Deprived of Exercise and Need Your Suggestions?

I was also feeling deprived of exercise and "me time" and just recently started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred workout as well. I have a three-year-old and an 8 month old. I love it because there are three different levels and it's only 20 minutes. At first I was skeptical of a 20 minute workout but it's really intense! I try to do it once a day and can even get it done while the boys play nearby. I have noticed a change in my body too!

In terms of motivation, I have found that it's hard to get started, but once you do your motivation increases. It's addicting!

Also, you are only 3 months postpartum so take it easy on yourself! Good for you for wanting to be healthy!

Good luck!!

K.

Oh, I hear you.

I promised myself last December (2008) when I learned I'd beaten cancer, that I was going to get back in shape. I didn't, and I regret it.

You're getting a ton of exercise during the day being a Mom and doing all the things you do. Do you keep track of what you're eating? I don't, and I think that's my biggest problem. A little bite of something here and there kills me.

I've started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (which is brutal). It's 20 minutes and kicks your tail. But, you know you got a work out.

If you're sleep deprived, I'd focus on that first as you need the energy for everything else you have going on. I've never personally done yoga, but I hear it's incredible for helping relax you (which it sounds might be helpful) and for toning your body.

Good luck!

You are absolutely being too hard on yourself being only 3 months post baby.
I agree with the Wii suggestions for that 10/20 minutes you might find for yourself during the day but for myself I need to get out of the house and go to a class or trainer to make myself get moving otherwise I can find a million things that will keep me from exercising, I also have 3 kids.
I just started doing CrossFit and I can't say enough good things about it. It fits my personality perfectly. It's competitive, social, trainers help to motivate and make sure I'm doing things correctly and they also give nutrition advice. The CrossFit that I go to is called CrossFit Fire, it's in Lakemoor. The coaches/owners are awesome and make an HUGE effort to get you to your goals.
I've heard, "if you want to look good naked, this is where you need to go".

If your gym has a day care I see nothing wrong with 30 minutes of workout for you and daycare for kids. I haven't managed this yet either though ( had my baby 2 months ago) and I'm struggling to find time/ energy to work out.

We got the Wii and Wii Fit for Christmas and its been great! It has gotten us all up and moving and having fun as a family. During my younger daughters nap, my older daughter and I "work out" together using the Wii. Don't be too hard on yourself- you have a lot going on now, but we do need to give ourselves the "me time" we deserve! Try to let something else go once a day and do something for yourself.

We bought a Wii fit and I love that I can work out whenver I want in my frontroom in my pjs. I have heard really good stuff about the new Jenny McCarthy workout for the Wii too and have considered buying it, but still on the fence (I detest Jenny McCarthy)Would this be an option for you? My hubbie loves the sports games and even my 3 year old is awesome at the tennis and bowling. Sometimes the three of us play it together and its some nice active family time =).

p.S. I do think you are being too hard on yourself though! 3 kids and a new baby....I'd be lucky to brush my teeth everyday!

i have 3 kids, also. a 3 1/2 yr old who doesn't nap anymore (boo!), a 2 yr old and an 8 month old. i JUST started exercising. i wasn't unhappy with my body after any of my girls, but i knew for health reasons I should be active. so, i'm starting off slow.

i bought for $10 a pilates dvd at target. it has five 10 min sessions that you can create a custom 'workout' with. i say workout with quotations because i know i'm not really pushing myself to do this dvd....i barely break a sweat. it came with a resistance band, too, which was nice. :) i can break out and do stretches with the band any time of the day without having to pop in the video...i've been doing that more often than the actual dvd.

anyway, i've been doing the exercises while the girls are up, playing around me. they think it's fun to try and do the moves, too. it's nice cuz i can pause the dvd if somebody needs something, but i'm still able to go back to it (without having to miss anything, like if i was in an actual class). this is all i can do for now. money is tight, so i can't afford to do any classes or gyms. i do feel really nice afterward and i've already started feeling better with my arthritis because of the flexibility sessions. i am nursing my youngest and she (STILL) wakes up at night, so i feel you on the being tired thing! the pilates helps me wake up if i do it in the morning while the girls are having breakfast....or if i do it in the afternoon, i get a nice burst of energy to start cleaning or start dinner. :)

my husband gets home late often, and when he gets here we just want to do family stuff and i'm too pooped to get up and exercise.

good luck with however you go about it. i know it's tough to work it in. just don't get down on yourself if you miss a day. i found that if i did, then i was less likely to enjoy it. :)

I needed to step up my exercise regimen so decided to try something totally different.
I tried Cardio Belly Dancing at the Discovery Center and that was fun & a good core workout but I am officially addicted to Jazzercise! I have never looked forward to an exercise class. It is so enjoyable, the hour flies by. The instructors and the music are upbeat. Stretching and weights are incorporated into each class. I bring my own weights although they have weights to use and antibacterial wipes.
So my advice is look for new activities until you find what you enjoy.

If you want something that will seriously kick your butt but get you in excellent shape (and be fun b/c it's like joining a family), check out http://www.crossfitfire.com. Like any kind of exercise routine, you'd have to schedule it in, but once you start going, you don't want to stop. It's really personal, great coaching, a ton of fun, and like I said, the best workout you'll ever get! (ps...I don't work for them and get no reward for posting that...I just LOVE working out at the Fort!) Good luck!