If you are a single parent of small children...

[Sparrowlegs248]

How on earth do you manage to exercise? I seem to be "on the go" almost constantly, but slooowly. Steps in the house dont seem to register. Walks are slow, with many stops to inspect things. I can't go to the gym or swimming in the evenings. I've tried exercising to a DVD but thee was a fair bit of jumping about and I woke the baby up.

So I'm thinking more of daytime exercise on the days I'm not at work, but have a 2 and 3 yr old with me. Is it possible?

This will sound silly but maybe try making a game of it, get them joining in.
Some basic yoga, running on the spot, push ups etc.

I’m not a SAHP, but exercise I do with my 5 and 2 yo DC includes:
Dodgeball with soft play balls, they love this
Lights down & disco music on, dance party
Chasing them, playing tag
Simon Says (and ensure things like star jumps, lots of bending & stretching etc are included)
Also I have a fairly active rhyme time dvd where we can all join in with actions.

None of the above have given me a six-pack, but compared to sitting on the floor building yet another train set I tell myself it’s an improvement!

When mine were little there was a crèche at the leisure centre but I bet they’ve axed all those.
Any mum and baby/child classes around? Our nature reserve has buggy walks etc.
Take them to the park with a ball for a kickabout. Dance round the kitchen.
Just cut yourself some slack. You are probably run ragged as it is. Just try and be active rather than exercise.

Actually, if you take them to soft play and go on it with them you can get quite puffed out 😂

Do you have stairs? I try to do 15-20mins of step exercises in the morning, it seems to be doing the job so far and makes me feel better lol

I go to Prams in the park exercise boot camp. Met some ace mothers. Was apprehensive as they mostly not single parents but they made me very welcome. Also play just dance on the wii

Until recently my three year old was having swimming lessons on a Sunday morning and I'd have a swim in the main pool while she was learning. It was great and felt like proper "me" time which is a rare thing. I've moved her to after school lessons now so I can't do it but it was nice while it lasted!!

Les Mills on Demand subscription. Loads of workouts in my living room when they've gone to bed.

When I don’t have childcare and am stuck I’ll do yoga in the house and jump on the treadmill. For the last 3 months I’ve been on my treadmill - not the same but does the job. I’ve also put my bike on the track stand and have been furiously pedalling since I had my DD. It’s shifted the baby weight

Swimming. I put them in arm bands and a rubber ring so hardly any of them was in the water! And taught them to swim as soon as possible.

I have a cycle trailer for DD. You'd need a flattish route to be able to tow two toddlers though!

DD and I put music on and have a good dance a couple of times a week

Thanks all. I have a cycle trailer, but it's hellish with both of them trying to kill each other sitting in it.

No creche at gyms locally, I live in a bit of a backwater sadly.

Dancing is a good call. Well do that. They love music. Also the stairs, mine are stupidly steep too. I've no room but would love an exercise bike of a stand thong for my normal bike, that would be better space wise I guess.

We do swim once a week. Well they do, I try to stop them drowning......

@Nottalotta when it comes to the stairs you can just use the bottom one going up and down- google it, you don't have to walk all the way up and down

Haha hadn't thought of that! Thanks.

Oh gosh @AppleScoop , I think that I read your post totally wrong at first. I won't write what I thought

I must admit to being very intrigued but don't worry about it too much!