Training for Motherhood

One night, I fell off my rocker. I mean, I really fell off my rocker. Here's what happened: The Boy was about 9 months old, getting close to weighing 20 lbs. He was awake in the wee hours of the night and I had picked him up in his dark room, took three steps backward to the rocking chair and sat down. Problem was, there was no rocking chair there. What kept us both from landing in a heap on the floor was my rehabilitated core and strong glutes. I can say with certainty my butt saved me. I ended up in a very deep squat with a 20lb. weight. And I was struck with a moment of clarity at 3 a.m.: This is why I go to Cross Fit!

You've probably heard the term "functional fitness" being thrown around a lot the last few years. (It's listed at #9 on the American College of Sports Medicine's Top 20 Fitness Trends for 2011 and is the main reason why boot camp classes are so popular.) What I once considered the territory of an occupational or physical therapist--using exercises to rehabilitate and strengthen specific muscles involved in their patient's particular activities of daily living--is catching on to the fitness masses. And why not? Why not strengthen your muscles in ways you're going to actually USE them?

Since ditching 5-lb. dumbells (because really, do I ever do 25 reps of bicep curls with a soup can before serving it to my family?) for a 45-lb, 65-lb, 85-lb and beyond barbell I am training for motherhood: Carrying a sleeping 7-year-old from the car upstairs to her bed; lifting my 5-year-old from the ground after a fall; playing airplane with my 2-year-old high above my head.

No doubt about it, motherhood requires some heavy lifting.

So today let me introduce my Cross Fit coach, Ryan McDowell, who will tell us more about why functional fitness is important for moms in video #1 and in video #2, provide us with a "Training for Motherhood" workout, demonstrated by my good friend Darcy Franklin.

Here's Ryan McDowell explaining functional fitness and it's place for moms:

And the Training for Motherhood Workout (excuse my shaking arms; an earlier workout made for unsteady camerawork):

This workout is only 10 minutes long, it's a workout you can do at home (or anywhere) and can incorporate children and/or their accouterments as weight. I'll be doing this workout some time today and in true Cross Fit style posting my numbers in the comment section. This will be my baseline so I'll know how to push myself next time and be able to track my progress. If you can get to the workout today, or any time this week, give us your results in the comments too.

And, if you want more fitness tips from Ryan, you can find him blogging at Maxmead Fitness. Both Ryan and Darcy lead Cross Fit workouts at Cross Fit Minnesota.

Now go forth and get strong Mamas!