Tag Archives: going strong

A Going Strong Challenge for Parents: Run a 5k with Your Kids

05/05/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Hi there!

Summer is fast approaching and for those of you with kids in school, that means they’re about to have some extra time. Unless you have a full schedule lined up for them already, but still, work with me here.

For the parents with kids not at school age yet, like Going Mom and myself, summer just means warmer weather with basically the same daily routine you’ve been doing.

Well, I want to challenge all parents to do something healthy and active with their kids this summer; run a 5k! Yes, find one in your area with a date set out long enough for you to prepare and sign up now.

Signing up will help work as motivation to train for your race and deter you from slacking. If your kids are of proper running age, make it a great time to train and run together. If, like me, your kid is a baby who is just now learning to sit up on their own, run with them (safely) in a stroller.

Or, I’d even suggest wearing your child in something like the Onya Baby or Ergobaby Carrier and train to walk a 5k with them. Most days of the week I usually walk about 4.5 miles while wearing Avery, so a 5k wouldn’t be too taxing for either parent or child if you properly prepare yourself.

If you’re already a trained runner, go ahead and sign up for the next race available if your kid is willing and able to go along.

And don’t think I’m only posing this challenge to my readers, it’s a challenge to myself too. I haven’t entered a race with Avery yet but have been wanting to for a while now.

That said, the next race I enter will be a solo run. Next month, I will no longer be in my twenties *gasp* and want to run a least one more race in that age group. It might be a local 5k or even up to a half marathon if I can find one and it doesn’t cost too much.

I’ll make sure to post which one I decide and let you know how it goes. Same for a race with Avery, I will take this challenge and sign us up to finish one together. If it’s a stroller friendly race, I’ll run with her in the B.O.B., but if not, I’ll walk the 5k as fast as I can while keeping it safe!

I want to hear from everyone that is willing to step up to the challenge and let me know what race and when. The deadline is to complete a race by August, but feel free to do more than just one.

Too many kids and parents alike are living a sedentary life which is unhealthy and not fun. So make it a point to get out with your kids and be a great role model by doing something healthy and active together!

Are you a novice runner and not sure how to get started? The website, CoolRunning.com, has a great Couch-to-5k plan that you can even download as an app on your phone. Check it out and stop making excuses!

If you’re a seasoned runner, this challenge should be a ~~walk~~ run in the park; just get out and go!

So, will you accept the challenge?

Please share with your friends and family and see if they will get on board too!

Going Strong

Going Strong: 3 Moves to Work Your Core During Playtime with Baby

03/20/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Babies are demanding little people! When you’re not feeding, changing, or rocking them to sleep, they require constant attention. Take your eyes off of them and try to do something for yourself? No way; you’ll only get this…

If you don’t have a baby that’s demanding of attention, well, maybe you’re just boring; or I’m jealous. Either way, if you’re like me and need to be active every day or you feel like slush, you need to get creative. Creative parenting is a must to keep your baby and yourself healthy.

So, if you’ve already been through Peek-a-Boo Push Ups and Burpees with Baby, why not try working your core? I have 3 moves you can do to strengthen your abs and keep (most) babies entertained. You can even make it educational too!

The first move is the plank. If you want to make it more challenging, add press ups, but be careful with your baby under you!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_ylIHEodA?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

The second and third moves are crunches and ab twists, respectively, and I combined their demos on one video. Of course, baby safety always comes first, so make sure you are in a safe area and physically capable of holding your baby securely.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_beaLHMfSg?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

I apologize for having to look at my face more than Avery’s, but I only had a stack of children’s books acting as camera man. At least she makes some cute coos for all to hear!

And now I want to show you all three together as a routine.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4bxm_i9Mq8?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Try doing 3 to 5 rounds of:

60 second planks or 10 plank press ups over baby (count time or reps)
20 crunches holding baby
10 baby ab twists per side

Most babies, depending on age, won’t understand what the hell you’re doing, but they will still be entertained. As I mentioned in the videos, count your reps out loud to add an educational component to your playtime workout. Anything you can do to stimulate your baby’s brain is a plus!

Hope you and your baby can enjoy this together. Let me know how you liked it if you do!

Does your baby cry the second you set them down or are the just fine not being held?

Update: I added this post to the #FitFamilyFriday link-up. Check it out by clicking the button below and share your own story on living a healthy life or read how others are doing so. You might find something you’d like to try!

Going Strong

Going Strong: Peek-a-Boo Push-ups

02/27/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

I am always trying to figure out ways to fit in exercise should the time come when I can’t actually do as laid out in my current routine. With Avery, this happens more often than before, and it can just be difficult when you’re a tired parent to baby.

Being my stubborn self, I will be sure to find a way to work something in for the day. And hey, when there’s a will there’s a way; right?

That said, I wanted to share a pretty simple, but fun way to get some exercise and entertain your kid or kids. We all know the game Peek-a-Boo where we cover our face, ask “Where is (insert name or daddy/mommy)?”, and then uncover our face saying “Here I am!”

Sure, it’s fun for the kid (usually), and us parents/friends/relatives love to see their smiling faces. But, why not try to make it more fun for the both of you and get a little a exercise to boot? Enter “Peek-a-Boo Pushups”.

The thought just came to me today, and although I’m sure it’s not hard to figure out what to do, I made a little video to demonstrate with Avery…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBZ6KZ5WgMc?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Yeah, I’m great at cutting my head off, huh? I could say I planned it like that, but I’d be lying. Hey, at least you get to see the cute baby. Avery is still not too sure about peek-a-boo, so hopefully her lack of enthusiasm will change as she ages.

Doing just push ups may not seem like much to some of you, but at least it’s something, and that’s better than nothing. Plus, with a little creativity, you can put together a good routine to work your whole body.

Try making it a great learning and playing time for your child, and a full body workout for you by doing burpees, lunges, push ups, and thrusters together.

Here’s a sample routine that includes burpees and baby thrusters as I demonstrated in videos from a past post.

Do 3 – 5 rounds (however many your kid will allow) of:

Burpees x 10 – counting out loud to teach numbers
Lunges x 10/leg – while holding your kid or having them watch
Peek-a-Boo Push ups x to failure or however long your kid keeps interest
Baby Thrusters x 10

There, by counting your reps you can teach your kid numbers and how to count, and playing peek-a-boo provides entertainment. I get this a very dependent on your kid being cooperative, but I am sure most will get a kick out of this. Plus, they’ll see their parents being active which will hopefully wear off on them!

Would you be willing to give this a try? Let me know your thoughts if you do or don’t do it, I’d love to hear results!