Moms...looking for advice

lokisadie

I am new to MFP, and am becoming slightly addicted. I am a SAHM of a 13 month old, and we enjoy our long walks outside. I have even started running with the stroller, and have been getting stronger. I am worried that it won't be so easy in the winter. I am in Canada, and it starts to get cold in October/November, and then the snow starts to fly...not so easy to run with a stroller. I do have a treadmill and spin bike in the basement, but when do you other moms find time to workout? I can try to do it during baby's nap, but that doesn't always work. Since we are down to 1 income, and since I have a home gym, I would like to avoid paying to go to a gym with daycare. Any advice is appreciated!

sweetNsassy2584

You have equipment ready and available to you.. You make time if its that important to you. I have a 3 year old son and I work full time. When he was younger I would get up early before work, during his nap, or after he went to bed. Some days i would work out twice a day. Don't make excuses and just do it! That's my best advice..

MTBrob

You make time.... Being a father of 5 kids .. You can understand its just not the mom who is busy.


I get up at 4:30am and I am done by 6:30 and ready for what ever the day throws at me.

cristino1985

My fifteen month old tends to go for a nap every day around ten so If I have him and the baby fed and am dressed I put them both in the pram and head out for a walk, they both sleep in the pram and generally don't need fed again until 12 so I can be out for two hours walking. I would suggest that before the weather gets too cold get out walking evey day, if you do the same route you can time yourself and see how much quicker your getting as your fitness improves. I also try to do a bit of one of my fitness DVDs after my 15 month old goes to bed. Just remember every little helps, even if you just run up the stairs every time you go up, or after changing a nappy do a few press ups if your on the floor anyway. Good luck with it

abbylg1983

I have an 11 month old. I don't work out that much consistently, but I try and do a little something each day.

I do a squat/lunge/push up routine 3-4 times a week (with and without weights), and I have a pull up bar and a large weight I use for deadlifts. I do that about 1-2 times a week. For awhile, I was doing that in the mornings before work (around 5 am), but then my daughter started waking up at 4:45 a few weeks ago so that's usually out.

I do it in the evenings instead most times now when I tell my husband I am downstairs doing laundry. For the stuff without weights, sometimes I'll do it when I first get to my office, when no one is around. I have been going for bike rides around 7:30 or 8 in the evenings after the baby goes to sleep. Occasionally if she's napping during the day on weekends I'll hop on my treadmill but I usually don't because I hate running. I go for walks at work sometimes.

I also take my daughter for walks in the stroller but she doesn't like them much so we're never gone for more than a half hour. That's more recreational than functional.

Working out is honestly not as high on my priority list as it should be. It is hard to find time. My daughter is in daycare 50+ hours a week, so the last thing I want to do on evenings and weekends is leave her with someone else while I go workout. So my exercise time is pretty much limited to when she is asleep.

Do you have any weights? Kettlebells are a great workout although they can be a little expensive (although less than a monthly gym membership). Otherwise, squats, lunges and pushups are a great workout and they require no equipment. A pull up bar is around $20 and just hooks right onto the door- no installation necessary. Tricep dips can be done with just a chair. Dumbbells, like kettlebells, get a little expensive- especially if you have to keep buying progressively heavier ones- but you can buy just two different sizes to get started. No point in investing in a ton of equipment until you know you are going to use it.

jamiealdridge02

I have three children work full time and go to grad school. I have found working out either early before they are up or at night once they have gone to bed works best. Find a time that works for you and stick to it just like you would an appointment.

TheArmadillo

both mine are in bed by 8pm usually so after that.

3laine75

are they big enough to get pulled on a sledge, build snowmen, snowball fight?

jealous, our winters are mostly rain (uk) just like summer actually

also, mine are 16 & 18 now and I have to build my snowman on my own haha

Purplebunnysarah

I have a 3.5 month old and I work out after he's gone to sleep. When I go back to work in April I plan to get up early and work out instead of staying up late.

Brizoeller

Whenever he naps or goes to sleep at night. At 11 months old I would assume he is going to bed at 7 or 8? A good indoor workout video is Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It has done wonders for a lot of people. Its a 20 minute video, more like 28 with warmup and stretching That would be something good to invest in, only like 8 dollars!!

bushidowoman

I'm a mom of 6, including a 16 month old, a 4 yo, and a 5yo. If I can't work out alone, I let them exercise with me. Dancing, playing on the wii, or calisthenics are things that even the baby can join in on. We can make a game of jumping jacks, running in place, lunges, squats, planks, and pushups.

