Working/EBF Mom--How to find time to exercise?

jrhartobrien · August 2015

I am exclusively breast feeding, and am pumping at work. Because my commute is 45 minutes in the morning, and an hour in the evening, I don't have time to stop off at the gym before or after work, especially when factoring in a feeding in the morning before I leave, and a feeding immediately when I get home. I also have to use my lunch hour to pump. In the evenings, I feed DD right when I get home, then need to prep dinner, spend time with DH and DD, and more breast feeding, and there doesn't seem to be any time for a work out! I am able to schedule in some gym time on the weekends, but would love to get some creative suggestions for exercise during the week. Hoping that this doesn't mean that I am stuck with this lingering baby weight... Help!

babinante · August 2015

I do excersie videos at home, going to the gym just doesn't seem like an option right now

erin79 · August 2015

I'll let you know when I figure it out!

I didn't start working out again after my first until after he weaned at 1 year. It was partly because I couldn't find the time (not happening after work), and partly because I was just so goshdarn tired even if I could find the time. Eventually, I started getting up early and doing the Shred DVD before he got up, and going to Zumba classes at night when DH could put him to bed.

My guess is that you're too tired to get up early at this point, but that's what I plan on doing once DD is sleeping through the night consistently.

Buckles0528 · August 2015

I also suggest videos at home. Get up 20 minutes early. It seems like a terrible idea because sleep is so precious but if its the only way and will make you feel better its worth it!

CanadaMom17 · August 2015

Build as much activity as you can into your day - take the stairs, park as far away as feasible from your work and walk, etc. If possible, stand at work (look into standing work stations). A few of the biggest 'bang for your buck' exercises are squats, planks, and lunges - even 15 minutes at night will let you get lots of those in (and depending on your work, you could get the squats in during your day at your desk/lunch possibly, even if pumping). Also, look into interval/sprint training - again, even if you only have 15 minutes in a day, that has week long lasting benefits - and you don't actually have to run, I do mine on an elliptical machine since I only run if chased. You're not supposed to do interval training more than twice a week either, so you could have Mon./Thursday interval training, Tuesday, Wednesday/Friday squats and planks, and your gym time on the weekends if you wanted.

I know once I'm back to work, I'll be in the same boat. I'm just lucky LO will be a year old, so I won't likely need to worry about pumping and I can work out at lunch.

justkeeptrying · August 2015

I work out in the evening when DS is going to sleep. Our routine is that I feed him, then we do bedtime routine together and then DH rocks him to sleep. As soon as I've kissed him good night I head downstairs where I do the 30 day ab challenge and 20 minutes on the treadmill. This doesn't work on the nights that he has an earlier bedtime in which case I go to make our late dinner while DH rocks him. But I can usually do it 3 or 4 times a week.

My hope is that once he's consistently taking longer naps that I can workout during one of those as well (I have a year maternity leave).

erin79 · August 2015

chambersbaby2015 said:

I work out in the evening when DS is going to sleep. Our routine is that I feed him, then we do bedtime routine together and then DH rocks him to sleep. As soon as I've kissed him good night I head downstairs where I do the 30 day ab challenge and 20 minutes on the treadmill.

Oh yes, I forgot about this. Back when we had one kid (those were the days!), DH and I would trade off putting him to bed. As soon as they went into his room, I'd fire up the DVD player and do a workout. I was usually halfway done by the time DH got out, so I didn't miss too much time with him. I would usually do this once a week, wake up early once a week, and then fit something in on the weekend. I feel like 3 workouts a week when you have kids is awesome.

kateamart · August 2015

I'm in the exact same boat as you, and my solution is T25. I literally started today, so I can't tell to you if it works or not. But my plan is to do the DVDs each morning before we start getting ready for the day, Mon-Fri. They're just 25 mins, and definitely get you sweating. It's a nice way to get some activity in without sacrificing a lot of time!

jessmaydvm · August 2015

The Nike fit club app has killer workouts that are only 15 minutes long and can be paused...possibly you could do this in the morning after feeding and before shower? Which means you would have to get up earlier, which is sort of awful. I know. But it's an option!

katP27 · August 2015

I second T25! I did the first set of DVDs before I got pregnant and lost 17 pounds. Good luck hope you find a way to make it work!

michellemybelle915 · August 2015

I've started working out around 9pm after DS's last feed at 830.. A couple of times a week DH and I try to go swimming after I get home from work, but only bc DS is napping so I don't feel as guilty lol

Edit: I like to use PopSugar Fitness videos and my Windsor Pilates videos

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