Finding it tough to work out with little ones

2

Replies

  • firstnamekaren
    firstnamekaren Posts: 274 Member
    I get up and workout at 5:00 a.m. and leave for work from the gym. That way, in the evening, I have total free time to spend with my 4 year old. Also, I will either do a pilates DVD at home, or Zumba on the Wii and sometimes my kiddo will jump in. He thinks it's hilarious to mess with me while I'm doing pilates - then it becomes a 'game' to see how much I can actually get done. :smile:
  • kitscatpaws
    kitscatpaws Posts: 10
    I am a single mum and live with my dad, my 15yr old and 5yr old twins that I am in the process of adopting.

    I jump on the trampoline with the kids. Its a great, fun workout and I get to spend some quality time with them too.

    I also go to gym on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. My dad helps to take them to school on those days so that I can go. I just drop the 15yr old at the bus stop at 6:30 then go to gym, then off to work.

    My gym has a child minding facility but I have never used it - the twins are bit hectic :tongue:
  • cayadear
    cayadear Posts: 79 Member
    It's called waking up at 4:00am, getting to the gym at 4:30/5 and coming home by 6.

    Wake up earlier, you'll have more time then. :)
  • andiechick
    andiechick Posts: 916 Member
    Wow, what a mixed bag of responses....

    When my kids were younger (they're now 3 and 5) I used to make sure I walked somewhere pushing the double buggy, now my youngest is at nursery I've been doing the shred as soon as I get home from work or pick my eldest up from school. My little one often joins in and I give her 2 little toys to use as her weights. If like last night, I can't get the shred done, I do the Just Dance on the Wii for at least half an hour to make sure I get some exercise done. Its fun and its a really good calorie burner.

    I think people can be harsh and pretty judgemental on here though, we're all different and have different commitments and needs...there's no way I could get up at a ridiculously early hour to do a workout, my body and brain just don't function at that time, plus sleep can be a precious thing when you have young kids!!
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Wow, what a mixed bag of responses....

    When my kids were younger (they're now 3 and 5) I used to make sure I walked somewhere pushing the double buggy, now my youngest is at nursery I've been doing the shred as soon as I get home from work or pick my eldest up from school. My little one often joins in and I give her 2 little toys to use as her weights. If like last night, I can't get the shred done, I do the Just Dance on the Wii for at least half an hour to make sure I get some exercise done. Its fun and its a really good calorie burner.

    I think people can be harsh and pretty judgemental on here though, we're all different and have different commitments and needs...there's no way I could get up at a ridiculously early hour to do a workout, my body and brain just don't function at that time, plus sleep can be a precious thing when you have young kids!!

    I fail to see where anyone was being judgemental?

    The OP asked for advice on how to make it work - specifically asking what other people have done. Everyone posted their experience. How is that judgemental?
  • tairaven
    tairaven Posts: 72 Member
    I have a two year old (and three much older kids), but for the most part my life is like a single working mom. If I can't find someone to watch him (one of his older brothers or relative) while I do a workout or go to the gym, I simply modify my workout options. It's not the end of the world. I'll take him out with me in the jogging stroller when the weather is decent, or even head off to the mall to walk around if it's not. Last summer I got a new bike and pulled him in one of those kiddie trailers. I've also included my son while doing yoga or Pilates - and he actually tries to do it with me. I just work it in however I can, making being active a normal part of my day instead of something to check off my list :-)
  • MacDHH
    MacDHH Posts: 34 Member
    I have two little ones: a 3.5 year old and a 1.5 year old. My husband gets home late a lot, so the only thing I have found that works is getting up early. The kids usually wake up around 6.30 or 7.00, so my husband and I take turns getting up early to work out. I don't dare do a DVD, either in the morning or the evening, for fear of waking them up, so I just go outside and walk or bike. The other thing I try to do is to move more when I'm with the kids (e.g., biking places with them, walking even to places that are a bit further, etc.) I feel your pain...it's tough with little ones.

    Good luck!
  • JamieRebecca23
    JamieRebecca23 Posts: 99
    what everyone says makes sense... for most situations. hahahaha i have a 5 yr old and a 9 week old. i'm exhausted. i get like 3-4 hours of sleep so i understand wanting to nap. my baby has reflux and is miserable. she refuses to nap during the day and is often needy. my 5 yr old loveeeees working out with mommy. right now, i work out when i can. my husband is a conductor at the railroad so he is gone for 2 days at a time often.

