SAHPs with DC not in childcare/school

[doodlydooo]

If you're a SAHP and your child is not of school age and does not go to daycare, please could you share how you get your steps in or how you get exercise in to your everyday routine?

I have an 18month old who is super glued to my every move. I desperately want to try harder to lose weight. My Mounjaro injection arrived yesterday and I am hoping to taking it tonight. I need to lose 8stones to get to a healthy BMI.

In terms of exercise, I was hoping to initially start by getting 10,000 steps everyday (and at the moment it's a fraction of that). However, if for example I go out with DC for a long walk I feel it's a bit unfair for her to be pushed in her pushchair for a whole hour. And if I let her walk, we would be going at an incredibly slow pace examining every crack in the pavement and ant crawling by. (In general I am happy for her to explore and go slow, but if I have an aim to get some steps in there's not a hope in hell we'll do it at DC's pace). I have a walking pad at home but if I go on it for even 10min, DC is pulling open drawers, pulling clothes from them etc. And so I could do it, but risk everywhere else looking like a toddlers been let loose.

Do you guys save exercise for nap times? In the evening when your partner is home from work? I really do need to incorporate something in as I am also terrified of the impending loose skin I might have.

Any advice hugely appreciated x

When my kids were that age I did it either at nap times, very early morning before they woke or in the evenings after bedtime. I also used to go to the gym or for a swim on a weekend morning (followed by a nice solo trip to a coffee shop or a quick mooch around the shops) when my husband could take care of the kids.

During the week I'd walk everywhere, if you feel bad about them being in the buggy for too long then just make sure you have a destination. So brisk 20 min walk to the park or soft play, let the kids play for a while at whatever destination, then brisk walk back.

I joined a gym with a crèche and did stuff at home when my DC was in bed. If you have a partner I think you have time to exercise when they are home and at weekends.

Walk while they nap?

Nap in the pushchair I mean.

I also think there's nothing wrong with them being in the pushchair for that long while they're awake. Just point out the things they'll see, maybe go past interesting stuff or walk round a farm or zoo etc.

I had two young dogs when my kids were little and DH worked long hours, so all the walking fell to me. We went out twice a day 1.5h and 1h.
I always let them walk some of the way, but not all because it would take forever.
They didn’t mind being in the push chair usually and if they complained then i took them out for a bit to pick a flower or a rock or something, then they were happy again for a while. Its all about getting them used to it.
For us it was just part of the routine, there was no way around it, even when it rained all day.

Do a brisk walk for you with her in the push chair, and a second slower exploration walk with her.

When mine were that age I’d get up at 5 (still do) and workout while the were still asleep. I’d also put them in the buggy and walk to the park or to the shops etc rather than drive.
Then sometimes I’d go to the gym in the evening once they were in bed as well. I’ve never struggled to get 10k steps but I’m a very active person and usually hit 20k most days

There’s nothing wrong with going for a long walk with your child in a pushchair.

They are getting fresh air, to see new things and to hear new sounds.

I'm not a SAHP but when DC were younger I would do a YouTube exercise video whilst DC napped/played/joined in. Mostly Yoga and Pilates.

Evenings once in bed, nap times, and long walks when they were napping in the buggy anyway. Have never been able to successfully exercise with my children around until my eldest was 5 tbh. Think that's normal.

A walk with a mix of pushchair/slower walking time is fine.

Work out to YouTube videos while they potter around/climb on you. It’s better than nothing and it’s great for kids to see their parents prioritise health and fitness.

Put music on and dance around madly for ten minutes with your toddler either joining in or staring at you like you’re mad.

If you have a unicorn child that naps for long periods (more than 20 mins, yes DS I’m looking at you) then great, you have loads of home work out options.

Round here a few places have started doing mum and baby exercise classes which look fab, wish they had been there when I was on mat leave. Babies lie and watch or bigger ones play while mums try and exercise while also supervising them, with help from an understanding instructor who gets lots of baby cuddles, win win!