In Desperate Need of Time to Excercise!!!

There was a whole year when my oldest was a toddler where my exercise consisted of dancing with my daughter 5-6 times a week. Everytime I hear the music we used now it takes me back to some very sweet time for both of us.

Maybe a P.M. Yoga class or video? You will get some weight bearing exercise and maybe a little cardio and then some relaxation/stress reduction that won't interfere with sleep.

Hi there N.,
Well, my advice is a little different from the other moms, so you may reject this altogether. But I have 4 girls from ages 7 years to 8 months. Finding a time to exercise....HA. My best bet has been walking with a stroller. I physically don't have enough time in my day to do all I need to do (work full time, do laundry/housework, have obligations at churck et.) Here's what I think about exercise. I know it's important for physical health etc, etc. But my view is taking care of my house, my babies and my husband takes priority. This may just be a time in your life when exercise is just not going to fit in. And it's nothing to get stressed about. Don't we have enough stressors as moms? Choose your battles wisely. I know you said you feel better when you exercise, but sometimes the reality is that it's just not going to fit in right now. I would say your best bet is to make your housework your exercise. When you're picking things up off the floor, do your squats, when you're doing laundry, do your stretches, etc. I remember my mom lying on her back, puting us on her legs below her knees (kind of like a horsey ride), hanging onto our arms, and doing her leg exercises by lifting us up in the air on her legs. But for me, the bottom line is if it doesn't fit in right now, it just doesn't it in. There's no reason to berate yourself over it. Being a mom, even of just one child, is an all consuming job all of it's own. We are mothers, and that is our primary function once we have kids. They need us so much right now that other things go by the wayside....and its OK! Might be a mental struggle for you, but our babies are precious and need us more than they need us to exercise. But good luck no matter what you choose. Just be a mama to that precious baby first
God Bless.

Hi N.,

I just went back to work and have the same issue. I work for the schools as an aide and I walk on my break and walk 1/2 of my lunch break. I can usually get 30 minutes in that way. I work at a junior high and when the child that I shadow has PE, I do more walking then. On the weekends I get in my 4-5 mile power walks.

When your daughter gets older, she may enjoy going to a gym with you. Most now offer child care. My daughter met one of her "bffs" there. Sometimes my neighbor and I swap watching the kids so we can walk.

Good luck to you on finding on creative ways to get more exercise in your day.

J.

Here's a very easy solution- get a jog stroller- go for a walk or a jog with your baby- and your husband too if he wants. I've been doing this for years- and it works and the kid(s) love it- to be outside. Get an old stroller on Craigslist if you need to because they can be pricey. Also agree w/the backpack hiking idea. It's all simple- you can do it! There's no way anyone, especially a baby needs to eat by 5:00 anyway. Just bring snacks on your walk/jog/hike. And you can have your baby hold a book, you can sing songs... go over the alphabet... Have fun!

Hi N.-

What do you do on the weekends? I hike with my daughter everywhere. She loves the Kelty and I get good workout when I take her. She usually falls asleep, too. My husband and I try to get in a family hike at least once a weekend. I am not sure where you live but there are probably some good regional parks around and you can do laps in them. Plus we use that time to play identity games with our daughter ("see the bird, the tree, the frog..").

In the week, do you have a gym that offers babysitting? Could you go at 4:30 and get a half an hour to an hour workout? My gym offers $1/hr babysitting which allows my little one some more fun time with other kids. If not, perhaps a run with your daughter in the jogging stroller at that time.

Also, the crockpot is a great way to deal with dinner issues on the days that you workout....

Wishing you success :)

Hi N.!

I've got a great idea for yoU! Recently I bought a brand new mini-trampoline for $40 at Play It Again Sports! I jump on it twice a day for 30 mins while watching TV. You could put one in your garage or your bedroom, jump on it before you take a shower in the morning, or take it to office and do it a lunch. Its highly portable, lightweight to carry. Its great for every cell in your body~ after 2 weeks I'm noticing definite tone in my legs, behind, abs & waist/back! I've been sleeping like a rock too. Its easy to do, anytime _ turn on the stereo and dance/jump on it. Even the kids could enjoy it. Amazon.com sells a number of them.

Its easy for mom's to put everyone else first and then get burned out, exhausted ~ not good. Make exercise a priority, slip it in and it will pay you back 3fold in extra energy, tone, a lifted spirit, good health. Ok, there is my two cents! Happy New Year!