    i'm just so sleep deprived i want to nap but there are clothes and dishes that need washed. when i do get any time to myself i want sleep. today i gave up at 430 with getting more sleep... so i put baby on the couch in her boppy pillow and quietly did some power yoga for an hour. i'm glad i did. i have more energy because of it. i won't lie though. it's pulling teeth to get me to start EVERY day.
  • mrsgeneric
    mrsgeneric Posts: 143 Member
    I have 2 kids about the same age and i taught my almost 3 year old sit ups and squats he thinks its the best thing ever... Not to mention its very funny and cute to watch a almost 3 year old do sit ups lol!! Try it out your kid will love " playing" with mommy!
  • blisser99
    blisser99 Posts: 122 Member
    I have been finding it tough too, but I am making it work. I work 3rd shift four nights a week, have two older daughters, and a toddler that stays home with me while the hubby is at work. On the days that I work, I workout right after work. On my days off I wake up before everybody else to exercise. Then of course there are rest days. I just do it whenever I get the chance. My toddler likes to watch me. And I am ok with it as long as he isnt getting in my way. We have Kinect of Xbox and he joins right in with me. It is actually really cute.
  • catmarto
    catmarto Posts: 11 Member
    I can relate as I am a sAHM to a 4 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old. I cant get up early because I need to nurse the baby before I can workout, so I have to work within the confines of that schedule. I wait until the 1 year old takes a nap and then I set the 2 and 4 year olds up with an activity (painting, play dough, blocks, etc.) or a movie. I ignore their requests while I am exercising. If they ask me for something, I say "Not now, Mommy is exercising." over and over and keep working out. They get it now an usually dont bother me. Sometimes they jump in and I justify the time "ignoring" them because I think it is super important for them to see me exercising. Obviously, this doesnt work with the one year old, so it is imperative I workout as soon as he goes down for his nap. Some days I can only do a 20-30 minute dvd and I just have to accept that. When it is nice out, I do suicide runs and "races" in the backyard w. them and take them out in the double stroller. If I feel up to it after they are all in bed, I will do a yoga or pilates workout as well. I tried joining a gym w. childcare when I had two kids and it was just too much for me. I do much better now that I just accept I have to workout at home whenever I can find the time.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    Wow, what a mixed bag of responses....

    When my kids were younger (they're now 3 and 5) I used to make sure I walked somewhere pushing the double buggy, now my youngest is at nursery I've been doing the shred as soon as I get home from work or pick my eldest up from school. My little one often joins in and I give her 2 little toys to use as her weights. If like last night, I can't get the shred done, I do the Just Dance on the Wii for at least half an hour to make sure I get some exercise done. Its fun and its a really good calorie burner.

    I think people can be harsh and pretty judgemental on here though, we're all different and have different commitments and needs...there's no way I could get up at a ridiculously early hour to do a workout, my body and brain just don't function at that time, plus sleep can be a precious thing when you have young kids!!

    What the...?

    Who was being judgemental? People might have suggested that the only option (in their experience) is to just suck it up and make time but thats hardly being judgemental. Its just the truth. Seen many parents having to do it to make time for family and workouts.
  • douglasbeale
    douglasbeale Posts: 66 Member
    I like to exercise with my daughter in the room. Shes 4 and lately she will just run around in circles and tell me shes exercising. It's funny. But she is learning that exercise is part of my life, and I hope she embraces it as part of hers.
  • JessieJanie
    JessieJanie Posts: 428
    I have two little ones, and work full time. The only time I can find is before they wake up!
  • Khamerta
    Khamerta Posts: 23
    I have a walking, very active 10 month old son, I do my HIIT in the morning while hes in his high chair eating breakfast for 30 mins. I take him to my workout room to play in his exosaucer for 30 mins while I lift weights later in the day. Then I do 30 min shred and 30 mins eliptical after he goes to bed at night. I know it would be more difficult with a 3 year old. But thats what I do, Good Luck with your goals! :D
  • LishLash79
    LishLash79 Posts: 562 Member
    Loving reading all the posts. I have five kids ages 20months-11years. I used to get up super early to run but found that this was not a solution. I noticed a couple people suggested getting up super early as a solution. Sometimes it seems like a great idea.. But you need your sleep as well.. and I think anyone with kids must know how little sleep we often get..... and forcing yourself to get up early will just kick your butt in the long run... there is a stage in life that this works in, and with a five month old (as the original poster stated she had) this may not be the best solution.

    Hang in there. My solution has always been videos, and nap times. ;) I also made sure I had sufficiant strollers/bike trailers and did a tonne of power walking.. got the kids out, and me in shape. Winter time was the hardest for this though.
  • ajbaccou
    ajbaccou Posts: 25
    Hey darling,

