sahm's of toddlers- when do you work out? - Page 2

[RachaelM]

I do deadlifting/squats/kettle bells for 30 mins 3 x per week. (Different one each day)

LOVE it. 

And although I didn't need to lose weight it does burn a crap load of calories by just having extra muscle as you do your regular movement throughout the day too. 

Plus, gives me a nice butt lol.

I go at 6:30 while my hubby and daughter are still asleep. I am so not a morning person but this is the only time I can do it, I don't like using my evening time to go as I have a home business I usually work then, plus I like to see my husband in the evenings. 

[Kidsdad]

This is the challenge of guys and gals alike. What worked for my wife and I (as well as occupying the childern) was to plan a daily walking event. You would be surprised to see what 30 minutes out and about can do for fitness and burning off that extra energy. Great for the mind as well!

[Choose2Reuse]

My DD is not quite a toddler yet (1 year old tomorrow, woo hoo!!) but I can tell you what I do.  I have to get a lot of exercise to control my blood sugar, and it's hard with a baby.  So here is what I do:

--Every day, no matter how hot or cold or rainy or whatever, we go for a walk (or a bike ride--we recently got a bike seat for her that goes on the front of my bike).  Usually she is in the carrier because she likes it (extra workout for me!) rather than the stroller, but whatever.  When she can walk, I'm thinking she'll walk as far as she wants and then I'll carry her the rest of the way.  We try to go for at least 30 minutes, often a lot longer.  Or we go twice.  Walks are great because we get out and about (not bored at home), and either we have a destination (like a park or farmer's market or store) or we just wander around and see what we can see.  DD loves seeing dogs and cats and flags on houses and people walking and cars going by.  It's a great way to pass time and it may not feel like much exercise, but even just 30 minutes a day really adds up. 

--I try to do something "outside"-y with DD at least twice a day.  So on cold days we usually go for two walks.  On hot days we might go for a bike ride in the morning and a swim in the afternoon (or whatever).  Heck, any little bit helps, and she loves to be doing stuff out and about.  She'd be outside doing stuff all day except for naps and eating if we could.

--My DH knows that the number one thing I want him to help me with is that on weekend mornings, I want to work out for 30 minutes.  Each weekend day right after breakfast I go and do the stationary bike for 30 minutes.  Having a set time makes it easier--we picked a time when DD is usually pretty happy and DH is still lounging around so he's not champing at the bit wanting to get out of the house and do something.  And mornings it's easier to motivate myself to work out than evenings, and then I get to feel good all day.

--My mother comes to visit once a week or so and I almost always ask her if she'll play with the baby while I work out for 30 minutes.

--Each day when the baby naps (she is a very bad sleeper, sadly) I do some pushups and ab exercises.

--Eventually I plan to get a stationary bike of my own, because I like it.  (Can read while doing it so it doesn't hurt so much!) 

--My dream is to find another stay-at-home mom friend who wants to trade babysitting/workout time with me, so we can each work out for 20 minutes or so while the other watches both babies.  But I have yet to find such a dream friend. :)

--I have made a resolution that if a day occurs in which I get no exercise--it's rare but sometimes happens when we have a lot of company, or somebody's sick--I will not beat myself up about it.  That helps a lot too.

I think you should stop worrying about whether you're getting a "really solid workout" and just do stuff. Lots of outdoor stuff.  Your kid will like it, and it can't but help you!  And then if you can get your DH to take the kiddo while you do your exercise DVD twice a week, that's great too.  But please don't beat yourself up because you're not getting a "solid workout".  You can get a lot of exercise without being super hardcore about it. 

[GetFitMomma]

When my youngest son was about 1 & 1/2 I started working out most days of the week in the morning as soon as I was done feeding him and he was a happy boy.  Or I would workout when he went down for a nap.  I made the best of the time that I had available to me to workout.  I never went to a club or a Y, just went to my basement put in a DVD and pressed play.  Before I knew it I would be working out with the program.  I really enjoyed Ten Minute Trainers because it would only take 15-35 minutes depending on how many workouts I did that day.  Then I moved onto Insanity where when I spent 35 minutes working out I burned almost 500 calories.  Doing Insanity helped me lose about 40lbs over 6 months.  The most important thing that you have to remember when time is short and you don't think you have time to workout is that you have to make YOU a Priority.  If YOU are not doing good then everything else goes downhill.  Your kids get use to you working out.  They realize that Mommy is a better Mommy when she gets her workouts in.  I know it's hard, but you can do it.

