How do you fit in exercise with work and LO?

mummy_Jay

Turn on some music and dance with your DD, join in with all the action in the songs she knows, it's all these little things that add up.
When you take her to the park play with her and wonder round with her, rather than being one of the parents that sits and watches.
My DS is 5 and I told him I need to get more fit, so he encourages me. I get a lot of come on mum run with me.

At work, I try to make a point of jogging up the stair rather than walking and try to squeeze in a walk at lunchtime too. Also go and talk to people rather than using the phone/email, it gets you away from your desk and every little counts.

Other than that when I can motorvate myself I slip in the odd exercise dvd, once DS in bed.

As for swimming, take her to a open swimming session as they don't normally let people in the pool during swimming lessons. What your thinking or as standing around, is you moving in the water and playing with her for a while which is all exercise. It also builds her water confidence.

whatalife_2

I bought Davina Fit dvd recently and I love it. Highly recommended and it's good when you don't have much time as there are 4 x 30min sections plus a yoga section at the end.

belfastgirl23

If your LO can cycle, it can be a good chance for you to get a reasonably brisk walk in if you let her cycle beside you. Or maybe even run if she gets a little bigger (you could race each other ) Family cycles are nice but you won't really get much exercise if you're going at her pace. You could also consider a bike with a carrier for her or with a little pull-along either?

Definitely good to encourage her to be physically active too though

Also what about booking your babysitter for an extra hour before or after Choir practice and fitting in an exercise class or gym session or even a longer walk?

fay144

Why don't you have a look in the Exercise & Fitness thread in the Arms? Lots of the folk on there have young children, and manage to fit in very impressive amounts of exercise, so sure they will have lots of good advice.

(I don't have kids, but I do most of my exercise on-route to work or back, either running or cycling. It's a very easy way to fit in exercise during time that would otherwise just be wasted in a commute... depends how far your work is though, I guess)

Happynewmum

I exercise with my son!When he was about 3 months old I would lie him next to me when I was doing sit ups. After awhile he started copying me which was so funny!Now hes 8 months old I try to do the same bit hes more interested either rolling on top of me or rolling away so not very effective.I'd try to include the kids in your activities if poss

mummy_Jay

Just a quick thought get yourself a pedometer. You'll be amased how much just wearing one motorvates you to go that little bit further in a day.

margaretclare

It's possible to fit in a lot of exercise/fitness into your normal day. Stretches, squats, lunges, do a few at a time while preparing meals etc. Do active things rather than sitting watching TV. Squeeze your leg muscles while sitting at the computer.

RoxieW

Hi there
I have a wii and do the EA active game. http://www.play.com/Games/Wii/4-/8114672/EA-Sports-Active-Personal-Fitness-Trainer/Product.html?&_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:8114672|cat:Puzzle
I'd highly recommend it. Its interactive, sets challengers and goals and I'm yet to do two workouts the same. I get bored with dvd's but am yet to be bored with this.
I do it 3/4 nights a week - after the kids have gone to bed. The workouts are only between 20-40mins long so not too daunting a prospect.
I love it and have really seen a difference in my body already.
I know a wii is a big outlay if you dont have one already but I was paying £400 a year in gym membership so dividing the cost up monthly it doesnt seem as bad. hth.

GreenQueen

Thanks again, all,

The way forward sounds like finding something that DD can join in with, or at least do her own thing alongside me. I don't have any problems keeping her active when there are beds to be bounced on, furniture to climb, cats to chase...LOL

Exercise and fitness thread looks great - now I've got lots of ideas, I can find something that suits me. Building in extra bits of activity during the day sounds quite easy.

Last night, DD and I batted a balloon back and forth for 10 minutes last night, which she thought was hilarious - she made it difficult for me by sending it in the wrong direction, so I made sure I chased it properly.

I really like the idea of the Wii, but unfortunately don't think the finances will stretch to that at the moment.

I think I have a pedometer around from a previous attempt to up my activity - I'll have to look that out again.

cheers,
GQ