But honestly, I know it's harder with just one or two children, as they sometimes demand your full attention (or two of them fight for your attention.) With more children, the younger ones like to copy the older ones. Good luck!

Lisa1971

My kids are 6 and 2 and I get up at 5:45am so I have a nice solid hour to workout before they wake up, which is around 7. No way could I workout at night so this is my "me time" and since I've been doing it 5 days a week for over a year I actually ENJOY getting up early! I was NEVER a morning person but I feel awesome after getting my workout over and done with. You can do this!

lorettaasmith

I count the 10 years I spent as a SAHM as the hardest and best job I ever had. I would give Hubby a chance for one on one time with "Junior" in the evenings, or else exercise after the baby is in bed for the night. As he gets older, there are creative ways to exercise with him ...e.g. you go for a run with him riding a scooter alongside you...

pamelak5

While the baby is sleeping. You say it doesn't always work out, but you have to *make* it work out. I would wake up before the baby wakes up and work out at home, or, when you get dressed, put on your workout clothes and hit "play" ont he dvd player as soon as the baby falls asleep. I find it helpful to designate workout days. Mine are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Weekends I hit the gym before the family wakes up (including Friday). Tuesdays and Wednesdays I work out on my lunch break, or during nap if I am home. If I have lunch plans or something, I wake up an hour early and work out then. If I don't get my workout in for some unforeseen reason, I work out after my daughter goes to bed - workouts on those five days are non-negotiable! I am so happy to have made my health a priority. You deserve the same!

linz1125

I have a 17 month old, so I can appreciate how difficult it can be to get anything done with them around. It does get easier as they get older to do things while they are awake. When I work out at home I do it in the early morning, or while she is napping. If I am doing it (which rarely happens when she's awake) while she's awake, I try to get things around us that will entertain her - right now she loves playing with balls, so I went to the dollar store and got about 4 or 5 different sizes and she plays with them...she also loves cars...I can pretty much get most things done if she is occupied, so don't be afraid to try to find things that will interest your little one.

Also, maybe if you have any other mommy friends, you can arrange play dates so each of you can take turns watching the kiddos so the mommies can work out...Just a thought though.

NoAdditives

You have equipment ready and available to you.. You make time if its that important to you. I have a 3 year old son and I work full time. When he was younger I would get up early before work, during his nap, or after he went to bed. Some days i would work out twice a day. Don't make excuses and just do it! That's my best advice..

This. I'm a SAHM to three kids under 4. I work out while my youngest two nap. When I used to go to the gym, I'd wake up about 2 hours before everyone else so that I could get my exercise in then. Once my baby is finally sleeping through the night I might start getting up early to exercise again. Or, some days I'll just have my husband watch the kids so that I can exercise.

Willbenchforcupcakes

I do a lot of walking with my two in the stroller (they are 10.5 months and 28 months), and I also workout at the gym 5-7 days a week. I consider my gym time to be my me time - the way my husband and I see it, I'm on duty the other 22.5 hours a day, and taking my gym time makes me a better mom, because I am refreshed and recharged. Maybe talk with your husband about allowing you alone time to workout at home?

RENAEJAE

Honestly - now is the time to MAKE THE TIME. Our girls are 12 & 15 years old. The demand on your time will not go away as your kids get older. They just change. Do this for yourself and just keep it up through the years. I wish that I had. Now I get up at 5 to work out for an hour before work. Then I go to the gym during my lunch hour and try to get in a few extras in the evening while I"m at the girls sporting events. You'll have more fun with your kids if you get fit while they're young. Good luck! You can do this.

bushidowoman

I also wanted to add--*something* is better than *nothing*. If you can only squeeze in 15 minutes of jumping jacks and pushups, that beats skipping it! You would be amazed at what only 15 minutes of activity a day can do for you, provided you put a lot of intensity into that 15 minutes.

lifelover12

In that same boat myself. Actually sitting here waiting for my toddler and infant to fall asleep so I can do Insanity. I'm a stay at home mom as well of two little ones, and a Army fitness buff of a husband so the pressure is on! Although I do nurse my 4 month old, the weight is slowly coming off. I've struggled with my weight since I can remember and it seems as though I have to work super hard in order to drop a pound. Well I expect to work hard so let me say that my metabolism is slower than molasses:-( Going to stick with it though because I don't have a choice. But let me say this back to giving some advice, I take my son bike riding and play kick ball with him. I focus on remaining active with him to keep him fit as well as myself. It's exercise that I find fun at the same time.

