Finding Time and Energy — by Sister Megan
I recently had baby number two — just last November, and I am having to relearn how to manage life. The thing I am having the hardest time figuring out is how to fit in exercise. I have been a runner for most of my life and enjoy being out and about so I'm determined to find a good solution.
With my first baby I figured out that I could workout at home while he napped. That was wonderful! I got some good workout videos and dropped the weight pretty quickly. Now that I am ready to workout again I am trying to figure out what works best with two little ones. Here are some things that I have come up with.
I have a pass to the YMCA. They have a wonderful day care and it is now included in our membership. It is a great way to get back into shape. I love the classes.
But for me, there are a few drawbacks: -I have to get 3 people ready and out the door at a certain time if I want to make one of the group classes. Which is hard to do if you had a restless night. -If the kids are sick, no go. Our membership ate a hole in our pocket for the month of February because we were all sick. I felt like it was money wasted. -I have to stay on site because I have kids in the day care. Which means running on a treadmill. Which is the worst for me — I'll run for 5 minutes and want to be done.
I have used a single jogger with my first and enjoyed being outside in the fresh air. Plus in Southern California you can pretty much go out year round (except February, when it rains all the time). This option is a lot easier to fit into your schedule, no place to drive, you just get out and go. I always try to end at a park so that the kids can have some time to play while I stretch out. Plus the kids enjoy being outside. If you like company when you run, you can find mom clubs that workout together.
Drawbacks:
-It is more work jogging with a jogger — but also more of a workout because it's like pushing weights the whole time. -They can also be quite expensive.
It is always easier to get out and do exercise if you have someone to go with. Plus it's not as lonely. You could work out something where you go out while your friend watches the kids then she can go out when you come back. Or just go together early in the morning while your husband is home and the kids are sleeping.
Drawbacks:
You have to work with two peoples schedules and figure out what works best.
Like I said this is what I did with my first. I'm not sure how to make it work with two — but it's easy to do, easy to follow, you can do it in your own home, and cost is minimal.
Drawbacks:
-You have to do it while the kids are sleeping, otherwise they might get in the way. (My 3 year old likes to lift my weights and play with them.)
-Also, if you do it everyday for 3 months you could get burnt out of the same video and need to get more to stay motivated.
Wish me luck as I figure out my routine — and I'd love to hear what works for you!
posted by Gabrielle of Design Mom at Tuesday, February 26, 2008
24 Comments:
I only have one, and do a combination of walking with a jogger and doing videos at home during the winter. My new solution to video burnout: Netflix. Either order a video via mail, or just use their new unlimited on demand videos. I've found, that with all this variety I'm exercising a lot more often anad using all sorts of new muscles that haven't been used in, um, quite a while.
Jogging stroller, all the way! It's great to be outside, AND exercising, AND with your kids. We always start at a park, and then run...works out great! In the winter (Minnesota is COLD and snowy), I do lots more yoga (try core power yoga on demand: www.corepoweryoga.com---$99/year for an online video subscription---lots of short practices---I do several a day), and run on the treadmill in our building when my husband is home.
I know how you feel. I just had mine in October and when I was ready to work out I wanted to join a gym but there didnt have day care. So I got a video and did it at home, but I hated using a nap time to work out...I like to use nap time for my crafts or hobbies. And now I live in Alaska where we have winter 6 months out of the year so the jogging stroller does help me much. Good luck hope you find what works for you!
I have two and have been getting various workout videos through Netflix. I love it - if I love a video I keep it a little longer, if not, it goes in the mail and a new one comes in 3 days. I do them during the PM nap time when both kids are sleeping. Works for me! (once the baby is a year I will start going back to the gym - and when he's not napping in the AM)
first, i wish i was in so cal with you. i grew up there. second, i have two kids also. i do a combination of what you were thinking of. i have a double jogger also, and have taken them out in it. i also have some dance/aerobic DVD's and also some pilates DVD's. i have enough that i can switch it up and not get too bored. my husband is training to enter triathalons and so we have a very high end exercise bike in our home. which is another option for me!! and then some days i don't do it at all. at church we had an exercise group that would meet once a week and so stuff. so that helped too. good luck adjusting to having two kids!
Speaking of strollers, Phil and Ted's are new to me. They have "double-decker" strollers for two children that aren't as wide as the side by sides. From Australia, I think.
http://www.philandteds.com
I do a combo of all your suggestions. My main way to exercise is to go to a gym. I love the classes and I like my time away from my two kiddos. When one of them is sick and I can't take them to the day care I run with my jogging stroller. And in the evenings after dinner and getting the kids in bed I go running with my neighbor. I think it is good to do a range of exercise so that nothing gets boring and it is good for your body to change it up too.
If anyone is interested in a good jogging stroller check out Bob strollers and more specifically The Chariot. It is so versatile and it is really easy to run with, even the double.
I think I've tried all methods, and I prefer the gym. My daughter plays contently in their childcare area while I work out. Personally, I needed the group motivation factor. I tried videos and things at home, however - I found that I didn't push myself as hard, and would take breaks more frequently than when I'm in a group environment (which keeps me motivated and determined to keep up with the rest). I switch-up with treadmill work, group exercise, strength training and swimming. I finally convinced myself that if I'm running 10 minutes late for class, I just have to bust in there and join right in! For the first time in my life...I'm addicted to working out, and it feels great!
I love the gym. Repeat--love the gym. I finally figured out that I have to get up at the crack of dawn or it doesn't work. I make it back in time to start making lunch for my husband to take to work and to start getting breakfast for everyone. I had to make it a priority in my schedule, or it didn't happen. I love having "me" time.
