SAHM to toddlers - what do you do for exercise?

freda

As a full time SAHM, how do you get time or energy to do any exercise? I need to get into some sort of habit of exercising, but when? I can't afford to go to the gym with all of the creche costs. DH doesnt get home till 6.30 and by the time I've got the children to bed, made, eaten and cleaned up our tea I'm just ready for bed. Weekends are family time.

I always thought that the active lifestyle you have with littlies would be enough exercise, but its not really exercise. Yes, its active, but its more lifting, walking at toddler speed, playing in the garden - none of which is particularly strenuous, just never ending!

My other problem is that I'm not a great fan of exercise. Before I had kids I was one of those lucky thin people who never needed to exercise. I'm not any more! So, I need to find something I enjoy.

What do you do? Inspire me!

poppyolivia

you sound like me!!lol I've joined the gym though but not gone yet as I'm scared!!haha! I need to lose half a stone to a stone but have no energy....

Today I have tidied 4 rooms, made lunch played with Super Pooper and done a hour ironing...now I want to sleep!

Rockporkchop

Your post made me smile - if I had a pound for every woman who has fibbed that they are slim because they "run around after the baby" all day, I would have enough money for a nice fit personal trainer.

It's difficult isn't it - I hate exercise too and am always so knackered by the end of the day. When they were tiny babies I used to go for really long walks but now they understandably won't sit for that long in the pushchair.

Now my DH and I do a session on the Wii fit a few times a week. It's fun and doesn't feel so much like exercise, also if you turn it into a bit of a competition it gets you a bit more motivated. I still should do more exercise but at least it's something.

pinkshoes

Get an energetic dog?

When it's toddler's nap time, put him/her in push chair instead, and go on an hour long brisk walk, with your walkman plugged in, with dog. Or without a dog!

I don't have kids, but looked after my twin cousins for a few weeks, and often did this with them. They slept very well in a moving pushchair!

oystercatcher

I used to meet a friend one evening a week and go swimming, the local pool roped off lanes and we'd swim up and down and chat at the same time.

Once you start school runs you get fitter, as long as you walk them there!

Walking everywhere with the buggy helps as well.

claireac

I like Pinkshoes idea, and would do that myself if I had the time!

I work though, and by the time I've picked my dd up from pre-school or childminder, got home, had some time with her, cooked dinner, cleaned the house etc there's very little time or energy left for the gym! I do have a gym membership.......it's festering away, and I really need to find the time and energy to use it!!!

tessie_bear

i do laps round the local park with the buggy...power praming iv heard it called....its great and the toddler thinks its great fun

Silaqui

please don't be offended by this, it isn't meant in a patronising way (although I can see how people might take it that way!)

You are a SAHM and that is your 'job' in effect - now I know that you can't just turn off being a mum at half past 6 BUT loads of people work at a different job all day and then still put the kids to bed and go to the gym and stuff.

You just have to motivate yourself I guess, I don't have kids but when I get home from work, after making dinner and having a good tidy up the gym is the last place I want to be going, but I have to FORCE myself (lazy at heart lol) Poppy you say you have no energy, I always though it was a big fat lie untill I started gymming regularly but exercise really does give you more energy! Because you are at home with your kids all day you don't need to feel guilty about not spending time with them either, they can have some 'dad time' hehe.

A gym membership is dear but there are other options, could you get yourself a couple of DVD's or there are loads of FREE workouts here http://www.exercisetv.tv/ if you don't mind looking a bit silly :rotfl:

I guess if your kids are little enough to be taking naps you could fit some in then maybe.

Anyway enough rambling
x

LJM

my girls keep me fit just running around after them i either go for walks with them,swimming or cycling mainly things that are cheap or free. sometimes i will just go off walking in the eves alone when my girls are in bed

mummy_Jay

Why not sign your little one up for free swimming and take him/her along. its surprising how much exercise you get wondering up and down with them in the pool.
Or get boogie beebies on and join in with the little one, I know its only 10-15 mins but if you get them into it, maybe you could get them interested in having a go at a dance style exercise dvd with you?
Walk as much as you can with the little one, I know toddlers pace is slow but its important for them too, when you take them to the park make sure you run round after them (rather than sit and watch), do gardening with them. All these little bits add up and as they get bigger you get to do more and you'll hardly notice it.

jack*tigger

Do some aerobics - little one can join in.

E.g. lie on your back on the floor and lift little one up and down - will work out your arms a treat. Little one will love it - you've just got to be careful of any dribble !!!

Do sit ups holding your little ones hands. You sit up they lie down, you lie down they sit up.

Little one can copy you doing a lot of other stretching exercises.