Hello, hello! How are your energy levels today? Are you staying home to help slow the spread of COVID-19? Well done for being a lovely responsible person! But it probably means that you haven’t been exercising as much as usual. The occasional walk to the shop isn’t enough, is it? On top of that, are the kids getting a little wild being cooped up under this coronavirus quarantine?
Don’t worry! You can stay active at home and get kids and babies involved, too! All you need is a little inspiration and determination.

Here are some of our tips:

1. Set a workout time and stick to it

You will be surprised how much better following a routine will make the whole family feel! Exercising every day at a certain time is a small, achievable goal which will give all of you a sense of accomplishment. It will frame your day and give it purpose. The mental benefits can be enormous!

2. Use some form of guidance

Whether you want to book an online exercise class or just use an exercise video, having some form of instruction really helps. It frees up your mind so that you don’t have to think about what to do or for how long – you can just relax and enjoy time with your family. Following a workout designed and led by a professional will also help avoid any accidental injuries.

3. The baby-carrier is your friend

A baby in a carrier or sling makes an excellent exercise buddy! Their weight is all the resistance you need for many basic moves like squats and lunges. Dance-with-baby exercise routines are also great. You can even use the time to develop your little one’s language skills by counting out loud and talking to them throughout.

4. Get creative

Don’t be afraid to try different ideas to make exercise fun! Why not dress up in special clothes, play your favourite music, video-call other families and work out together for extra motivation? You can even use some stickers to turn your living space into a mini obstacle course – start in your kitchen, do three squats, follow the arrows to the living room couch, do a stretch… This is great to do with toddlers or slightly older kids, as it will not only amuse the whole family but also develop their cognitive and motor skills. Reward everyone with a gold star or a smiley face on the calendar – you deserve it!

5. Stay positive!

So what if your workout doesn’t… well, work out? Some days you may skip a session despite your best intentions, or the kids may be in a bad mood, or you may be frustrated at gaining weight while you were trying to lose weight. None of this means that you are failing. Instead of feeling guilty, wave your hand, smile at the mirror and give yourself an extra gold star for getting through another hitch.

Above all, remember – everything will be okay!