How do you find time to exercise?

Maureen - posted on 07/02/2012

I have 6 kids and I would workout when they slept, but when that didn't work i would put them in a porta crib and talk to them as I did my workout. now they know it is my time to workout and they leave me alone. or they join me which I think is awesome because they see how important fitness is.

Jennifer - posted on 07/26/2010

I understand. My son will not stay in any childcare nursey such as te one's at the gym or even church so joining the gym is a NO.
he will watch tv sometimes while I ride my exercise bike. and if we go to the park I walk about 2 miles and he;s ready to get out and play. My husband is a very active cyclist who rides everyday after work so this leaves no time for me except weekend due to keeping the house clean and running errands. Weight watchers has been working for me but it's at the point to where now it has stopped so exercise is the only thing i know to try. But, TIME.. Ugh!!!

Mustika - posted on 07/22/2010

I'm on the same boat. One child, busy husband and a small house. I can only exercise when my LO is taking her nap. But most of the time I feel too tired to move. I started taking her to swimming lessons, once a week (she's 17mo) and that's fun for both of us and keeps us moving. I'll put her in buggy and go for a walk. I make the effort to take her the the playground and play with her. At least I'm active and moving about (and so I thought). But I must say, at times it's really hard to drag myself out of the house.

Julienne - posted on 07/21/2010

Did not know, I think the way to go is to start getting a support system around you. starting with the church, scool parants ets. mabe the children can go to a friend for an hour while you exersice of something like that. GOOD LUCK

Blu - posted on 07/21/2010

Her husband is normally out of the country. So she is alone

Julienne - posted on 07/20/2010

I there. I had the same problem recently. Me and my husband talked and decided that after work I go for some exersice. I do Pilatus and then he watch the kids. For that hour it is ME TIME. Talk to him and see how it goes.

Blu - posted on 07/19/2010

Im with Damn.. I have a mootivation problem.

But here is my advice. Use your child as weights. He'll think you playing with him. Pop him in the stroller and go for a walk or run. You can find cheaper jogging strollers on Craigslist. Take him to the park.. again he'll think your playing (my daughter loves this bc she loves to run). I dont know what its call but run in place and swivle your hips side to side and then rev it up by running.

Dawn - posted on 07/18/2010

Wii Fit. EA Active (Also for Wii). I go to the gym later at night when my 17 month old is in bed, so no worries about him acting up, but I know most major gym chains have childcare available for a nominal fee.

Maybe a neighbour or a neighbourhood teenager could help out and watch your child for an hour or so while you go out and exercise.

I've also had a few friends who have added cycling to their routines with a bike trailer for the little ones.

Heather - posted on 07/18/2010

I am a single mother, so I relate to having a lot of struggle with balancing the me time, basic home maintenance, and most of all the exercise. On top of it, I get up at 4:30 each morning for work, so by the time my little guy is in bed, I'm ready to go there myself! I look forward to any responses you receive on this post for myself, also. Good luck!

Ericka - posted on 07/17/2010

I joined a program called Stroller Strides. They are all over the country and it is a great way for you to get out and meet other moms, get in a great workout and take your baby with you! You workout with your stroller and baby! They sing songs along the way to keep the kids entertained and do a combination of pilates, yoga, strength and cardio! I love it! I have two children and started when my son was 10 weeks old! I am now pregnant with #3 and still go 3 times a week!

CJ - posted on 07/16/2010

I would also love to know how to do this. Although it's not so much my daughter acting up as interfering with my workout. She climbs all over me like a jungle gym when I'm doing a workout that involves being on the floor and clings to my legs wanting up when I'm doing a standing one...the one time she wasn't doing this I cought her drawing all over her legs with a pen. Her daddy works from 3 till around midnight most days, and has insomnia that keeps him from getting to sleep before 4 am, so he sleeps late as well, I'd hate to use the only couple of hours I see him during his work days by doing my workout, besides there's nowhere else to go do it than the livingroom we're all in. I used to have a workout that included baby, but once she became mobile she wasn't into it.

