I had my 6 week postpartum check up on Friday morning. It didn’t take the doctor long to let me know that I’ve healed well and I’m now clear for all activities. My first reaction was elation, then I found myself wondering when the heck do I have time to workout??
I’m not one that takes to excuses. I think if something is important than you make time to do it. Still… looking over my days, I was seriously struggling to see how I could fit in even 20 minutes of real exercise. Kaitlyn is too young for the gym, I don’t have a double stroller, working out at 8:30pm is right after dinner and sounds miserable… the excuses go on and on. The schedule lover in me just couldn’t figure out how to plan out exercise.
Finally, it occurred to me. Just like life in general right now, I probably won’t have a set exercise routine for a while. Instead of saying screw it to all exercise, I realized I’d have to embrace the chaos and just fit it in where I can.
Yesterday was my first real workout in over two months. My mother’s helper came over (who comes once a week for 3 glorious hours) and my first priority was to spend some of that time sweating. I grabbed the one pair of dumbbells we own and pulled up Gina’s Summer Shape Up Workout #3 on my phone.
Then, in my bedroom, with Kaitlyn snoozing in the closet, I started busting out the burpees. After the 25, I almost quit, ha, but kept going through 3 modified rounds of the circuit. For the cardio blast part I really wanted to run, but I improvised and jumped and bounced around the room. I felt like a total fool, but a happy, sweaty, endorphin-filled fool.
By the time I finished, about 25 minutes later, I was on cloud nine. I had missed the struggle and burn of pushing myself. Instead of feeling defeated by my lack of stamina, I was excited about the journey to get back to being strong. I told you, total endorphin high.
Now I’m on a mission to fit exercise back into my life. I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with ways to fit it in and here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
- Fit in at least one solid workout a week with the help of my mother’s helper
- When Kaitlyn is fussy, instead of walking in circles, I can walk the stairs (I got in about 12 flights yesterday as she was dozing off)
- Look into a used double stroller for walks with both girls
- Get to the gym on cooler mornings and walk/do simple strength outside with Kaitlyn while Hailey plays in child care
- Take advantage of the random days David is home and squeeze in short solo wogs
- Make small changes- lunge to the mailbox, do yoga poses with Hailey (she finds both of these hilarious), do bicep curls with Kaitlyn
This morning I can feel it in my legs and a little in my arms. It’s that sore feeling I’ve been longing for! Though I can’t quite see what it will look like each week, I’m excited to have exercise start creeping back into my life.
What are your biggest challenges when it comes to fitting in exercise?
How do you work around them?
Karen says
It’s hard to find time but like all things in life you will eventually. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, chasing two kids around in a few more months will be exercise in itself.
You look great by the way:)
Good Luck!
Emily says
Have you checked out fitnessblender.com? Great at home workouts and all searchable by minutes, intensity, type etc.
Jessica says
Yes I was going to recommend this site too!!
Marjorie says
I need to check that out!
Brittany Dixon says
I haven’t heard of it but will definitely check it out- thanks!!
erin says
I love your approach and think it seems very manageable and realistic!
After becoming a mom I turned my previous 6am workouts into even earlier 5am workouts. I don’t love getting up so early, but I love the feeling I get knowing that my workout is done for the day before the kids get up. I didn’t start the morning workout though until my youngest was sleeping well at night. I also work full-time outside of the home so squeezing a workout in during the day isn’t going to happen. On the weekend I try to squeeze a workout in while both kids nap.
Brittany Dixon says
Wow Erin, I’m seriously impressed! That’s awesome. I’ve considered getting up early and might see how 5:15 works for me once Kaitlyn is consistent in her sleeping schedule. David is usually gone by 6am, but I could totally squeeze in a run during that time. Thanks for the inpiration!
erin says
and I am impressed that you used the time you had a sitter to get a workout it! I would have probably taken a nap or vegged out:) It’s tough to get up when everyone is still sleeping and I only do it 3 days a week, but oh it feels so good when it’s over for the day!
