How Can I Exercise with 3 Kiddos in Tow?

I joined a gym that has a child watch program. But when I can't make it to the gym--- I take after dinner walks with my daughter and husband every night (they can ride in the stroller, their bikes, etc). I also have my own bike and put her in a trailer behind the bike. I only have 1 right now so it may be easier...but there's ways to work around it. Get a workout video you can do at home while the kids are napping, in school, playing, etc.

I'm not sure how old your kids are... mine are 2 1/2, 4 1/2 & 6. We all like going for walks in our local Metro Parks and when it's nice I walk to pick-up/drop off my daughter from school. They start teaching kids about how important exersising is in pre-school here. If you are wanting to do a work-out video at home - you could do it before they get up or after they go to bed. For me it would be easier in the evening, but I'm not really a "morning" person. Or some gyms are open late - if you have someone to stay home (hubby or friend) w/ the kids... you could join a gym & go after the kids are in bed or even when they are at school. Another option is to join a family swim club & everyone go swimming... or even get a pool (we have one but can't use it all year), then everyone can enjoy it.

Personnaly, I think I get enough exercise chasing & caring for 3 kids, keeping a 2 story house clean, working in the yard, walking to my daughter's school & back, running errons, and taking the kids to the parks a few times a week. Plus, the pool in the summer. Actually, I lost about 35# between July (when I got laid-off) and Nov (when I found out I was expecting), and all I did was stop eating fast food & started doing the SAHM thing. I'm 7 mo pregnant & still weigh less then I have in over 12 yrs.

Good luck finding a way of fitting in the exercise you are wanting.

A coulpe of the women I use to work w/ went for walks at lunch time. We only had a half hour lunch & they were able to get in a good fast pasted walk during that time.

Have you tried the YMCA? They have a great childcare program that is free while you are working out. You also get "Family Friday" which is 4 hours of free care 1 friday a month.
Otherwise, you could wake up before your DH goes to work and do a tape or go for a run.

My husband and I are both trying to prepare for a half marathon - it's been really tough because our kids are 2 and 3.5 and need a lot of help still.

initially, we'd get on the treadmill/elliptical in the basement (in the winter) and let them watch a movie, play with toys while we worked out for a half hour.

Now that the weather's nice, we're splitting the time watching them so the other can work out. It's tough because we don't have grandparents, family around to help on the weekends when we're supposed to both do long runs (10+ miles).

Our kids are at the age that they need to be playing instead of riding in a stroller - makes bedtime much more enjoyable for all of us. So, we share watching them while the other works out.

The gym with a childcare facility is a great idea as well.

I can't bring myself to get up 30 minutes earlier to do it before they get up and I go to work, so we make it happen in the evenings by sharing responsibilities.

Good luck!

Incorporate exercise into your life. WAlk, walk, walk, and walk.
You buy milk? Repetitions with your arms, alternate with twelve at first then stretch in or on the way to the car. I know, my husband is embarrassed in the grocery store when I do this, but it is great for you muscles.So I do it with his twelve packs (teehee) too. And so on.March, don't walk and swing your arms. While the kiddies are at the park, walk around. Park the car far away from the store. In fact just go to a large store and walk around that for awhile. Or never did it but go to a mall and walk with them. Someone must be in a buggy right? Do you have a television with cable? Sports channels have exercise programs on all the time. Believe me you will find a way.
Good luck!

I am struggling with this too. I am trying to walk more and let the kids bike alongside.

But in the past, before this past baby, I would take/teach a water aerobics class and enroll my kids in a class they wanted at our local gym. So even tho they have a child care at the gym, my kids had started complaining of being bored and stuck, so I'd enroll them in gymnastics, rock climbing, etc. while I taught a class. Everyone got some exercise and I was a much happier, less stressed Mom.

NOTE: at our gym, if you are an employee you get a free membership for yourself and a discount on ALL the classes. So I get free child care while I worked, disc on the kids classes and only had to pay the difference between an individual and family membership to upgrade the whole family to a "family membership". We have long winters here in the Midwest so our gym provides some much needed exercise/activities indoors.

get a treadmill or elliptical and do it while they nap or are in bed

I think it will really depend on the ages of your kids. When mine were toddlers, I would bike with them in the trailer behind me. I would also rollerblade with the trailer (you just put the handle on and return the wheel) I found a love with rollerblading - awesome exercise!! If you have two you can get in the trailer and one ride a bike with you? Go for walks, or do a workout tape at home during naptime. I have a Jillian Michaels for trouble zones that's good. I also enjoy the Biggest Loser Cardio Max. I'm not usually a workout dvd person, but enjoy these. I will also turn the music up and dance. I dance while I empty the dishwasher, sweep and mop the floor, or just boogie while doing nothing else. Did I feel silly at first? Sure. We have 2 glass doors on the front, through which someone could easily see me if they came to the house. We live in the country, so that doesn't happen often....thank goodness. LOL! Just as important as cardio, is weight training. If you have small children, you get enough weight training lifting them! Do 3 sets of squats (about 20 each). If you have weights, keep them somewhere that you'll remember to use them on the triceps. As you brush your teeth, do some leg lifts. As busy moms, it's super hard to get an exercise routine, so to speak. Sometimes you have to get really creative! Good luck and happy exercising!!

I don't know where you are financially, but if you can, join a gym with child care. Our gym has a wonderful child center. My 3 (ages 3, 5 and 7) can't wait to go every day. They also have a terrific pool with slides and fun activites for the kids throughout the year. It is a little pricy, but it has been worth it for all of us. I get a little time to myself to excercise (and sometimes relax in the hot tub). The kids get to play and socialize with other kids thier age.

I just recently hired an e-trainer so I can workout out of my garage. You just need a few bands or light handweights (got mine at Target), a treadmill (or jumprope) and Trish Snyder is my e-trainer. Weekly she sends me my workouts, online videos to SEE the exercises - she's there for nutritional counseling and accountability and I can do it while my son naps or he can come out and play while I'm doing it. If you have a Facebook account it's under Training with Trish...no matter where you are, you can access (my friends do it all the way from NY) and it's $75 for 6 weeks - way cheaper than a gym membership and trainer!!