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Keep Up With Your Grandchildren by Doing Push-ups, Weight and Gym Training
from: Pat MoauroWhen your grandchildren stay over for a week they can easily sap your energy. The younger they are, the more activity you'll be expected to do. Changing diapers, waking up in the middle of the night, catching falls, and playing games with them are just some activities that will take you away from your retirement time. All these chores and tasks will help you to bond with your grandchildren. But you'll have to make sure you have enough energy to perform the chores and tasks.
Since you've been a parent before, you know all the tasks that are involved. So when it's time to take care of your sweet grandchildren, you can do a few things to be prepared. Strength and weight training should be at the top of your list. You will likely want to pick up your grandkids as much as possible. Therefore, building up your arms, chest, back and stomach will provide you with some of the strength you need. You can work these parts of the body at home, either with an exercise DVD or by writing down your own routine. If you work alone, make sure that you walk or bicycle for at least five minutes before you start, and that you cool down with stretches and plenty of water.
Push-ups
Push-ups are one of the quickest ways to build upper-body strength. Try to increase the number of push-ups you do each day or each week. If a regular push-up is too difficult to start with, do them with a cushion placed under your knees, with your feet up behind you. This takes some of the weight out of your push-up. These can also be done standing up, with your palms on the wall. Results with push-ups are noticeable after just a few days and will help you do the extra lifting that grandchildren require.
Small sets of push-ups (five to ten) can be interspersed with sets of crunches. Magazines, books, gyms and the internet can help you find some interesting ways to work your abs. One that doesn't require lifting the shoulders off the ground (which relieves the neck of having to get involved), is to lie on your back, place both arms straight up, bend the knees and take your feet off the ground.
While leaving the other limbs stationary as possible, take your left leg and right arm straight down toward the ground, then raise them back up. As soon as your left leg and right arm get back to their original position, switch and do your right leg and left arm. This is based on the "dead bug" series in yoga and really works the core muscles.
Weights
Walking with a little extra weight can also get you ready to chase and entertain your grandkids. You can attach Velcro weights to your ankles and/or wrists. The extra weight will make your walk more intense. Remember to work up to further distances slowly. Just feeling the weight come off after your walk will make you feel stronger. Bicycling and swimming are great for building leg and body strength and something your grandchildren will enjoy doing with you immensely.
Gym
Self-motivation isn't always easy to call up and maintain. Some people prefer to visit the gym where they feel more focused on their workout. This can work in your favor since a gym can supply you with a complete weight training circuit for every muscle in your body. Lifting weights, even if you start with 10 or 15 pounds, will also help to build up your bone mass. This should help you feel more comfortable about a little rough-housing with your grandkids.
Remember that it doesn't have to hurt. Your body will appreciate and reward you for being gentle to it. Also, make sure you feel comfortable with the information you have about using any of the machines. Whether at home or in a public setting, let your doctor know that you want to build up your strength for the grandkids, and they can make sure that you get on the right program for you.
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