Two young children: how do you manage exercise

[Cbell]

I've always been a keen runner and got back to regular exercise about 8 months after my DD was born. By the time she was 18 months old I was running most mornings before DH went to work.

However now I have DS (5 months) and DD ( 3years) and I'm struggling to fit in regular exercise. Running isn't really an option at the moment as it's too dark morning/ evening. Also I am really, really struggling to motivate myself after broken nights sleep.

I'd love to hear from others who a keen on fitness on how they managed, tips and motivation.

I have kids the same age and I just try to get out for a walk every day. Eg when dh gets back or DD is at preschool I put ds in the sling and go by myself. Could be just round the block or further if I feel like it. Or I put dd in the pushchair and ds in the sling. Or I go with dh on weekends. Or just to the shops. Even if I am walking slowly with dd on her scooter I try to get out and it makes me feel loads better about life!

Okay, I'll confess I'm not a fitness afficionado (and sadly I hate running) but my plans for exercise (I have a 4 year old and 7 month old) is a weighted hula hoop twice a day (5 mins each time) reckon I can fit that in to my routine okay and doesn't matter about the rain.

I'm doing a buggy fit exercise type class in the local park once a week (lunges, abs, bit of jogging and resistance training for arms/lats etc) and planning to get on my bike for a 30 minute cycle at weekend mornings (when DH can look after them).

Might be a bit low key for what you want, but it's as good as it gets for me :-) Looking forward to spring and the lighter/nicer weather so I can get out cycling more (evenings before or after teatime) but hoping the above will keep me ticking over until then.

Do you really not like going in the dark? I go with another mum who lives next door to me, once kids are in bed. Actually prefer it being dark because no one can see how puce I am.

I run in the dark.

An exercise bike whilst watching tv. Doing shred quite often in installments but with a bit of planning you can make it work. DD used to do it with me! It was hilarious.

At the moment I park the baby in front of baby tv and try to get through 20 min shred.

When I was really desperate I would put on some lively music and we would all jump up and down

I also run in the dark. It's more fun that way.

I run in the dark or I go to Zumba twice a week once DH is home.

Head torch for in the dark, or the other option is a double buggy, tones the arms beautifully!! And it does not slow you down that much :)

Run in the dark with the dog (not that he'd be much protection, but he's big and white at least!)

I got back into it about 12/13 months things eased up a little . I also use work out DVDs at home when second child naps and 1st child at nursery .

When mine were those kind of ages I used to run in the gym first thing (I don't like running in the dark either).

Sympathies on the broken nights - my youngest didn't sleep through til she was 2 and also used to get up at 5AM. The only plus side of that was that it wasn't difficult to drag myself out of bed at 6.30 as she was already up

In terms of evening exercise - I used to focus on the fact that I was getting a bit of childfree time - DH and I had a pact that we would always give each other time to train, without moaning. So we both used to go at the DC bedtime - one would put them to bed one night, while the other went to the gym. Ditto weekends - always gave each other time to go, without argument.

It was hard, though, I currently have one at school and one at pre school 5 mornings and am totally spoilt.

I go to circuits on a Sunday morning while Dh has the kids. Don't really have time for more than that but trekking 1.5k each way to pre-school twice a day with a buggy seems to be helping.

Can you afford to use a creche at your local leisure centre? That way you can swim or do a class.

I do wii fit/wii zumba/wii dance a few times a week. The DC sometimes come in the room and join in for a bit or laugh at me but then they get bored after ten minutes and wander off again.

Actually a few days ago I was doing zumba and DD did the whole thing with me. I was knackered, sweating like a pig and panting. DD didn't even break a sweat and turned to me and said 'why do you sound funny and look all blotchy mummy?'.

I wanted to slap her skinny pert little arse!

I get up early and do a workout DVD or get on the elliptical.

Then I use the buggy everywhere (no car).

