Staying in shape as a parent

[Anonymous]

DH and I were always in very good shape, went to gym almost every day, until we had out daughter three years ago. We have tried to watch what we eat and have not gotten fat, but we definitely are softer than before we were parents. Just no time to go to the gym! At our daughter's preschool, so many of the parents are in amazing shape. Dads with huge muscles and moms with small waists. And some of them have 2 or 3 kids! How do they do it?? Any tips?

[Anonymous]

You must live in an affluent area if all the parents look like this. They have nannies to watch their kids as they go to the gym or they go to a gym with daycare and put their kids in. At my old gym, there were SAHMs that put their kid in the gym daycare 5 days a week for 2 hours at a time. You can make it happen if you figure it out--workout DVDs??

[Anonymous]

There is no possible way as a WOHM that I can work out as much as I used to. I used to exercise about 5 times a week. No time for that anymore! I aim for 2-3 times a week, but I work out hard and efficiently. I do HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training. You get an amazing workout for all body parts in about 20 minutes. Other than that, I really try to eat right. I'm not looking like I looked pre-kids, but I am still looking pretty good. I am hoping once my kids are a little older, I will have more time.

[Anonymous]

You have to make it a priority, and then be flexible about how to do it: gym with childcare, jogging stroller, work out at home or on your lunch break, get up very early (or stay up late to exercise). I've kept it up with my two kids, and plan to do so when our third arrives shortly, and have done some combination of all of the above as needed. It means trade-offs: I don't have much downtime, I deliberately chose a job that would afford reasonable work hours and a short commute, I wake up super early, etc. For me, it's been well worth it.

But really, it comes down to making that workout as essential to your daily life as eating or sleeping.

[Anonymous]

HITT is how to do it there are 6, 8, 10, 12 minute workouts all over the internet do one of those every other day

12 minute trainer even has a free app

Also as you said diet becomes more important as you get older

[Anonymous]

My DH gets up at 5 to run, and then lifts weights during his lunch break. I run after my child goes to bed (got a hand me down treadmill for this purpose). On the weekends or the evenings in the summer (when it's still light outside), I put my three year old in the jogging stroller and run.

I agree with PP: you have to prioritize it.

[Anonymous]

This is something I have struggled with as a new mom. I am still 10 lbs over what I wold like to be and my twins are 8 months old. Now that the weather is getting nicer, my plan is to walk! Basically walk down town with the stroller, grocery shopping with the stroller, walk in my neighborhood with the stroller. I am pushing a good 30lbs, especially when their are groceries in it, so I get a complete work out. .

[Anonymous]

DH goes to kickboxing/jiu jitsu classes 2 nights a week. (One night, he misses dinner but is home for bedtime; one night he has dinner with us as a family, and misses the bedtime routine.)

I get up early to do a home yoga practice most days of the week, and do a studio class at 7am once a week. (DH takes care of the morning routine while I'm at class) I also take a circus class on Saturdays, which gives DH and DS special time together. Occasionally, I'll use the Sworkit app for cardio or bodyweight exercises in my living room.

Otherwise, we walk a lot, both in our regular daily routines, and things like family nature walks and hikes. Neither of us look like we did when we were in our 20s, but we're definitely healthier and in better physical shape.

[Anonymous]

3 kids under 4. It is far easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. Maintenance is important and is its own reward. My wife and I are fortunate to have gyms in our buildings, so we are both able to workout in our lunch hour 2-4 times/week depending on life. For me that means a quick lift circuit, 3 mile run, then another lift circuit. We each usually get out to play our sports every week or two.

[Anonymous]

I haven't prioritized it, and it shows. Working towards getting back into a good routine, which will mean less sleep some nights. Hoping to make up for it other nights. You just need to make it a priority. I'm realizing I'm a better parent getting that 30-45min workout time than when I don't. It gives my fuse a longer length and I rarely get frustrated with my three-nager.

[Anonymous]

I prioritize it and fit it in. That being said, I couldn't really find headspace to do that until my younger child was about 18 months old.

We joined a gym with a really nice childcare facility that my kids enjoy.

I work out at the gym four times per week (two evenings after dinner and both weekend mornings). On the other days, I take a 30 minute walk after the kids go to bed (even in the dead of winter or when it's raining).

I agree with the PP who made the comment about prioritizing it the same way you would eating or sleeping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no possible way as a WOHM that I can work out as much as I used to. I used to exercise about 5 times a week. No time for that anymore! I aim for 2-3 times a week, but I work out hard and efficiently. I do HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training. You get an amazing workout for all body parts in about 20 minutes. Other than that, I really try to eat right. I'm not looking like I looked pre-kids, but I am still looking pretty good. I am hoping once my kids are a little older, I will have more time.

Agree you need to work out more efficiently. I used to work out six days a week. I am in much better shape now working out 3 times a week, primarily weightlifting + intervals at the end of my workouts. If I have time I go for a run or something for a fourth day. 3 times a week on the elliptical won't do much for you, but HIIT, lifting, etc., will really give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Once or twice a week I work out on my lunch break. I start really early and take a long lunch. Once on the weekends. If I know I won't be able to get a lunchtime workout in, I get up and go to the gym before work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to make it a priority, and then be flexible about how to do it: gym with childcare, jogging stroller, work out at home or on your lunch break, get up very early (or stay up late to exercise). I've kept it up with my two kids, and plan to do so when our third arrives shortly, and have done some combination of all of the above as needed. It means trade-offs: I don't have much downtime, I deliberately chose a job that would afford reasonable work hours and a short commute, I wake up super early, etc. For me, it's been well worth it.

But really, it comes down to making that workout as essential to your daily life as eating or sleeping.

Unless I had no other option, I would not take a job that didn't give me enough time to work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to make it a priority, and then be flexible about how to do it: gym with childcare, jogging stroller, work out at home or on your lunch break, get up very early (or stay up late to exercise). I've kept it up with my two kids, and plan to do so when our third arrives shortly, and have done some combination of all of the above as needed. It means trade-offs: I don't have much downtime, I deliberately chose a job that would afford reasonable work hours and a short commute, I wake up super early, etc. For me, it's been well worth it.

But really, it comes down to making that workout as essential to your daily life as eating or sleeping.

Unless I had no other option, I would not take a job that didn't give me enough time to work out.

Same. I have a short commute and get to work by 9. DH leaves with the kids at 8, I work out then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no possible way as a WOHM that I can work out as much as I used to. I used to exercise about 5 times a week. No time for that anymore! I aim for 2-3 times a week, but I work out hard and efficiently. I do HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training. You get an amazing workout for all body parts in about 20 minutes. Other than that, I really try to eat right. I'm not looking like I looked pre-kids, but I am still looking pretty good. I am hoping once my kids are a little older, I will have more time.

I work full time but my kids are older. I lift 2X a week and run 3X a week. One or two of those workouts is on the weekend; the other 3 or 4 are during the time I'm away from home for work (before, during or after work).