Moms with small children

2»

Replies

  • foraubs
    foraubs Posts: 263 Member
    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 :)
  • Josie_lifting_cats
    Josie_lifting_cats Posts: 949 Member
    I have a set of 1lb and a set of 2lb weights, and my 2 and 3 year old use those and join in. My 3 year old son doesn't stick with it long, but I've just kind of laid down rules (stay out of my way, this is not 20 question time, beware - random kicking!) and after some time they finally caught on. It's never easy or the ideal situation, but thankfully 30 Day Shred is like 25 minutes total. :happy:
  • MtnKat
    MtnKat Posts: 714
    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 :-)
  • Exill
    Exill Posts: 155 Member
    I'm a stay at home mom too and everyday I get at least a 30 minute walk in with my daughter (24 mo) either in the stroller or carrier and that's my exercise. I don't like doing "workouts", but with walking at least I feel like I'm being productive in the process and getting errands done, as well as getting some sunshine/vit D. :)
  • taratam83
    taratam83 Posts: 88 Member
    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.
  • Shrinking_Moody
    Shrinking_Moody Posts: 270 Member
    Hi Everyone

    I work from home full time (40+ hours per week) and I have a 2 1/2 year old little boy. I "schedule" exercise for myself every day - but not at any specific time because what worked one day may not work the next. Typically I try to have my work day completed by the time my son takes a nap so I move right into exercise or when my husband gets home. I work out for 45 to 60 minutes six days a week - and some days I have to do 15 here and 15 there - but I make sure to get in it. Today we have an afternoon appt so I'm going to handle my full time job, try to get 20 mins in at least - then go to the appt - then finish off at least 25 more. I've found that if I say I'm going to exercise at 3pm for 45 minutes and it doesn't work out I'm quick to give up. If I say "I'm going to do 45 minutes of exercise over the course of today" - I'm way more flexible and way more successful :happy:
  • ladybug1620
    ladybug1620 Posts: 1,136 Member
    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. :)
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    My daughter is almost 1. I put on a dvd and just do it. It's not the easiest but she is usually content playing with her toys for a half hour. Hell sometimes when I'm doing yoga she tries to do it with me. She's got downward facing dog down pact!
  • cbaac03
    cbaac03 Posts: 152
    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.
  • Katesalbrecht
    Katesalbrecht Posts: 3
    I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 10 month old. And I watch my nephew who is almost 2. I'll put something with music on the tv to occupy them while I do my strength training. If I know I won't have time to do my exercises I'll run in place at home or make a exercise game everyone can get Into. Make it fun, or try and do it during naptime. I usually use nap time a clean up time and finance time. And relax for ten. Be creative, and have fun with it. Fall will be coming soon an then you can go on walks with strollers or play at the park, which is a great exercise too if you don't mind playing on the equipment haha. Good luck!!
  • babyshme
    babyshme Posts: 310 Member
    I am a stay at home mom with 3 kids. 9,6, and 2. I do part of my work out when Jeff (Husband) is at work and I do the other half after he gets home and I put the kids to bed.

    I don't play the bed time game with my kids. I make them do every thing about 10 minutes before bed and then it's bed time. I also run my laundry and dish washer at the same time and it's while I cook dinner.

    That way when bed time comes They are in bed and I can walk out the door for my evening 3 mile walk. Plus, I am home with them all day, I am ready for them to be in bed and have some a lone time with my self and Jeff.
  • Hourglass25
    Hourglass25 Posts: 340 Member
    I have two kids and i must say you have to make time. Waking up earlier works great, or whenever they nap, taking them for a walk aroung the park or neighborhood.
  • ColleenAtherton
    ColleenAtherton Posts: 230 Member
    I am a SAHM and full-time college student. My husband is out of town M-F for work, so most of the time it's just me and the kiddos. I get up early (5:30-6) and exercise before my 2 & 3 yo wake up for the day. Once or twice a week I will take them with me for a walk, but it's been so hot here lately that I haven't been walking much. Or I wait until after they're down for the night, but I'm usually so exhausted at that point that exercising is the last thing on my mind. Plus I usually do my homework at night, so exercising early in the morning is what works best for me!
  • PradaChick
    PradaChick Posts: 20
    Hi,

