Finding it tough to work out with little ones

I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old (turned 1 TODAY!). I can totally feel your pain.

You don't mention how much/if your husband can help. Depending on the personalities of your children, it will really make a difference on what you can do.

I have one child who is extremely demanding and will not cooperate if I try to work out. He does not watch movies or read quietly or anything of the sort. I can occassionally get in a few minutes (10 if I'm lucky) of a workout DVD if the music is really loud and he can run/dance while I workout.

Because of my son, I basically have to wait until my husband can watch the kids to do a workout alone. If the weather is nice, he will ride in a stroller for about 20 minutes so I can get in a fast walk.

If your husband isn't available, I would check out a gym with daycare (Lifetime Fitness is great for that if you have one nearby). Sometimes they have a six month age requirement but your baby is fast approaching that. Or as another poster mentioned, get a neighborhood teenager to help out. If you workout at home, you can even see how your new babysitter interacts with your children before you leave the house.

If none of that is an option, just push through your sleepiness at naptime. It stinks for a while but as the nighttime sleeping gets better, you'll be less tired during the day.

I work full time, so it's a little different for me. I have found it best to get up and run before the kids get up. I am up at 4:00 M-F and on the treadmill and then doing some strength exercises. Gives me time to myself to better myself with little distractions.

Run while the world sleeps

Many ways to get in a workout:
1) Get up before everyone and workout. I get up at 5a and workout for 1+ hours. My kids wake at 7:15a. Plenty of time.
2) Go to a gym with child care - most have them
3) Include your kids in a workout. Use them as weights, take them on a walk/run, play chase (with your older one). Me and my kids play Ninja Monsters....weird their title.... but they stand on the bed and lunge at me, I grab them and toss them back on the bed. Great core, arm, leg, cardio workout. They think its fun and I get in a good workout.
4) Workout during nap time or let them watch you.


It can be hard - but don't use it as an excuse. Even if you can only get in 30 min a couple days a week, then get a big burn on the weekends. It can work -you have to want it!!

i have a one year old. i get up an hour before she does to work out. that means im up at 6:30 but in insures i get my workout in. if i need a nap when she does i take it. if i dont need a nap i do another workout. there are some dvds at our local libary that are workouts designed for moms and toddlers to do together. maybe you could look into something like that.

personally, I take my kids to the gym with me or if they're grandparents are free they will watch them... But I have done countless videos, ran with a stroller, biked with a trailer and rode many miles on the cycle trainer. I make it work

And I love that picture!!! I want my kids to love exercise as much as mommy (and daddy) does!

Motivation you ask? With a 3.5 year old and a 19 month old, I need my workouts! It keeps me sane, Besides, they are just a part of who I am, what I do. I never question when or if I will brush my teeth or shower, just like i dont question if Im gonna workouy

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

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 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 :-)

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.

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.