working moms--care to share your motivations, tips for guilt-free exercise?

[rozziemama]

Hi mammas. I'm sorry in advance if something like this is already posted somewhere...
I'm a full time working mom to 14 mo DS.
I have 5 lbs of "baby weight" (can I still call it baby weight after 14 months??) to lose, but more so, I really am someone who needs at least 4 days of exercise, ideally more, each week to feel sane, centered - not talking excessive, just 30 minutes of cardio, especially with my continued sleep deprivation (we have an extremely early riser).
Before I became a mom, I'd just go to the gym after work for 45 minutes, and practiced yoga regularly two or three times a week. DH and I would hike and bike a lot on weekends, we were just active, healthy people (who also love food).
NOw that I am trying to fit a full time job into a 9:30 - 4:30 daily schedule, and get to daycare pick up on time, and just enjoy the limited time I have with DS every day, it has become so hard to get in any exercise at all.
I sometimes skip out on work at 3:45 just because I know I need to spend a little time at the gym or I'll feel terrible about myself
I know no one out there sees what I look like, but I can say that I tend to be someone who is too hard on herself in terms of body image, but being pregnant and having baby weight to lose has definitely thrown me for a loop.

So anyway, I just want to hear how any other working mom manages to fit exercise into her life. Or, just commiserate. Whatever works.
Thanks in advance.

[ithappened]

I am pretty much the same in terms of my exercise needs. What I have been doing is either going for a long walk (e.g. 40 mins-60mins) at lunch instead of eating then I eat before or after or if I can get up early I will put my DS is his bouncing seat and have him watch me while I do 20-30 mins of cardio from exercisetv.tv website.. this works sometimes, other times he cries and its a loss.. but often its better then nothing.

I also got some DVDs to do which I play on my laptop so I can do yoga while DS is falling asleep next to the bed .. I haven't found any amazing soultion short of just having my DH take DS and going out for 20 min run. . .

Id be curious what others have done/found

[lil_earthmomma]

Life as a mama is so hard, rewarding in so many ways, but there are many sacrifices.

Some of my solutions:

Walk, hike, bike with DS every day. Build it into your routine.

Make time for yoga, even if it's only class once a week.

Wake up 30 min earlier and do some cardio at home, a dvd or some yoga, anything that will help your day start well.

Do pushups while on the floor with DS. (I just finished doing this.) Bonus points for pushups done with DS on your back!!!

I actually created a really fun exercise routine that I do holding my ds. (He's 16 mo)

I do squats and lunges while holding him out with my arms straight. Tickles and tossing him onto the couch between sets. Then I do pushups, sit ups, and then I lift him up into the air, put him down on the other side of me. Pick him up, place him on the other side. He usually giggles his head off at this, and the twists combined with a squat are a great workout.

Remember that it will get easier and you will eventually have more time to yourself.

[Ravin]

A lot of yoga places do a mom and baby type thing.
Weather permitting, get up a bit early and take DS for a stroller walk before you head to daycare/work, or do it when you get off work.
Strap him on your back for your walk for a better (and cuddlier) workout than with a stroller! This also expands the weather conditions in which you can take him on a walk.
Find workouts that are quick. I'm using a calisthenics program that's just 12 min., it could easily be done after you tuck your son into bed at night. So could yoga or a cardio workout with your favorite DVD.
Get in a workout on your lunch break at work.

[ithappened]

those are awesome ideas lil_earthmomma.. I also use exercisetv.tv which has 'full length' videos for free on their website which range from 2 mins to 1 hour and are awesome if you just literally have 10 mins

sometimes i will do one 10 min in the morning, 10-30 mins during lunch then another 10-30 mins after DS goes to sleep.. it really ends up adding up during the day

[erinsmama]

My DD is 26 months & I work outside the home full-time. During the week, DH & I take turns putting dd down for the night. One of us will work out while the other puts dd to bed & it's been working out well for us each to get a workout in every other day.

I feel for you though OP. When my dd was 14 months I rarely exercised. It seems as she's getting older, it is easier for some reason to get in the exercise. DD goes to a daycare that is just down the hall from where I work, so I pick up & drop off. I also am the one who gets her up & going with breakfast in the am, so if anyone that is lacking quality time with her, it's my dh. He does pick her up once a week so I can attend my Weight Watchers meeting & I appreciate that too.

[rozziemama]

thanks everyone for your encouragement/understanding and your ideas!
such good ones. I love the idea of "weight lifting" DS.
I do think part of the solution will come when DH can put DS down on his own. I still BF him before bed and so the two of us really share in the bedtime routines.
There is a yoga class ON MY STREET (that I've never been to!?!) at 6pm every night. I keep meaning to try one night per week, but I always feel sad to leave DS - even though his bedtime is 7:45-8pm so really, i'd be able to say hello to him after daycare and then be back in time for bedtime!
That's something I need to try to incorporate into my regular weekly routine.

I'm also thinking about getting a little exercise machine for our house... AND getting back to running, even for just 20 mins, once the Boston winter isn't as bad....

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by lil_earthmomma

Life as a mama is so hard, rewarding in so many ways, but there are many sacrifices.

Some of my solutions:

Walk, hike, bike with DS every day. Build it into your routine.

Make time for yoga, even if it's only class once a week.

Wake up 30 min earlier and do some cardio at home, a dvd or some yoga, anything that will help your day start well.

