How do you fit in exercise with work and LO?

GreenQueen

I feel as if i should be doing more exercise, but have trouble fitting it in - OK, so that might be a bit of an excuse, I've never been that sporty:whistle:

Bit of background - I have a 4YO DD, and work 4/5 days a week - she is at nursery while I'm at work. OH works away quite a lot, so I'm a 'single mum' for long stretches. I have a baby sitter one night a week when I go to choir practice.

At the moment, I'm trying to get out for a walk most lunchtimes (10-15 mins), but that's about it. Any ideas how I can fit some extra activity into my day/evening?

tia,
GQ

Person_one

Could you take your DD to a swimming class and you do lengths while she's with the instructor? A lot of places have a 'baby pool' separate from the main one.

What about doing exercise DVDs while she plays or is asleep?

Is there a parent and child dance group you could both go to?

Could you book the babysitter an extra night a week and go to an aerobics class or a sports club?

How do you get about? Do you drive everywhere and could you swap that for walking sometimes?

Do you have a garden? Can you play active games with your DD? I don't know of any as I don't have children.

Do you do anything extra at the weekends such asa longer walk?

JBD

What about doing stepping? You can do this indoors, and just fit in the odd 5 or 10 minutes. It can be good aerobic exercise. The wii fit is quite good as well. Again you can do it in short bursts during the day. Also think about incorporating exercise in your normal activity, eg use the stairs instead of the lift at work.

kjmtidea

I squeeze in 15 minutes on the exercise bike a couple of times throughout the day, when my kids are eating/playing/hanging off me! Could you power walk/jog to choir practice and then home again?

savingmummy

Excellent advise so far!!

I have a DD 4 and a DS 2 - they both do fitness dvds with me and love it!

Swimming is a fab idea, they do evening too at my local pool and dont close until 7.30pm so if hubby is home or you can get a babysitter maybe go swimming alone.
Do you have a close neighbour or friend with children who could help out for an hour here or there so you can go to clubs or other? Maybe help them out in return.

How about an exercise bike or treadmill for home? you could watch tv while doing so of an evening when the children are in bed!

GreenQueen

Thanks for all the useful responses - some good ideas here.

will look into the swimming - hadn't thought about being able to do some myself while she was learning - classes when she was little needed parents with them, and taking her in public sessions involves standing in shallow water getting cold while she splashes! Sometimes I forget that as she gets older she can be more independent - will look into local pools.

Exercise dvds, stepping, equipment in front of the telly all sound worth exploring.

used to do music group, but now that is a working/nursery day - unfortunately, don't seem to be any groups at weekends, they only cater for SAHMs in our area.

Where we live, in a village, nearly everything has to be by car, although walking between offices at work and using the lift is quite do-able (only laziness stopping that, and since I posted this here, I should really be motivating myself to build those in). just thought, there is a ladies loo near my office and another one right at the other end of the building - should start using the distant one, all a little bit extra exercise in my day.

As the weather gets better (hopefully), playing in the garden and walking to events in the village should be more feasible - I am a national trust member, so should get out at the weekend and walk with DD round some nice big gardens!

thanks all,
GQ

Person_one

GreenQueen wrote: »

Thanks for all the useful responses - some good ideas here.

will look into the swimming - hadn't thought about being able to do some myself while she was learning - classes when she was little needed parents with them, and taking her in public sessions involves standing in shallow water getting cold while she splashes! Sometimes I forget that as she gets older she can be more independent - will look into local pools.

Exercise dvds, stepping, equipment in front of the telly all sound worth exploring.

used to do music group, but now that is a working/nursery day - unfortunately, don't seem to be any groups at weekends, they only cater for SAHMs in our area.

Where we live, in a village, nearly everything has to be by car, although walking between offices at work and using the lift is quite do-able (only laziness stopping that, and since I posted this here, I should really be motivating myself to build those in). just thought, there is a ladies loo near my office and another one right at the other end of the building - should start using the distant one, all a little bit extra exercise in my day.

As the weather gets better (hopefully), playing in the garden and walking to events in the village should be more feasible - I am a national trust member, so should get out at the weekend and walk with DD round some nice big gardens!

thanks all,
GQ

I started swimming lessons when I was around your DDs age and I was left just with the supervision of the instructor while my grandma was in the 'adult' pool learning to swim herself, we got our bronze medals at the same time!

kitty_cat_2

Have you looked at any coucil run leisure centres? Some provide creche facilities while parents do exercise classes. Just a thought.

GreenQueen

Like that idea, Kitty_cat.

I'd got into my head that it was difficult to arrange, all your suggestions have helped me do a bit of lateral thinking. Will do a bit of surfing to see what I can organise for next weekend. It will give DD something a bit different too.

onlyroz

If it's possible to walk somewhere rather than drive then do it. I walk my son to and from school each day, whereas a lot of people seem to drive. Take the stairs rather than the lift (nearly killed me this morning when I tried that one). Maybe get a cycle machine to use while watching TV...

JBD

OP, as you live in a village how about going on some family bike rides? I'm sure your daughter would enjoy this and it would be a good example for her too.