Katya says
My 2nd babe is 3mths old today and I am ready to be fit again. Like you I have been wondering how to fit it in with 2 little ones!
Don’t have any advice lol. But glad to know I’m not slone! We’ll get there!
Regina says
I have a 3 month old (tomorrow, say wha?!) and a 2 year old next month (how is that even possible). My husband leaves for work at 7am at the latest so there isn’t an option to workout before he leaves as were already up at 5am every morning. He gets home right at dinner and bedtime or after 9pm on the nights he’s at trainings so working out in the evening doesn’t work either. We bought a double bob on craigslist and I run 3 days a week with both boys (I’m training for my 2nd half marathon in October). I rejoined my gym and go to body pump once a week (started last week and still have a really hard time leaving my littlest babe). I’m trying to add in one other gym session a week too, either spin or weights on my own but again it’s emotionally hard to leave the youngest still. I try to walk with the boys at least once a day. We take the long way to the far away park on days I don’t run and get in 2 miles just from that (I have baby in the ergo and toddler in the stroller). On the weekends I take an hour to myself on Sundays while hubs has time with the boys and tackle my long run for the week or do a circuit at the park. He works out/trains Saturday mornings so I try to take Saturday as my rest day and/or walk to the park. Sometimes if I haven’t done anything for the day or taken a few too many lazy days I’ll do Some planks in the kitchen while cooking dinner while babe hangs out in the rock n play and toddler plays in the living room. On walks I’ll do tricep dips on every bench we pass. It’s weighted since the 13lb baby is in the ergo 🙂 I’ve found I’ll probably not have 30 minutes to do a DVD at home for a long time but little things here and there still count!
Brittany Dixon says
Dang Regina, go you! You have a great system down and I can only imagine how challenging running with a double stroller is- what a workout!! I’m definitely going to look into a double stroller and see what I can find. Love your dedication though. You show that when there is a will there is way 🙂
Sarah (shu) says
I also do the AM workouts before A and C wake up for the day. Usually at around 545. I never have energy at the end of the day! Your ideas sound great, too.
Another one to try- the barre3 at home online workouts. I really like them, they are challenging but low impact, and very core focused.
Christina says
Yes! Another vote for Barre3 online workouts! They have 10, 30, 40 and 60 minute workouts. And it’s really affordable!
Brittany Dixon says
Ohh I’ll have to check out barre3- thanks!!
Brittney says
Good for you! I have to admit, I have failed pretty miserably at fitting in real workouts since having Allie. I run about once a week, take a couple walks a week, and that’s about it. Working full time with a traveling husband has just been my downfall in fitting it in. Like you mentioned- I could feasibly work out at like 8pm after Allie goes to bed, but I’m so tired and spent by that time it’s not happening. I’m lucky I lost all the baby weight, but I’m far from toned. I hope to make working out more of a priority this year. I’d love to train for a race again, but again- it’s just so hard to wrap my head around a training schedule!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
You look great, B! I can imagine it’s tough not having time for scheduled exercise, but it sounds like you have a great plan in place. Another fun idea would be to have random dance parties with H throughout the day!
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family says
I’m using SSU as my workout plan right now too. And stairs are NO JOKE. Also look into BikiniBodyMommy.com for her challenge. They’re 20 minutes and done at home, minimal equipment, and left me a sweaty mess. I can shoot you an email with the first 6 weeks of the plan 🙂
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
I love reading this post as I know this will soon be my life 🙂 and I want to have as many ideas to REALISTICALLY fit in healthy exercise and eating into my life. I love the idea of lunges to mailbox…I often do that when moving around the house and my neighbors will get a good laugh out of seeing me lunge to the mail box I am certain 🙂
Brynn says
I think you are doing amazing and look great! Although I totally understand the love of a good sweat. I would suggest Tone It Up and Blogilates on YouTube. They have awesome workouts that are short and effective. I also purchased the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and love it! The workouts are 30 min and super awesome.
Brittany Dixon says
I will definitely check them out- thanks!!