    I'm a single mom working full time. Perhaps as noted in others replies go to a gym with a childcare. Here the Y has income based memberships.
  • SakuraRose13
    SakuraRose13 Posts: 621 Member
    Well If Im not dead tired after my very recent 1 yr old decided not to sleep through the night for what seems like it will never end I exerise in the morning before my oldest 2.5 daughter wakes up if possible.Im a SAHM my husband works 12 hr shifts on 3rd.I try and walk or do a aerobics DVD Ive been lacking lately I was sick for a bit but now back to my usaul.Its difficult sometimes both of my daughters are active both walk and one runs when I try and work out my oldest runs around me and my youngest crawls ,walks underneath or clings onto my leg while Im doing lunges pushups.Never a dull moment here.Love them don't love the lack of time to myself.Good luck :)
  • lioness803
    lioness803 Posts: 325 Member
    I have an 8 month old, so it's a little easier...I can pop him in the stroller and he's pretty happy. We go mall walking(since its cold out!) or go to the park, now that it is starting to get warm. If your husband will watch him when he's home then you can work out then. I don't go to a gym, but I'll do Wii Fit or something. Sometimes my little guy will watch and he thinks my doing yoga is a hilarious. It's definitely a good idea to include your kiddos when you can because it sets a good example for them!
  • Lulzaroonie
    Lulzaroonie Posts: 222 Member
    I don't work either, but my son is in school, so I work out while he is not here. If not, when he's in bed. You can find time, it just depends how you want to juggle everything you want to do.
    Like my OH works, and he has about a billion and one hobbies, and can't find time to do everything he wants to do since he only gets the evenings when our son is in bed to do his own thing. Photography is important to him, so he spends most of his time on that.
    If working out is important to you, you will find time :)
  • eskiadas
    eskiadas Posts: 45 Member
    Thanks for all your responses...To all those who wake up in the mornings, WOW. I have attempted to wake up before everyone else. I am not a morning person AT ALL so it has been tough. I lack the motivation in the morning so I will give it a go...again lol.

    Working out at home with the kids is a struggle, one cries while the other wants to get picked up lol So my other solution is seeing about my gym child care. I have never left my kids with anyone other than family that;s why i have never done that yet, but I think that will be good for me and the kids..

    Thank again for all your advice and what you all do...this is giving me the motivation
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    Drink an energy drink or a strong tea. Clean more all day, do YouTube videos. Don't make being a mom an excuse not to care about yourself.
  • sally_jeffswife
    sally_jeffswife Posts: 766 Member
    I work out with my little ones. My 5 yr old likes the kettlenetics cuz she likes to feel like she is strong and can hold something. So I got her a super lightweight kid kettlebell on amazon and I use my one and I just put a line of tape on the floor in the room and tell her so we both have lots of room just stay behind the tape and she works out with me and I have a little water bottle for her and if she gets tired she just stops and sits down and watches or lays down. And if she's busy doing something like playing dolls when her older sister gets home from school then I do dance workouts with my teenager cuz he likes dancing and will do that dance ones or the billy blanks ones also cuz he likes karate alot while the girls play dolls. My middle daughter keeps busy cuz she is in basketball and volleyball. But now and then she will do the Billy Blanks JR ones off youtube cuz she thinks he's funny. She especially likes the Country Cardio one. Or when it gets nice out just take them for a walk or jump roping with them or hula hooping is great also and something easy to do with kids.
  • TheCountryMomma
    TheCountryMomma Posts: 87 Member
    I am a working mom and I find that as long as I can get some activity in, I'm doing okay. We can't be too hard on ourselves. I have a 3 year old who loves to be by my side constantly. So I have had to improvise with workouts. She loves working out with me, which is a huge help. We do kickboxing, zumba and even basic calisthenics, all of ti she enjoys. also little things around the house to get workouts in. Such as when you are doing laundry, dump everything on the floor and put your folded laundry up high somewhere, so every time you bend to pick up an article of clothing, you are doing a squat! Milk is a great way to get a workout in as well. When you grab it out of the fridge, do 5 curls on each arm from the fridge, pour into the cup and do 5 each on the way back to the fridge. Everyday duties of moms i have found can be turned into a workout somehow! =)
  • BPayton27
    BPayton27 Posts: 626 Member
    I have seen Youtube videos of parents incorporating their children in their workouts. The kids are sitting on them while they're doing push ups, or the kids are being lifted by the parents as they squat. Your older one might get a kick out of that. :)

    I haven't read the other responses, but is it possible to do it early morning before they wake up? I am also a SAHM and finding your own time is difficult. My son is in school now, but I have the same problem in the summer. I specifically searched for a gym with many child activities/care for that reason. Good luck!
  • twelfty
    twelfty Posts: 576 Member
    both the kids should be in bed by half 7, do it after then that's what i do
  • jnance82
    jnance82 Posts: 149
    I have an 11 year old, a 3 year old, and a 4 month old and I get up every morning at 530 to do a Jillian Michael's DVD before everyone in the house wakes up.
  • NovemberJune
    NovemberJune Posts: 2,525 Member
    I work full time first shift monday through friday and my husband works 2nd shift sunday through wednesday. For over a year, I worked out 5-6 days per week after the kids went to bed. Jillian and Tae Bo DVDs mostly.

    Now I go to the gym on my lunch break 4 times per week and workout after the kids go to bed 1-2 nights per week. I know you can't do that but thought I'd say since I didn't want it to seem like I quit lol ;)

    I never could get much of a work out with the kids up. I know a lot of people can but not me :smile:
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Swing, snatch, and press them like kettlebells.

    Edit to say: And there you progress naturally. The "kettebells" get heavier with time.
  • lisag2007
    lisag2007 Posts: 130
    Get up early before the kids are up and workout. Then you are done for the day and can still take a nap when they do. I have just started the Insanity workout DVD's....the first month are around 40 minutes. If you give yourself an hour....40 minutes for the workout and a 20 minute shower. You have to make time for yourself.

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