new mom...no time

I have an 18 month old and a 2 month old, and I've just been watching my calories and going on walks with them. 4 month olds still nap quite often, can you fit in at least 25-30 minutes of a small workout?

I work out on my lunch break.... in 14 minutes I am going to go for a run, then rinse in the shower, and then eat my lunch at my desk while I work this afternoon. It is really the only time I can squeeze it in = since I am NOT a morning person.

4 hours in the evening is nice!! By the time I get home at 6pm, I only have until 7 to spend with my 11 month old and only until 7:30 to spend with my 5 year old. Not enough hours in the day...

Jog with the baby in the stroller. So what if it slows you down. Get better, and you'll get faster.

Do bodyweight exercises with the baby. That got me somewhere, and it's progressive overload since the baby gets a little heavier over time! I put my baby in the front pouch and did squats with her strapped to me. I went up and down stairs with her strapped to me. I got down on my back and benchpressed her. Overhead presses? Lift the baby up over your head. The best part is that the baby loves it.

You really are blessed to have 4 hours in the evening with your baby. You just have to get clever and use the time to your advantage.

try TRX. It takes up next to no space at home. They provide a fun workout that is both challenging and completely tailored to your needs all by switching your body position while you use them. A simple google search and you will find numerous demos of exercises and vid of how to do them. People are constantly finding new exercises to do with these things. You can superset or cycle for a good calorie burn while you tone and strengthen. Almost any exercise you do with these things will involve your core as well. I use them in addition to cardio and after weight training to really put a hurt on your muscles.

how much does your baby weigh? why dont you use her as your weight for strength training? You can shoulder press her, bench press her, put her on your shulders and squat, dead lift her, anything really.. if you are creative. Lots of moms do this. she'd have a blast , make it fun . Have her sit on your back while you do pushups, etc.

I second the TRX. I also have some resistance bands that I use for the P90X workouts. It's not the same as free weights, but it can still be a great workout.

As for cardio, the only other idea I have is a bike trainer. Mine have all been pretty loud though, so I am not sure how that would work with a baby. I use a wind trainer that works with my actual bike, but I think they have some other kinds that are more quiet.

I have an almost 5 year old and work full time and have the same issues about losing time with him.
You are going to have make the time. It isn't going to be fun or easy and it is going to suck, but either get up early and squeeze in a few minutes or stay up late and do it while she is asleep.

This is what I suggest for you:

Take three nights during the week for strength focused workouts. These can be done easily at home in a small space with dumbbells or do a video. I am a Jillian Michaels fan girl, so I say try out her videos. I can do Yoga Meltdown, Ripped in 30, Shred it With Weights. or Power Sculpt (Biggest Loser Video) in a space not much bigger than a yoga mat. Most of these are about 30 minutes, the Biggest Loser video you can customize to anywhere from 20-50 minutes. Or, find some simple exercises you can do sans video with dumbbells- I do rows, overhead presses, curls, squats, even dumbbell variations of deadlifts (obviously not as effective as traditional). All you need is about 20-30 minutes to start out.

Then, do cardio on the weekends when you have more time. Jogging with her slows you down? Good! That means it's a harder workout. Jog at whatever speed and whatever distance you can until you get stronger and better, and soon she wont slow you down- and you will have been getting in great workouts.

It isn't going to be easy and it probably wont be fun at first, and as cliche as it sounds, you have to MAKE the time if you want results. If you cant get to sleep afterwards at night, try 20-30 minutes in the mornings instead- or try tough out trying to sleep when it is hard? I know that sleep is hard to come by when you have an infant, so maybe focus on eating well, getting as much sleep as you can and going on walks/jog with her when you can, and as she gets older and sleep is more reliable fit in strength when you can.

check out "Body By You" which doesn't require a gym or special equipment. Check out 7 miinute workout. Check out videos/you tube videos on working out with baby (usually pilates, yoga type stuff) It doesn't have to take a lot of space. Just move the coffee table and go. Grin.

Also, I don't know how long ago you weaned, but if it wasn't that long ago, you have the option to just nurse morning and night (before you leave and when you get home/before bed.) Your body will adapt. Just a thought if it was really recent.

Good luck! and most of all CONGRATULATIONS on your little one!

You don't *need* exercise to lose weight. You can get your calories in check and lose weight.

Life is about setting priorities. I totally understanding working full time and then feeling guilty and/or just plain ol' wanting to get home to your baby. I have a 3 yr old and a 9 month old. Sometimes I choose not to work out because I feel like I need to be with them.

IF you want to make working out a priority, find the time. fitnessblender.com has good workouts that are free and you can search for workouts where you don't need equipment. And I've done 3 different ones so far and I didn't need a whole lot of room.

Good luck!

My kids are teenagers now, but I was in the same situation as you at one point.

When my oldest was born, I didn't feel right putting him in daycare at the gym after he had been in daycare all day. And my husband was working nights at the time so leaving the baby with dad was not an option. What I did was, every night I would eat dinner, give baby a bath, put him in his jammies, read him a book, and then pack him in the stroller and we would walk. As long as it wasn't raining we walked every day, anywhere from 3-6 miles. After we got home he was ready for a bottle and bed. Then I could do some bodyweight stuff and take a shower, get everything packed for the next day, and off to bed I would go.

That worked until baby # 2 ended up being twins. lol! Those triple strollers are impossible.

Hi,

I haven't read any of the other responses so I may repeat what others have already said:) First of all, I understand where you are coming from. I work outside the home and have four kids ranging in age from 9 years to 15 months so I understand being busy. That being said, it is imperative that you take care of yourself (I think you realize that). I used to say the exact same thing as you are (I don't have time, no energy etc.) but the fact is, I was making excuses and in hindsight I could have found the time. I now work out on my lunch hour. This may not work for you but you can find time in your day to make this happen. Sometimes we need to think outside the box:)

Also, I don't know if this is your first child but you do have to be very careful when you wean - the weight comes back on with a vengeance if you're not careful! Good thing is, it won't take you that long to drop the 8 lbs.

With everything you have going on, I encourage you to find a way to eat properly and make the time to work out. Do this for you and your daughter.

Good luck!