Kimberley, what brought you to involve your kids in your daily workout?
I got the kids involved after a few months of learning the right technique for strength work. Once I felt confident, if I was doing a workout out the back and the kids got restless, then I'd put them in the pram - but rather than just walk or rock them to settle them - i'd do walking lunges or squat jumps with the pram - or i'd do push ups holding onto the front of the pram. They'd start smiling and laughing - so it was a little bit of therapy for all of us. As they've grown, it's just organically progressed for us. I knew I was comfortable with weights - so I'd put my toddler on my shoulders while squatting or do some push presses with one of the lighter twins. Most of the time now - I just do some basic bodyweight movements with them out the back once a week - and however they wish to crawl or jump or lay on me is fine - I just scale it back to suit them. If I'm doing dips and one wants to sit on my lap - we just go with it. Some of our favourite movements are bear crawls, frog jumps, crab walks, push up and kiss, burpees (they just love to jump around and watch me) and playing on the swing set.
Your new idea of training has had great success in social networks, did you expect it?
Absolutely not! And i'm still trying to keep up with it. I've been running my blog and social networks for just under a year and they have a combined following in excess of 60,000 people. I'm definitely not the only mum in the world training like I do, there are plenty out there (probably much better and fitter than I am!) but i love connecting with my tribe of mums from around the world and i'm here to encourage and also be encouraged. It's great to see mums empowering each other to get their health and fitness back after having kids.
What are the essential elements to start training as you do and become a Strong Mummy?
I concentrate on strength and conditioning style training, bodyweight movements and high intensity interval training. I would recommend mums do a few sessions with a strength and conditioning coach, learn the fundamentals and then adapt to suit their lifestyles at home. If you get the intensity in training right, you really only need 15 minutes a few times a week - so long as it's combined with a clean, wholefoods diet. I also believe that surrounding yourself with like-minded people that will empower and motivate you is important as well as your emotional wellbeing.
What does your family think about this original way to keep fit? Are your children happy?
My kids laugh and smile at me when we're working out - so that answers my question for me. Some days when they are restless or teething, i just take them for a walk in the fresh air and sunshine and do some movements with my pram. My family encourage and motivate me to keep doing what i'm doing and i'm extremely blessing and grateful.
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