Er...exercise?

[Halfasianmomma]

Ok mamas, I WOHM full-time, in a boring office job, I have my DD (21 months) almost full-time, except for Sundays from 12h30 to 16h00, and I still cosleep and nurse. Since I really feel a lot of dissatisfaction with my job, I'm trying really hard to put my energies elsewhere until I can figure out how or if to change my career path. I used to be a dancer so I was fit, and now I find myself sitting at a desk, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I'm not overweight by any means, but I'm softer and I definitely lack endurance/energy. I think the depression I feel is because I'm CRAVING exercise, but I just can't seem to find the time or the energy (hint hint, lack of sleep!).

I bought myself the 10 Minute Trainer program, and though it's great, I've only been able to do it twice, once while DD was asleep and once while she was in the bath. The time I exercised in the evening, I gave myself indigestion. The time I worked out while DD was in the bath, it was due to my mother coming to watch her for me. If I try to workout with DD there in the room, she hangs off my elastic bands, jumps on my back when I do push ups or yoga and generally cries if I don't pick her up.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to fit exercise into the crazy schedule of a single mama with a young toddler? Someone suggested that I exercise *with* DD, but she just won't cooperate!

[Catubodua]

will she dance with you? maybe you can dance and use weights and make her her own weights (i.e. pieces of cardboard with writing on it) while you dance together.

or make it play time in another way. play simon says if she can understand the concept. where you do tons of squats and she tries to mimic you.

have her count off while you do sit ups.

i think the only way you'll get anything done is if you get creative in involving her in the exercise, but make it play for her.

good luck!

[meandmine]

Jogging stroller for runs or walks; bike with trailer or child seat; eventually bike with add on for dd (they have their own handle-bars and pedals).

Not saying it is easy or that the time of day or weather cooperate.

Issue for me, too. Trying to fit it in.

M

[Shiloh]

put on radio in kitchen, pick up LO and dance.
My kids love that.

21 months old get two mats and a dvd about yoga.

jogging stroller, regular stroller, backpack.

When in doubt take her to mall, grocery store, and just walk.

skipping rope.

[StephandOwen]

At that age I put ds in the jogging stroller (with a snack and cup of water) and jogged.

[Learning_Mum]

Yeah, I'd say go for a run with her in the stoller.

Can you get up before her and do an exercise DVD, or even just some burpees and some toning exercises? Burpees are actually an AWESOME workout and you could probably encourage her to do them with you, cos you know, it's fun to pretend to be a 'frog' and jump around when you're little!

See if you can work something out with your parents where they will watch her three times a week while you go to the gym?

Is there a gym near you that you could use in your lunch hour?

I gotta say that I'm full of good ideas but I'm still trying to work it out myself!

[meemee]

also what do you do during your lunch time?

do you have enough time to be able to eat and then go for a walk.

i used to eat my lunch at my desk, and then take a half hour brisk walk. it broke up my day and made me feel better.

also i have discovered i am not a gym person. however i love being outdoors and it is cathartic to me so i just go for a walk as i cant jog.

it actually helped to have a high energy dd. because after dc pickup we used to go to the park for her to play. and i would use that time to work out in teh grass with some stretches and other free hand exercise while i was watching her. and then we would walk home from teh park which took about half hour to 45 mins.

[lilyka]

go for walks and ride your bike as often as possible. just using public transit will burn some energy.

get a pool membership. even if you are pushing dd around in a floatie you will be getting some exercise in.

find a different exercise to do after she goes to sleep at night.

definitely use the time she is away for a really good work out.

[yogamami]

I understand your dilemma. Have you considered joining a gym that offers childcare? If you have a ymca in your area they are also reasonably priced and have mommy and me classes and sports and lessons for your children.

You can also try walking or jogging with her in a stroller.

[Halfasianmomma]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I guess--for now, I'll have to stick to "exercise" that isn't so regimented and just take what I can get while playing or running after DD. I'm not "allowed" to jog as I have fallen arches and it gives me bad shin splints, but lunch time walks and pool activities sound like a great idea.

[Satori]

I go bike riding, I just put my 3 yr old on the back of the bike in a child seat and go for a ride. Its not long, maybe 1-2 miles but it really helps me feel better and each time I increase the distance. (I'm REALLY out of shape)

[LoveOhm]

I really did not exercise from the time my daughter was born until the last few months. I dabbled at trying to "find the right thing" and "trying to find the time"..... so yes I relate and I finally decided to just find a way to make it happen! What works for me at present may not work for you but here are some ideas:

If you want to exercise with your child......
Consider mommy and me excerise classes or bootcamp. Consider stroller strides or something similar - or just walking around your city with your child in the jogging stroller, you don't have to run you can walk. [The nice thing about walking with your child in a stroller (which my SO shed light on) is that you can stroll with your SO and have a mini-date, exposing your SO and your child to each other but within boundaries and also allow yourself more time with your SO.......... with that in mind I might break down and purchase a jogging stroller, LOL]

I recently signed my daughter up for tennis lessons and then decided I would also take a class so we can both "play" tennis together outside of our respective classes. I do realize when I "play" with dd I will not be really working out to my potential but it teaches dd to socialize in a healthy manner and shows her that I value getting outside and being fit over watching Saturday morning cartoons. It also gives me something to do with my childless friends that dd can come along for...... other than constantly going to meals or parks with friends. Hiking is another good "let's do together activity" but I knew myself well enough to opt for tennis. Right now you would have to have your child in a stroller but eventually your child could hike with you!

If you want to exercise at home....
Get up early and do an exercise videos, buy a treadmill and do that while dd is playing, etc. My daughter really likes the Yoga Kids DVDs so I do them with her occasionally ~ it's not a huge exercise but honestly I give each pose my all so sometimes I can become quite sore after.

If you need to exercise alone for the mental break....
Invest in a good gym membership and know the 1 hour your dd is in childcare there will allow you to be more focused and happy when you are with her. Get over the TV in the childcare room or whatever the hang up is - time to yourself is healthy for you and your child. If cost is a factor most YMCA locations have membership waivers which will cut the cost or make it free and it includes childcare in that.

For me I am doing a yoga video in the AM before dd wakes up, we will be doing tennis together and either I am going to invest in a jogging stroller so I can walk with my SO and dd - OR - I am going to join the gym I haven't decided which of the last two.