Exercising with a 3-year-old is like running through quicksand…you get nowhere real fast! Here’s the story.

I started doing Pilates a couple of weeks ago. I now know that I should have taken a proper class. But instead, I pulled out the Winsor Pilates DVDs my husband purchased from a TV ad over a year ago. Since me and the DVDs were both doing nothing but collecting dust, I thought I should put them to good use. Anything to make bathing suit season more bearable.

The first couple of times I did it, everything went very well. I had really been enjoying the Winsor Pilates workout. But lately my bored toddler has been looking to get in on the action. Fun for him, extra weight and hard work for me. Apparently seeing me on the floor brings out the little monkey in my guy. There is not a part of me that he can’t find a way to climb on or twist or choke or pull. I think I’m getting more of a workout through him than I am the DVDs. But the toddler workout comes with a price. Lots of bruising, scratching and shortness of breath. I can’t think of a more vulnerable position than to be lying flat on your back with arms stretched out while in the general vicinity of a toddler. Chances are that little person is going to make one giant leap for your belly. And if your reflexes aren’t quick enough, you are sure to get the wind knocked out of you. Ugghhh.

The other day he snuck up behind me, jumped on my back and had me in a chokehold. All while I was trying to squeeze my Pilates sculpting circle. I didn’t see anything about that in the literature that came with the DVD! I’m sure I’m going to have to rethink this. I’ll either have to take a real class, make some kind of bribe to get him to leave me alone, or incorporate his jungle antics into my routine. My vote will most likely go to the bribe. After all, that is the path of least resistance…at least in the short term. And all I’m looking for is 25 minutes.

Check out my favorite Winsor Pilates DVD’s below.