For a long time, I thought that “working out” was something I had to do alone. I pictured fitness as a solo hour at the gym, complete with headphones and a rigid schedule. But life as a mum, combined with running a house hold, studying, rarely leaves room for that kind of solitary luxury.
The transition to building a more active life didn’t happen when I joined a gym or brought fancy equipment. It happened when I stopped viewing my daughter, as a distraction to my health goals and started viewing it as my best training partner.
When we are active together, I’m not just ticking a box for my own physical health. I’m showing her that movement is a natural, joyful part of everyday life.
The Shift: From “Alone Time” to “Together Time”
When I let go of the pressure to have a “perfect” workout, i found the freedom to move in ways that actually fit into your day. Being active with your little one isn’t about intensity; it’s about consistency and connection.
Here is how I’ve started weaving movements into our routine:
- The “Nature Explorer” Walks: We turned out afternoon walks into missions. Instead of just walking for the sake of exercise, we look for specific things, interesting rocks, unique leaves, or birds. By engaging with her perspective, I stay present, and we both get our steps in without it feeling like a chore.
- Yoga Together: This has become one of my favourite ways to connect. She loves trying the poses, and even when it turns into more giggling than stretching, it’s a beautiful way to slow down together. It teaches us both to breathe, move intentionally, and just be in our bodies with any goal other than the movement it self.
- Dance Party Breaks: Sometimes, the best way to move is in the living room. We put on a playlist, crank the volume, and just dance. It’s a great way to release energy after a long day of studying or schooling, and it’s a guaranteed mood booster for both us.
- The “Supportive” Workout: I’ve learned to incorporate my fitness into her playtime. If she’s playing with her toys, I’ll do some weights or movement nearby. when I normalise moving my body in her presence, she often joins in, copying my stretches or trying to do “sit ups” too. One day I found her saying “I want to work out too mum.”
The Reality of the Journey
I want to be honest: some days, this flow works perfectly. Other days, I’m tired, she’s not interested, or the house is a mess and I just want to sit down. That is perfectly okay.
The goal here isn’t to create a “perfect” routine that you have to stick to like a chore. The goal is to cultivate a mindset where movement is just another way we say “I love you” to ourselves and to each other. When we choose to move together, even if it’s just ten minutes of stretching or a walk around the block. We are building a bridge of connection. We are saying that our health, our joy, and our time together are worth prioritising.
Movement as Emotional Medicine
Beyond the physical benefits, I’ve realised that moving my body is the most effective way to care for my mental well-being. Motherhood is a whirlwind of emotional labour, and it’s so easy for stress to get “stuck” in the body. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just plain exhausted, movement acts as a reset button for my nervous system.
It’s not about burning calories; It’s about burning off the tension of the day. When we dance, walk, or do yoga, we are physically processing the “heavy” feelings of motherhood, the frustration, the guilt, or the burn out, and replacing them with clarity.
For me, being active with my daughter is a form of active mindfulness. It forces me to be in the present moment. I can’t worry about my to-do list or stress about tomorrow when I’m focused on balancing in a yoga post or laughing as we race down the street. It’s a way of clearing the “mental clutter” so I can show up as a calmer, more patient, and more present version of myself. Moving together isn’t just exercise. It’s how I clear the space to be the mum I want to be.
Final Thoughts
Being active with your little one doesn’t require a gym membership or a massive chunk of time. It just require a shift in perspective. When we stop compartmentalising our lives, separating “mum life” from “fitness life” we find that our relationship with our children and our relationships with our bodies can actually grow together.
So, the next time you’re feeling the urge to scroll through your feed to “unwind,” try putting the phone down and inviting your little one to move with you instead. Start small. Be messy. Laugh at the poses that don’t quite look right, and enjoy the way your heart rate rises alongside theirs. you might find that the best workout is the one that leaves you both laughing and feeling more connected than you did when you started
What are your favourite ways to stay active with your little one? I’m always looking for new ways to keep things fun – Share your go-to activities in the comment below.
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