Help me find a way to exercise during the day with small children

[javotte]

It has recently dawned on me that my husband has been sabotaging my weight loss efforts. He has cancelled our weekly trips to the swimming pool without explanation (I don't drive, so I cannot go on my own) and he won't take care of the DCs for half an hour while I exercise.
Four months on, I have put on 10lbs (but I have probably put on 20lbs of fat and lost 10lbs of muscle).

I need to shape up. NOW. What works best for me is circuit training (I am a Jillian Michaels fan). The trouble is, I am a SAHM to 3 DCs aged 6, 4 and 1. DC1 and DC2 are homeschooled. The baby is extremely demanding. She only has a short nap during the day, which I have to use to do housework. The rest of the time, she needs constant attention.
We co-sleep and if I try to get up early to put on a fitness DVD, she inevitably wakes up.

All ideas are welcome!

I did JM's 30 day shred over the summer holidays, knowing I'd not have time to exercise otherwise. My DC joined in of sorts and really enjoyed themselves! Could you make it part of the homeschooling day? Not sure how homeschooling works but a bit of jumping around in the morning gets the brain awake and ready to learn!
As an aside, why is your DH sabbotaging your weightloss efforts!?

My husband likes me better fat and with low self-esteem because he thinks no one else will want me then. If thinks don't change I will probably post on the relationships topic...
DC1 and 2 can take care of themselves for half an hour, but the baby cannot. Either she will scream and grab my legs or she will do something forbidden (such as emptying the bookshelves and ripping the books apart). If I exercise while she sleeps, nothing will get done in the house.

That's terrible, you poor thing! My DH also prefers women with a bit of flesh on them, but accepts that I'm not happy this way & he'd prefer that I'm happy, he's supported me to lose all my baby weight. Your DH sounds very unsupportive (at best). I'd post on the relationships board if I were you, they'll have better advice there about your relationship as it doesn't sound healthy.

Would youngest sit in a highchair and nibble on something, squash food between her fingers etc for a bit?! You never know, she may find mummy jumping around in front of her entertaining?! I appreciate it is difficult, and your DHs attitude stinks so clearly that doesn't help.

Javotte - that sounds like abusive and controlling behaviour. He likes you better with low self esteem? My DH supports me to be the best I can be and is proud of what we achieve together. Your situation is not healthy.

That's very sad to hear about an unsupportive husband. Can you do Pilates or Pilates-based exercises at home? Like squats, lunges, weights etc? You don't really need specialist equipment or space and you can just do it for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 in the evening. Run up and down the stairs for some cardio.

You can easily find these types of exercises on the internet or cut them out from fitness magazines.

He doesn't like bigger women.
At the beginning of the year I went from a size 20-22 to a 12-14. It led to lots of sulking and accusations of cheating.
I am now back to a 16-18.

Sorry, lots of X-post.
The baby won't stay in her high chair. I know from previous experience that it will get better almost overnight when she reaches the age of 2, but I cannot wait another year!
We go for long walks every day and I walk up and down the stairs a lot, so that's some cardio, but I need some strength training too.
I will try to squeeze in a few moves from my DVDs throughout the day, even if it is only a couple of push-ups at a time.

You could try the squat challenge as you fit them in during the day and it requires no equipment or even getting changed if wearing loose clothes - plus squats according to my PT are the best functional exercise as work the biggest muscles.. basically you start out doing 10 squats a day and build it up to over 250 - but they can be done quickly - eg when you get up knock out 20, go to the loo and do 10 - whilst kettle is boiling - you could even do the equivilent of weighted squats holding the baby!

The other thing to remember is that exercise is only 20% of weight loss - if you cant work out too much, it is not going to impact your loss too badly so dont worry about it and focus on good food.

Good luck!

How's the baby in her buggy? You might feel like a bit of a tit, but could you stick on your trainers, put the baby in the buggy and walk the kids to the park, then while they play you can run round with the buggy, do some squats and lunges etc, while keeping an eye on the older two? Or they can run about with you? You all get some exercise and baby is entertained.

I'm intrigued how you home ed the older 2 if the baby is do demanding but that's another thread. As is your husbands horrible attitude.

I think the best idea is to get the kids to join in. Do you have a wii? Lots of very high energy games / dancing on there that the kids love doing.