Of course I don't have a newborn right now.
Before that, I used a few exercise DVD's. I put both kids down for a nap and that's what I did every day.
when my second was born (mine are 18 mos. apart) i joined Stroller Strides. It was perfect for me. I was a new stay at home mom, so had no mom friends and was freaked out about it! I made a ton of friends through stroller strides and getting to class was easy because i knew i had friends there. and it's not just walking or running. it's strength training too. i dropped 25 pounds in the year after my daughter was born! now that my kids are older i'm off to the gym to, which i LOVE, but I don't love that we are on the third lice outbreak since I joined last november. also, i thought stroller strides was kind of a lot of money at 50 bucks a month, but with the gym membership dues plus daycare i'm paying quite a bit more than that. my latest thing is getting up at 4:30 to go to the gym without the kids. this way i get it done and still have time to come home and drink coffee and read the paper before everyone is up!
i'm a gym junkie. gym memberships double as exercise and time alone! i'm lucky because my gym also has an indoor pool for family use and access to all outdoor pools in our town. a deal for sure!
I am going to start an outdoor bootcamp where I live. A way to tone up and lose weight.
I also love spinning and running.
My new favorite class is Body Pump. Lifting with heavy weights and then high intensity intervals. My body has rediscovered muscles :)
My first choice is running on the beach in Mexico with my sister in law. I wish we could do that every morning.
Good luck Megan!
Double jogger all the way! I've been a mom 12 years and I have been running behind that Baby Jogger the whole time. It is much more flexible and allows you to be outside and be with the kids. I only have one in the jogger right now, but I used to push two heavy boys and looking back I wonder how I did it, but I did and I'm sure you can too.
We're in the market for a double jogger since our second edition is expected in less than a month. I've seen some smoking deals on Craigslist- Bob, Phil and Teds and Trek all make really schmancy versions.
The gym was motivating in that we were paying so much I couldn't NOT go, but the childcare wasn't stellar where I am, nor was the location. With the stroller there is no excuse- I can always walk instead of running if I'm feeling blech. Plus, having them involved in a fitness habit is always a good thing.
I use DVDs. To keep my toddler occupied but close, I let her watch a movie on a portable DVD player. Works like a charm.
It is absolutely stupid hot here more of the year than not, so actually going outside is just not going to happen for me most days. I also can't stomach workout videos for some reason..I just find them really obnoxious and don't feel motivated to do them at all...What I do is jog in the house. Yeah, it's kind of sad. I started doing it because my daughter and I have hypothyroidism, so I have to be really on top of how much exercise she is getting or else she gains a bunch of weight very quickly(as do I, but her health is much more motivation for me than my own), so I started jogging through the house in an attempt to keep her active. My house is laid out in a big circle, so we go through the halls, the kitchen, the living room, etc. My kids are going on three and 19mo and this works for me because I can do it many times a day to keep my energy up, and I don't have to use the little one's nap time because they can be be involved...It's also a lot of fun for them. My neighbors probably think I'm insane though.
Have any of the moms heard of Stroller Strides? It is a national company, and my friend, Kara, heads up the classes in her town of Boise, Idaho. You can go to their website (I am assuming it is www.strollerstrides.com) to check it out and see which cities are currently hooked up with Stroller Strides. Basically it is the answer for many moms of how to fit in exercise after having a baby -- combine the two -- exercise using your stroller with the baby in it! I think it is also a great way to meet up with other new moms in your community. Check it out!
i just reread what i wrote. i meant to say that the GYM is on their third lice outbreak since we joined, NOT my kids!
just like one needs to schedule an appointment to see the doctor, one needs to put in on the calendar to do it. make a goal, start out 2 x a week, then increase to 3. You have to give yourself oxygen before you give it to others! They need you just as much as you need them - every mom faces this dilemma.
your posted one of my favorite paintings.
Sigh. I cannot have kids. Period. I can barely manage my life and my workouts as it is.
I am now exhausted just contemplating.
Kudos to all of you, ladies! Well done!
I'm probably a little late on this thread, but here's what I like to do... having done a number of videos/classes etc I just do my own version of "home workout" while I watch regular tv. This is mostly just for toning. I have 8 lb. arm eights, so I do a combo of arm exercises, push ups, situps, squats, lunges, other leg exercises, some Tae Bo moves, etc. Then, like some ladies mentioned I don't really like using nap time for working out--I like to do other ME time stuff--but the exception is turning on my ipod and dancing to music. Depending on how ong I boogie, this can actually be a nice little work out, plus it's more fun than just doing a video.
Super Zoe--don't be down on yourself lady. i'm sorry about the kids thing, but I'm sure you're more together than you think.
i had my third 6 months ago. i go to they gym and use the daycare. bonus, i babysit once a week for an hour to get my membership free. i use my double stroller (best 300 dollars i ever spent) when the five year old is at school. i trade with neighbors to run or bike especially if i want to go WITH my husband. i play church ball. and my mom just found a treadmill at a thrift store for me. now i have no excuses. plus that fact that i am registered for a triathlon in june should motivate me.
When my first child was a baby, I would head to they gym at night after he went to bed. After number two, I was too exhausted for that, and found that workouts were being squeezed out of my day (I love the gym for all the above-mentioned reasons). I finally decided that I needed it more than I needed sleep, and I wake up before my husband and kids wake, go to the gym and get back about the time they are waking up. They get happy mommy first thing, and I get a good start with more energy in my day.
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