Afraid the only solution I've found is to set the alarm super-early, so I get very little sleep, but fit in my exercise (neither of mine are good sleepers..).

I have just bought a second hand water rower to use at home, which is bliss. It even sounds lovely.
But I am often too sleep deprived to even spare 20 minutes for it, I just have to follow dc2 to bed at 7 (waking every two hours through half the night)...
I figure the investment is a fraction of gym fees.

I only have 1 baby, but work full time, so would never see him if I also went to the gym every evening after work (and there are no classes after his bedtime). So I mostly use DVDs. There are some good, intensive ones, so you get a good workout in less time - I recommend Insanity and LesMills Grit series (you can't buy the latter ones officially if you're not an instructor, but there are of course websites selling copies).

Shred while kids (2 & 3) watch tv. Put on something like the gruffalo which is about 20mins then go for it. Do it later in the day, maybe after their dinner so they are chilled out, then you can shower once they are in bed and don't have to stay sweatty for too long. I do this 4 times per week.

Lurking for tips.
We only have 1 TV (well DD 13 has one but there's no room to do a DVD in there, I tried shred but smashed a lamp and banged my head )

I also used to run with a suitable buggy, but both dc hit fed up with this idea before they were one.

I power walk everywhere with my 2 year old in the buggy and I pick routes which involve hills or steep inclines if at all possible. Pushing a heavy buggy up a hill at speed isn't easy! When he's napping I do the Shred. I've done the Shred when my 4 year old was home and he's fine with sitting quietly entertaining himself with something while I get on with it as it is so short.

I don't mind running in the dark but I live in the countryside with few street lights and it just doesn't feel safe. I spend the entire time thinking someone is lurking in tube woods.

My best option is getting up early but is so bloody hard after a broken nights sleep. Today I did a DVD while the LO napped and stuck my daughter in front of the tv. I felt slightly guilty but also very pleased to have got a work out in.

I think I need to get more exercise in during the weekends. It's just so bloody hard when you're knackered. Wish my only hobby was knitting

It is really hard to make time for exercise when you have little ones - i have to admit I've only really just got back into it after having 3 kids in the space of 4.5yrs (youngest now 2 years old).

I breastfed my now 2 year old until she was 18 months, she started sleeping through at 12months, and whilst I tried to exercise during all that, it was pretty hopeless - i was so tired from lack of sleep / breastfeeding.

I would say:

(1) Don't set yourself crazy goals eg saying you'll exercise 4 times a week is so impossible with kids and tiredness. I just promise myself i'll get out running twice per week - one long run on a sat or sunday when DH can sit the kids, and one shorter run on a wednesday lunchtime when elder 2 are at school and my mum can have 2yo. I know I can achieve this most weeks, and if I do manage to fit in a 3rd run then bonus!

(2) Find a similar minded mum who might sit your kids whilst you run, then you do the same for her whilst she runs

(3) Find just one evening exercise class per week that you can get to - make it your weekly 'must do' eg DH must be home to babysit and you must get yourself there and complete the class

(4) Exercise DVDs are probably the best bet during the winter months - I bought a Cindy Crawford one that she did specifically after having a baby. Also, Davina does good DVDs too. Have NO guilt about sitting your kids infront of peppa pig for half an hour whilst you exercise - a happy mum = happy kids.

(5) If you're into running, enter some events? I entered my first event post kids on 29th December - 10k run through the New Forest, totally loved it! I've now signed up for 2 more 10ks later this year, just to keep me motivated. Try 5k fun runs to begin with, then work up to longer distances.

Honestly, you'll get there - it just is really tough with kids, especially a 5mo, don't beat yourself up, you're doing great just thinking about exercise!

All my exercise involves being with the children now - I run 12 miles a week with a double buggy taking my eldest to and from nursery. I also run the double buggy to the park for them to play and we run around together!
Exercise DVDs are also good when the little one naps and the eldest can play by herself for a bit and watch me!