I Need a Way to Get More Exercise and Tone Up

Do you live anywhere near a cul-de-sac? There is one off my street, and I take my kids down there to play. Someone put a play structure in the middle -- you could do this yourself if there isn't one there already. My boys play on that or ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac while I do laps, sometimes with the dog, always with my baby in the sroller. Otherwise, I have to go at a 2-year-old pace.

You could also try jump rope. You can do that in place while your daughter plays in the yard or the park, and it's great exercise.

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P90X....what an awesome workout....I'm the mom of 2 boys (age 1 and 3) and am in the best shape of my life.....I too needed to tone up after being pregnant/nursing for the past 4 years....this did the trick!I wok out when my kids are in bed, usually around 8:30pm at night....it's the only time that I can squeeze it in, but I am always happy I did!

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Sounds like me over Christmas this year! My 4's are snug on the belly and I'm glad I hung on to the 6's. I am trying to get that tone back and lose a few holiday pounds but it has been hard with my kids underfoot--my husband works when I'm home and I work days when he's home, so we can't justify ditching each other when we're both home. I have a small collection of workout DVDs which I try to use a few times a week (off my routine and trying to get back to it). I like the 10 minute solutions ones--often they have segments that target different areas and you can mix and match. Anything with cardio and pilates combined is great, and I love the Kelly Roberts Kickboxing one--the ab workouts are wonderful. My kids also like to try to follow along, so that might be a fun thing to do with your daughter. Get her a small mat and some 2 pound dumbbells of her own, a little water bottle, and you can have your workout session together. My 3 1/2 year old loves having his own dumbbells and even my 2 year old will try to do push ups and downward dog.

I also have a printout of 10 minutes of yoga poses from a health website (Shape or Women's Health) and try to do those in the morning, especially the Warrior poses and anything that makes the blood move in my larger muscles.

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If you have Comcast or Verizon there are tons of exercise videos on the "On Demand". Some are as short as 10 minutes. It's a great way to get in a quick workout. Sometimes the kids try and do them with me. It's kind of funny to see them try and do the exercises.

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I would highly recommend P90X!! It is expensive to buy the dvd's, but perhaps you could find it cheap on ebay or craigslist, or even better, borrow it from a friend. I started this home workout program about three months ago and I have really toned up. It is an intense workout, but you just have to pace yourself. It really does work! Good luck!

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I had luck when I stated jogging...I started slowly a first walking when I needed to and worked my way up. Now I run 4 miles in the morning 4 days a week before work (set my alarm clock early and I'm out the door by 5:15am).
You could start running on Mon & Tues mornings to get in good cardio, and then focus on some strengthing moves at home on the other nights when your daugher is with you (or in bed) like: crunches, squates, leg raises, arm dips on chair etc (check out fitness magazine or Shape magazine online for some great tips).
I noticed that you live in Littleton NH...how about some 'adventure hikes' with your daughter on the days you're with her....start small and work your way up....Artists Bluff by Cannon is a nice short hike w/ impressive views, Bridle Veil Falls she would probably love...pick up a AMC hiking guide to the Whites and you'll find some great ideas. My daughter is a big 2 year old (35 pounds) and she still loves being in the back-pack when I go for hikes; she points to trees and wildlife. I'm still managing to hike 4,000 footers with her...picnic and a break at the top is always appreciated....check out a Sherpani Rumba back-pack...super comfy and can hold up to 50+ pounds.

Good luck and stay active....sledding, cross country skiing or downhill...get her involved and she'll learn to love staying active and being outside.

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Can you use an exercise DVD during the week? Borrow some from the library to find a few you like, then buy them if you can commit to that. Sometimes kids like to do stuff that's on TV! Also look into some parent/child exercise programs for the TV or the Wii if you have one.

Do you like to bike ride? I'm not sure how expensive those little trailers are to put your daughter behind you and tow her along. She might be a little big for the kiddie seat you put behind you but that's another option. Sometimes you can find these things at yard sales.

Can you look into play groups in the area, either through the library or something like the Newcomers Club? You might meet another mom or two, hit it off, and then you can watch each other's kids while you work out or go for a jog. Your daughter can socialize and have a play date, and you can have some free time. I don't know what your relationship is with her dad, but would he enjoy a few hours with her during your custody time so that you can work out?