    I'm a mom of three, 7, 3 and 1 and a half year olds. I work 50 hours a week at a demanding job. I use my lunch time to do some cardio but i purchased an air climber in November from QVC. It comes with resistance bands and a counter and some dvds even a meal plan. I'm not able to go to the gym since i like to spend as much time as i can with my kids. So having this at home I was able to exercise early in the morning, late at night or even while they were sitting eating dinner or watching cartoons. Its a good investment and not expensive at all. Something along those lines could work for you. I think Zumba exercise videos would be a good idea, would be entertaining for a toddler to join in! lol. Best Wishes with your goals.
  • drdortch
    drdortch Posts: 16 Member
    During the week, I normally work out when my kids are napping or in bed for the night. On the weekends, I go early in the morning when my hubby is home to watch them.
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
    I need some help. How do you find time to exercise? I'm home with my daughter all day, she is two. I'm struggling finding ways to exercise because most of the time she's with me. I'm looking for people to go on this journey that are in the same position as I am. Currently I'm a stay at home mom until September. Then I go back to work and this will add an entirely new dimension to finding time to get exercise in. I sometimes feel I'm so busy taking care of the house, the finances and my kids that I neglect myself. Thanks. Hope everyone has a very successful day!

    How I handled this was: I do the 30 Day Shred in the morning. Next to my workout area is a small quilt/playmat. When I started, I explained to my toddler that she was not allowed to go past the mat, into 'mommy's area" -- she still has run of rest of the basement, but the mat is the dividing line.

    I was worried how it would work out, if it would work out. But it was fine. After 1 week, she got used to it. After 2 months, I can leave her in bed sleeping and run down for my routine. If she wakes up, she knows to come downstairs and color on her mat until I'm done.

    Kids will adapt to your routine, you just need to be consistent. It might take a week or so, but they will buy right in, as long as you are consistent. And the bonus is that your child learns about staying healthy, learns about exercise, and gets to see what a healthy adult lifestyle looks like by watching you. Sometimes kids need to see you sweat (metaphorically too) to understand the effort and rewards.

    And this holds true in other areas too -- you are the model for adult behavior for your kids. So you need to have a balanced life in order for them too see what a balanced adult life is.
  • 20shan08
    20shan08 Posts: 219 Member
    I am a single mom of a 4 year old girl and I work full time. I do my workout video at 4:30am, before I get ready in the morning. And then I do my elliptical as soon as my daughter falls asleep at night :)
  • bicoastalgirl
    bicoastalgirl Posts: 85 Member
    I work full-time, and i have two children under the age of 5. I get up early and run before my husband leaves for work, or I do an exercise DVD at home.
  • direwolfprincess
    direwolfprincess Posts: 261 Member
    I work full time work and come home to a 5 and 1 yr old. I do the Kinect game Your Shape fitness, go for walks and other simple workouts like classic sit ups, pushups, etc while they are around. Workouts do not have to be overly complex to be efficient. I have dumbbells at home that I also use when doing mindless tasks like watching movies.

    I have joined a Zumba class and go twice a week but that is awesome for high intensity cardio away from the distractions. But I do not think I will keep it up because it does put a strain on the family.

    Otherwise I have a bike with a trailer I can load them in. The problem is it is well over 110 these days so I try not to drag us all into the heat.

    Make it a priority and try a few things. Some of the suggestions on here are great!
  • after_the_rain
    after_the_rain Posts: 30
    My kids are 4 and 1. Right now over the summer I'm staying home with them so I take them to the gym daycare, they really enjoy it and have fun. Not sure what I will do once fall comes though, maybe try to go early in the morning.
  • marinesweetheart
    marinesweetheart Posts: 25 Member
    I have a 4 month old and a 5 year old. I workout when the baby naps and the 5 year old will usually watch, participate or stay out of my way lol I run on the treadmill for the most part and if the baby gives me time I do Jillian's 30 day shred. I run with my headphones in with the 5 year old in sight and I have put velcro on the back of the baby monitor (video) and on the front treadmill so I can glance over at him. It's multitasking like crazy but I have to do it somehow. If baby is having a bad day and doesn't nap I workout when hubby gets home so he can watch him.
    Where there's a will there's a way. I hope you find something that works for you. =)

Categories