around the neighborhood. In addition to the exercise, it can help you relax and unwind while you enjoy the scenery.

Once your children get a little older, they'll love the opportunity to take a walk with Mommy - or take a spin on their scooter or bike while you walk alongside them.

Quick Cardio

There are tons of fun and challenging DVDs out there, but chances are, if you're a new Mom, you might not have a 30 or 60 minute block of time to workout, so you'll need to find ways to sneak some quick cardio into your schedule.

There are several exercises you can do in the space of a few minutes that will get your heart pumping. You can do jumping jacks, run in place, jump rope, step up and down on the bottom step of your stairs or an exercise step bench, or butt kicks (jogging in place, your feet kick your booty).

Multiple 5 or 10 minute sessions spread throughout the day provide a nice little workout.

Strength Training

You might think that a weight set or gym membership is necessary for strength training - not true! There are several exercises that use your own bodyweight that can also build your muscles - and all without buying any exercise equipment.

Classic exercises like pushups are great for strengthening arms and chest.

You're no doubt familiar with crunches as a way to build better abs, but you might also try incorporating planks (a quick search online will show you the correct form); they are a REAL challenge!

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