Parent and child exercise - is it possible?

[Elbowgreaser]

Hi all,

I'm a working single parent and I'm finding it really tricky to get any exercise. I know I could do an exercise DVD once my 3 year old is in bed but 1) I find them dull and unrewarding and 2) by that time of night I'm knackered! I've tried running but she weighs nearly 19kg and pushing her in the buggy is not easy, plus she's not keen.

Someone once told me they found a karate class that was for all ages and so they went together with their kids. I can't find anything like that in my area but was wondering whether anyone else has any inspiration?

TIA!

Could you join a gym with a crèche?

My DS cycles alongside while I run. It depends on how well your DD manages a bike, but we manage a short (3-5km) run like this.

Cycling with a baby seat on the bike? My DS loved this.

I was also going to suggest jogging with your 3 year old on a bike / balance bike / scooter. Assuming you have safe routes on decent paths of course - realise it may not be ideal depending on your location!

You could try

• taking a walk during your lunch break at work
• go swimming with your child....just playing about is exercise
• play catch or play in playground with child
• some gyms have a nursery/crèche so you can book a Saturday exercise class and your child can play there for your hour class.

-go for short hikes in woods with child and just give a piggyback ride now and then.

• turn on music and have dance party with child for a half hour being silly.

You can get exercise just by being active....

I think the Joe Wicks (Body Coach guy) has some exercise videos on his you tube page for kids - not sure if the ones for kids would also be suitable for adults to do too but could be worth a look as they are free to access.

Rollerskating if you have a rink near you. I go with my DS and we both skate together but separately. 3 is just about olde enough to learn. It's not much good in terms of exercise for the first few weeks while the child needs you to help them learn, but once they are off, they will skate about independently and then you can enjoy the benefits for yourself. Physically the health benefits are enormous. Up to 600 calories an hour and a near full body anaerobic workout. But the operative word is enjoy because there is no work in the workout.

If you get into it, you can also skate alongside your child as they use a bike. And I sometimes set up slalom cones in my hallway/livingroom and could spend a few hours skating on those when DS is asleep/playing/watching tv. Even in the small space, I skate hard, so get reasonable work-out benefits from it.

Single working parent here as well.

I do mine in the week before my sons get up time, at the weekend I run while he does rugby tots on a Saturday, on Sunday I go to the gym during his swimming lesson (unless it’s a badge day).

Does she still nap in the day?... I can’t remember if they still do at 3?

I used to park up near a hill while dd was asleep in afternoon and do hill reps. Car in sight at all times.
I’ve also done this at an athletics track with ds in buggy asleep, left him in the middle in sight and run round him.

Junior parkrun?

www.parkrun.org.uk/events/juniorevents/#3.34/55.05/-2.95

Your LO is probably a bit young but the only way I've found to do it regularly is to run while they cycle.

I did go to a family self defense thing but DC would have been about 8/10

I once saw a family head off across Windermere with the children paddling a canoe while the parents swam. It's nearly a mile wide! I was very impressed both at the ability and the creative family activity.

Gym with creche is probably your best bet.

But also, it sounds really really naff but just try to keep moving as much as possible through the day. Do short shuttle runs in the park while you've got your eye on her, do a few planks or push ups or air squats while waiting for the kettle to boil or the microwave to ping, star jumps in the garden while she's playing, lift her up and down like it's a game and get a few reps in with her body weight, dance with her and jump around doing silly moves, do some yoga poses or use a resistance band while she's watching fireman sam, that sort of thing.

It probably makes me look like a crazy person (my DH says it does) but on days when you can't train, doing a little bit multiple times through day can be easier than trying to carve out a solid hour.