Geidy - posted on 07/16/2010

When my son had a few months (3-6 mths) I re-joined a volleyball team. My husband is a baseball player and he is at the baseball park almost the whle week during noons. We both work full time so the only time I have to work out is at nights. So what I did at first was taking my baby w/ me and put him in a bassinett I have that was really easy to travel with and just placed him there on the court in a place where no ball could hit him and just played; some other times I placed him in the stroller while I practiced. Now that he is a toddler, he is already familiar with the environment and he plays both in the court or the baseball park while we practice. I've been playing for a whole year now and he is 16 months. I think it is all about what do you want to do. Obviously I'm a athlete, I've been playing volleyball since I was 5 and my husband is too, he has played baseball since he was 3... we both have full time jobs as I said before ... it is complicted but we love sports and we would love if our son does it too. So we just took him with us every time... we just placed the baby in a safe place and, of course, checked him every now and then too see how was he doin'. Now it is easier for us because he likes to play with the kids in the area and I can play while he plays...there are always some times that I just need to stay at home with him, for example when he is sick or something, but otherwise I took him with me. Once he is used to go to work out with you it will be easier. I'm from Puerto Rico, the weather here is hot as hell so i'm always prepare for his needs (water, milk, juice, snacks, diapers...) but he goes with me. If you just don't feel to take the baby to practice a sport like we do, go out for a walk for 30 mins a day, it is enough.. just go at a time that you know the baby will be asleep... Every mom knows his child! But as for me, my son is growing up in the court and the baseball park, he loves to play with other children and I got to play with him everywhere, he also has become very independent; healthy; sociable and friendly. My state of mind is that you don't need to quit being a woman and quit doing what you like to do because you are a mom. You can find some way to do your things and at the same time share and have quality time with your children.

Megan - posted on 07/14/2010

i never get work out since we live in a trailor right now (just bought a home), and our 17 month old sleeps in the living room so the only time i get to work out is when my hubby is home and i go to the 24 hour gym. now our new home has a basement and Zachary will have his own room so i will be able to either do a video in the living room or the basement after the boys go to SLEEP. but i also try to get the kids involved but with a 4 year old and a 17 month old that is almost impossiable. but most of my work outs is after they go to bed. the only down fall on that is normally I dont get to go to bed until about 2am and zachary gets up anywhere from 4 am to 8 am never know what time he will get up. For example yesterday zachary got up at 8 am, I went to work, got the boys, gave them baths 9pm, got them to bed (10 pm) hubby came home from the new house and I was out the door going to the gym then to the new house to paint. Got home at 3:15 am got a shower laid down 4:30 4:45am the oldest got up and then at 7 Zachary got up so im running on 15 mins of sleep. since zachary was born i am lucky to get 5 hours of sleep at night so that is when i try to do my excercises.
good luck with your routine. Hope and pray it is not anywhere near mine I would not wish this on my worst enemy. :)

Cassandra - posted on 07/14/2010

I don't do an exercise routine or anything because my son always wants me to hold him when I try to. But, I don squats when I load and empty the dishwasher, I hold a squat while I wash my hands, I try to dance to the music with my son, occasionally I'll get a few crunches in here and there, other random acts of "exercise", and at least once a week I meet up with a mommy group and walk. I'll admit, I'm no where near being in good shape, but every little bit helps.

Meggy - posted on 07/13/2010

maybe if you can go out for walk with him in the stroller? I used to exercise a lot before I have baby, but now my main exercise is walking outside with him in stroller.

Jamela - posted on 07/13/2010

i have a 24 hour membership and they have a kids club that seems like my release.

Stephanie - posted on 07/13/2010

Thanks for all of the GREAT ideas! Unfortunately, there are no stroller classes nearby. We live in a mountain town right off of our 'Main Street.' I've been walking either 1.5 or 2.25 miles 4 times/week. I also started the P90 Ab Ripper for tightening my abs. I'd love to get back into prime shape before getting pregnant again. I've lost the 'baby weight' but am still strugglng with the weight I gained from quitting smoking before I got pregnant. I'm eating healthier and making better choices; I'm well on my way. Thanks for all the support, it's just what I need.

