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Original poster

When do you fit in exercising if you have a baby/toddler?

38 replies

SunshineAndFizz · 06/12/2022 09:39

I'd love to do some exercise (to shift some of my pregnancy weight) and need some tips for fitting it into a busy life with a toddler (3 years) and new baby (3 months).

When do you fit it in? When they've gone to bed at night? Napping? Get someone else to look after them? Just have the kids with you and juggle both?

What do you do - gym? Exercise video at home? Or a walk with the pram?

Thanks!

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Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 06/12/2022 17:38

HS1990 · 06/12/2022 17:33

Snap! I have an almost 3 year old and a 3 month old too! Dud you have babba in Aug this year?

I have been working on dropping my weight too. I've been walking everywhere as much as possible, and dancing around to kids exercise videos with my toddler (or just any music we like). Also been using Samsung health to track my food.

Down 2 kg already 💪

Yes an August baby too. Congratulations to you Smile

Great work on the 2kg!

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Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 06/12/2022 17:41

MagdaMok · 06/12/2022 17:30

SunshineAndFizz even 10mins counts if you have busy day 😁 if you wait to have longer chunk of time you may exercise much less than you would like to as something ALWAYS happens!

That's so true. Anything is better than nothing, need to remind myself of this!

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Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 06/12/2022 17:42

ineedafairygodmother · 06/12/2022 17:34

Depending where you are (I'm in NE) and certain councils run group exercise for mums with babies at leisure Centers, where you can take baby. Try searching for buggy bootcamp and you may find something in your area

Great tip, thanks. I'll defo look for these too!

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Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 06/12/2022 20:46

HS1990 · 06/12/2022 17:36

I lost 10kg after my first pregnancy doing the same. I did walking workouts on YouTube.

Also built it into my housework e.g. remove all bins and forced to use outside one more so more steps a day. Side step whilst washing up or walk in my lounge whilst on the phone. Run up and down the stairs putting laundry away.

These are great ideas. And well done on the 10kg too!

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kingfisher657 · 06/12/2022 21:44

I have a 25 min cycle commute to work. I know this is not an option for everyone as it highly depends on your circumstances and where you live (in particular it sounds like you are currently doing full time childcare and not working outside the home). But if it is an option for anyone out there, I'd highly recommend it, as I get loads of exercise "by accident" i.e. without having to plan for it!

Most weekends I also go for a 30 min run while DH holds the fort - although this is happening less than I'd like recently, due to constant illness from first winter in nursery!

When I was on mat leave I didn't have the cycle commute of course, but I went for a walk almost every day with the baby. And once I was healed enough from my cesarean I slowly started to do the weekend running too.

Good luck and hope you can find ways to build it in for the physical and mental benefits :)

Prizelighter · 06/12/2022 23:06

I don't. When mine was a baby I could walk fast with him in the pram but now he is a toddler, our walks are slow and ponderous.

Already up at 6.30am which I hate and after he goes to bed anywhere between 7 or 8, I have tons to do or I'm tired.

I guess I could try at the weekends but inbetween actually spending some time with my husband and catching up on housework, I'd still struggle for time.

Mummummummumyyyyy · 06/12/2022 23:09

I don't. I simply don't have the time. I have 3 under 5 including a toddler who hates the pram and a husband who works her very long hours. One day when they're all in school I will be able to find the time I'm sure!

FloraSpoke · 06/12/2022 23:12

Zoom kettlebell class in the evening when DS is in bed. Walks with DS in hiking carrier at the weekend

Abouttimemum · 06/12/2022 23:13

I do a 6am-ish HIIT 3x a week before DS is awake. On TV, usually T25 which is quite old now but I like it. I do a brisk walk during my working day at some point, whether it’s during a meeting or lunch break. Nothing over the top but something every day. Sometimes I just do 15 mins YouTube vid - high intensity / stretching / muscle work.

I don’t do anything after DS is in bed but I know a few people who go for a walk / the gym in this time.

Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 07/12/2022 09:16

Mummummummumyyyyy · 06/12/2022 23:09

I don't. I simply don't have the time. I have 3 under 5 including a toddler who hates the pram and a husband who works her very long hours. One day when they're all in school I will be able to find the time I'm sure!

It's hard isn't it!

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Original poster
SunshineAndFizz · 07/12/2022 12:41

kingfisher657 · 06/12/2022 21:44

I have a 25 min cycle commute to work. I know this is not an option for everyone as it highly depends on your circumstances and where you live (in particular it sounds like you are currently doing full time childcare and not working outside the home). But if it is an option for anyone out there, I'd highly recommend it, as I get loads of exercise "by accident" i.e. without having to plan for it!

Most weekends I also go for a 30 min run while DH holds the fort - although this is happening less than I'd like recently, due to constant illness from first winter in nursery!

When I was on mat leave I didn't have the cycle commute of course, but I went for a walk almost every day with the baby. And once I was healed enough from my cesarean I slowly started to do the weekend running too.

Good luck and hope you can find ways to build it in for the physical and mental benefits :)

Thanks for sharing, all good tips. Yes I'm on mat leave at the moment and WFH usually when I am at work. Would have been good building into a commute!

Also had a c-section so just getting back into the swing of things.

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TwittleBee · 07/12/2022 12:43

Gym at 6am for an hour 3-4 times a week.

kingfisher657 · 08/12/2022 21:20

Hope you are doing ok after your cesarean. I found that everyone asked about my physical recovery but almost nobody asked about my emotional recovery. Hopefully you're doing fine, but it's really common to struggle emotionally so sending hugs if you need them.

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