Exercising with young children at home...

odusgolp

Yes, a real on-topic question *gasp*

Anyhow, I would really like to get off my lazy *kitten* and would invite ideas for your best tips on making exercise "fit." Particularly, I'd like to couch to 5K. Single mom - can't exactly leave a 5 year old at home to go for a walk/run, go to the gym, etc. and he's too old for a stroller. Is anyone a single parent that's got good advice on this? I don't yet have a treadmill, though I'd love one.

CindyLynn28

Take him with you!

My boys are great company and they help keep me motivated with impromptu races. Since you're doing couch to 5K, you guys could race during the run sections. Have you given any consideration to workout DVDs? I bought a couple for when we can't get out of the house and really enjoy them.

Good luck!

shantie10

AWWW I feel for ya because I used to be in the same boat....I have now a 8 yr old and a 6 yr old...and what we did was ....5 miles 5 days a week for about 3 months then we had to go to 3 miles as they didnt want to go.
How we did it was my boys got to take their dogs for a walk and the dogs LOVED it and my boys knew this...we also let them ride the bikes the scooter...even their 4 wheeler...I hope that gives you a few ideas

odusgolp

I seriously never considered taking him with on a "real" walk *LOL* I can honestly say I don't think it would do me much good. Perhaps when he starts biking, though! That's a good idea.

DVD suggestions?? I had bought a few just... hated them But really need to get moving, so bring it.

CLynnette

I'm in the same boat. I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old...there's no way I can go out and work out with them...and I can't leave them at home. So I do POPpilates here at home! You can find her (Cassey- the instructor) on youtube and/or facebook (Facebook.com/blogilates)

OnMyWay2STay

If you take him with you and get to the point that he can't keep up, you could have him ride a bike while you run.

ArareRed

I'm a single mom as well with a 4, 6, 8 year olds at home and a full-time job. I have a gym membership 25 minutes away, but rarely get there because of the job/kids. I finally broke down and bought a Malibu Pilates bench and work out to the DVDs whenever possible. I used to do Pilates reformer at a studio, so I remember a lot of it. Good luck. It is a challenge.

Olivia1977

How about a workout DVD? Or look for workout equipment at rummage sales etc. I sold a perfecttly good working stairmaster for 5 bucks at one of my sales because my ex husband bought it for me and it reminded me of him and I associated it with negative thoughts....

QueenofCups

I would look in your area for inexpensive drop off daycares. There's a place near me that's called "A Moments Notice" where you can drop your kids off for a few hours (or less) for really cheap. If you have friends or relatives, enlist their help. See if anyone could watch your son while you do your run/walk. Then on off days from Couch to 5K (since its only 3 days a week), do aforementioned DVDs or dance parties with your son. Me and my kids (4 and 3) love to dance around the house, or I give them piggy-back rides and run up and down the hallway - great exercises that really make you sweat AND includes them.

Just some thoughts. HTH!

Petunia32

What about one of those bikes with a handle so you can push it and it won't tire him out so much? We have one and it's great.

fiberartist219

Piggy back rides

NYLatinaCR

I have 3 babies 9, 2 and 9 months..... Maybe you can find a gym that has a nursery. I go to Synergy.... they have one that's part of my $30 membership. Hope this helps.... BEST OF LUCK!! I know it's hard!!!

Jenscan

When I have the kiddo, I work out after he's gone to bed.

Have you tried the Leslie Sansone DVD's? I get a really good workout from her 3- and 4- milers. Love them. If you have Netflix, there are TONS of workouts on there.

jamiealdridge02

Can he ride a scooter? I take my 3 kids on 40minute walks with them on their scooters and me walking (my kids are 7, , & 3). They love to ride and b/c they go pretty fast I'm getting a good workout.

rachel5576

i have four kids at home and at desperate times have ran over two miles in my front yard while they played outside. I used the runkeeper app on my phone to measure the distance. Also workout dvd's come in handy or anything you can do with them. Or jump rope, hula hoop or play ball while they play outside.

I like tae bo,10 min solutions pilates, lots of free videos on exercisetv.com and bodyrocktv

good luck!

mommyami1

C25K is great. I do it with my son in a jogging stroller, but I can see how that might not work very well with a 5yr old. I also do the 30 Day Shred DVD at home, which is a great short workout. And sometimes after he goes to bed, I do Wii Just Dance. Is he very active? Maybe you could play a game of keep away with him or get him to start C25K with you. Just take it easy on him and maybe do more walking than running. At least it would be something. And of course, there's always the gyms with kid's clubs if that's within your budget. No matter what though, even if you just do a little bit, it's more than not doing anything. Good luck!

rblauvelt7

Are there any gyms or rec centers that offer child care in the membership in your area? I know Gold's lets you leave them for 2 hours and our local Lion's Club has a similar option.

odusgolp

rockstar suggestions! love it! thanks!

danimoon67

I still put my 3 and 4.5 year old in the stroller. They are used to it now, so they don't balk. I pack snacks and drinks and we go. They behave pretty well because they know we usually hit the playground when mom is done exercising. Hoping to get another full year and then some with the double stroller. Because I know once I pack the stroller away it will become much harder to keep a steady pace with them.

