Ok ladies. I am a stay at home mom of 3 children (ages 4, 2 and 1) and I really need to figure out a good workout routine. I am currently in school Tues & Thurs nights from 6:30 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. so I also need time for studying and homework. I am actually currently looking for a job (part time) so that I can get some extra money for my family and I just because my husband's income just isn't working without his overtime and he is very stressed working weekends. So I figure if I can work part time as a receptionist right now or something similar, I could avoid him working so much overtime to help our expenses.
Anyways, I really need to get back into shape. I really want to get into something that is going to help with muscular tone and better abs. I hate all those videos that show you how to do things because they are repetitive and I won't stick with it. So I need some help finding ways to get me in the mood and something fun. I actually thought about buying a boxing kit because I heard it helps get your frustrations out and it is a great way to work out because you are working everything. I need to probably lose 10-15 lbs. right now and I am going to start eating right too. Has anybody out there tried boxing or anything fun? I have done the treadmill and the Total Gym and to me, they are BORING! I need something upbeat and something that isn't repetitive. The only reason I thought about boxing was because to me it was a way to work out frustrations and since I am a stay at home mom, I get frustrated and stressed from watching the kids all day and then trying to find time to study.
Please HELP!!!!
You mentioned getting a receptionist job... Maybe you should look for a job, that is more physical. You can contribute financially & get some exercise.
You're so busy, focus on eating right first, and that will help. My kids are similar to your spread, but now they're 6, 4 and 3. I have always had the most success at a gym with daycare (there are cheap ones) because there are various FUN, UPBEAT and NON-boring classes, and then in a pinch you can just do weights and treadmill, but not enough to where you can't bear it anymore. You can mix it up. Zumba is super fun. If you have a Gold's near you, their Body Attack class has lots of kicking and punching and is super fun. If you have to do it at home, just get a good variety of DVDs and break away when you can for 40 minute walk when hubby is there. Boxing does sound fun, but anything gets old if it's the only thing you do. Maybe get a boxing DVD and a few others.
Try Jillian Michaels' workouts - cheap, you can do them at your convenience and you will lose that weight and tone up in no time. Try 30-Minute Shred to start with...it kicks your behind, but if you can stick in for a few days and get used to it, you won't regret it. She's upbeat and the workouts are anything but repetitive. I've also done yoga, Jazzercise, etc. but nothing has been like these.
Try kickboxing. It's tons of fun.
I think to get the fastest results in the shortest amount of time you should try running combined with a strength training routine you do 2-3x/week. For the strength training, you don't need weights, just pick about 10 exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, jump rope, ect. and do each for 30-sec. It doesn't take long to complete! Google "runners strength training" or look in a magazine like Fitness or Self for ideas. Also, a huge part of reaching your goal is a healthy diet, so make that a focus as well. Good luck!
I work out a lot, between juggling watching my 5 kids, ages 12, 11, 8, 5, and 4 months. I am pregnant now with my 6th and 7th kids, (twins) and I found that it is even more important to work out when your pregnant, so lately I have been doing it even more. I like to use the treadmill and exerscise bike, to work out, but if they are not your style, here are some other ideas:
1. If you have a bike, you can ride it, because that is fun, and it's exercising.
2. You can take a walk.
3. You can dance, or try a Zumba class, which is great exercise.
That is all I can think of for now, sorry. Good Luck! Let me know if you have any questions!!
Boxing is a great workout....but....have you tried punching a bag for one minute? It's like the longest minute of your life! You can burn some serious calories in a very short amount of time boxing, but to me, it is a grueling and boring workout. Yes, you will work out your abs, arms, and back muscles. But there is no way I would be able to stick with it as a normal workout routine. Also, you should probably already be at a fairly high level of fitness before boxing. You can easily injure yourself or pull a muscle if you're not in shape.
Sorry, I don't have any fun suggestions on what you should try. It really is a matter of personal preference. If you have a friend that would go walking with you, you'd probably have a lot of fun and both of you would be more likely to stick with it. You could add handweights to the workout too. Good luck!
I love the video series TurboFire by Chalene Johnson. NOT boring at all and you do a lot of punching! Some workouts are only 30 minutes too so there are days the workout is super short!
I think exercise classes are fun. I've done fitness boxing in the past and it was a blast. I joined the YMCA bc they have child care. Their Power Up class is an amazing way to get into shape. Right now I'm in a ski fitness class that meets from 6 to 7am. I never thought I'd ever take an early morning class but I am finding that I really enjoy it! I am back home in time for my husband to go to work. I hate videos too - they are so boring. A friend and I used to swap watching each other's kids for an hour while we each went for a run. Maybe you can do something like this and combine it with some weight lifting on other days.
I use http://fit2b.us/
You can exercise whenever you have time and for as along as you have time. Bethany is wonderful and upbeat. She has special exercises that are tummy safe for women with a diastasis problem. She also has maternity workouts. Lots of options and always adding new ones. Check out her website.
Do you have an Xbox? We have Dance Revolution and Zumba for the Xbox Kinect, and I love them! I play against my kids all the time, and before I know it, I'm all sweaty and exhausted (you can also play by yourself if your kids don't want to play). In terms of abs, the trick is to keep your "core" tight while you're dancing. If you've ever taken ballet, it's the same idea - keep your belly button tucked in toward your spine the whole time. Trust me, you'll start seeing muscles in no time.
I also take ballet class at our local professional dance company. It's so much fun. Very zen and beautiful, but by the end of class, my legs are shaking so badly I can barely walk! Class is 1:15 long, but only once per week and totally worth the time.
Are you able to break away for the exercise? What about running, hiking, Zumba, kickboxing, yoga, or Pilates, etc.? You could mix it up & not get bored.
Rent a kickboxing video
walk/jog when you have hubby is home to watch the kids. I do this in the
a.m. or p.m. when hubby gets home as often as I can. (walk, jog as long
as I can, walk to recover breath, run etc).
Do pushups, crunches, tricep dips from a chair, planks & lunges (careful
not to extend knee of your toes).
I then rent several diff workout videos from the library to do in my living room in early morning, nap time if I'm lucky enough my child still takes a
nap or just while my child is resting/playing.
I walk (fast walk) any chance I get.
Do it all. Try it all.
Updated
Rent a kickboxing video
walk/jog when you have hubby is home to watch the kids. I do this in the
a.m. or p.m. when hubby gets home as often as I can. (walk, jog as long
as I can, walk to recover breath, run etc).
Do pushups, crunches, tricep dips from a chair, planks & lunges (careful
not to extend knee of your toes).
I then rent several diff workout videos from the library to do in my living room in early morning, nap time if I'm lucky enough my child still takes a
nap or just while my child is resting/playing.
I walk (fast walk) any chance I get.
Do it all. Try it all.