Good luck. Just the fact that you are working on yourself is a great thing! DO take time for yourself. You deserve it, and your daughter deserves a mom who is happier.

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I am in the same stage as you. I have 2 kids and a just now nticing the pudge building up. We are trying to go on early morning walks (kids in the stroller).

You can always get an excersize video to help with toning with light weights... or even use food cans to begin with if you don't have hand weights. I like the yoga booty ballet series.

http://www.amazon.com/Booty-Ballet-Complete-Workout-Syste...

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I wore those tone up shoes around the house all winter and noticed that my calves and butt started to look better.
Now, I am doing the insanity work out dvds. My kids are 2 and 4 and surprisingly like watching me do them! watching the 2 year old try the moves is funny. Or I put them in front of a movie while I do the work out in the other room.

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Someone already beat me to it - I was going to suggest yoga. It doesn't have to be a major calorie burner, but the flexibility and toning you gain is great for the self confidence and general feeling of well being. Most little kids love it too!

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How about a yoga or pilates video? My 2 and 4 year old girls love to do yoga with me! We also bought a treadmill. It's nice to have in the house and I can use it while the kids are playing (or asleep).

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Lift some weights. If you don't have weights there are lots you can do with just the weight of your body, like lunges, push ups, take a broom handle and put it behind your head and hold on to it, and do "waist twists" while you watch tv. There ar lots we can do with just our own bodies and we don't even need gyms. Also, try carrying weights with you when you walk. Good luck to you! I need to take my own advice, lol!! :)

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I LOVE Jillian Michaels 30 day shred! I really noticed a difference after a couple of weeks. Even my husband was like, "Wow! Your stomach is really starting tighten up!" (I think that's the most romantic thing I've ever heard him say ;) )
You only need hand weights and preferably a yoga mat. The best part is it's only 20 minutes long so I can sneak it in even on busy days. Amazon has it for $8.99.
http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-30-Day-Shred/dp/B0...

I'm like the official spokes person now. I got my mom, sister and friend doing it now :)

Hope this helps!

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Well yes toning up will help you but if you can't fit into your old pants then the only way to get back into those pants is to lose the weight you put on. Don't get me wrong a size 6/8 is in no way fat but no matter how much you try to work out if you have some extra weight on you then the only way to tone is to exercise and shed some lbs. If you just try to tone and maintain your same weight you will just build muscle under fat. Again if you are happy at a 6/8 then that is great and I would just stay maybe by a workout video you can do at home maybe 3 times a week. But again if you eat the same and just workout you probably won't get back into the 4/6. I actually remember when i was in college I worked for a Physical Therapist and I asked him how I could tone up my back and lose my back fat. He flat out told me that no matter how much I worked out I wouldn't lose that fat until I lost more weight. He said all I would do is tone under my fat. I was mad because I am 5'3 and at the time I weight 115lbs. I remember thinking how much thinner do I need to be? But now after having my second baby I weight 108 and I don't have that fat on my back anymore so.....I guess he was right. LOL

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I just started utilizing the free child care at my local YMCA. I leave her there for about 45 min to an hour while I run on the treadmill. She does surprisingly well. You might want to check out your local gyms to see if they offer free or cheap child care while you work out.

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i do crunches and sometimes leg lifts when i finally get in bed at night watching tv. i know it breaks all the rules, but its the only way i can get it in. im so exhausted and get into bed so late that i fall asleep anyway.

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Hi,

After I had my son, I started with a treadmill and elliptical machine which I got locally at a great price on craig's list, after about 3months I felt like I needed to tone up, so went on amazon and got a Tae Bo DVD did that for 6 weeks when it was not too icy out, put the baby in a troller and fast walk till u feel confident to jog. I then added to my collection Biggest Loser body sculpt DVD which made a huge difference.I started seeing amazing results in a few weeks. We all know that Exercising isn't always fun, but a good way to make it enjoyable and keep you motivated is doing a combination
of walking/or cardio and strength training, then U'll see the results. Don't wait till u get bored with the same things, try to add a different workout in your regimen. Weights are fun too.

Good luck

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Buy a gym membership with babysitting. I did this and my kids love going. They play with the other kids while I work out or you could enroll in an exercise class if that helps:)