Does anyone else out there have a toddler?

Msaip
Msaip Posts: 482 Member
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
Mommy is TIRED! I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find the time/energy to keep going with this weight loss buisness! I feel like the life is being drained out of me! The minute I start a video, that's when she wants to play?! Why is that? For all other mom's out there with children two and under. What is your secret? Short of not having a husband who wants to help out and no one else to watch her? Once you started seeing results did it make you more motivated? I just feel like it's not worth it anymore!
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Replies

  • Ashley_Panda
    Ashley_Panda Posts: 1,404 Member
    My kiddo is 17 months. I work out during nap time! I also take him to the park and walk the track with him in his stroller and then when we're done he gets to play. I keep at it because I know in the end I'll be a better mommy for it.
  • amylynne26
    amylynne26 Posts: 195 Member
    Take her to a playground... you'd be amazed the workout you can get just running around w/ her OR trying an actual workout - here's one example.

    http://www.parents.com/baby/health/lose-baby-weight/full-body-playground-workout/

    naptime.

    Set the example. My kids are now 5 and 7 so a little more self sufficient but at that age they LOVED playing along and doing their own preschool version of yoga. I guess it depends on the video you're doing but letting her do it alongside you not only lets you get it done but sets a great example for your child.

    And this weightloss business is simply burning more than you're taking in, while taking in enough to survive... the minimum 1200 cals for most of us.
  • melindaw1977
    melindaw1977 Posts: 15
    My kids are a little older, youngest is 3 1/2 now. I would encourage them to workout with me. They are pretty adorable doing some of the moves. Also, I used to used me oldest as a weight to do different things. Fun times for both of us. Is there anyone you can do childcare with? You watch their child while they work out and they watch yours while you workout. Another big thing I took advantage of last year was our backpack. I would throw my daughter in it and just walk...that added weight sure gives you a more intense workout. Don't give up...you may have to be more creative to find a way to workout, but it's totally worth it.
  • Adudynski
    Adudynski Posts: 31
    I totally understand the feeling! I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old. I usually try and get them in bed in time for me to have at least an hour to work out. I am new to this so I havnt lost weight to help motivate me, but I try and make it like "my time" But I do have days where I am to tired to do anything, so I allow myself 1 or 2 days off or sometimes I will juts atleast do 20-30 min of something
  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    It is SO worth it!!! I have three kids, ages 10, 7, and 2, and a baby on the way. I HAD to get to the gym and it made such a difference in my sanity. Aside from that, I lost 90 lbs and can keep up with all three of the kids and I'm now 7 months pregnant and I still go to the gym 3 times a week and have lots of energy, not to mention that this has been the easiest pregnancy of them all!!!
  • sylvia1970
    sylvia1970 Posts: 134
    Let them join in. I have a nearly 3yr old who runs round me when i'm doing the Zumba wii while my 8mth old just smiles in awe of my determination LOL. It is tiring but make it fun, you'll still burn energy.
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    I have a 20 month old and a husband who does most of the childcare.

    That said, he does his workouts during her nap or after she goes to bed.

    Also... soon getting a YMCA membership. Drop kiddo off in the on-site daycare and we'll hit the gym together.
  • rfcollins33
    rfcollins33 Posts: 630
    I have an 19 mo old, I work out while he naps. I also take advantage of any time my husband is able to be home and work out then as well :)
  • lemonychick
    lemonychick Posts: 81 Member
    It's very hard, I know! I have 3 kids, who all want different things from me just when I need to spend a bit of time on myself! The time that you take to workout now is an absolute investment in your and your child's future - not that they will understand, but mine got used to it, so will your Darling. It's the same with everything with kids - Perseverance, consistency and masses of love!