Also, there are lots of Wii games that can get both of you up and moving and sweating. My kids like Wii Fit (hula hooping, canoeing, biking, running, etc.) and a couple dance games work up a sweat.

I have a hand me down recumbent bike that when I get on at night after the kids have gone to bed. I didn't think I'd like exercising and working up a sweat at 9 o'clock at night, but it's not bad and actually helps me de-stress at the end of the day.

dodd319

I have an 18 month old & 4 1/2 year old and babysit a 7 & 11 year old. I send the 3 oldest outside while I exercise & the youngest usually sits in the rocking chair & plays with my phone or eats a sandwich or something. She usually ends up climbing on me as well! I have a Wii & do Jenny McCarthy's Your Shape game for 30 minutes.

lkm111

If you decide on any DVDs, I suggest Zumba because my daughter ends up doing some of it with me. She loves it as much as I do. She went to a Zumbatomic class with her Girl Scout troop and absolutely loved it!

rebysue

I have little ones as well. I do exercise videos before they get up in the morning or do them during quiet time (our version of naptime when they outgrow naps). My favorites are Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred and Ripped in 30. Both are under 30 minutes but are great workouts for the small amount of time. I have actually had my 3 and 5 year old join me in the workout videos! They love it! I even bought them some cheap 1 lb weights! I know that doesn't really help with the C25K but it does get you moving. I have done the bike thing while running and it actually works pretty well. My kids actually motivated me to keep running AND run faster so I can keep up with them.

Jennyisbusy

Unless your kid has a problem I would get him involved in running too. My son is 4 and he runs backwards and tells me to speed up! lol Scooters are really fun and pretty easy for the kids to learn how to ride, especially if you get one that is his size.

Leslie Sansone are really cool DVD's to do at home. cheap, don't require much space etc.

We have a track near my house that my kids play in the grass in the center while I run around them. And we also have a few nature trails that I stuff my kids into strollers and hand them a juicebox and I just go.

We also really love to just kick a ball around the yard. We always end up laughing and having a great time. They also enjoy the dance games on the wii.

Chastityx

My friend did it at the ymca, they have other activities for children. But he ended up wanting to do it with her, and did!

odusgolp

1. I have never thought of a drop in daycare, to be honest. I'll check into that.
2. I have a Wii! And am embarrassed to say I've... never used it *LOL* I do NOT have a Wii Fit. What are the best active games or do I need the Fit?
3. Zumba - great suggestion, never thought to bring a kid, but he'd dig that!
4. I don't have a bike w/ handle or anything else fancy - I would rather spend the buck on a treadmill when the finances allow it.
5. scooter - he loves his scooter, that's a really good idea since that's just too far for him to walk without throwing himself into a ditch panting

And love all the DVD suggestions, I'll check it all out. I do have a big living room to bust a move in... so no good excuses not to get off my bum.

odusgolp

Unless your kid has a problem I would get him involved in running too. My son is 4 and he runs backwards and tells me to speed up! lol Scooters are really fun and pretty easy for the kids to learn how to ride, especially if you get one that is his size.

Leslie Sansone are really cool DVD's to do at home. cheap, don't require much space etc.

We have a track near my house that my kids play in the grass in the center while I run around them. And we also have a few nature trails that I stuff my kids into strollers and hand them a juicebox and I just go.

We also really love to just kick a ball around the yard. We always end up laughing and having a great time. They also enjoy the dance games on the wii.

Seriously? 4? is that good for their little legs to go that far? *LOL* Maybe I'm equating children with young puppies and hip dysplasia too realistically

Msaip

If there is a high school witha track around take him with you and let him play in the field while you run the track? always have a good view from any point

MarshallLuke

I personally don't have kids, but I have always assumed they are much like dogs or cats. Just leave out a bowl of food, a bowl of water and some newspaper (or cedar chips if you are classy) in case they have to go and you should be fine. That's how it works, right.... right? I am going to make a great father!

odusgolp

I personally don't have kids, but I have always assumed they are much like dogs or cats. Just leave out a bowl of food, a bowl of water and some newspaper (or cedar chips if you are classy) in case they have to go and you should be fine. That's how it works, right.... right? I am going to make a great father!

Marry me. You're perfect.

dodd319

I have Wii Fit & I'm borrowing Wii Fit Plus. Both are good, but I don't burn nearly as many calories with those as I do with Your Shape. After about 30 minutes of Wii Fit Plus workout routine I burned about 200 calories. After 30 minutes of Your Shape, I burned over 600 calories! She's totally a ***** at times but the numbers speak loud & clear! I LOVE JENNY MCCARTHY!!!!

Rae6503

I work out at 5am while the kids are sleeping. I do Turbo Fire. It has me in such good shape that I bet I could easily run a 5K.