What Time

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Permalink Reply by Robearsgirl on February 16, 2010 at 3:45pm

For me it's usually after breakfast. I can't workout on an empty stomach much as I'd LOVE to be able to just hop out of bed and go straight to the treadmill or whatever. Of course, going to the kitchen to get something to eat means my kiddos wake up and want something to eat too ;)

It usually works like this:

Wake up
Get DH off to work
Feed myself and kids
Park kids in front of a movie
Exercise
Shower

It's NOT ideal. I don't usually end up taking a shower until 10:30/11:00, and that drives me NUTS because I'm a morning person, and I feel like my morning is GONE at that point, but that's all I've been able to make work since becoming a mom. That's why I love Tracey's idea of getting in quick bursts of exercise here and there. Haven't tried it yet, being 38 weeks pregnant, but I am really looking forward to trying it out. I'm HOPING to do 30 minutes or so on the treadmill, then at least 2 of her short workouts (once I pick which DVD to start with! I want them ALL! LOL) later in the day.

Naptime is often a good time for me too. I often need the burst of energy that a workout gives me, but I HATE having to go take another shower in the afternoon, so I've done cardio in the mornings, shower, then do a lower-impact, less sweat-inducing workout in the afternoon while the kiddos nap or do something quiet :)

Yes, ideally, I'd love to get up at 6, go for an hour-long walk outside, just the dog and me, but when I'm sleep-deprived after having a new baby, that is just NOT EVEN going to happen! Especially if you're breastfeeding 'cuz the second you start moving, Baby wakes up too and wants to nurse. With my first baby, I DID manage it by some freak accident! I'd sneak out to the garage and put in my time on the treadmill, then come inside and nurse the baby. Wasn't so lucky the second time around ; ) Ha!

I DO know of some moms who exercise in the evening, like an hour or so after supper. That gives them another hour or so to wind down before going to bed. The only drawback to that is that you miss out on family time unless you're ALL taking a brisk walk together.

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Permalink Reply by Rikki on February 16, 2010 at 4:10pm

Thank you so much for your reply! It helps to hear how others are working out. Definitely come back and post after that baby comes. It is hard to fit back in but we can do it! :) Thanks for the help!!

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Permalink Reply by Tracey Mallett on February 16, 2010 at 10:18pm

I know those first few months after baby is crazy because your schedule is all over the place and the only way through it is to super flexible. I know this can drive you nuts but try and go with the flow. The days when you seem to get more time, go for it and add a few extra reps. Try not to be mad at yourself when there are days when there is NO time. That's why every small amount of exercise does count towards getting you back into your pre-pregnancy clothes :)

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on February 17, 2010 at 6:44pm

It sounds to me that you have an infant that's not sleeping through the night! What I do now (I have a 20 month old and am pregnant with my second) is schedule her nap so that she's sleeping until about 7-7:15am every morning. That way, I can do my circuit training/core/flexibility stuff that Tracey Mallett has in her book on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays (takes about 45minutes) and my yoga/tredmill for 30 minutes or so on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday before she wakes up. But I've been thinking about what I"M going to do once my second is born, and I'm going to do what Tracey suggests: break up the workouts into two or three shorter segments throughout the day - in the morning after the baby goes down for nap, in the afternoon after the baby goes down for nap, and maybe at night after dinner...anyway, just a suggestion. You can do it! And, don't be so hard on yourself if you're too tired some days - being a mom of an infant waking during the night is tough!!!

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Permalink Reply by Rikki on February 17, 2010 at 7:01pm

Thanks Tracey and Amanda for your replies, as well. I am actually back in my pre-pregnancy clothes already but I would now like to be in a size that is not "plus". I definitely need to be reminded to be flexible since I tend to be an "all-or-nothing" person. And splitting is up is definitely going to be an option to get all my exercise in. I am so thankful for support. Thanks to all of you!

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Permalink Reply by Kat on February 18, 2010 at 6:04am

I generally get up early, 4:30 or 4:45 and workout, shower, have a little quiet time before everyone gets up. That is my favorite time of the day. I don't have a baby keeping me up though. When I don't manage to fit it in, or don't get up, I workout when my hubby gets home while he watches the kids. Sometimes if I'm desperate I just park my bike by the tv and workout while everyone is watching tv at night. I think I just make it a priority; I know that it is good for me and it makes everything else around here go better when I fit it in.

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Permalink Reply by Rikki on February 18, 2010 at 7:03am

Yeah, that's sounding pretty early--no matter if I sleep all night or not! But it's great that you make it a priority and found a time that works for you. That's what I need to do!

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Permalink Reply by Robearsgirl on February 18, 2010 at 11:48am

Wow! No kidding! 4:30AM?!?!?! You are SERIOUSLY motivated, Kat! : ) You must go to bed fairly early to be able to wake up that early and still function during the day.

Rikki, I totally understand the all-or-nothing thing. I'm the same way, so it's going to take some time to learn to break up my workouts. I tend to be more of the get-my-whole-workout-in-so-I-don't-have-to-think-about-it-again kind of person, but I can definitely see the benefit in staying active ALL day long.

We can cheer each other on : )

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