Hi. I'm not sure what your work is like but maybe you could fit something in on you lunch hour if you have one. Otherwise maybe you could get one of those Wii Fit and try that at home, I know you tried working out in your living room at home and weren't having any luck but maybe the Wii Fit would work out better. I walk about 4 miles and then do a few excercises at home that only take a few minutes, crunches (100) lunges (stand in front of a chair with your feet shoulder width apart and almost sit in the chair just until your butt barely touches the chair, do 3 sets of 20) good old fashion push ups (start out with what you can do and work your way up) and get some little weigts maybe 5-10 lbs. and do a little are work. I got a lot of results from this. I know you might not be able to walk (maybe on lunch break) but maybe you can fit in the others at home since it really only takes about 10-15 min. I will do things while I was waiting for water to boil for dinner or something. I just fit it in where I can. HTH! Good luck!

Hi N.,

I'm a wife, mother of a 14 month old and full-time teacher, too. Exercise has always been a big part of my life and I wondered how I would fit it in after a baby. For me, it's a sanity saver, and it's one of the few things I do for myself. I think it's important to do something for yourself that makes you feel good without feeling guilty about it. Plus, it's just good for your body.

I schedule gym workouts 3 days a week, and I make it a priority and stick to it. I go once on the weekend during my son's nap and 2 evening a week after he goes to bed. I decide at the beginning of the week which evenings I will go, and plan house work, schol work, etc. around it. Especially during the colder months, going to the gym is the last thing I want to do. The hardest part is just getting there--once you're there, you might as well workout! I never regret going--but do regret not going. I usually get there by 8pm, home by 9:15. I've streamlined my workouts and will do exercises at home sometimes, too. I go to bed around 10:30 or so and have never had any trouble falling asleep. Obviously, everyone is different, but you could give it a try and see how it goes.

I also have some quick 20 minute vidoes that I downloaded and are great for strength training (no cardio). I got them from Oprah/Real Age/Dr. Oz. It's the YOU workout and there are 3 levels. They're fast, no equipment needed, and I think it gives you a pretty good workout.

If you like to jog, and your baby enjoys being in the stroller, invest in a good jogging stroller. I have a BOB and I love it. They're pricey, but I've had friends find them on Craig's list for a good price.

I hope you've gotten some good ideas from all the posts and good luck! :)

Jen

Hi N.
I know how hard it is to get up to work out in the morning, but give it a try. I go do a bootcamp work out 3 days a week at Crissy Field in SF. For some reason, it is easier to do this then to set my alarm for 6 and work out with a video. It may be that starting a work out in the dark is easier then flipping on bright lights that early. It also helps have a supportive group and a bootcamp leader that calls you when you miss a session. Check out https://www.vyayr.com/ There are camps at Crissy Field and at South Beach.

actually a good workout about 2 hours before bedtime is a great way to get a good nights sleep. If you do find yourself still a little wound up a nice relaxing bath or shower should do the trick.

Buy some dumbbells and ankle weights. While I am doing laundry or giving the kids baths I do a few sets of lunges, leg lifts arm lifts. I do these 3 x during the week and then go to the gym on the weekends.

I've tried the tapes, but I am not motivated to spend 30 minutes in front of the TV working out. I even put my kids on my back to do the lunges when I want to increase the weight for a workput. They love being involved!

S. W.

I get up 4-5 days a week at 4:30am and go walking (fast) in the Union City hills - with a friend! (Then I come back home and sleep for one more hour.) A work out buddy makes all the difference in the world for those early morning work-outs. You "guilt" each other into being there. It's really nice because you get adult time/conversations while working out, and doing it early gets it over and done with for the day. No excuses like store, cleaning, cooking, etc.

Good Luck,
K.

It looks like you've already received a bunch of great suggestions. I think I may even incorporate some of the ideas, because I don't exercise as much as I should anymore. Have you thought of investing in a good jogging stroller and using it to go jogging/running or fast walking right when you get home from work? I have a BOB Ironman stroller and love it. My son is 2 1/2 and doesn't much like the stroller anymore, but he doesn't complain if I am running. Best wishes!

-H.

Hi! Since you had been walking, can you walk at breaks & at lunchtime during the day at work? Maybe some of your co-workers will join you!