    I hope you catch a break soon, both you and your child are worth it! :love:
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    WOW all these are great ideas! I'm pretty new to this town so I'll have to poke around! She likes doing the moves with me then gets bored and starts sitting on me while im doing lower body/abdominals. I will find a balance i there somewhere!
  • twinsmommaplus1
    twinsmommaplus1 Posts: 25 Member
    I have twins that are 4 and a 2 year old. When I started my journey I had a treadmill at home. So, I would do interval training on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes while the kids napped. Now I put in an exercise DVD and they love working out too. It is teaching them the importance about being active too. Or go to the park. My gym also has childcare which is very affordable. I can bring all 3 for $20 a month unlimited!

    Do you have a jogging stroller or backpack carrier you can use?
  • frannyannemum
    frannyannemum Posts: 142
    Hi,
    I have a 15 month old and an almost 3 year old. As long as the weather is not chucking it down with rain, we normally go for a 2/3 mile walk everyday or I take them to the park. Also, I try to work out once they have gone to bed, I know you are suppose to wind down at this point, but it is hard to find time to exercise in the day :(
    Hope this helps and good luck :)
  • WildcatMom82
    WildcatMom82 Posts: 564 Member
    I work out during her naptime. We also do one Stroller Strides class a week - she's young enough she stays in the stroller while I work out, but some women bring their older kids, too, and they run around the track/park while the moms do their thing.
  • MrsH06
    MrsH06 Posts: 159
    I have an 18 month old, 3 year old and 5 year old. We play Wii Fit Plus and Just Dance. We go for walks when it is nice. I have a double stroller so when my 3 yr old gets tired he can ride. We play at the park. I use my 18 month old as a piece of gym equipment! (does that sound bad? lol) I hold him out in front of me and squat down and it makes him laugh. I also have my elliptical in the playroom so I turn music on and watch them play and it really makes the time go by. Hope this helps.
  • jaybug77
    jaybug77 Posts: 12 Member
    I have a 5 and 2 yr old. i take them for walks when its nice out. i mainly workout when they are sleeping. my 5 yr old does like to do the dance workouts w/me when her sister is napping. its fun for the both of us. :)
  • carrie_lebel
    carrie_lebel Posts: 135
    Been there I have spent probably extra calories moving around too avoid kicking my kids in the head. All I can say is you can put them in the highchair with playdough or other new arts and crafts thingys or try Homemade Popsicles ( they take forever to suck down), or just keep moving around avoiding them.
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    I also have a toddler who used to take scheduled nap times and I worked out every day at those times. Now, her naps are all over the place and always seem to come right after I"ve eaten :( So, now I work out at night after she's gone to bed which is pretty late. We hold odd hours over here, so here I end up working out usually from 12-130am....on days when her father has off, I try to squeeze in workouts during the day.
  • javarushed
    javarushed Posts: 218 Member
    The trick is that you have to CHASE them around, until they fall over from exhaustion and go to bed. You get a 2 for 1 shot deal here by getting your play time and cardio in. Then you get to do what you want to do :D
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I've got two. My daughter is 2 1/2 and my son will be 1 on Wednesday. I can't work out at home. Even during their nap times it's too much. That's normally when I either eat my lunch and get a break, or now that I'm pregnant again, I also take a nap. I get up at 6am and spend about an hour at the gym. Getting up before everyone else is the only way I can do it since my gym doesn't have child care.
  • lil_missfit
    lil_missfit Posts: 565 Member
    My 9 yo and 2yo are pretty supportive:)) They both try and work out with me when I have to work out at home or when they are around. But normally I go to the gym before they get up or do a work out DVD before they get up around 5:30 am....I know its hard to get up but that may be your best bet if you cant do anything else:)) Good luck!!!
  • monkeybuttsmommy
    monkeybuttsmommy Posts: 343 Member
    I have an 11 month old and I usually work out when he is sleeping. I am in Graduate School but don't work so that does allow me time maybe working mom's don't have. I feel blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom. Plus my boyfriend and baby's father shares equal care in the home and he works full time too.
  • irisannRN
    irisannRN Posts: 121 Member
    I am a mom to a 6 year old and a 19 month old. Plus I work 40 hours a week (add all the housework/laundry/cooking on top of that ... much more than 40 hours a week). I am running into the same problem with finding time to workout. I have lost weight so far just through diet alone, but I am starting to realize that doing this is just going to make me "skinny fat." I guess I am just going to have to make myself hit the gym after the kids go bed and maybe just lose out on some sleep.
  • Msaip
    Msaip Posts: 482 Member
    Its stinks! We shudn't have to forfit much needed sleep!
  • Alexgirl823
    Alexgirl823 Posts: 8 Member
    Having a toddler {child} has been my excuse for the last two years to why I never lost the baby weight. My girl will be 2 in May. I work full time, and am a single mom. By the time I get home from work, make dinner, bathe her, play/read with her, get her to bed, I just want to relax! And thus far, waking up before her to workout hasn't exactly happened because who wants to wake up at 4:30am!

