- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- dads today articles
- dads today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
A Joint Effort
Involving Mom and Baby in Your Exercise Routine
By I.J. Schecter
When you become a father, something happens. You suddenly experience a different kind of love than you've ever felt. You find yourself in awe of your partner for what she's done, and many of your old priorities, like watching football on Sunday afternoon, take a back seat.
However, this doesn't mean the old you disappears. Instead, it steps outside itself and becomes a second person, the one who wants to do nothing but dote on the child you've helped create. While this new you will prevail over your day-to-day life – the one now governed by naptimes, diaper changes and cartoon characters – don't be alarmed if the old you asks for space as well. He'll still ask to play poker with the guys now and then, watch the ballgame by himself and, most of all, get a good sweat on a semi-regular basis.
Why not make your partner and your baby part of that routine? Here are some ways you can integrate your fitness needs with the needs of your partner or baby, while having some fun in the process.
Regular routines help infants develop good sleep habits, and gentle movements help in particular. Use this to your advantage. During my son Julian's first few months of life, I developed a routine that sent him off to dreamland without fail: three sets of 15 overhead raises, followed by three sets of 20 squats. Then, with my shoulders and thighs burning nicely, I'd slowly lower him into the crib in a back-and-forth motion (as though he were a leaf swaying to the ground), a great finishing movement for my arms. My reward was watching him in silence for the next half-hour.
Your baby is like a dumbbell that automatically commits you to progressive overload, since he can't help but get bigger over time. Holding your newborn on one forearm, do 15 biceps curls. Then, do 15 on the other arm. Do this every few days, and as your baby grows, watch your arms grow, too. (In fact, if you notice around your baby's first birthday that your wife's arms are looking exceptionally toned, don't be surprised – it's from carrying the baby around all the time!)
