Exercise Ideas For Parents Of Toddlers

Hi, it's really difficult to find the time to exercise with a toddler but I've found if you get them to join in they love it. If you have a wii or a kinect then I highly recommend the game just dance for kids. Your toddler will love the fun songs, dance routines and colours. It's not like the normal just dance as it has actual kids dancing and not an avatar. It's a fab calorie burn for you too as there's lots of jumping and twisting. Your little one will think your a cool mum too

If you want workout just by yourself then I recommend jillian michaels 30 day shred as it's only 20 mins and very effective.

I'm with Dani (Haycock) on the wii dance - the kids love it. You can also get "the best fo Wiggles" and "Wow that's what I call nursery rhymes" seriously you might laugh but it's all jumping twisting etc and all fun songs to sing along too. enjoy. x

My advice -exercise before they get up or after bedtime if you can. I have 2 under 3...it's a challenge, but it can happen. Also, don't forget - playing with the kids, silly dancing, walking, all that kind of stuff - it all burns calories!

If you can't fit in a "formal" workout - fit in what you can. It's about MOVING!!

My 3 year old likes doing weights DVDs with me (not for the whole thing, but for part). I have tiny little dumbells (1-2 lbs) and she likes to copy.

She also likes trying to do aerobics with me.

As a rule though, I workout after she goes to bed....it's just easier that way!

http://youtu.be/1PJGeIFcO_U

I have two VERY different kiddos. A two year old and a three year old.

If I get out 30 Day Shred, my son tends to immediately go find something to do that he shouldn't be doing. My daughter, on the other hand, is the model child, stretching out next to me on the yoga mat and attempting every move I do. (Proof that we need to be careful what we are showing our daughters by our actions!!!!)

I bought a bike trailer. My daughter falls asleep in it, or chills with sunglasses and a cup of milk. My son is a constant stream of questions and starts yelling if you don't answer. And the questions start basic, then turn into I-just-want-to-drive-you-crazy-with-obvious-questions. "Why is the sky blue? Can you bike all the way to Oklahoma to see Great Grandpa? Can you bike to a park? Why not? Can we go get ice cream? Why not? What is that? A house... what's a house?" *Bashes head against handlebars*

I have gone for little walks with them, but I have a creepy neighbor, so I don't like doing that much, either. But sometimes we will go to the park in town, and then go for a "treat" at the gas station or cafe or walk to lunch..... we get a little walking in, usually carrying my two year old for half of it, and then return to the park for a little more playing. And that nearly ALWAYS results in a nap.

Maybe swimming? We have a outdoor pool in the summer locally, and my son starts swimming lessons this week. We got 20 extra admission tickets, so I really should start using them....

http://youtu.be/1PJGeIFcO_U

thats is cruel

I'm interested to see replies on this. I know I should do it before my 2 year old gets up but hes up at 6.30am and I don't want to get up any earlier and by his 8pm bedtime I just can't be bothered (something I need to change I know). When my wee mans up and i'm exercising he doesn't give me any peace and i'm almost always chasing him off to play cause e doesn't want to join in& thats not really fair on him either so i'd love smething we can do together apart from walks or running around

We have nearly the same schedule here. Except I'm usually tucking them in around 7:30, honestly. Sometimes I cram in 30 Day Shred or something similar during naptime, but the oldest is moving away from napping.... which is tragic, honestly!

It depends on the toddler. Generally it's easier to do it when the toddler is asleep because otherwise you risk having your workout completely interrupted. And even if you find something that works, the toddlers will tend to get bored of it after awhile. I've been able to do circuit training a few times with my toddler though. Just do 4-5 compound body weight movements in a row, then rest two minutes, then repeat 3-4 times. My toddler will usually want to emulate the exercises which is pretty funny, and then I can play with him during the 2-3 minutes of down time. The playing is sort of like low intensity cardio to keep my heart rate up during the rest interval. Sometime you can even incorporate the toddler, like holding them up to the pull up bar and doing standing calf raises while the toddler pretends to do pull-ups.

BUMP...

I got a nice jog stroller and it has been worth its weight in exercise gold! $200 investment has lasted me 2 years and many a mile. Its big enough that my 6 yr old still fits in it.

Its called Joovy zoom.

Oh my god, I couldn't even watch the video of the women doing baby yoga. So disturbing.

I use my jogging stroller. My loop ends up at the park, so when I'm done with my run, I get to chase him around and push him on swings.

Other than that, really anything outside, and they will help you do the workout!

Bumping for reference later....I am a single SAHM of a 3yr old boy and really in need of some ideas like these...Thanks all for sharing!!!

I work four days per week, so on those days I get up at 5 and hit the gym before work while she is sleeping. Since I work, I try very hard not to take any time away from her while I am off, so I do incorperate her into a lot of what I do (she is 2). I usually do Body Revolution after she goes to bed, but sometimes she is up later and she does it with me! We set up some toys all around my workout space and she pops in and does quite a bit of the workout with me. Honestly, I like the days she is up. It is a little distracting, but I think it is VERY important for her to see me being active because it sets a good example. This is just something we do, like brushing your teeth. She already gets that and I LOVE it. She says "yay, mommy is exercising!".

On my days off, we get up and after breakfast we break out the jogging stroller, jog two miles and end at the park. The park is her reward for jogging with mommy. She has no started yelling for me to "run faster, mommy!". I love it. While we are at the park we run around a lot, play tag and while she plays alone I stair step on the equipment. All of this has to be done by 9 because we live in Florida, so it gets hot fast. I have burned up to 600 calories on these mornings (use HRM)

It isnt easy, and I do try to do the bulk of it while she is sleeping. I schedule it in daily and just make it work. Fitting in Body Revolution after a long day of working and mothering is the hardest, but I keep doing it somehow, lol. I see and feel the changes in my body, so it has been rewarding enough to continue. I take rest days when I need them, even if unexpected. The older she gets, the easier it is, but I am worrired about when we add another kid to the mix, lol.

I would love more freinds that are parents, too... so feel free to FR me.

oh - and we also run around the yard and house a LOT, take walks and generally are very active. It is good for everyone. Sometimes for giggles I wear my hrm while playing outside and I am always pleasantly surprised how many calories I burn.