Exercising with multiples - need advice

Frances - posted on 03/30/2011

Agree with what everyone is saying. Really watch what you are eating and drinking. Had to go out of my way to ensure that what I was eating and drinking was healthy and snacking was changed from chips and biscuits with pop to fruit, veggies and water. Huge difference. if you can afford one of the prams that can fit the twins with the toddler then walking will be your best option with them. Go for a stroll around the neighbourhood or to the park, anywhere really. Pop some fun music on and dance around - doesn;t mattter what you look like - the littlies will love having a laugh at mum. Agree with the yoga - now my tiwns are almost 2 they try and do some of them with me...very funny to see! I got a wii fit - the sounds and colours keeps them happy while I get to do a bit of a work out. Don;t try and do huge amounts at once - 10 minutes several times a day will start to work! Same as one other reply though - the weight does go, but that saggy twin belly remains:-( it does work - I have gone from my heaviest ever to weighing less than I did when I was a teenager without doing anything really hard. Just patience - it will happen - don't lose hope

Jenny - posted on 03/30/2011

Hi! I have nearly 2 year old twins and know your dilemna! Before kids, I used to be at the gym at least 3 times a week, in addition to playing rec league sports. After kids, I quit my gym membership because there was no time to go and I got tired of donating to the gym...Now, l am about 5 lbs heavier than my pre-baby weight and these extra lbs are hard to shake!

I commend you on starting to make the lifestyle changes; they really do help shave calories down throughout the days and weeks. I rarely drink soda and always dilute any juice I might drink. I have sandwiches w/out mayo, salad with lemon juice instead of dressing and don't butter bread when we go out. Also working on portion control, but do find myself eating more frequently throughout the day.

To stay active WITH my kids, I roll around on the floor with them, do easy yoga poses (which they copied when they were littler!), give horse-back rides, jumps, sit-ups, push ups and squats, lunges and high-knees while we dance.

When they're asleep and I have energy, I do exercise videos or exercise tv on demand on our cable. They have lots of quick workouts 13 minutes or less so I don't really have an excuse to not do at least one! Good luck!!!

Tarina - posted on 03/28/2011

Thankyou Rebecca! That is so inspiring ♥

Rebecca - posted on 03/27/2011

get a great stroller try Valco baby twin trimode. Fits 3 kids with the toddler seat. I still can't find anything else for exercise that works with 3 ...they jump on me and pull hair. Only other thing I know about to reduce belly fat is getting a hormone evaluation because extra stress in your life increases estrogen and increased estrogen causes belly fat that is impossible to get rid of no matter how many calories you burn. Progesterone counteracts estrogen and helps to lose this weight. I never thought I would lose the baby weight and now I fit my wedding dress better than I did when I got married 8 years ago! I was in size 12 pants after the twins came and am now a size 6 and even fit a size 4 skirt the other day! Unfortunately the skin and stretch marks don't let me back in a bikini but that is ok. You can do it!

Heather - posted on 03/25/2011

Tarina I agree it is overwhelming. I was doing like you, too much snacking. Being on weight watchers has made me realize how much I was over eating. At times I was eating as much as my husband. He's 5'10" 240 and solid muscle. So not good for me to be eating that much.

Tarina - posted on 03/25/2011

Thats fantastic Heather!! Great start!! Yeah, I do tend to snack alot... and I drink alot of pop. There are so many things I need to change, its overwhelming to try to get started. Thanks for your input ladies!!! :)

Heather - posted on 03/24/2011

Tarina I talked with my Doc about my weight. I am 5'9" and was at 253lbs when I spoke with him. He said I need to change my eating habits. I need to eat a ton less. Also he knows how crazy my schedule is and caring for kids(especially multiples) is tough work and suggested not to do a structured exercise routine. Meaning just to do it when I can make the time for it. His main concern was to get me eating less. Since my visit I joined weight watchers online(for the second time) on Valentine's day. My start weight was 253 and i now weigh 237.2. So in a little over a month I am just shy of 16 lb loss with very little exercise.

Miriam - posted on 03/24/2011

my husband exercises with our 8 year old son while I take care of our 2month old twins, than I exercise (usually again with my 8 year old son) while he takes care of our twin baby boys. TEAM WORK!! we also take walks as a family and started eating protein and veggies for dinner (as a family)

Tarina - posted on 03/23/2011

I know weight gets distributed differently post-baby, which is likely why you weigh more but are in the same size. I am absolutely terrible about checking my email, BUT if you want to add me on facebook or to your circle here, that would be GREAT! Im hoping come May, my cellar-dwellers will have found an apartment and that will free up some space in the house to exercise. I really should go to the Dr. I havent been since I had the girls almost 8 months ago, and for YEARS since I had my last physical (probably like 10 years?) I should get a whole body exam, check thyroid, etc... I'll look into that!! Thanks! And again, Yes please if you can add me on Facebook or to your circle!!

Mona - posted on 03/21/2011

HI! I am so with you. i have twins, so you have 1 up on me with the 2 yr old, my twins are now 6 yrs old and i can't say it's baby weight anymore cuz well they are now 6! It's weird...I'm back to my regular size by the scale has me at a higher number. I am finding that I am forever on a diet. maybe we can form a little support email group and support each other? i actually went and bought an elliptical, but don't use it. now that the weather is getting nicer I went and bought one of those toning sneakers and just started that. I've also had my dr recheck my thyroid and she actually increased my medicine! so maybe having the babies screwed up your thyroid too? just a thought. if you are interested in being diet buddies email me! monasoohoowong@yahoo.com

Tarina - posted on 03/20/2011

Thankyou Tammi :) We do have dance time a few times a week, we LOVE music, and we all love to sing and dance! Once I get alittle more in shape Maybe I can strap on the 40 lbs of babies in carriers lol I think that may be a bit much to start out with hehe. But I can work up to it!! Kathy - thankyou for your genuine reply! Thats the situation I find myself in - Im hoping to develop some form of routine early on and continue it throughout their lives!

Tami - posted on 03/19/2011

Hi Tarina,
Dance with them. It gets you moving and the 2 year old can dance too. Richard Simmons, wii, what ever with music. You can put the twins in the stroller and move it around with you as you move, the kids get a twirly ride. Or take turns with each song holding 1 and dancing with them. The weight of the child is also good for added weight to your routine. Switching kids for a new song gets them both involved and starts the taking turns training. There is also the baby holders for front and back if you can get both of them hangin on as you dance, you will really have added weight to make your exercise count.
My girls loved to be in the stroller and going for twirly rides, or in their walkers watching and dancing too.
Good for you for trying to get back into shape.
Good Luck and you can do it!!!

Kathy - posted on 03/17/2011

Do you know I really gave up on the idea of excercise once they were born. Easy when they were in the pram to walk but finding time for pilates, wii or other activities was difficult. gyms with creches were just out of the question. i am still in need of loosing the weight and my twins are 5 now. i used to get up early to excercise and they'd wake up and stand screaming so it just never worked and that was when they were 3. I really wished I had some info for you sorry.