how do you keep your kids busy in the meantime? I try to hop on the treadmill as soon as I get home from work, and as horrible as it is, I usually let ds watch an episode of SpongeBob while I'm doing so. I hate plopping him in front of the tv, but I really like that "me time". What are your suggestions?

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I am trying to get back into the routine of working out as well. My DS is 10, so thankfully constant supervision isn't needed anymore. I also work full time outside the home, so know the struggle you go through in trying to find "me" time. Normally, as soon as I get home from work, I will start preparing dinner. Once it is in the oven, then if I have enough time I will do my treadmill. I will first make sure DS is situated with his homework or whatever tasks need to be done. Usually, DS will be watching tv while I do workout if homework is complete. I used to try to get up before work to do the workouts a long time ago before everyone else was awake, and well that just didn't work for me since I did not want to continue to wake up at 5:00 am to do it. I think just doing whatever you can in order to find me time is ok. We do deserve that 30 minutes or whatever.

Sometimes I get the playdough, paint, crayons out and let them play while I do something. Other times, my kids want to exercise with me!

When my youngest was a baby, I would take my oldest to preschool, then while my youngest napped in the morning, I would do a FIRM work out video.

Then as my kids got a little older, I would work out while my youngest was having his morning nap and my oldest was able to play outside. My treadmill was in the garage so he would get on his tricycle and ride around inside the garage an in the driveway while I ran for a 1/2 hour. He also had other outside toys to play with so that helped.

Sometimes when they both napped in the afternoon I would try and get some weight lifting/resistance training in then.

Now (with one being 5 and the other being 3) I take them with me to the Y and hang out in the Child Watch while I use the gym!

I usually do a workout DVD and ds does them with me. He usually winds up totally underfoot, but I figure I am getting an extra helping of balance training. We wind up laughing a lot which is also supposed to be good for your health!

Our elliptical is in the family room downstairs with the TV and all of M's little people toys. And her ride-on car, and piles of books... she is pretty good at occupying herself while I workout, but I do sometimes put on a show for her.

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I work out when my kids are gone or asleep. They are 3 and 8, so they are gone sometimes now but I remember the days of babies and it was really hard to exercise. I am a big walker, and I walk with or without the kids. Sometimes I get up in the morning and go for an hour before anyone gets up and moving, sometimes I go when they are in school, I used to take them in the stroller when they were young enough. Now even at the worst I can take my 3 year old with me. He can easily walk a mile to the playground in our neighborhood and we can play for a while and then walk a mile home. It is better than nothing. I go to the gym for weights. I am never very good at taking care of that at home. I use a lot of exercise DVDs too and I just do them when I find myself with 45 min. to an hour, here and there. You would be surprised at how much time you really DO have when you start making it a priority. Remember you can do little spurts too. Take it when you can and it will add up.

By the way, I see nothing wrong with your ds watching a show while you get on the treadmill. Chances are he will watch a show at some point anyway, so you are making the most of this time. Don't feel guilty.