Lauren B. says
I use online at-home workouts from Relexionyoga.com (for yoga) and fitnessglo.com (for circuit training and cardio). Both site memberships are roughly $12 per month (less if you pay for the whole year) and have workouts ranging in style and length. Somedays I only fit in 15 min of yoga, but it’s better than nothing!
Brittany Dixon says
Man I love all these online suggestions! I can’t wait to check them out- thanks!!
Kathy says
I’d say you have it figured out. 🙂 Good job. Nothing beats an endorphin high! Have a great day!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Way to go! I love your mentality about it all. I pretty much never did a workout that was over 30 minutes when I first had Hunter. I would set him up on his little play mat or I’d bust something out during a nap. I can only imagine it’s more challenging with two, so major props for coming up with some ideas to get your workouts in!
Heather says
I’m the queen of excuses, and it has been really hard to make time to workout. I work full-time, so our evenings can be a little hectic once we all get home and get the kids dinner and get them to bed. By the time we finish tidying up it’s 8:00-8:30 and hard to talk myself into working out. I’ve decided I just have to make it happen, though, and I think I’m going to make a schedule. I do better with schedules and routines, so it’s just time to make a new one, and while it’ll be hard to workout so late at night… it’s either that or wake up at 4:30am. No thank you! I think I also need to find a way to get in a few lunchtime walks during the week when I work and see if I can’t fit in some exercising on the weekend with the kids.
Marissa says
i have a 2.5 year old and a 3 week old. When I get the ok to exercise I will use my elliptical I have at home. We bought it off of Craigslist a few years ago. It is so nice because it allows me to workout when it is best for me (which can vary day to day!) I plan on wearing the baby in the Ergo and getting my cardio in that way. In a few months I plan on rejoining my old gym that has childcare.
Marjorie says
You are doing great! As with anything, it will just take time. Heck, I still have a hard time fitting workouts in with one kid and a full-time job. Not to sound cliché, but aim for progress not perfection. Keep up the good work.
And I am going to check out some of the recommendations of the other commenters above…awesome! Thanks y’all!
Jaclyn @ BumpSweat says
I’ve been thinking about this for after our baby arrives. In my pre-baby mind, I naively think I’ll be able to get up and to the gym before my husband leaves for work. But then I remember I’m not superwoman and will most likely be coming off nights with limited sleep. That means most of my workouts will be quick, at-home ones. I love your ideas for fitting activity in throughout the day. Thanks!
Paulina says
Time is my biggest struggle as well. I have the Sworkit app on my phone and when I find a free 20 or 30 minutes I will pull up a random full body workout on it.
Erin says
I do stroller strides lkn and it’s really helped me get in shape. Plus you can bring the babies along!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve been wanting to check that out!! Sounds fun 🙂
Gina says
What about getting up early and squeezing it in? It is so nice and I find my mind is relaxed all day knowing I already got my workout in. I would also strongly suggest the double jogger. Then you can get out for a run/walk and you are spending time with the girls too. Double win!
My kids are 5 and 2 1/2 and I have trained for and completed two half marathons in the last year so exercise is possible with two children. Do Kaitlyn and Hailey ever take naps at the same time? Can you squeeze it in then? I have a treadmill at home and it is nice to be able to use during nap times or even when my younger one is napping and I can put cartoons or a movie on for my older one just for 30-45 min. at a time.
When I first started exercising/running my youngest was 1.5 and oldest was 3 1/2. I found the best time at first was at night after they went to bed. I was usually tired and had to push myself but I always felt better for doing it. You will soon find your routine.
Brittany Dixon says
Great suggestion! I’m considering waking up early once Kaitlyn is a bit more predictable with her sleeping schedule. David is usually gone by 6am, but I could always get up at 5 and squeeze in a run. It’s definitely worth considering!
Love that you clearly have dedication and make it work for you- great job!!
Ali says
Look for babywearing workouts. There are so many out there and it’s a good way to fit in workouts with a newborn!
