Moms with small children

Does she nap? That would be a great time to do a workout video such as Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. Or do you own a stroller? Taking her on a walk every day is great exercise. I take care of my son, alone, work 40 hours, and take care of my house and finances also. I think it's about how much you want it. I find time to work out bc it is important to me. After she goes to bed at night is a good time. You said she is two (mine is almost there), so i'd assume she goes to bed around 8? There's plenty of time after that to get a workout in, and still get stuff done and to bed at a decent hour. At least thats my approach! Good luck!!

I'll join this club! I'm in a similar boat, although I work outside the home. I have a 2 and 4 year old and by the time I pick them up at daycare and drive home it's after 6pm. Then it's dinner, baths, and little bit of playing, then bedtime around 8:45-9:00 or so. They invariably get out of bed a few times (but mommy, I have to go potty! Mommy, I need a drink!) THEN when they finally are out for good it's time to clean up, do dishes and laundry. I fall into bed at 11:00 everynight without having more than 10-15 minutes of downtime (and this is while I'm eating dinner.) The little ones wake up around 6:00 am, then the whole process starts over again. Sometimes I think I need to hire a housekeeper just in order to get time to myself.

I've thought about using my lunch break to do some walking. The only problem with that is that it's been over 100 degrees here almost every day for the past three weeks. I sweat a lot when I work out, and I work in an office and wear slacks, dresses and heels almost everyday.

Sigh. I think I just got myself worked up about this! When on earth am I supposed to work out?

I work full time and have two kids. My daughter is 18 months and my son is 5. He likes to go on walks with me and I have a jogging stroller that I will take my daughter out in once in a while. If you are not into jogging, I agree with the above poster that walking/pushing the stroller is great exercise. I also workout after my little ones go to sleep, which is usually about 9pm for me (at least during the summer, we are about to move back up to an 8pm bedtime since school will be starting soon.) I either do 30 day shred or Insanity depending on how tired I am and what else needs to be done before bed. You can also use your daughter in your exercise. Let her sit on your belly while you do sit-ups, lift her with your legs (like the airplane game) or just dance with her to music (my daughter loves to dance). Hope this helps, good luck!

I have a 4.5 year old and a 2 year old, and I work full time 1st shift. My husband works 2nd shift and weekends.

The kids don't let me exercise while they are up. Well, actually, they love to exercise! But it's not the kind of work out I'd like. LOL. It's just me trying not to trip on them, and getting them off of my belly.

For over a year, I exercised after they went to bed 6 nights per week. Just a couple of months ago, I stopped that and started going to the gym during my lunch break. Your best bet IMO will be to do it before your babe gets up, or after s/he goes to bed. GL!

Hi. I am a full time working mom of a 18mth old. I know what you mean about finding time. I work long days and between commuting, cooking, cleaning and other house hold chores I always thought I didn't have time. Turns out I do have the time ~ I just have to be flexible with my schedule. What works for me one day may not work for me the next.

I usually wake up at 5am and go for a run and do some free weights, sit ups and jumping jacks. I do don't belong to a gym. I work out at home (easier for me with my son). For those days when I don't get my morning work outs in I do an on demand exercise video (or one from my local library) after I put my son to bed.

Weekends I take my son out for a walk with his wagon or in the carriage. We play in the back yard or at the playground. I chase him and run around with him as if I was a child myself. On rainy weekends I lay two towels (instead of mats) down in the living room and my son loves to roll around & copy me as I do my workouts.

There are days that I don't get any exercise in and you know what that is ok because, there is always tomorrow. I try to stay focused on my healthy eating and drinking plenty of water even if I don't exercise.

Everyone is different so try different workouts at different times.

I work out during naps, or I just clear the room and work out while they play. Sometimes they join me. they think I am being silly. I also plan with my husband when I go on walks. I get a 35 minute head start then meet them at the park then he goes off for a jog. I also wait for them to go to bed. Changes day-to-day.

I'm not a morning person so I will not advocate getting up at 5am or anything....LOL! but seriously ladies....tell the husband to handle bedtime and you are going to exercise. Then leave. Period.

They realy can do it if you make them.

I have a gym membership at a place that includes child care.

Before that I just did my workouts when he was there... I just had to do things at home, like workout DVD's. He can entertain himself for a while.

I am a stay at home mom to a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old. I do my main work out after they go to bed (around 8).
I do small work outs with the kids through out the day so they can exercise with me. They only last 5-10 minutes but it gets both me and them moving.

I work at least 40 hours a week and my husband works 55+....our baby is 14 months and I totally get that its hard to maintain your daily chores, bills, shopping, etc with the kids at home. But if we can work this many hours and get all that stuff done AND workout, so can you. My trick is to make it priority #1 - its only 30 minutes a day (30 day shred, walking, etc.) so really, it doesnt take too much time away from life. If there's a lot going on, get up a little bit earlier that day. It seems hard the first few days to change your routing but the more you exercise the better your body can handle it! YOU CAN DO THIS. It is a challenge but its so worth it!! I'm happy to add more friends to cheer you on!

I'm also a stay at home mom to a 2 year old. Before I got my gym membership that has a daycare, I would do workout dvd's at home either before he woke up in the mornings (think 5am), during his naps, or after he went to bed (after 8pm.) The thing is, you have to make time for it, just like anything else. As Chalene Johnson would say, you have to schedule it in just like you would any other appointment and it has to be non-negotiable. You will find time to get the housework done too, but if you're ready to take care of you, then you make time to workout. Going on walks with your little one will help too on days that you can't get your regular workout in.

I have 3 kids ages 4 and under. With one kid -- should be much easier. Go for a walk, or if you have a jogging stroller, do that. Or join the YMCA and take her swimming. Or wait until nap time and do a DVD. Or take her to a park and walk around and look at flowers. Or to the zoo, or a children's museum. Or, if you have xbox/wii/ps3, get a kinect/wii/move game like zumba to get you moving! Those are fun!

Of course, take it with a grain of salt. I'm a working mom who is out of the house 45 hours by the end of Wednesday. I have seemingly no time to do anything, nor do I WANT do anything. lol. I spend most of my time outside of work cleaning or spending time with the kids. But, they do go to bed early (7:30)....so there IS time at night to be doing something for myself...but generally I'm too pooped to do anything. I do need to do better, for sure. I wish I didn't have to work so much. I think that would make a difference.

I try to wake up early, and work out then. I'll work out most often when my almost 2 year old naps. My son is 8, so it's no issue with him. When it's not too bad out, we'll all go out and jump on the trampoline. Not really a work out with the baby on there, but it's fun and moving around.

I get up at 4:30 in the morning to work out before getting my kids ready and going to work. It's quiet, no one bothers me and it's done for the day. After work I'm just too tired and can come up with a million excuses. My husband is a chef so he's never home at dinner/bed time.

I have 2 children. My son is 3 and my daughter is 1 1/2. I try as much as I can to include them. We do yoga together before bed (my son thinks it's hilarious to fall out of positions so we do this a lot and get some giggles). I joined workout classes where I could take my kids along. My daughter will dance along with me to Zumba. My son loves to lift tiny one pound weights. We love to all go on a bike ride together (it's lots of work pulling 60 lbs of kid and trailer!). They like to help me pick out veggies and fruits when we go shopping. Make it a part of their lives too and make it fun!!