Kids...The Best Exercise

After I had Nicholas, it took what felt like a long time to get into shape again.  I was determined to get back into exercising pretty quickly after Renae.  I was so lucky with her to have been able to recover so quickly because I didn't want Nicholas to be running circles around me.  It has been rather difficult getting into an exercise routine, though.  Every time I tried doing Tae Bo or pilates, which I love, Nicholas thought I was playing some sort of game and would try to climb all over me.  I would take the kids for a walk, but it's 20 degrees outside...I don't think that would earn me the Mother of the Year award!  I thought about getting a gym pass, but I had to be realistic...I would never go.  With Brandon and I doing our own version of the Biggest Loser here, I have been determined to find some way to exercise.  I got Brandon a pedometer for Christmas, but I was kind of jealous, so I got one, too!  We compete daily to see who takes more steps.  Our home is pretty small, so it has been hard to get as many steps in as Brandon, who works in a train yard!  He was consistently blowing me out of the water.  Then I decided to combine having fun with my kids, listening to music, and getting some exercise in.  We, meaning the kids and I, have daily dance parties!  I'm sure anyone watching us would get a kick out of it because we mostly just jump and spin around, stomp our feet, and play follow-the-leader, but all three of us love it!  Renae routinely falls asleep while I hold her, and Nicholas giggles non-stop.  I often can get 3-4000 steps in during this time, too!  It must be working because I'm down a few pounds and am holding my own with Brandon in our competition!  I'm primarily happy because I feel like I have way more energy than I did before.