Laura @ FitMamaLove says
Woohoo for WO3! Love Summer Shape Up! It’s so hard to fit it in with two kids, which is why I love the free child care at the Y! But before I was willing to take my newborn there (they take them at 6 weeks, but I wasn’t comfortable taking her until she was 3 months old) I did workout at 8:30 at night. It really wasn’t any fun and I had to push myself to do it, but I was determined, so I did it. And then fell into bed right after that so I could squeeze in a couple hours of sleep before she woke up again!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Finding time to workout is always hard! Though, I don’t even have kids, so that must sound pathetic. I’ve had to just make it my routine. I have to do something right when I get home from work most days or it doesn’t end up happening. Or I make time at 9 pm at night in my bedroom to do a couple short tone it up videos on youtube. It’s definitely helped!
Beth says
Perfect timing on this! I just got back from my 6 wk checkup, and my oldest is a month younger than Hailey. I completely understand! I broke down last week and bought a double stroller on amazon (prime baby!) and I love it. It’s a workout to even walk with this thing! I got one for $200- which is totally reasonable. In Step Grand Safari is the make….and Im not a huge runner 🙂
I think I’ll have to wake up early and do T25 or Shred videos before my oldest wakes up, as my husband travels a bunch. We will see! Good luck!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
go momma!! I’m still trying to figure it out too. I’ve been doing Gina’s Summer Shape Up too while the babe sleeps. I can’t imagine juggling it with 2! I plan on learning from you.. 😉
Jen says
I love this post! I have ten month old twins and have exercised so inconsistently since getting the all clear to workout and this post reminded me how much I love the feeling of fitting it in! I enjoy doing at home DVDs that I can do when the girls are playing and love to take runs at night after they go to bed. Thanks for the new ideas!! (And for the meal ideas-always makes me want to fit in more salads!)
Jen
amelia says
Clearly I’m not a mom yet, though come December our baby will be here! Can you put the baby in a front carrier and then use the single stroller for a.m. walks? Just a thought. Love the walking the stairs idea!!
Brittany Dixon says
Congrats on your baby on the way! I love your idea and definitely will try it- thanks! The only problem is with the heat right now, Kaitlyn gets sweaty pretty quickly in the ergo, but maybe I can try and get out there first thing!
Beth says
Nice! It sounds like you are getting into the workout rhythm and are being realistic! Feels so amazing to get back to serious excercise. The double striker will help a ton, I could not live without mine ;)!
Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work says
I don’t have too many challenges when it comes to fitting in exercise, but sometimes its hard to find the motivation for HITT or other workouts at 5am. My co-workers are constantly expressing how they don’t have enough time to exercise-and they don’t have any babies at home. I love the tips and ideas you’ve shared on how to fit in exercise around your daily life with a busy schedule with two little ones at home.
Danielle says
Congratulations! You can only do the beat you can. I know I’ve seen a lot of double strollers at garage sales, online fb garage sales, and the local sports resale shop! 🙂 Good luck in the pursuit because I know that would be a huge help so you can load then up when you have cabin fever or a long day and you all get a change of scenery! 🙂
Laura says
I have 3 (6, 3, 18 months). I’ve settled into a system that works for me: 5 am spin classes twice a week, runs with the double BOB (get one! Worth every freakin penny) while my oldest rides her bike (I can get about 4 miles out of her), and nike training club at the park with friends while the kids play. Nike training club has been so awesome…sure I have to stop once in a while to deal with someone, but overall the kids have really gotten used to not interrupting much during that time and are having fun with their friends anyway.
Jenn says
Exactly! You fit it in where you can. I have started doing push ups, squats and yoga poses with my little sweet pea whenever I can. And I make a big deal out of counting my reps. I want her to see and mimic – not just the counting, but also the exercising. Plus I do hip bridges with her sitting on my hips, plank, balancing her on my back and bear crawl chase her around the house and park all the time…then there are park pull ups, monkey bars and good long walks. You just have to get creative and realize that its not all about one big long workout. (even though those are awesome) But, its about doing what you can with what time you have. 🙂