gym is not an option..

Did you check whether any gyms near you offer babysitting as part of the membership. We joined the YMCA when our kids were little partly because they had free babysitting (up to 1 hour at a time, I think) with the kids in different play rooms based upon age. It was a great way for my wife, who was a stay at home mom at that time, to get out of the house and get some time for herself and away from the kids.

It depends what kind of shape you are in...if you are just starting, walk away the pounds is a great beginner workout. Yoga is good for flexibility and strength. Just getting out for a walk with the kids, or going to the playground and playing on the toys with them can be a great workout. I do circuits in my living room with my kids: jumping jacks/pushups/step ups/lunges/squat jumps/jogging in place/etc. Just do the circuit really hard until you can't, recover, repeat. It will give you a really good workout. You can look up some great workouts on Youtube...I learned some kickboxing moves from a class I took and now sometimes in the evening I just do a bunch of those with the kids and really break a sweat. Do you have bikes? You could take a bike ride or a hike. The kids and I also do Wii Games, like Just Dance and Wii Fit, Wii Sports Resort, etc. They are so fun and can really get your heart pumping!

As you progress you could buy a weight set and do some weights at home...check out some good websites like the oxygen magazine website, Muscle and Fitness Hers, etc. for some great and challenging workout ideas.

If you look through my posts, when I first started posting on the boards I posted about how I lost almost 50 pounds with 3 kids under 3...5 kids total. I put a lot of ideas for working out with kids in tow in that post. Posting it got me torn to shreds by some of the other moms on the board, but it's what worked for me.

ETA: If you want to check it out, the link is here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/441231-weight-loss-with-children

You can check your library or local movie rental store for free exercise dvds (we have a Family Video Store that has free exercise dvd rentals). The only problem I have found is the dvds from the library are some times older and scratched. But might be worth trying?

I have a gym membership, but rarely go lately. I do zumba and dance central on kinect, Jillian Michael's 30 Day shred and other workouts by her, Turbo Fire, Billy Banks Tae Bo, and sometimes I just jog in place or lift some weights. Just get moving and do something to start out. You cxan get most of these videos at Wal-Mart for about $10, except for Turbo Fire

I can't do the gym right now either. I'm home all day with my 4 year old, and we just moved... simply no fundage for the gym (literally, the ONE - and its expensive).
So, after dinner when my husband is home, I go for a walk or jog with the dog. That's totally free!
I also do Just Dance on the Wii, and Netflix has some decent workouts available.
And my 4 year old will participate in Just Dance .

Look around the room, you'd be surprised! Have any left over milk or water jugs? Fill with water and lift (or fill however much you find suitable) You can run in motion, do squats, lunges, sit ups all in your own house. In the fitness aisle at Walmart I was surprised how many items they had that were pretty reasonably priced. Resistance bands, a yoga ball, jump rope, weights, etc. You could go there and spend maybe $20 and walk out with a few good items.

Good luck!

PS try Craigslist, you might be able to find some work out items or equip for a steal.

I do Turbo Fire and love it! I hate going to the gym, so this one works for me.

Also when I exercise there is always at least one child up. The mornings I do 30DS it's all three usually. Sometimes my 3 adn 5 year olds will join in for a bit. It's fun!

well ive actually thought about that but right now im unemployed and with my hubby being the only one working funds are kinda tight.. gym memberships anr crazy here.. and they are age 4, 5 and 6

there are the 10 minute solution dvds. Love them. Perfect for starting at home. I also have jillian michaels yoga and a pilates dvd. You don't need anything but yourself!

http://www.fit2fat2fit.com/women-printable-workout-plans/

Here is a great work out plan and it goes week by week and increases with intensity as you go. I do the guys workout which is in the gym this is for the womens which is at home.

same problem , children stop me from going to the gym so i got a Wii fit . i've lost 23lbs so far . highly recommend:happy:

If you want the P90X program, I can give you mine. I don't use it anymore. I think I have a Wii laying around that I would also not mind sending you especially with such small kids. They'd love it. I got a black one for Xmas and I think my white one (one of the one's that first came out) is somewhere in my storage unit. I don't have any games I can give up since my hubby would probably kill me but you can rent them! (:

If you want the P90X program, I can give you mine. I don't use it anymore. I think I have a Wii laying around that I would also not mind sending you especially with such small kids. They'd love it. I got a black one for Xmas and I think my white one (one of the one's that first came out) is somewhere in my storage unit. I don't have any games I can give up since my hubby would probably kill me but you can rent them! (:

This is really, really awesome! I hope the OP takes advantage of it! :flowerforyou: