Exercise

As we all know, exercise is so important for health and wellbeing. But how are you meant to fit it into a busy homeschooling schedule? This is definitely an area I’ve always struggled with.

Discipline

Thankfully my kids are pretty active, so they generally get a fair bit of exercise when they play. But if they are to remain active and fit into their teenage and adult years, I suspect it’s probably important to instill some discipline when it comes to exercising. Plus I’m highly unlikely to get fit myself by watching them run around outside from the comfort of my warm living room.

Exercise Regime 2020 Take 1

At the beginning of this year, as part of our homeschooling routine I decided that we would all go for a run every day before starting school work. I generally strapped both the 4 year old and the 1 year old into the (double) stroller, and the rest of us took turns pushing it while jogging. Sometimes the 4 year old was allowed to bike or scooter, but that usually ended in whining and frustration. I let the older kids alternate between biking and jogging, but with the added pushing power I definitely appreciated it when they were jogging!

While it was hard, we all rose to the challenge and were encouraged to see our fitness levels improve as we gradually increased our running distance. An added benefit of having this daily routine was seeing the same people out walking every morning, and feeling like we were getting to know some of the local community. This was especially nice in lockdown, when any social contact with a familiar face (even 2m apart) was like a special treat.

That was when we lived in a relatively flat area, with walking paths free of roads and cars.

Mid-year we moved to a more hilly suburb. I naively thought we would just carry on with our new and fairly successfully established exercise regime..

New House Exercise Fail #1

One of our first exercise attempts in our new suburb was poorly timed to coincide with kids walking to the school near us. This provided not only multiple moving obstacles to try and dodge with a heavy stroller but also a fair bit of embarrassment for my non-uniformed and therefore highly conspicuous kids. In addition, it happened to be rubbish day. What a nightmare trying to navigate multiple wheelie bins with 5 kids and a stroller, while also attempting to jog! Add to that busy roads to cross and driveways to check.

New House Exercise Fail #2

Another day saw us running at a different time and on a different route. The first half was great – once we managed to cross the busy road – mainly because it was downhill. Coming back up the hill was another story. Needless to say, the running only lasted till about halfway!

Current Exercise Strategy

I’m pleased to say that instead of totally giving up on the whole thing, we finally struck upon a new, more workable exercise strategy. We only run twice a week now (compared with 4 or 5 days a week previously), and we have two totally different routes. One day a week we do a run in our old suburb where my in-laws live, and we leave the youngest ones behind with their grandparents. Another day we run around the (not too hilly) block in our new suburb, extending the distance by doing 2 or 3 laps so as to avoid crossing any roads. Lately, we have timed it to coincide with my mum’s visit, so that we can yet again leave behind the younger two (thank goodness!)

So it’s not always easy figuring out how to get that much needed but often elusive exercise, but homeschooling is often about planning, experimenting, compromising and dreaming up creative ways to achieve your goals. Here’s hoping our current exercise regime continues on into next year!