Moms with small children

I have a full time job with an hour and a half commute each way to and from work and I have a four year old daughter. I try my best to work out, find a gym with a free daycare, a lot do, or even, some are just $10 a month for the daycare. If you can't do that, then get a work out dvd and just do it with her there. My daughter loves doing the Jillian Michaels 30day shred with me... She thinks it's fun, and it gets her interested in fitness, so she doesn't have to be obese like I am... She can have a good foundation of diet and exercise because I am doing right now, and I am a good influence on her now.

I work full time and have a 3-yr-old daughter. Many evenings after work I put her in the jogging stroller and walk and run for an hour to hour and 15 minutes. She loves to be outside, it's great bonding time for us because we can talk, and I get my workout in. I typically burn anywhere from 400-700 calories on our walk/runs. Also, I got my jogging stroller on craigslist for $50, and it has been a fantastic purchase!!

I have been working out since my kids were born. They are now 3 and 4 years old (boys). When they were 2 I would put them down for a nap and work out or just kept them in the pack & play in the room with me (with toddler puzzles or other toys). You could put one of the Baby Einstein Dvds in too...my kids were rapt with attention! It is important to make time for taking care of yourself... you will feel so good about yourself. Now when I work out, my kids are in their rooms with some toys playing and they know that "Mommy is exercising". I've tried having them do it with me, but found it to be too distracting for me (the mom radar just wouldn't stop running in overdrive...lol). It's just trial and error, really. You will find what works for you eventually.

I am a SAHM with a 1year old and a 2 year old. Up until recently, I did not make exercise a priority. But I find I am a much better, more patient and fun mom when I make time for myself to exercise.
My husband and I hired a sitter 6 hours per week. This is my time to do whatever I want/need to do and I almost always spend it exercising.
I also belong to a gym that has a great daycare center, so they can come with me while I workout.
Another thing we do as a family, is go for long walks.
Good luck!

My daughter is 3 1/2. I will sometimes do it when she is napping. Or she tries to exercise with me (as far as work out DVD's go) Or if I'm on the treadmill or elliptical she will just play in the room I'm in or watch some TV. Luckily for me though on the days my husband is off he takes care of her while I workout as well.
You just have to make it work. I was worried about it at first too. Then just made it work! Good luck!!

I have a 7 month old daughter and am still home on maternity leave. I'll return to work in January 2013. We are non-stop! In the last 8 days we have been home one of them ... we go swimming at the beach for the afternoon, go to baseball and football games (great chance for walking,) head to the park, and I run with her 3x/week. My husband is away for work for stretches of a week + at a time, so it's she and I 24/7 when that happens.

Admittedly, some days I don't get anything in but that's the nature of the beast. She needs her rest days as much as I do.

Though yours is quite a bit older than mine, I imagine that I'm going to have to involve her to keep it up as she gets older -- jumping jacks in the back yard, active games.

My biggest suggestion would be to involve her! Walks (to the library maybe?,) bike rides, swimming.

Enjoy

I have two - 6 and 4 (and adult children, too).

I take them on double jogging stroller rides (not so much anymore, they are getting too big)

Exercise with them in the room (try to get them to join me).

They run and walk with me (they like to race me lol).

They ride their bikes while I run/walk.

I chase the kids around (that can be a great workout and they love it).

I get up early (5:30 am) while everyone is sleeping to work out.

For when you start working: I workout sometimes at lunch or right after work before I head home or to my other job.

I also have workout and exercise dvd's that include the kids but I don't use them so much anymore. In fact, if I find them I am going to give them away lol.

PS....I sometimes play with the kids and use them as my "weights". They think that's a ton of fun :-)

Finding time to exercise is hard for most Moms, I think anyway. Usually for me to get any kind of good workout I need to get up before the kids or after they are off to bed. I ran last night at 9 pm in the rain!! I guess there's a first time for everything I suggest letting something go and working in the time for you. 30 minutes is not very long but will keep you losing and moving your body. On weekends when is harder for me to get away from the kids (my husband usually works all day Sat and Sunday is mostly consumed by church) I take them with me and walk rather than run. My kids enjoy the time with me and when they get tired I carry them (giving me a harder walk) - no strollers, no wagon. They get their exercise too. Instead of washing the dishes go for a run. Get up a little earlier the next morning and tackle the dishes then. There's always going to be a compromise to make until you find times that work in your schedule. Also, remember you don't have to exercise everyday, if you miss a day, there's always tomorrow.

I get up at 4am to drive to the gym which is 30 minutes away. My husband is still asleep at that time as are the kids, so it's the optimal time for me. I don't find time, I make time.

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!!

This is pretty much what I was going to say. I also have a 2 year old. My husband does help out, especially on the weekends when he is off. But he is gone all day during the week until at least 8pm. I take advantage of my son's nap time when I can, but I often find myself running around picking up after him, doing dishes, etc... while he is asleep. Working out with him awake in the same room doesn't work out for us. He wants to grab me, get my attention and run in front of me. Walking with him is great, he loves it! I go to the local park and walk with him, play music or games like, "what do you see? where's the tree? what color is that car?...etc" I get in a good workout usually only after he goes to bed at 8pm. Good luck, it is hard work, but it is possible. Feel free to add me.