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We all know that as a single parent, it is hard to find time to just do some of the little things, like just taking a shower, let alone finding time to exercise. Being a woman, who use to run ten miles a day and body build several times a week, being in shape and healthy through exercise is very important to me. When I first became a single mommy, after my husband left, exercising at the gym and taking long runs were no longer an option for me. I had to stop my usual workout routines because I had no one to watch my children and I did not want to ask a sitter so I could go to the gym. I wanted to spend all the time I could with my children. Therefore, I was forced to find ways to exercise while my children were awake with me or while they slept.

I have learned to combine my exercising with my little girls, which allows me to accomplish two things at once. Bonding and exercise!

For aerobic exercise, we turn on the radio, sometimes Radio Disney or their upbeat children's CDs, and dance for a half hour to an hour together. We make obstacle courses in the living room with pillows, toys and other random items. We go outside and play kickball (little kid version), hopscotch, take a bike ride or something else that makes our heart rate rise.

For muscle toning, here are some of the activities that my little girls love so much:

For my legs and lower body:

1. I lay on my back, with my knees bent. My two year old will rest her chest on my knees, with her abs and legs hanging along my shins. Then, I lift my shins towards the ceiling and down again. I repeat this several times. My 6 year old wants to join, of course! After two rounds of this with both my girls, my quads are sore!
2. I put my smaller daughter on my shoulders or my older daughter on my back and do heel raises and squats for my calves and hamstrings.

For my upper body:

1. I lay on my back, with my arms bent and my palms facing the ceiling. My toddler's belly will lay on my palms. Then, I will push her up and down and fly her around to work out my chest and triceps.
2. I pick up my little girl and cup her in my arms. Then, I secure a small squat and swing her back and forth between my legs. This works out the shoulders, back, and arms.
3. Remember if you hold your abs in tightly for all of these exercises, your abs will become firmer as well.

Now, we don't get to do these physical activities everyday. But, I make sure I do get some exercise in everyday. Here are some of the little things that I do:

1. While preparing food, cooking and folding laundry I do leg kick backs, calf raises, and side kicks for my legs.
2. While driving, I do little sitting crunches at stop signs and red lights.
3. While cleaning the house, I focus on the muscles that I am working on and tense them a little more during my cleaning movements.
4. When picking up toys and moving rugs, I take a few extra squats and really focus on my gluts.
5. I park further away from stores and places that we visit, so as to get some extra exercise.
6. I also keep 2 and 5 pound weights in my office, under my couch, and in my bedroom. So, in between clients, while watching TV, and for five minutes or so after waking up, I have what I need for a few quick toning exercises.

These are just a few of the ways that I fit exercise into my busy schedule. I have learned that I now have to be creative to come up with exercises. My children love to create little exercises and even have their own tiny little weights. This also helps them know and experience that fitness is important for health. Start them early and it will be natural for them when they are teens and adults. Plus, the bonding that happens during exercise is something to be cherished!

Learn more about this author, Abigail Rose.
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