It’s definitely been a challenge getting back into my workout routine after having my baby boy, Devon, in March. I’ll be sharing some details on how I’m incorporating my runs and strength training in an upcoming post, but I also think it’s super important for me to fit in ways to be active throughout the day. It’s really easy to sometimes get a bit lazy – especially if I’m tired from being up with him for a nighttime feed – and end up sitting around the house all day. But I want to emphasize an active family lifestyle (and lose the baby weight, of course), so I’ve also been trying to find ways to stay active with our little guy. Sometimes we have mommy/baby dance time around the house. Or in other words, mommy dances around like crazy while Devon stares in amusement.
Now that the weather has been nice out, we are also trying to get outside more often for walks. When I got an email from the people over at JJ Cole Collections offering to let me test out some products, I was super excited because I thought they’d be great for some light hiking! The flatter trails are perfect for us to do together as a family, even with a 2 month old.
{Disclosure: I received the products mentioned for free in order to write this post. I also received a $25 gift card. I did not receive any other compensation for writing this post and as always, all opinions are my own.}
My hubby and I decided to head out and try a short trail that we found out about which was only a few miles from our house, called the Jubilee Trail in Northboro. {If you’re local, it’s located off of West Main Street right after you pass Crawford Street. The trailhead is easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled!} It’s only a little over a mile loop and it’s relatively flat, so it’s a great option for families with young kids.
We packed up the Blue Iris Backpack with all of our necessities before we headed out. I really liked this bag, because it was on the bigger side and could be converted from regular bag style to backpack style. The backpack style is so nice for daylong outings – it’s just easier to carry around that way when you’ve also got the baby to carry. It distributes the weight more evenly too which is better for your back and shoulders. Plus, you can’t ignore that the bag is also super cute, so it can easily go from a functional bag for long walks to a stylish bag at the mall. {We were totally loving the #jjcolestyle!}
When we got over to the Jubilee trail, I put Devon in the Agility Carrier for our walk. This carrier is a little simpler to use than others, since it slips over you like you’re putting on a t-shirt. I really appreciated the ease of using it, and that there were not yards and yards of fabric to deal with on a hot day.
Walking along the trail with him in the carrier and the backpack on was great for me, because the extra weight I was carrying meant a bigger calorie burn on our relatively short walk. And Devon had fun looking around at all the different types of trees, plants, bugs, and more along the way.
He even got to meet his first inchworm….
…Although he did not seem very amused by it, haha.
My hubby came along too, and carried the Blue Iris Outdoor Blanket. The mat is amazing – it’s light enough to carry around comfortably, and folds up with a strap to do so. But it’s also heavy enough that it didn’t blow around when the wind was howling. And the material can easily be wiped off if it gets dirty.
We had planned to set it up near the trail to relax for a bit afterward, but decided to bring it to a park when we were done where there were less mosquitos (my hubby was getting eaten up on the trail!). It was a nice time for us to hang out as a family, read some stories, and for mom & dad to enjoy some healthy snacks.
It was a great day out together as a family. I love that we are trying to incorporate active living, even with him being so young. It’s important for me, as I want to get back to my pre-baby weight and stay healthy – and I also think it’s important to offer those things for kiddos so they can grow to love being active and enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re interested in checking out the JJ Cole products mentioned in this post to get out and about with your family, you can find them at the following retailers:
- Blue Iris Backpack – Babies R Us and buybuyBABY.
- Blue Iris Outdoor Blanket – buybuyBABY
- Agility Carrier – Babies R Us, buybuyBABY, Target and Amazon.
Share with me: What do you do to stay active together as a family? Do you have any favorite products that help you to stay active together?
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OH OH OH THAT INCHWORM PICTURE.
you had me at the chubby fist.
<3
Haha! I know, I love all his little rolls 🙂
I wish I would have had this/or knew about it when my 6-year old was little. I would have loved to take him on hikes and power walk around the neighbor with him nestled in. Right now, my 6-year old and I go to the high school track and run laps together.
Aw, that’s great! Last summer I led a few kids running programs which were a blast.
Looks like such a fun hike! He has the cutest eyes.
http://www.ohtobeamuse.com
Thank you!
I’m such a fan of the JJ Cole Collection. I had one with my now 3 year old daughter and it was so cute. I loved the punch of style it gave me. I wanted to be the fly looking Mom and that bag totally made that happen.
Exactly! I feel like if I’m living in yoga pants right now, I can at least have a stylish bag 😉
Beautiful bag! Looks like it would hold everything you would need and then some! Your little one is absolutely adorable too!
Yes, it is the perfect size bag for a day long outing! And thank you so much 🙂