I have a 6 month old baby and can't really afford or find any time to go to the gym. So I was wondering if anyone knows of any good workouts and diet routines that would fit into a busy schedule. I am a single mother of 2 working most of the time and I really want to lose 25 lbs.
Every one can find some time during the day to exercise. We don't seem to have any problem sitting and wasting countless hours in front of the computer, eating or watching TV.
But when it deals with exercising we just don't have the time. Been there, done that!
Start by eating healthy, cut out a lot of sugar and fats in your diet.
See if you can purchase a used tread-mill and start walking. That is the best kind of exercise.
There are things you can do with the baby that are free. I used to take my son out for long walks during the day before his nap. Or if it is cold by you, you can go to the mall and walk with his/her stroller. Either that or go to any kind of store and just walk around and around with the baby either in stroller or cart.
I had to lose 35 lbs after having both my daughters. Check out online resources for ideas/tricks on eating better. Some of my faves are hungry-girl.com, and weightwatchers.com. I am a true believer in Weight Watchers' meetings and found that you can do this inexpensively. Registration is free right now, and it's cheaper to pay the weekly fee, then only go every other week. Steer clear of fad diets. They are expensive and and don't work.
I usually walk for exercise, but I don't just coast along. I've added ankle weights and hand weights to my walk, and boy do I burn more calories and the weight comes off a lot faster! Towards the end of my walk (during the cool-down while still walking at a slower pace), I do upper body exercises with the weights.
This saves time because then I don't need to do them after my walk. You can do this on the treadmill or even outside if you don't mind looking a little silly. This year, I decided to buy an inexpensive pair of Nordic walking poles for my winter outdoor walks. You can use these in any sort of weather/climate. I just tried it for the first time today and my arms are feeling the burn! I think I found a new favorite variation of walking! Plus, additional clothing/boots for wintertime walking adds exertion to your workout, so you can cut the stroll shorter and still burn just as much energy. Oh, and I gotta have my iPod music to help keep up the momentum!
One last thing. I do abdominal workouts in the car while I'm driving to work. Tighten your ab muscles and hold for 10 sec, then rest for 10 sec. Repeat 10 times or so. I do them until my abs are sore. No gym visit required!
If you want to do aerobics at home, Leslie Sansone has a program called "Walk Away the Pounds." you do walking in place, sides steps, knee lifts etc. and at the end of a session you have done the equivalent of a 1,2, or 3 mile walk. They are very easy to do, and y there are even hand weights (balls) that you can use while "walking."
VCR and DVD exercise programs are not expensive and sometimes they can be found at garage sales so thats even better. I have several and I don't get bored doing the same one all the time. Keep a journal - it helps.
Today's DOCTORS show on NBC had this on. Pop your children into the stroller, walk fast with them to a jog or what is safe for you. Use the laundry basket of clothes to do weight lifting and stretches from the floor and side to side and above your head. Use toy pick up time to do more stretches, lunges, bends.
I have set up an exercise area in my basement with a tv, VCR, and exercise tapes I picked all on Freecycle - for free! I had purchased hand weights in the past which is useful for some tapes. The kids are not allowed to play in there so it's always ready to go when I am. Finding the motivation is the hard part. Put the baby in a swing or stroller with toys or a snack while you workout or do it when they nap. My youngest in now almost 4. Any suggestions on keeping a preschooler from wanting to "play too"? LOL
Take a look at the No S Diet. Takes no extra time and there are 14 minute recommendations for exercise. www.nosdiet.com
I lost 16 pounds in 4 1/2 months without extra exercise.
No S Diet = No Sweets, No Snacks, No Seconds on days that DON'T start with S (Saturday, Sunday, Special Days)
Having given birth to four kids (my youngest is 20 now,) and having worked most of my kids' life, I feel for you!
As for losing weight and finding ways to exercise, there's a free alternative to buying hand weights: canned food. Hold one in each hand as you do any exercise like stretching.
Housework isn't just a necessary evil, either, but great aerobic exercise. Sweeping by hand burns more calories than vacuuming, but that depends what kind of flooring you have. I love the idea of playing with the baby by exercising with him or her, too.
As for diet, I'd stay away from processed and fried foods as much as you can. Fruits are great, especially fresh. If you have to go with canned, buy items packed in their own natural juices, rather than syrup. Nuts are great, too - the healthy kind of fat. I could've lived on peanut butter, eggs and juices when my kids were little!
