Exercise Videos and Toddlers

[physmom]

I REALLY need to get this baby weight off! I've been starting to do an exercise video once a day. I've tried a few different things and this is the only thing that I've been able to be consistent about (once it warms up we'll take the jogging stroller out but for now this is what we got).

The thing is, I have to do it when DD is awake (our apt is too small and she'd wake up from the noise AND I'm not a big fan of putting her back to sleep when I'm all sweaty). Also, DH works long hours so I can't rely on him being home when I do it because then it never happens. With that in mind here are my questions:

1. How bad is it for a 13 month old to see an exercise video? She actually does many of the exercises with me and definitely does not zone out just watching. I read in Nutureshock that education videos are worse because they do not show close-ups on faces and that's where babies learn how to talk through a lot of lip reading. This videos definitely does show their faces when they talk so maybe it isn't that bad? Plus she's getting in exercise the whole time? I don't know...

2. The video is only 20 minutes but DD always gets impatient towards the end and wants me to read or nurse or just sits on me when I'm doing sit ups/push ups. Any ideas on how to distract her towards the end?

3. What do you do with your toddlers when you take showers after working out?

4. Any other workout video suggestions that are good for toddlers?

5. DD is OBSESSED with my hand weights that I use but they are too heavy for her... any suggestions on pretend ones for her?

I think that's it, thanks for the help!

[Rowansmama]

SOrry, I have no suggestions, only sympathy! I've tried this in the past too, but sadly the only way I can do it is early in the morning before she gets up or after she goes to bed. She will let me do it for a few minutes, then gets bored and needs attention.

I don't think it's going to harm your DD to see an exercise video, especially if she's trying to do the movements too.

For exercise now I either go running with her in the jogging stroller, or I run on our treadmill in the mornings before she's up while DH is still home. And on really hectic or fussy days, I get in exercise whenever I can in little spurts. Five minutes of jumping jacks here, a few minutes of lifting weights there. Do some situps and pushups while DD eats her snacks, etc.

Good luck...it's tough I know!

[calebsmommy25]

1. I don't think you need to worry about her watching the video with you, especially if she is doing them with you. I think that is great. In Nutureshock, it was my understanding that they were speaking mostly of educational videos using animation, and parents that generally sit their children down in front of the tv because they thought they were truley learning something.

2. Towards the end of the 20 minutes, maybe give her a special toy that she likes to play with and hasn't seen in a while? I have a hard time towards the end of my workouts and ds is almost 2. It is quite frustrating. I end up having to give up and continue later.

3. When I am alone at home, I normally take ds in the shower with me. He really enjoys it and it allows me to get a shower without having to worry about him. I used to put him in a play pen or his crib with some toys, but that doesn't fly anymore.

4. I don't really have any suggestions for videos. I find ones I like on fit tv. Our dvd player is broken...

5. How about filling up some long socks with rice or corn and tieing the ends securely together? I think that might work.


I try to just fit in a 'workout' any time I can. If that means a few jumping jacks here, a few sit ups there between playing with ds, I have succeeded. He likes to help me stretch which is really cute, and also likes to do squats when I do them. Can you do some yoga or pilates during nap time? You can do that pretty quietly. I try to fit it in during nap time, and man is it soooo much more beneficial and relaxing without a toddler hanging all over you.

[kittywitty]

I agree, I would not worry about the tv thing in front of your dd.

I do several videos: Jillian Michael's 30 day shred, No More Trouble Zones, some Mom boot camp one (just ordered!), a pilates video by Denise Austin, and Sadie's complete bellydance guide.

My toddler loves the belly dance the most. I put my coin belt around her and she dances around shaking her butt and loves it.

Pretend weights-tomato paste cans. You can paint them, but just plain will work.

Showers-my oldest watches my toddler or I take her with me in the bathroom. She showers with me or I put some toys down and let her play.

Have you thought about jogging with your dd in a jogging stroller, or bike riding with her? A lot of gyms now have sitting services with really cool facilities for free if you're a member, too.

There is a fitness and weight management forum on here under the health section, too, if you are interested.

[physmom]

Thanks so much for the reassurance about TV! I was having some serious mom guilt but I REALLY need to loose this weight. I'm already seeing some health problems due to it (I'm about 40lbs heavier than I've EVER been in my life! ) and I see them affecting me in my day to day life. But it's soooo cute to see her do the exercises. Her favorite our jumping jacks and when I do push-ups against the wall.

You guys had some great ideas. I especially like the idea of doing Yoga/Pilates during her nap. I actually never thought of that and am going to look into trying to find a good DVD now, any suggestions?

I'll try the tomato paste/sock suggestions and see what one she prefers. My weights are bright blue, which I'm sure contributes to her interest in them, but if I can find something with the same color she might be happy.

We have a jogging stroller but the weather here is pretty nasty. Actually a week or two ago the sidewalks were so bad we couldn't even take her out in a stroller at all. They are clear now but the skies aren't and we're having a ton of sleet, oh joy. I'll be really thankful once spring comes!

Also, I didn't realize their was a weight management group here, I'm going to check that out, thanks! Eating healthy is just not enough (and DH likes to keep chocolate in the house, which is NOT helping) so I need some good ideas overall.

[Violet2]

1. I think it is great to model an active lifestyle and for kids to see that health takes some work. I would not worry about the TV.

2.I often give DD a low sugar all fruit popcicle to keep her busy when she starts fussing. I also will let her watch her a TV show in the next room (we are intermittently TV free).

I do sometimes workout while she's napping, but I am very quiet with very low music volume. No jumping.

My challenge is I work during her down time and then am out of the home working at night, so I can't just delay it until later. I have a very small window of time where exercise is possible. Weighing my health vs. screen time, my health wins.

3.I would not give her any weights--or at least make sure the mock weights are super light. Because you know she's going to drop it on her toe or your toe. I don't see it ending well.

4. I just shower with the door open. I put on music and DD plays in the living room--although she's a bit older than your LO, but again we have super baby proofed our living room so I know she's okay.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

I only have a second but this was a huge deal for me, I've used videos starting when baby #1 was born and I still use them with baby #5!!!
I bought tiny 1lb weights, these are fine even for my 2yo to use.
I have "workout only toys" these have changed over time but bottom line is they are ONLY used during workout time and are changed often enough to keep interest. Sometimes it's new crayons and coloring books etc(goodwill is great for this) to keep interest. I usually stash a few Christmas toys before they notice.
When the kids are older they are sent outside to play but it's safe here for that.
Put snacks in small cups in the childs reach so when they are bored with the toys and working out with you they can help themselves
Honestly this is one of the few times that TV is okay in my book. My health has to win over my TV rules.

[gbailey]

We got these pretend weights for DD. She loves them. I've caught her doing arm curls on her own. LOL
http://www.vtechkids.com/product.cfm...illa_Pals/759/

[kielni]

I've been using exercise videos for a long time. It's just so much more time-efficient than driving to and from the gym. I don't have any good answers for you about how to work out with a toddler though. I can only do it when I have someone else to watch my DS; otherwise he wants to climb on the step, which is very cute but means I have to stop what I'm doing.

If you're looking for more info on videos, go check out www.videofitness.com. There's a reviews section where you can find out more details about videos, and also a forum where you can ask questions etc.

Kari Anderson put out a video called Shake a few years ago that's aimed at kids. I haven't seen it, and I'm pretty sure it's aimed at older kids, but it might be worth checking out.

For showers, I take my DS in the bathroom with me, close the bathroom door, and leave the shower door open. My DS has a plastic measuring cup, a peri bottle, and an ice cube tray and keeps busy pouring water back and forth.

Kimberly