Do pushups while on the floor with DS. (I just finished doing this.) Bonus points for pushups done with DS on your back!!!

I actually created a really fun exercise routine that I do holding my ds. (He's 16 mo)

I do squats and lunges while holding him out with my arms straight. Tickles and tossing him onto the couch between sets. Then I do pushups, sit ups, and then I lift him up into the air, put him down on the other side of me. Pick him up, place him on the other side. He usually giggles his head off at this, and the twists combined with a squat are a great workout.

Remember that it will get easier and you will eventually have more time to yourself.

Good ideas!! And keep doing it. The bigger your kid gets the stronger you get. Mine are 60 pounds and 45 pounds and they STILL want to be tossed around

[bronxmom]

Originally Posted by rozziemama

thanks everyone for your encouragement/understanding and your ideas!
such good ones. I love the idea of "weight lifting" DS.
I do think part of the solution will come when DH can put DS down on his own. I still BF him before bed and so the two of us really share in the bedtime routines.
There is a yoga class ON MY STREET (that I've never been to!?!) at 6pm every night. I keep meaning to try one night per week, but I always feel sad to leave DS - even though his bedtime is 7:45-8pm so really, i'd be able to say hello to him after daycare and then be back in time for bedtime!
That's something I need to try to incorporate into my regular weekly routine.

I'm also thinking about getting a little exercise machine for our house... AND getting back to running, even for just 20 mins, once the Boston winter isn't as bad....

If bedtime is 8, could you workout after bedtime or are you too wiped out. Once summer hits, you could do a 45 min run after bedtime and still have light (and cooler temps). You're lucky you run b/c that's really time efficient. For now you could do 30 day shred right after bedtime; it's only 20 minutes but really intense, so you could get a good workout in and still have at least an hour to chill before bed (if you go to bed around 9:30). Also, try to use the weekends. Go for long hikes as a daytrip with baby in backpack/carrier. Does your gym have childcare? Maybe use it and workout with your dh together and then take baby to a swim class or family swim time. Or just take turns going to the gym early in the am or during nap time and still have the day for baby/family time. I know it's tough to fit in; good luck! I think once spring hits it will be easier because there's so much more to do as a family.

[ambereva]

As far as mitigating guilt, I exercise and take care of my body to set a good example for my children! I'm their primary female role model, I need to be strong, healthy and love myself so they grow up seeing that that is normal and important.

Lots of good ideas above for fitting in exercise. I go to the gym while my kids are at school, and leave them with my husband on the weekends (or take them to the gym's child care center). I also have a few DVDs I can pop in if I can't get out of the house, but generally getting to the gym or out for a run or bike ride is one of my top daily priorities.

[1jooj]

When my kids were younger and I was working ft, a treadmill was a lifesaver for me. When they were a lot smaller, I packed them both in the jog stroller and ran. But that's hard in winter. The treadmill at home at least lets you cram in a quick 30min when you otherwise wouldn't, and you can jam it fast if you're feeling really stressed.

I've done videos, too, but it's hard not to trip over the baby/toddler.

I'd also say try making the most of the days you don't work. A longer workout on Saturday and Sunday, while not the whole answer, will help you feel better about yourself and your efforts. And yes, keep in mind that it will get easier in time.

[rozziemama]

Originally Posted by ambereva

As far as mitigating guilt, I exercise and take care of my body to set a good example for my children! I'm their primary female role model, I need to be strong, healthy and love myself so they grow up seeing that that is normal and important.

I love this, thank you for that important reminder

[ithappened]

And yes, keep in mind that it will get easier in time.

thats great to hear.. thank you

[blizzard_babe]

We've put together a little workout group at my work. We use an empty classroom and do a half-hour workout three days a week. Mostly we laugh at each other because none of us are very coordinated... we fall over a lot.

DH and I also received a Wii Fit for Christmas, so we do that after DS goes to bed. If I'm not feeing up to a hardcore strength-and-cardio workout, I just do the Yoga and balance games. Usually once I get myself going on those, I'm more in the mood for some hula-hooping.

Once DS is a little older, I can see him enjoying doing the stuff with me, but right now he just gets annoyed that we're doing something that he doesn't enjoy, so after bedtime it is.

[blizzard_babe]

Also, 16 month-olds are a great weight for bench-pressing.

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by ambereva

As far as mitigating guilt, I exercise and take care of my body to set a good example for my children! I'm their primary female role model, I need to be strong, healthy and love myself so they grow up seeing that that is normal and important.

Lots of good ideas above for fitting in exercise. I go to the gym while my kids are at school, and leave them with my husband on the weekends (or take them to the gym's child care center). I also have a few DVDs I can pop in if I can't get out of the house, but generally getting to the gym or out for a run or bike ride is one of my top daily priorities.

ANother fan of your words ambereva It's really important for me to teach my kids to take care of their bodies, and keep them strong, flexible, and healthy. I make fitness a part of our every day well being. I only go to the gym 2 days per week, sometimes a third. They are almost 4 and 6 so they like doing yoga poses, bodyweight exercises, etc with me. It's fun and I put on music and jump around with them too. I have kettlebells and a pullup bar which is pretty much all I need to get a major workout at home for 30 minutes if i want anyways. I'm getting to the point where i only NEED to go to the gym once a week to use the olympic bars.

However you exercise making it a part of your lifestyle is very healthy for kids. You don't have to join a gym and put them in the daycare 2 hours a day to be fit!