This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Maggie Ellison. She asked our writers,
“Do you have an exercise schedule? How do you do it with kids? What do you do?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Hamakkomommy of Japan writes:
“Yes! I downloaded some circuit-training type exercise videos onto my iPad from iTunes. Nowadays I usually work out while the kids are at school, but before that (and now when they are off school), I would let them watch a video while I exercised with the iPad right behind them.
I choose routines that are no more than thirty minutes long and often have to pause frequently and attend to the kids. It’s not ideal, and I don’t really like letting them watch TV, but it’s the best I can do right now. I usually manage to exercise four times a week, plus living in the city in Japan I have to do lots of walking and bicycling whether I want to or not.”
Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“Sadly, no, not a regular exercise schedule – it’s a random one. This is something I really want to change in my life, but am having a hard time finding the time to do it. I am hoping for a little inspiration through everyone’s responses to this post!”
JPrestholdt of Minnesota, USA writes:
“I’ve run 3 marathons in the past 3 years, mostly by running during my lunch break. This summer I am trying something a little different – I am bike commuting to work. It takes about the same amount of time as driving but I get a workout instead of sitting on my bum.”
Travel Lady with Baby of Quebec, Canada writes:
“I do circuits at the park every day, run 3 times a week with the dog, and do pilates. It is so important to schedule in exercise no matter what.”
ThirdEyeMom of Minnesota, USA writes:
“I work out every day due to necessity! I have always exercised and been in sports my entire life so I can’t live without it. When I had young kids, I put them in the BOB jogging stroller. Now I have a tag-along attached to my bike for my 5 year old and my 7 year old can make 20 miles himself! I also have a treadmill in the house for last resort. Finally, in winter we like to snowshoe and downhill ski as a family.”
Ms. V of South Korea writes:
“I don’t have a preset schedule but I do squeeze it in every day. I had a pretty severe case of diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles) due to pregnancy so I have to strengthen those every day. Most days I use the gym in our building, either after the little one has gone to bed, or during his nap if the hubs or nanny is here. And, living in a big city, we pretty much walk or bike everywhere.”
Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
“I hadn’t been doing any exercise, but have just started using my stepper for half an hour a day while the boys are home for their holidays. I prefer to swim than do anything else and can get back into that once our youngest starts kindy (pre-school) in a week or two. Can’t wait!”
Nihad of Egypt writes:
“Yes, I have an exercise schedule. I exercise 3 times a week 2 hours each time (1 hour in the gym and 1 hour in a fitness class). I can do it easily now as my kids are old enough to take care of themselves when I am not at home but when they were so young I wasn’t able to do it unless there were someone to take care of them. I am able to do it now as I am self-employed and my kids are older. I love my life now, feeling free to do what I want when I want is really important to me.”
Lady E of Indonesia writes:
“I sneak in yoga as much as possible. I teach 2 yoga classes a week, and then try to do yoga on my own when my son is asleep. I have also just started to run alongside my son while he rides his bike.”
Galit Breen of Minnesota, USA writes:
“I get up at 5 every.single.day to run or do kettle bells. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. :)”
What about you…is exercise part of your life? Any tips or tricks on how to fit it into a busy mom’s schedule?
And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers? If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to check out where our World Moms will take us next week!
– World Moms Blog
Photo credit to Dan Hatton http://www.flickr.com/photos/150hp/7265840524/. This photo has a creative commons attribute license.
It is so interested to learn how everyone is fitting exercise in around the world! (so funny, Galit!) When my older daughter was in school (she’s out for summer break now), I would take my 1 year old to a mommy and me pilates class and try to take advantage of Saturday and Sunday when my husband is home. On those days I would go to a yoga class one morning and run the other day. I must admit, this month got be a little bit off track and I am just trying to get back on my routine again! Thanks for the inspiration, ladies!
Jen 🙂
I’m feeling inspired too Jen!
It is so interested to learn how everyone is fitting exercise in around the world! (so funny, Galit!) When my older daughter was in school (she’s out for summer break now), I would take my 1 year old to a mommy and me pilates class and try to take advantage of Saturday and Sunday when my husband is home. On those days I would go to a yoga class one morning and run the other day. I must admit, this month got be a little bit off track and I am just trying to get back on my routine again! Thanks for the inspiration, ladies!
Jen 🙂
I’m feeling inspired too Jen!
My husband and I use the YMCA a lot (he for swimming, I for gym) since they have childcare starting at 6wks old. We also do exercise videos (P90X) after the kids are in bed. But the biggest thing that has been helpful to me during those times when the schedule just does not seem to permit a trip to the gym is to be creative about exercising with the kids (still pretty young, ages 2 and 5). We play the “Animals” circuit a lot (hop like a bunny, leap like a frog, run like a cheetah, stretch like a cat, crawl like a worm, etc. They really are my best personal trainers, usually wanting to keep going well after I feel ready to stop). I also have done things like challenge my 5-year-old to a jumping jack contest (I had to stop him at 500!). I really think it’s key for our kids to see how important it is to be active, so we try anything we can think of.
Jennifer – I agree – it is important to show our kids the importance of being active (and eating healthy). I did get my bike tuned up this weekend and took a ride with my 6 yo. Need to get on the ball and do more of that this summer 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
My husband and I use the YMCA a lot (he for swimming, I for gym) since they have childcare starting at 6wks old. We also do exercise videos (P90X) after the kids are in bed. But the biggest thing that has been helpful to me during those times when the schedule just does not seem to permit a trip to the gym is to be creative about exercising with the kids (still pretty young, ages 2 and 5). We play the “Animals” circuit a lot (hop like a bunny, leap like a frog, run like a cheetah, stretch like a cat, crawl like a worm, etc. They really are my best personal trainers, usually wanting to keep going well after I feel ready to stop). I also have done things like challenge my 5-year-old to a jumping jack contest (I had to stop him at 500!). I really think it’s key for our kids to see how important it is to be active, so we try anything we can think of.
Jennifer – I agree – it is important to show our kids the importance of being active (and eating healthy). I did get my bike tuned up this weekend and took a ride with my 6 yo. Need to get on the ball and do more of that this summer 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
If I don’t run I go insane. I get up at an ungodly hour with Galit.
I wish I had your strong will to get up at dark thirty in the morning Kirsten! Unfortunately, I am NOT a morning person 🙁
If I don’t run I go insane. I get up at an ungodly hour with Galit.
I wish I had your strong will to get up at dark thirty in the morning Kirsten! Unfortunately, I am NOT a morning person 🙁
I try to get an hour in at the gym during my “lunch hour” on the days that I am in the office (which is 3 days a week maximum). On the days that I don’t go to the gym, and am not working, we tend to walk all over the place (thank goodness for my son’s scooter – otherwise, we would never be able to get half as far as we do), which is pretty easy to do in New York City! 🙂
Ooh that’s a good idea Maman Aya – using the lunch hour…will need to try that! We have a trail that can be used for walking/running/biking near my work!
I try to get an hour in at the gym during my “lunch hour” on the days that I am in the office (which is 3 days a week maximum). On the days that I don’t go to the gym, and am not working, we tend to walk all over the place (thank goodness for my son’s scooter – otherwise, we would never be able to get half as far as we do), which is pretty easy to do in New York City! 🙂
Ooh that’s a good idea Maman Aya – using the lunch hour…will need to try that! We have a trail that can be used for walking/running/biking near my work!