zzzzzzzzz

Biking with a kid on board works. So does a long walk with a stroller if that is all the time you can get. Try the capital crescent trail if you are looking for a fun place.

Wow the one day that I actually was was was up before the post and I'm not first. Darnit.

Anyway - I would love to be able to exercise more but, as brian said who has the time? The gym in my office bldg is practically free yet I would still feel guilty working out rather than being w the kids or working or running errands or ...

I have started to exercise a little bit-i.e. Stretching, lifting weights etc -forcing myself to do it 5 min a day-which sometimes ends up being more but it gets me moving and no feeling guilty.

We walk around the neighborhood all the time and I try to take stairs, etc, but it never seems to be enough. My dh wants to take another dance class (ballroom) again and hopefully we will soon.

And maybe I'll join the gym and take just two hrs a week and leave for work early, etc one day soon.

People should definitely avoid a "one hour, once a week" schedule. If you're not in shape -- and that's most of us with sedentary jobs -- being a "weekend warrior" can kill you. I know; my father died that way, of a heart attack during his one hour of weekly exercise.

I'm the worst player on my tennis league and provide lots of amusement for spectators at the country club.

I do it for the regular exercise and fun.

I always thought that, a a SAHM, I'd have more than enough time to exercise. And for a while, that was true -- when DD was 4 months old, I joined a class called Strollerfit, which combines cardio and strength training, and (best of all) incorporates the baby and the stroller into the class. I went faithfully for about a year, the longest I've ever stuck to anything exercise-related.

But now DD won't stay peacefully in the stroller for an hour while I work out anymore, and I find myself stuck. I do have plenty of time to work out, but I don't have child care. The gyms that offer it tend only to do so in the morning, when most kid-centered activities are scheduled, or in the evenings, when the dinner and bedtime routine predominate. I've been looking for a gym that offers early-afternoon childcare.

I've joined a dance class once a week, so at least there's a little movement. And I try to walk to the park, the pool, etc. if the weather isn't to harsh. But I haven't exercised regularly since January, and I really feel it.

Don't think of exercise as something you 'have' to do. It quickly becomes a chore then and no one wants to do chores.

Instead, think of exercise as a reward for yourself, something you use to relax or just as 'me time' that gives you a chance to think without other distractions. If you treat exercise in that way it becomes easier to find ways to work it into your schedule.

I get up at 3:30 in the morning to do my 3 mile walk on work days, usually 3-4 times a week. On the weekends I get up a bit later but I still go walking at least one of the two weekend days. It takes me about 25-30 minutes and I always feel better when I'm done. I've been doing this now for 3 years and I've kept the 40 pounds I lost off by continuing this schedule.

One hour/week is a good way to a heart attack, by the way. It's not nearly enough time or repetition to 'train' your system into a higher metabolism level.

My single mom friend has been trying to exercise more, but her 1.5 yo daughter won't stay in a stroller, she's too big to carry when SMF runs and too slow to go with her. Now that her other 2 daughters are out of school for the summer she can get some time to run, but does anyone have any suggestions for when they're back in school again?

"Thank goodness for the Washington Capitals"

I have never, ever, seen those words printed, or heard them spoken, or imagined them thought, anywhere before today.

And, I'm firmly in the pre-dawn camp (which includes early morning pick-up hockey on Fridays), so not much advice to offer.

John L

"I get up at 3:30 in the morning to do my 3 mile walk on work days, usually 3-4 times a week"

That schedule would take me smack into the hookers' busiest hour and "last call" boozers weaving their way home in my neighborhood.

anon @ 8:07,

If 3:30 doesn't work for you, then find another time that does. I started going in the morning because after work I was already tired and in the summer it was hellishly hot. In my neighborhood that early there are deer wandering around, owls still on the hunt, and very, very few people up yet.

The only people I've seen are the infrequent police cruising by, two drunk yahoos in their truck once, one or two early risers heading to work, and once, a couple making out next to the pool. None of them bothered me (the couple were busy and didn't even notice me) but most of the time I don't see anyone at all.

"I get up at 3:30 in the morning to do my 3 mile walk on work days, usually 3-4 times a week. "

I knew as soon as I read this that it was a man posting. Another unfortunate reality is that I cannot get up and exercise outside the house in the early morning or late evening, because I am afraid of being attacked on the deserted streets.

"I get up at 3:30 in the morning to do my 3 mile walk on work days, usually 3-4 times a week. "

"I knew as soon as I read this that it was a man posting"

And/or a person who doesn't have a life!

