I would love some suggestions... I run during the school year while my twins are at school but now they are home all summer...how do people exercise while school is out? I am not sure I can get up before my husband leaves for work (I have tried this and am too lazy I guess.)
Thanks for all the great ideas! I have cobbled together a plan, I asked my neighbor to trade off with me, and I have my sitter to cover a couple mornings, and will send the kids to camp for two weeks. So I can keep up my running to some extent!
Get a baby sitter one day every other week or so. Gives you some alone time but doesn't put the kids with the baby sitter all the time either.
Especially when the weather is nice, you could try to make up games to play with your kids that incorporate exercise. A simple game of tag could have your running around for quite a while. I used to regularly take a sports conditioning class at Washington Sports Club that was a GREAT work out, but it cracked me up at how much it was like games we used to play when I was a kid. Basically, the instructor set up two identical "obstacle courses" and the class broke up into teams and would race to see which team could go through the course 3 times first. The obstacles were always pretty simple -- like running with quick feet over rope ladders (you could just lay sticks in a line), jumping over tiny hurdle (again you could improvise with sticks or rocks), sometimes the instructor would put out jump ropes and you'd have to jump rope 50 times before starting the course again. Anyway... good luck and have fun!
not sure how old the twins are...if they are stroller age how about a walking class with stroller strides? if not most gyms have a daycare? or if they are older perhaps trade off with a friend?
If you live near Reston try Strollerfit (www.strollerfit.com) if your kids will tolerate the stroller. otherwise for older kids the Y has month-to-month membership and they have free childcare while you work out.
How old are your twins? If they are old enough go for bike rides. If they can't ride that far get a bike trailer for them to ride in. Other options are do a kids exercise DVD with them. Maybe joining the YMCA would work for you. They provide childcare while you work out and sometimes have programs for them too while you work out. I personally get up before my kids & husband (around 6am) and walk. When I get home I do weights & abs and whatever else I need to do. Sometimes my kids (8&5) are awake and they'll do floor exercises with me. We also belong to the YMCA so I can go if it's raining out. Make it a priority and you'll figure out how to fit it in. Good luck!
Maybe you could try exercising when your husband is home, even if it's later in the evening. That's what's great about summer time, it doesn't get dark til about 9pm. Maybe after they are down for bed. Or perhaps using the daycare facility at a gym so you can still workout, like others suggested. I am not a morning person either and I work during the school year, but I just get up early and exercise before all my kids are up....it actually helps me get more accomplished during the day and forces me to get to bed earlier which is healthier anyway! Good luck!
I know I'm a late poster, but I'm in the same predicament! My girls are 5 and 7, and my husband works ALL the time - I swear there isn't a moment for me to get out alone unless it's at 4am (which is NOT happening) I belong to Lifetime Fitness in Fairfax where they have a childcare center. My kids don't like going anymore (I guess they're getting a little old for it) but I told them they can handle an hour there twice a week. I like to exercise every day though, so not sure how I'll get my run in on the other days. My 7 year old rides a bike pretty well, so she could ride while I run, but my 5 year old still has training wheels and can only ride for 10 feet. I do have a treadmill but it's in my yucky basement (I know, poor me. Ha ha!) Anyway, just wanted to commiserate I guess. I'm thinking of finding some other moms in my neighborhood who would also like an hour of free time every day, and then suggesting that we help watch each other's kids. Good luck and let me know if you get any really great ideas!
B.:
If they are in school - let them ride their bikes around the block with you.
Take them to the pool
If you have one near - join the YMCA - they have great kids programs while parents are exercising.
Have them walk around the block with you.
Jump rope with them.
Hula-hoop with them.
If they are boys - play ball with them.
Hope this helps!
Cheryl
How about some videos and/or DVD's? Taebo, Karen Voight, and Margaret Richardson are ones I've used in the past and have good exercise regimens. The kids can even join you until they get bored with it that is...
B., I'm in a similar exercise predicament as you (and twins too). I started looking into local gyms because I heard that some offer childcare for little/nominal fees (e.g., some Fitness First, Gold's Gym, Sport & Health, Xsport, Lifetime Fitness). Though I have not tried any as of yet, so if anyone has input on a particular gym, let me know.
How about the park? They can play and you can walk around or chase them around.