[Oliver'sMom]

I didn't get a chance to read all the reply's so forgive me if my post is redundant :)

I don't have any set work out that I do, or a set time each day that I dedicate to exercise.  I just try to get my heart rate up every day as often as I can.  I have a high energy dog that requires at least 2 jogs a day.  I put my toddler in the jogging stroller, leash up the dog, and we're off every morning before my shower.  Dh puts our boys to bed at night, so during that time I go out with the dog again.

Whenever we're at a park, I chase my kids around, throw them in the air, play basketball, go on the monkey bars, etc.  I just try to always be moving throughout the day.  If we can walk somewhere, we do.  At home, I often bench press my kids lol.  They love it!  We also have races cleaning windows, vacuuming, etc.  My yard is a half acre and I bought a reel mower to cut the grass.  Lots of exercise!

In the winter, we still go outside a lot.  The dog needs his jogs rain or shine :)  We also have an xbox kinect with a couple of exercise games that are fun.  The biggest loser and dance dance revolution.  They're nice to have on foul weather days.

HTH!
 

[wishin'&hopin']

A couple of times a week DW stays home in the morning with the kiddo so I can run with friends...I find by having a couple of more demanding obligatory workouts (obligatory b/c I'm meeting people) I make myself fit in at least one other run (so that I'm not out of shape for the runs with other people!)  So, this week--ran 3 with my running group on the weekend, 4 pushing the jogging stroller another day and then ran 6 another with my weekly running buddy.  My goal is three runs a week--I've usually run and returned home at some point between 7am and 9am depending on the day.  

[WinterPrego]

Someone already mentioned HIIT (high intensity interval training), but I'm going to second that!!  Check out the bodyrock website....I don't agree with the pictures they post, but they have amazing workouts! They are usually 12-15 minutes at the most, and give you incredible results super fast. They also post yoga workouts by a yoga gal...it's all free BTW. http://www.bodyrock.tv

So think about it...your son goes down for a 2 hr nap....you do a 12 minute workout...maybe 15 minutes stretching/cool down, and then a quick shower! Done for the day!  :) You can start out with 2-3 times a week easy...give it a try!!

[yell]

I think every mom has this problem at some point.  I really, really can't stress enough how much Jillian Michaels has helped me.  She is sort of a tool, and sort of annoying, but her work outs are GREAT.  When you first start you will want to die, but it really does get better.  I like Ripped in 30 better than the Shred.  I do this about 4x per week, and I try to get a run in maybe 3x per week when my husband gets home from work or on the weekend.  I am in the process of getting a toddler seat for the back of my bike for DD (Craig's List, $15)--and I'm looking into a used jogging stroller (although I hate the thought of running with one of them).  It's such a pain, but it's so important for your health to squeeze this crap in.

[Snapdragon]

well I finally got my bike road ready but I have barely riden it. I am thinking I may need to gt a quiet stationary bike for those times when I am stuck inside but have some free time--- or in the evening or whnever I can watch some tv and use the bike-

[Erin77]

Look for a Stroller Strides program- it was a lifesaver for me when I wasn't working. Now I make myself get up and go to this bootcamp thing before my husband leaves for work. It sucks but it's only 30 minutes and it's HARD CORE- I feel better the rest of the day! I also had this DVD called "Pilates in 10 minutes A Day" with Lara that was great for exercising during naps. 

[TSomm]

I work part time from home and so during nap time and bedtime I'm on the computer.  I had to find something to fit in while 2.5 DD is awake.  What has been working for me is biking.  DD does not like to sit still, so stroller walks aren't for us.  DD knows that somewhere along the biking route we'll stop at a playground for a little while and that seems to help.  I originally had a bike seat added on to the back of my bike, but I found it a hassle.  Too difficult to balance the bike while loading/unloading the toddler.  I recently got a bike trailer and it's working out better.  On the pro side, she gets to play with toys along the way and it is also safer (not as far to fall should it tip over).  On the con side though is that it is a lot more work for me as the biker, but hey, it's exercise, right?  I get from 30-45 minutes a day and am really enjoying it.

Plus, on the days you are riding by yourself you feel like such an athlete because you're going so fast with no trailer to lug!