I would try to sqeeze your work out in at work. A lot of the teachers and staff at the school I work at will go during their lunch hour or prep period and walk the neighborhood. That would mean you might have to eat your lunch either during a break or in between classes (depending on what grade you teach), and if you use your prep you can do that prep work at home at night instead of during that hour. If you work at a high school you could take a couple mins to change your clothes and work your way to running on the track (if your the running type :)). I would also search the internet for different types of exercises you can do while working (for example you can work on your legs by doing squats when getting up and down to work with the children). Getting a big ball to sit on instead of a chair is also a good idea for helping you work on abs throughout the day, just make sure it is always inflated to it's fullest otherwise it's kind of useless :).

Also, you could still take walks with your daughter when you get home. You may just have to push dinner and bedtime back a half hour so you can go for a walk as soon as you get home. But I would make sure to get a good walking/jogging stroller if you want to do that.

Hope this helps!

Hi N.! Where do you live? Check out www.babybootcamp.com Baby Boot Camp is a stroller fitness program that allows you to get a great workout while being with your child. Most franchises offer an evening or weekend class. When you go to the website click on "find classes" and then enter your zipcode. It will give you a list of locations that are closest to you.

Also, try going for a walk when you get home, before you start making dinner. If at all possible go for that walk immediately after you pick your daughter up from daycare after you get off work that way you are not even tempted to get started on something at home. Walk near a park so you can get some play time in too.

The most important key to starting an exercise routine and sticking to it is scheduling it into your schedule like work or a doctor's appt that you wouldn't cancel. It's just as important as work or a doctor's appt.

Another thought, if you're a jogger/runner find someone or a group that is already established to go on a run once or twice a week. I run with a group of moms on Sunday mornings. This is our distcne run for the week and we train towards half marathons. It's so amazing to have that support and connection with other moms.

Feel free to email me with any questions.

A.

About me: I am a mom of two (4 yrs & 2 yrs). I am a Baby Boot Camp franchise owner and instructor; as well as the Fitness Coordinator for the St Helena Recovery Program at St Helena Hospital.

Hi N.,
I'm in the same boat. What I finally decided to do was to buy a Reebok Step and do my workouts in the play room (because, conveniently, there is a TV with DVD player in there!) at night. I guilted my husband into giving the kids a bath after dinner, and I do my workout then. Then I put the kids to bed, take a shower, and watch whatever TV shows on TiVo before bed. I guess I could just wake up an hour earlier, but I am really not a morning person and feel that waking up before the sun comes up is akin to torture. So... after dinner! That's my advice!

I hope that helps. Working full time really cramps my style, I tell you what. Maybe my new workout plan is to win the lottery so I can quit my job, get a personal trainer and workout whenever I darn well please...

N.,
It is such a rubic's cube, isn't it! Trying to make it all fit. Here are my favorites..walking with stroller and something akin to an ipod..toys, snacks, drinks for her...
1 5am workout a week to start. Tell yourself, just one day but stick to it like it is a job. 1 day of afternoon dance for both of you...even the Elmo exercise video or tivo.Your sweetie may not like watching you exercise but she may love moving with you..and you now are a clever moving mama :)
You will be modeling good stuff for your daughter..and this is imperative should you have a second child because it gets even harder. If everyone in a family believes you claim time for yourself. including you, you will.

I say this as I am in the midst of this with two kids and a travelling husband. I heard myself sound like my mom did when I was a kid one day, about needing "ME" time...to get ready and I realized I had falled into the "THEm"...zone, tidying before we go, leaving a nano second for my getting ready time...staying up late for their stuff, not getting enough rest...preparing their days, not giving myself time to exercise...and I had to claim this or as Oprah said this week, put myself on the top of the TO-DO List. I hope you will too.

How about your lunch hour? Get at least a 30 min. workout and then eat.

How about on your lunch break? Is there a local gym close enough? I work out late in the evening sometimes because it's the only time I can go. I don't like to use the childcare at the gym because my son seems to come home ill every time I do. When Daddy can't take a lunch break I have to go in the evenings. I have never had a problem falling asleep at night. If you are worried you could always take a nice soak in some epsom salts and lavender bubble bath to help the mind calm down.

HI N.,
I think lots of moms were or are in the same boat. One thing I tried was Elmo Jazzersize. My kids liked Elmo and it got them to do it too. Better than nothing.
My kids when small enough really liked when I would lay on my back and curl my knees up into my chest and they would lay on my legs and I would tip them up almost upside down. Great for you abs and if she likes it she wont want you to stop. It became more of a work out than I could handle. Now they are older but they do like to dance. Maybe put on some fun music and dance around or use a stepper getting her involved. There is also Mommy and Me yoga classes I bet there is one with a DVD.
:-)W.