A funny thing about raising a kid in Los Angeles is that you’re bound to run into some celebrity parents. Viv is not even 2 ½, but she’s already chatted up Pink and her daughter Willow, been cootchie-cooed by Amber Valletta at Trader Joe’s and met Don Cheadle outside a café–he reminded her to hold Mommy’s hand crossing the street. Word.
One celebrity I was really excited to meet was fitness guru Sara Haley, who turned up in our weekly music class with her adorable son Landon.
If you don’t know Sara, she has a successful line of workout DVDs, a popular website and a fancy training clientele. As you can imagine, she stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the toddler moms—obnoxiously fit and trim–and I wondered what her damn secret was.
When I finally found out, I pounced, desperate to talk about exercise. (This must be an occupational hazard for her, like when a doctor goes to a cocktail party and everyone shows him their rashes.)
So I’m like, Sara, help me. I haven’t worked out in three years and I’m in the worst shape of my life. But as a SAHM with a kid not yet in preschool, I don’t know how to fix that.
Well it turns out that Sara’s been working on a new idea – a way to exercise that incorporates our kids, no childcare required. This week, me & Viv and some of the other music class families volunteered to test the new workout. (That’s Viv in the green shirt and high pony, utterly fascinated that “Landon’s Mommy” is ALSO “The Teacher.”)
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about working out with the kids. I figured I’d maybe lift one leg before Viv noticed I wasn’t paying full attention to her and pitch a fit. Instead, this is what happened:
Is that a riot or what? We managed to keep it going for about 45 minutes. I got a serious workout and the kids had a ball. They basically did three things:
(1) Mimicked our movements (so cute).
(2) Climbed on us, providing extra resistance and making the workouts much harder – score.
(3) Sang along with us as we executed challenging isometric movements inspired by kids’ songs like Patty Cake and Humpty Dumpty. (This was a bit like being tortured Clockwork Orange style, but I’ll admit that singing while exercising is great cardio.)
I was sore as, well, a mother the next day and eager to try it again.
Until Sara produces a new DVD or YouTube series so we can all share this Toddler & Me workout, I have something great to tide you over:
Go to SaraHaley.com and check out her videos Sweat Unlimited (so hard, but really fun) and Expecting More, which is for pregnant ladies who actually want to work out (weirdos). Leave me a comment under this post telling me which video you want. I’ll do a random drawing and someone will win a freebie (May 8 – May 15, 2013). Cool? Cool.
This is awesome! Jealous that you’re part of such an “in” crowd!
I would like “Sweat Unlimited”, though I have to admit that my vanilla pudding body (looks like vanilla pudding, not actually made of it) trembles just seeing the name. Or maybe ‘jiggles’ is a better word. Whatever.
Kathy V. recently posted..So you’re tired of hearing about “rape culture”?
NICE! Sweat Unlimited, please, because THERE WILL BE NO MORE EXPECTING at my house. 🙂 Although, if there’s a Sweat Limited option, I’d be interested in that, as well. Thanks, Amy!
Dammit! I’m so tired of living in the middle of nowhere! No one fun ever comes to the Auto Zone by my house….
Anyhoo, I would love, love, love the Sweat Box 45 because I love punching things. Thanks!! 🙂
Stephanie Jankowski recently posted..Masturbation and Rap Music
You had me at “being tortured Clockwork Orange style.” I’m throwing my hat in the ring for “Sweat Unlimited”! C’mon, random number generator!!
While I don’t really want to “sweat unlimited”, I probably should. Especially since none of my shorts from last year get past my thighs. So that’s my vote! Thanks!!
I would love the toddler one when it’s available
I’m suddenly glad that I live in the midwest where winter wear covers a multitude of sins AND there is no one famous to note my flab. I’m with Annie – while I’m not one for “sweat unlimited” in theory, I have a feeling that I should be. I’d go with that one!
Shannan recently posted..Favorite tween posts of the past year
Sweat unlimited!
Love Sara!! I’ve been doing Expecting More 5 days a week during this pregnancy, and I would LOVE to get a copy of Sweat Unlimited to use in July after baby boy #2 arrives!
Expecting More, please!!! I love your post Amy! Sara is the best and “Sweating with Toddlers” is a brilliant idea. I once heard they challenged Ironman triathletes to keep up with 3 year olds for a day…yes, the 3 year old won! LOL!
Sweat Unlimited would be GREAT and I need to get motivated to exercise. It would be awesome if someone could work out with me – even if they’re in a video!
Tracy @ Momaical recently posted..Why Do We Have This Incessant Need For Validation?
Love the sweat w/ the kiddies video.. would love to check it out — hope my name is selected for the video… looks like such fun!!!
Sweat unlimited! And I’ll swear unlimited the first time I use it, I’m sure (worst shape of my life, too!)…
Kristi Rieger Campbe recently posted..Surviving the cicada apocalypse and my baby isn’t a baby anymore
Sweat Unlimited and I love the concept of working out with the kids. Great idea.
Beth recently posted..Mother’s Day fantasy: If I had a daughter
I live in Vienna/Austria and ordered Sara’s “Expecting more-Dvds” (nothing comparable in Austria or Germany). 🙂 I’m in the 2nd Trimester and workout almost everyday. I enjoy Sara’s moves, her positive and motivating way. It’s such a great mixture of cardio and strenghtening, always taking care and being aware of your baby! I LOVE it!
I’d like to have Sweat Unlimited to get fit after baby-birth, No. 2 🙂 and I’m looking forward to getting news about your “mum&toddler-training”, looks so cute! :-)))) Greetings from Austria!
I think expecting more would be great!
Great videos. I couldn’t help but think the entire time….wow, do I have an exercise/yoga mat she would like. Let me know what you think.
I can not wait to see an actual workout video for this concept – your video has me cracking up and looking forward to try that pushup/plank/yoga move with my son after work tonight! I would love to try her “Sweat Unlimited” workout! 15 months after having my son, still trying to get back to my pre-baby butt. Thanks for sharing!!!