KiaCristal

I have a 15 month old who is very demanding. I was trying to get it all done during her nap but there are times she only naps for 40 minutes and that's not enough time. The last couple of days I've been getting up at 6am so I can do it before she wakes up at 8. I'm not a morning person AT ALL but I'm really serious about making this change. I find it's easier then because I'm not worried about her waking up. I also will do some walking in place or something similar while she's eating breakfast or lunch. Like others have said, anything you can do helps.

gingersnapx00

I have three boys and I goto school as well and find time in the evening when my hubby gets off work or after I put kids to bed. What you can do is find a good time you want to work out and see if a friend/ neighbor will watch him while you work out at home. Its more ideal to do first thing and get it out of the way if you have the means to do it, otherwise you have to resort to doing it when the lights go out. My biggest challenge is this myself. Best bet is to find resources that can help and run with it. You will be surprised how much help is out there if you ask

corrinnebrown

I am no longer a SAHM but I am now a working mom. I feel like there is little time to do anything, so after the kids go to bed my husband and I work out. I do Jillian Michaels body revolution...she switches it up every day and then every 2 weeks so its never boring and it ONLY 30 minutes a day

racbergs

I have a 20 month old. I usually set him up in his highchair for his mid morning snack and then I do my workout while he's eating. My workouts are only 20-30 minutes though and I do them right in my living room... and he loves watching me workout, he gets a kick out of it lol! And sometimes I even let him do my yoga with me

KellyL23

i have two kids, 5 and 2, and I work out after they go to bed. Luckily they are in bed by 7:30, so I usually lift weights in my basement, or if it is nice out, run outside. I am in the same boat, I live in Maine, and pretty soon it is going to be cold and dark by the time I get home from work. Not looking forward to it!

LERadicalDreamer

I found a gym (the local YMCA) that offered free childcare for all children for two hours every day. I go to the gym and do my exercising while my kids socialize with friends. It's a great option for a SAHM, since they likely see kids less often than if they were in daycare, and I get to use an actual gym to do my workouts.

trophywife24

I'm an early morning work out person... I work out at 6am. I go to the gym while my husband is getting ready for work so he's still home with the (sleeping, of course) kids and I have time to shower, etc before he goes to work. Some mornings it sucks to drag myself out of bed but it's done for the day, first thing, and I don't have to plan/think about it. I'm lucky enough to live somewhere that we can be outside all year.... it gets a little cold here some days in the "winter" but not really. I do take the kids to the park/on walks a lot but my morning gym time is MY time. I completely agree with the poster who said make time now and reserve your time!

Superbritt2drescu

My kids are finally both old enough to be in school this year. But before it was a matter of making the time. Sometimes that was waiting till my husband came home and I'd go to the gym. Or doing something with the xbox kinect and them joining me. Other times it was a run at 9pm in the dark cause the on post gyms were all closed. Its important to me, so I will find the time. You have equipment at home, use it whenever you can. Get up early if you are a morning person, or stay up later?

Pedalpush

So many great ideas! I just wanted to chime in my experience...

I am temporarily living with my inlaws' 2BR apt with my two boys (4yr & 18mo) while my husband is away for work. I'm taking advantage of their fitness center almost every night after the kids go to sleep. The in-laws hardly ever leave the apartment, so that works to my advantage. It's kind of like having the equipment at home... I love the escape, but sometimes the workout goes until 11:00pm or later - and I AM a morning person, but mornings are too unpredictable and the folks like to sleep in as much as possible.

You really have to sqeeze it in whenever possible. Stay motivated. A little is better than nothing. Keep a close eye on your intake and just make sure your output exceeds it.

You can do it mama!

kstep88

It seems like you have everything available to you. Make time. I have a 3 year old and a 1 1/2 year old, and I am a SAHM. I take both children for walks. One is in a stroller the other is walking next to me. We walk trails and always end at the park, where we have a picnic (healthy packed lunch=Win and keeps kids happy and not cranky). If I want to workout at home I do it with my daughters around. They either play with some toys and giggle at me or I let them watch a movie. Nap is also a win. It's not as hard as it seems. Once you get a routine you'll be fine.

lokisadie

Thanks so much everybody-lots of great suggestions. I can see that most of you have a lot less time than me, so I know I can make it work. Next time I don't think I can do it, I will think of those of you with kids and working full-time or going to school.