Faryn - posted on 07/12/2010

wow.. 4am? I can hardly roll out of the bed at 7:30 when I hear my son wake up. i'm going to try to start getting up at about 6-6:30 but its going to be HARD. there aren't any stroller classes near me unfortunately. and no one around to watch my son either. hopefully i'll figure something out!

Jenny - posted on 07/12/2010

I do my best to get up before my husband and daughter. That means 4:00 am! When I do I'm able to get in a 30 to 45 minute workout, shower, and get lunches ready all before my 17 1/2 month old wakes up. I also try to do a 45 to 60 minute workout after she goes to bed but that depends on the time and if my husband and I have had some catch up time.
When our schedul allows, I take a stroller aerobics class which allows me to work out with my child ... she's in the stroller and the moms are doing all the work. But, she likes seeing the other toddlers and towards the end they get out and play while we do abs and stretch. Also with the stroller, I walk/run to the park district buildings for my daughters classes twice a week.
Occasionally I put in a mom and toddler workout video... again, my daughter likes to see the babies and it more like play to her while I'm getting a work.

Depending on the age of your child, playing or running around with him can count. Is there anyone you trust near by who could come over and play with him while you worked out?

Faryn - posted on 07/12/2010

i have been having trouble with this too. i have a 17month old who is busy busy busy! i have thought about joining a local gym, but the cheapest one doesn't have childcare. I don't feel like i can justify paying $88 a month to go to YMCA for childcare. i have a jogging stroller, but the weather here in Nashville has been miserable. right now, i'm considering joining the cheap gym and going late at night once my son is asleep and my husband is home with him. not the preferred way, but might be my only option. i haven't worked out since my son was born and i'm feeling awful. plus i want to get back into shape (as much as possible) before i get pregnant again.

Annie - posted on 07/12/2010

I had the same issue, I was uncomfortable, and disgusted at what I seen in the mirror.. I heard good things about Curves, I'm not sure if it's available outside of Canada. I went to see how I liked it, and signed a year contract at $50/month. In that year, I have lost over 30 in, 20lbs, & 10% of my body fat. I now have abs, and it was all from 30 minutes of cardio a day, and I did NOT change my eating habits whatsoever! I work 3 jobs, have an (almost) 17 month old and I haven't been this comfortable in years! I did take my daughter, Aayla to the gym with me, and the ladies would play with her while I did the circut.

Megan - posted on 07/10/2010

i go strollerblading - rollerblading while pushing my daughter in a jogging stroller. i have lost inches and 20 pounds already and i bring snacks and such. she has gotten used to that being part of her schedule. we go first thing in the morning. we are trying for another baby and i plan to get a double jogging stroller after the baby is born. i also plan to rollerblade as long as possible into the pregnancy since i will have the stroller to hang onto for better balance. hopefully won't gain as much as i did with the first baby. its the only thing i have found that i can do for an hour or more. its fun! some other gals come with me with strollers and without. fun, fellowship, and i also got a great ipod for those days i go by myself. hope this helps. good luck! oh and my daughter is 16 months, but we have been doing it since she turned one when i first tried it.

Bethany - posted on 07/09/2010

yeah, Dawn, I'm really lucky, it's about 2kms of double width concrete path, so my friend and I can even take our prams together. You know what's funny though, I sometimes don't go because I can't be bothered getting the pram out of the car, but if I drive to the shops, I whip it out no worries. Weird.

Dawn - posted on 07/08/2010

Adrienne, congrats on your weight lose and your dedication!!!

Dawn - posted on 07/08/2010

Bethany, I am jealous of your footpath!!!! I would love to be close to a little shopping area, but all the places close enough are across busy intersections :(
But that reminded me that I have been scoping out different areas to walk....I have found a small farm with horses and cows about 1 mile down my road and there is a new construction site up the road, about a mile as well. It will be a nice experience for my son and a 2 mile walk for me!!

