When my daughter was born she was twenty-two inches long and weighed roughly eight pounds.  Each month Samantha gained enough weight keeping her in the 90th percentile for her age group.  People would tell us that she would stretch out when she started walking but I thought (and hoped a little) her chubbiness would last a couple of years.  Turns out the more Sam moved the more the cute chubbiness disappeared.  She’s now two and three quarters, three feet tall and thirty pounds, putting her right smack in the middle of her age group for height and weight.

While I don’t believe in a strict exercise routine for toddlers here are a few activities I have found that seem to keep my kid svelte:

Running away from me — If your little one is turning into a couch potato just try telling them you are going to change their pull up/diaper or put them in the bathtub or bed.  They will run out of the room.  The more you chase them the more they run so now you are both exercising.  This also works in supermarkets and department stores and other public places.  In these situations I like to shake things up by yelling out threats.  A few of my favorites are, “Mommy is SERIOUS,” “Get over here RIGHT now” and “You are going to go to time out when we get home.”  Not only does this keep your kid moving for hours it also reminds you who is boss.

At home fitness equipment – If you are like me you do not have the money or strength to exercise outside the home.  You may also not want to stuff your c-sectioned stomach and womanly thighs into gym clothes.  The perfect alternative is to pick up a couple of light weights and a Wii system with Wii Fit and the exercise board.  Since your child loves to touch anything in your home that costs more than $20 she will be sure to be intrigued with the balance board.  In fact, your little one won’t be able to resist hopping up on it and joining you every time you are trying to seriously exercise.  As far as strength training I have walked in more than once to find Sam moving my weights.   I believe having a toddler who is stronger than you is as bad for the self-esteem as having a dog that is smarter than you so you may want to hide the weights.

Trampoline – When many parents hear trampoline they think emergency room.  We have neither the guts nor space for large outdoor sports gear so our trampoline is a little like our girl.  We purchased it for ten dollars off Craig’s List.  It lives in the corner of our living room and we pull it out any time Sam needs to work off some energy.  She loves to jump for hours.  It’s good for her legs and her spirit.  It’s also good for mom and dad because we know where she is so we can do something mundane like cook dinner.

Yoga - I have had a love affair with yoga for years.  Yoga is the nice guy you dated with no regrets.  It is the one who never takes it personally when you lose touch for months at a time.  If you are relatively flexible and would like to stretch out all of those body parts motherhood has tightened this is your exercise.   For the first year of Sam’s life we went to baby yoga class every week and I swear it was the happiest place on earth.  If you can’t afford the classes there are tons of DVDs available for parents and children.  It’s a great way for you and your little ones to exercise together and hopefully end up with calmer minds and bodies.