How do moms fit in the exercise?

lovinmysoldier

I do different times. I think flexibility is KEY!
In my perfect world I workout at 8, right after I drop off my two oldest at school and then take my little one to hourly care. BUT obviously weekends and the like that isn't the case. I am married but my husband is a soldier, between deployments and field time I could find every excuse in the book of why I don't have time. Creativity is essential.
I do a combination of multiple things since as you know kids get bored easily. Here's my go to list:
We do have an elliptical so I jump on that thing whenever possible, sometimes when dinner is in the oven and kids are content. Even if it's for 5 minutes I just make the most of it.
I bought a Jillian Michaels DVD, ripped in 30. It's only 24 minutes and it covers the major muscles. Sometimes the kids do it with me, sometimes right when they go to bed. Other times I do it while they play around me. Yes, there are many times I must pause and be mom but that's the beauty of a DVD.
They are playing basketball right now so we go and shoot hoops and play at the gym.
We walk to a park that's a bit further, older kids ride scooters and I push youngest in stroller. Sometimes I'll run, others I'll walk.

And on top of all that hubby and I are both in fitness mode, and we have been for over a year. It's kind of understood that it is important for us. I'd talk with your hubby, and explain that maybe not every day but like twice a week you really need to get away from the house and go for a walk, or run or go to the gym. I like to do Sunday mornings (he's usually home then) I get up with kids and then when he gets up I head out for about an hour.

I wouldn't rely on just one form of getting your exercise in. Find multiple things that you can fit in here and there. Since we've been doing this so long I now try to find ways to fit exercise into my day when I have the kids by myself. Versus in the beginning I'd let the fact that I had children with me all day be my reason not to fit it in.

You can do it. Promise.

lucythinmint

12, 9,8 and a 3 year old.

I am home schooling the oldest three until next school year. My husband works 9-12 hour days and is gone from 9 to 7 or 8 most days.
When they were in school I got up a few hours earlier than everyone else to squeeze it in. Now that we are all home I put the 3yo down for a nap and give the older kids an hour for lunch/free time and I work out.
I have a treadmill and free weights at home so that I don't have to leave the house.

I'm sorry I do not have a bunch of kind words for you. I provide my children's education and I maintain a home, and manage 4 kids while my husband works all day. I workout everyday but Sunday.

If you want it bad enough, you will make time. That's all there is.

CaptainSwab

I have a 4 year old and 11 month old.

I used to run Marathons before kids but I find it tough to find time to run this much right now. What I am able to fit it are the 30 minute Jillian michaels videos. I get home from work around 3:30, chill and play for a little while then 30 minute workout. I've downloaded a few of them onto my iPad so I can do the workout wherever. If the weather is nice we go outside and they play and I workout. Sometimes they pull out a bunch of toys and play while I do it. Yes sometimes the 11 month old tries to crawl on me while doing sit ups or the 4 year old tries to sit on me while doing planks but I'll take what I can. On the weekends are when I've been fitting in the running when my husband can watch them. I really am loving JM right now for her short but tough workouts.

I also have a single jogging stroller so sometimes if my husband is home I run with one while he watches the other. Or I'll throw the baby on my back in the baby carrier and push the 4 year old for a walk. Adding all the kid weight adds to the work out. :-)

mrsstafford618

I have a three year old and a one year old. I get up before the kids wake up (around 5am) to exercise. Sometimes I walk on my lunch break. When I get home, I have to cook, do homework and get the kids ready for bed, so I am usually too tired to exercise after work.

jmehere

The YMCA I go to has child watch. Also, walks are good. Load them up in a doubler stroller and walk them. Maybe at nap time? My son used to fall asleep in the stroller during walks all the time. You could incorporate play with your 3 year old and exercise. Do a dance party. I have a bunch of kid friendly techno songs on my youtube playlist that they like to dance to and I don't mind. Also, 80s music works well for that.
Get creative. Use the 6 month old as a weight. Dance while you do housework. Steal some jumping jacks or lunges here and there throughout the day. It will all add up.

Captain_Mal

The best advice I can give is to take an hour or so during that 4 hour window you have. (husband gets up at 2 and doesn't leave until 6)

I do some yoga stretches, jumping jacks, push ups against the kitchen counter sometimes while dinner is cooking and I have a few minutes. Really it's about finding a few minutes here and there and taking advantage of any time you have available.

I know how time consuming babies can be but there's stuff you can fit in. If you have stairs, run up and down them for a few minutes (5 mins) at a time a few times a day. Just be creative. Good luck!

LilysMom28

Maybe during the day when your baby is napping you could give your 3 year old a project to do. I'll give my daughter playdoh, painting supplies or crayons to do at the table while I'm right there doing my video. Otherwise, like some others have mentioned...finding a gym with a nursery. That;ll give you some much needed mommy time!!!

Good luck to you!!!

slayerdan

Incorporate the child into workouts and make hubby more part of the process

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and the reverse works for dads too.

imperfectbird

I KNOW how hard it is! I can't afford a gym right now and I'm home alone for 14 hours everyday with my 5 yr old and 2 yr old! What I do is the Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. The workout is only 20 min. long, which is perfect for during naptime, or I give them a snack and put a tv show on for them while I go workout.
If the weather is good I'll take them out to a park nearby that has tennis courts...I let them ride around on their bikes on the tennis court (fences them in!) while I run around the tennis court and do lunges/etc.

Good luck with this..sometimes you just have to get creative!

cjaharmon

Well my kids are older but it still takes careful planning and serious drive! I have a 15 yo and a 13 yo, work 45+ hours a week (really 50+ hours with commute...not counting the endless paperwork I do after everyone goes to bed!). But I have started putting it in my schedule as an appointment. When I can I tie in my work out around kids events....example today: left house at 7:45 to commute to work, got done at 5:30, quick stop at the gym for a circuit training session, then to parent meeting and practice for oldest child percussion group, finally home around 8:15, ate dinner, and started back in on paperwork. Yes it's hard but the feeling I had tonight coming out of the gym with some muscle burning and energy flowing was great!

samandlucysmum

Walking!! Get them both out, in a buggy, and walk, anywhere, anytime, it will settle the baby, and wear out the older one, the fresh air will do you all some good. I have just got back from walking to Tesco with my 2 1/2 yr old, 4 yr old and 14 yr old, it keeps them healthy too, it's free, and good cardio exercise.
Try some lunges when hoovering, a few flights of the stairs, or even dancing around to some music with the children, great fun.
You can do it, no matter what your daily schedule, there is always something you can do to burn calories.
Good luck on your journey.