What is a good way to incorporate exercise into a daily routine?

Question

I watch 2 children, a 1 yr old, and a 2 yr old, so I don't really have time to go to the gym, plus, it is not in my budget.

Answer 1

My advice is the earlier the better; get up, splash some water on your face, go for a walk, jog or run. Carry some food cans to work your arms. Take at least 40 minutes of your time to do it. That way, you can do something good before you're actually awake. If you have to take the toddlers put them in their stroller and hit some hills. Get it done early so you don't have anything else scheduled to do and no one can call you to distract you. The first few weeks of waking up are hard but you'll get over it.
good luck!

Answer 2

A great way to incorporate excercise into your daily routine is to dance your way into fitness, the children will love it. Put on a Richard Simmons tape or one of those Billy whats his name Taibo goodies, bring the kids into the room and have at it. I also use the counter tops to do ballet exercises while waiting for the water to boil. Get the one year old involved and the two year old will follow. I had great fun with the kids and they got to exercise as well. Lying on the floor doing sit ups with the kids is a blast, especially when you're pooped out and they are still pumping out the sit up. Grab a Pilates tape, you'll love it, borrow it from the video store, sometimes, they are free to the public. Have a ball, enjoy the kids, they will keep you motivated.

Answer 3

There's all kinds of ways to get your exercise in. Doesn't matter what time of day you exercise, so do it whenever it's convenient. Any exercise is better than none, so work in a 5-minute walk whenever you can. If you can go longer, GREAT!!! If not, try to take several 5-minute walks per day. Canned goods make great free weights, so grab a couple of cans and do some shoulder raises or bicep curls or whatever. Be creative. See if you can find a way to get the children involved in some way (you know, put them in a wagon and take them for a walk, march around the house, etc.) The important thing is to make exercise a priority. If it's important to you then you'll do it every day and you'll find ways to work it in.

Answer 4

Take the children for a walk. Get a dance-workout tape and do it when the kids are napping (or you could try to do it with them). I like the Bellydance tapes with those twins or the Carmen Electra Strip to Fit. They are pretty cheap about $15. You could also do little things like parking farther away at the store, using the kids as weights and lift them over your head (they'll probably enjoy this!), and just run around and play with them!

I think incorporating your children into your routine will help you with the time factor and it will allow you guys to bond and teach them early about exercise.

Answer 5

Since you have your hands full while watching the children, you should set aside time either before they come or after they leave. the best thing that will help you stick to an exercise plan is to do it at the same time everyday. Exactly when that time is depends on what works better for you and what your peak times of day are.

Also, if the two you watch take regular naps, you could use that time to exercise.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Get some home equipment or even just do calisthenics, pushups, situps, etc. at your home. The key for me is to pick a time of the day to do this and stay persistent about it. I go to my gym early in the morning when they open at 5:30 a.m. Is it easy? No. Do I want to get up at 5:00 a.m.? No. But if I do this early then I've already got it done before most people even get up.

Answer 7

easy.

1) get them to join you (running is a goodd exercise for the whole family)

2) if they do not wish to, you could always let them watch their fave cartoon (or put them in a playpen) and then let yourself exercise for an hour.

3) if all fails, get your husbandd or neighbour to look after them while you excuse yourself to exercise(it is just an hour dailyy)

4) if all above fails, exercise while the kids are sleepingg at night. or you can always find some exercise whereby you can watch your children and do exercise at the same time (like aerobic or skippingg)


hope it helps =))

Answer 8

You have your exercise equipment already. Take the kids to the park. Push them in a stroller or swing. Interact and play with them. Kick a ball around in the back yard. It's free and it is great exercise and they will be happy. Everyone wins!

Answer 9

wear a pedometer....
park far away from the entrance of a store when shopping.. take the stairs whenever possible and try to get in more then 10k steps a day.
and definitly get those kids moving and chase after them.

Answer 10

Exercise videos are great. You could do it while they are napping. Once they are older they can join in with you.

Free weights are inexpensive and will help you tone up.