    I am to the point that I just know I need to sacrifice. As much as I love my sleep, I am never going to be confident enough to date again if I don't get my butt in gear! So, starting tomorrow, I will be waking up before her to do an at home workout. And after work, I will take her jogging {in the jogger stroller} or go to Gold's Gym {which has a daycare}. I want her to grow up with a healthy mom that is a good example to her and someone she can be proud of.
  • Alexgirl823
    Alexgirl823 Posts: 8 Member
    Its stinks! We shudn't have to forfit much needed sleep!

    I second this! :)
  • theresnoeggs
    theresnoeggs Posts: 188 Member
    I have an 18 month old, 3 year old and 5 year old. If I want to work out, I either include them or go to the gym.

    Videos/Wii workouts: I encourage them to join.
    Crunches/Reverse Crunches, lunges, squats, I do while holding a kid. :laugh:

    Look for gyms w/ day care.

    Invest in a jogging stroller (on craigslist for as little as $30 I've seen)

    Get a good baby carrier and were your kiddo while walking, I HIGHLY recommend the moby. I can wear either my 18 mo old or the 3 year old in it and get a good burn just going for a walk.
  • kentlass
    kentlass Posts: 325 Member
    i have a 1yr old little boy who is into EVERYTHING, and a 2yr old little girl who has such a severe disability she's basically like a newborn in a 2yr old's body...i am quite lucky that my husband is a super hands on dad and if i need to get in an hour workout he'll take them...but my son is super clingy so don't have the chance lately

    i seem to be exercising in the evening after the kids are in bed lately and it's really hard work...most nights i just want to curl up and sleep...i would love to sign up for a gym, but nowhere would take my daughter so evening workouts are my only option
  • bentobee
    bentobee Posts: 321 Member
    Mommy is TIRED! I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find the time/energy to keep going with this weight loss buisness! I feel like the life is being drained out of me! The minute I start a video, that's when she wants to play?! Why is that? For all other mom's out there with children two and under. What is your secret? Short of not having a husband who wants to help out and no one else to watch her? Once you started seeing results did it make you more motivated? I just feel like it's not worth it anymore!

    I'm sorry you are having a hard time!

    To be able to exercise in peace I either go to the gym (and leave my toddler and preschooler in the childcare room) or on non-gym days I will workout to a video or wii while my toddler naps (and preschooler is at preschool). Otherwise I rely on my husband to watch the kids so I can go out for a walk/run in the evening, or squeeze it in after all the kids are in bed.

    It was harder in the beginning before I was really in a good exercise groove. Now I love workign out, so I make sure to fit it into my day however I can.
  • M_lifts
    M_lifts Posts: 2,218 Member
    i work out in the evening when my 2 year old is in bed! also go to zumba once a week in thee evening when she is in bed! my hubby is quite good with her and helps out. i also work full time so evenings is my only chance! and weekends we go out to the park/ in the stroller for lots of walks so get enough exercise. can you go out for walks everyday? that counts as exercise.
  • ladybg81
    ladybg81 Posts: 1,553 Member
    My son is 2.5. I wait until he is in bed before I work out; either at nap time or at night. I also only feed him healthy food (well, offer it; he is quite picky) so I do not have to worry about all the typical little kid crap food lot of people feed their kids. And yes, as I started seeing results, it kicked me in to over drive to keep going.
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