Carrie - posted on 07/08/2010

I have a great program at our gym, it's called Stoller fitness. We meet in the lobby of the gym with our kids in their strollers, go outside (weather permitting) for a good cardio work out for about 40mins and then back to the gym for 20mins to do abs and arms. It is great because you get out if the house, can converse with the other mothers, excersize and spend time with your child/children. I have B/B twins I do it with and we all love it. They take naps while we are outside walking, come inside and run around little bit in the gym with the other kids while I do abs. Now if you aren't members of a gym you could organize some friends and meet up some where. I really look forward to this class weekly. My husband can tell when I have missed the class becasue my mood is not the best. Also like others have said... if you belong to a gym with childcare that's great.

Bethany - posted on 07/08/2010

do you live anywhere near a footpath, or a sports oval or a park? My exercise time is also time with Charlotte in her pram, it is a pram that can have her facing me.

We have a footpath near our house that is good for walking, and I go about 2kms one way then turn around. In the middle, there is a shopping centre with a library, so we can stop in there if we need the loo, or need a break or a snack or a change.

For now, that's all we manage, sometimes every other day, sometimes not for a week or so. I figure as long as I'm eating healthily, and keeping my portions sizes reasonable, there'll be time later for alone time. I don't like organised exercise anyway and she learns all the colours and names of things and songs etc along the way.

Adrienne - posted on 07/07/2010

I have b/g twins, live in a 964sq ft apartment, and my husband has been in Iraq for the last 11 months. I TOTALLY FEEL YOU!! I was lucky to get a treadmill for my birthday last year, and it is in the corner of my room. Everyday I put the babies down for their nap at 11 am and I run 5.5 miles on the treadmill (I didn't start at this, I had to work up to it). This takes me exactly 63 minutes to accomplish, then I do abs on a big workout ball for 10 minutes, then a quick shower. By 12:30 I'm done with my workout and feeding the babies their lunch. I have lost 30lbs in the last three months by doing this routine, and completely happy because I am back to the weight I was 2 1/2 yrs ago when I met my husband. I know treadmills aren't cheap, but if you think about a gym membership being about $50.00 a month compared to a $400.00 treadmill plus the convenience of it being in your home, it is well worth the money. Best of luck!!

Dawn - posted on 07/07/2010

I feel your frustration!! My main problem though is I have trouble staying motivated just because it is so easy to want to rest when you have some free time, but I find when I really push myself I feel better...I still have a ways to go because of this lack of motivation but that is another story!! I make it a point to take a walk nearly every day, we are lucky to have a small church swingset nearby so it gives my son a reason to stay in the stroller without acting up (but he has always liked being outside as long as we are moving!). In the afternoons I try to just be active....when we are outside I play ball with myself by throwing it at the side of the house; when I put in his Wiggles DVD I try and dance to most of the songs. I have also setup my yoga mat in the livingroom and done a short routine, although my son likes to eventually climb on me and wrestle!!! I also have a membership to the local YMCA, where they have childcare. The option for childcare is great though because I can get in a full workout and it also helps with his socialization. I have put a temporary hold on it which is why I am not going now, but I think I may need to cancel because of the cost. My big plan is to continue with the gym for a few months so I can lose the weight I need to, then just keep up with my at-home routine, because while I haven't lost much weight, the activity seems enough for me to maintain my weight and give me the benefits of regular exercise. Good luck!

Sheena - posted on 07/07/2010

use ur kid as weights n stretch holdin ur child, it does work ive been doing with my other children, even just to get the strength in my arms is good for me, or get a stroller n go for jogs

Kelly - posted on 07/07/2010

I live in a small home too, money is super tight for us right now as well. I am in the same situation, I was going to purchase those 'p90x' dvd's where you can work out at home with no equipment, but ended up joining a local gym that is super cheap (its cheap because of their awful hours, lol) but I am now taking my son there with me and leaving him in the childcare room, it took him about a week and a half to adjust thankfully the childare aide was patient and kind with him, I now take some aerobics classes there 3 times a week, so thats now my time to exercise. Good luck with your decision! Maybe try some dvd's? I unfortunatley am not as dedicated with that which is why the fitness classes at the gym worked better for me.