Well, lately, as a mom who wants to get rid of some leftover baby weight, I've wanted to either join a gym with childcare (but I don't want to shell out the cash) or join some kind of stroller fitness group (but Biscuit doesn't really like sitting still for long so that was out too.) So, I suppose because necessity is the mother of invention, here's the little workout (aka "playout!") we came up with and have been doing together. We thought we'd share for other like-minded mommies (daddies, and other friends!) out there :D

Here’s how it works. First, learn this adaptation of a familiar children’s rhyme:

Silly Mommy had some shoes, E-I-E-I-O.
And on an airplane she wore those shoes, E-I-E-I-O.
With a "zoom zoom" here and a "zoom zoom" there.
Here a "zoom," there a "zoom."
Everywhere a "zoom zoom!"
Silly Mommy had some shoes, E-I-E-I-O!*

Then, on the quick reference page, check out the A-Z words to plug in to the rhyme for maximum workout fun! Learn the exercise that goes with each letter as well. (The example above is for the letter “A.”)

To get started, you have some options. You can either pick just a few letters to play with your child at random times throughout the day to keep your metabolism up. Or, for a general fitness workout, complete the entire alphabet at once. For the full workout, walk in place throughout the routine—slowly for the warm-up, picking up intensity for the high-impact section in bold and slowing down for the cool-down. Add the exercises indicated on the reference sheet for each letter. You’ll be getting a good workout and having a blast with your toddler all at the same time!
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*The word in red (airplane) is the rhyme object; the word in blue (zoom) is the rhyme action/sound. The object and action/sound change for each exercise. See the quick reference sheet below. And “Daddy,” “Grandma,” your child’s name, etc., can also be substituted for “Mommy.”

A: On an airplane (zoom): walk quickly around the room w/ arms extended like a plane; let toddler copy you.

B: On a bike (pedal): lay back; sit toddler on lap; pedal your legs like an air bike; pedal his legs w/ your hands.

C: At a concert (clap): have toddler face you and hold your shirt; step to the L, tap foot and clap; repeat to R.

D: In the desert (walk): alternate knee lifts with exaggerated effort as if walking in sand; let toddler copy you.

E: On an elevator (up, down): squat up and down facing toddler and holding hands.

F: On a fire truck (wee-oo): walk forward four, then back four, w/ toddler in front helping you “steer.”

G: In the garden (dig): lunge forward alternating knees + hold toddler/tickle his armpits (keep back straight).

H: In Hawaii (hula): wave your arms in the air and slide to the left and right; let toddler copy you.

I: On some ice (slip, slide): sidestep holding your child, alternating two steps to the left, two to the right.

J: In the jungle (swing): bend down; clasp hands under back of toddler’s knees; swing him side to side.

K: In karate (kick): hop on one leg in small circles + kick other leg; switch legs (hold toddler’s hand).

L: Up a ladder (step): lay toddler on floor; pretend to use his tummy as a step as you reach for air “rails”

M: Up a mountain (climb): with hands and feet flat on floor, climb in place, switching feet; toddler copies.

N: And near and far (run): jog in place, then in a big circle holding toddler’s hands.

O: In outer space (blast off): lay on back; lift toddler high, superman-style; use knees/legs to support him.

P: Through a puddle (splish, splash): jump up and down in place holding toddler (or just holding hands)

Q: In a quake (shake): holding toddler, jump L, R, forward, then back.

R: In a raft (row): sit; face toddler; hold hands; lean back + pull him forward; you sit up; lean him back.

S: On a shooting star (swoosh): hold toddler tummy-down on your arms; swoop him around the room.

T: On a train (choo-choo): toddler walks behind you/holds your shirt; pump arms in circular motion at sides.

U: Underwater (gurgle, bubble): stand; lay toddler b/w your feet; stretch to floor; blow bubbles on his tummy.

V: In volleyball (spike): stretch R calf back/up + hold foot w/ R hand; L hand high-fives toddler; switch hands/legs.

W: In a wagon (bump): toddler walks behind you holding onto your hands as you skip gently.

X: At a xylophone (ding): sit facing toddler; feet together; w/ L hand stretch to tap his L toe/hold; then R to R.

Y: While she yo-yoed (whoosh high/whoosh low): alternate stretching low and high; let toddler copy you.

Z: Catching ZZZ’s (cuddle): grab toddler; collapse gently on floor w/ him; give kisses; fall “asleep.”

SAFETY NOTES: Please talk to your doctor before starting any workout routine, even this one that's just for fun. I am not responsible for any injuries to yourself or your child during this activity; I am simply posting it for the fun and enjoyment of others who choose to participate. Your safety is up to you. Here are some other helpful guidelines to keep in mind from a group fitness instructor (many thanks to my awesome sis-in-law, Candy, for these great suggestions!!)

"Make sure that core (abdominal muscles) are pulled in and good posture is maintained throughout the exercises. Keep shoulders rolled down and back, tuck chin in, pull in core, knees soft. For the squat down and up specifically, ensure that mommies keep their knees in line with toes, chest open and tall and core tightened to protect the lower back. You want their butt to sink back like they are sitting in a chair (or about 90 degree angle from the floor). Most people don't have the flexibility to do a squat safely and correctly and end up feeling it in their knees quite a bit or toppling over. Likewise for a lunge movement. Front leg forms a 90 degree angle toward the floor and the back leg forms a 90 degree angle toward the floor. Front knee never comes over the toe and the movement is straight up and down like an elevator--not back and forth like most people end up doing. Think about pushing off the front heel since a lunge is mostly about making changes to the front leg (i.e. glutes, hamstrings). Since most mommies have weak abdominal muscles and weak backs due to labor and child rearing I would say the core awareness would be beneficial for injury prevention and overall well-being."

PS - if I can get this routine on video, I'll try to post it eventually for the visual learners out there. Not sure if that'll happen anytime soon though...