I'm amazed by the 3:30 walker! That is discipline. 3:30! I admit it, I live in the middle of nowhere in a gated community, and I don't walk at 3:30 because I'm asleep. 4:30 is early to me, so is 5:30 and I admit it, even 6:30.
This is a good humility reminder for me.

"My single mom friend has been trying to exercise more, but her 1.5 yo daughter won't stay in a stroller, she's too big to carry when SMF runs and too slow to go with her. Now that her other 2 daughters are out of school for the summer she can get some time to run, but does anyone have any suggestions for when they're back in school again?"

How does having 2 other children at home give her more time to run? Are they teenagers?

My only suggestion is to strap the child in the stroller and go. I don't buy the "my child won't sit in a stroller" excuse. Who exactly is the parent here?

John L, what time do you go to bed?

I'll admit I've failed miserably at the "get up early" thing. DD is still up at least once a night, so sleep is way more precious to me than exercise at this point.

atl mom you shouldn't feel guilty about exercising. Granted, I'm a SAHM so I can't speak to how others manage the time, but I go to our local YMCA who provides child care 3 times a week. The kids HATE the child care because it is crowded and noisy, but we're talking about 4.5 hours of their week (when not in school) - not a huge amount of time. I tell my kids that I am exercising so I can play with them, and so I can be healthy and strong and live a long long time to be with them. I think it sets a good example and I don't feel guilty because even though they don't yet get it, I'm pretty sure they would rather I live longer. Finally, I am more balanced and patient when I am exercising. My husband comes home, reads to the kids and gets them ready for bed and THEN goes to the gym. He's up until midnight and it takes away from couple time, but I'd rather he live longer too.

New SAHM, can you find another mom you can swap child care with? I know it's not the best, but when my kids were really little, another mother and I went to Curves which was only 30 mins and just watched each others kids. Just a suggestion to kind of keep things up until they are bigger. Also, have you considered biking. My daughter loves to hang in the trailer with books and juice.

"John L, what time do you go to bed? "

He's probably a person with little or no life. And why is he so involved with his single mom friend's life (the women with 3 kids from at least 2 different fathers, a difficult ex-boyfriend, etc.)? Weird.

Well, if your community is dangerous for a woman to be out alone at night, it's probably not all that safe for a man to do so either. The women who do go walking through my neighborhood in the morning are usually doing so from 5:00 onward, and almost always with a buddy. Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't recommend any woman to exercise at that time without a partner, though.

"He's probably a person with little or no life. And why is he so involved with his single mom friend's life (the women with 3 kids from at least 2 different fathers, a difficult ex-boyfriend, etc.)? Weird."

How is that warranted at 8:30 in the morning? Go back to bed and try getting up on the other side.

"How is that warranted at 8:30 in the morning? Go back to bed and try getting up on the other side."

I've been up since 3:30 this morning!

You know, all you obnoxious anonymous posters can just bite me.

I don't know if there are more than one of you or just one incredibly negative and disruptive person doing all these posts, but every single day these unnamed, insulting and trollish comments come up no matter what the subject is about. You will no doubt keep throwing out the venomous comments, but I'm done responding to them any longer.

NewSAHM, I do go to bed fairly early, usually between 9:00 and 10:30. I find the walk in the morning helps to wake me up, and it's a good way to get the blood circulating in the winter when it's 28 degrees with a 20mph wind blowing!

I run with my 11 yo. We do 5ks together, and now he is training to run a half marathon with me. We run before school, after, or in the evening. Sometimes around the neighborhood, sometimes on a path.

My good friend--who has 4 kids between 8 and 2.5, and whose husband is deployed for 2 years, effectively making her a single mom--takes spin classes 2x a week, does yoga with me 2x a week, and runs 3-4x a week. The YMCA by us has day care, or she finds a friend to watch her kids for the 45 minutes or so it takes to run a few miles.

My husband uses his lunch time at work to run 5 miles, or go to the on-site gym and lift weights. If work gets too busy, we will often go on a family run in evening.

Once I made staying healthy a priority, I found a way to do it. I made it a priority for my own health, and also because I needed to model healthy behaviors to my child.

If it isn't a priority, then all I find are excuses :)

I'm in the 'get up before the kids' camp. I've set up my bicycle on a trainer that I can easily move from the laundry room (where it's out of the way) to the family room. I catch up back episodes of Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, etc. (Thank God for TiVo.) Yes, there are MANY mornings when I don't want to get up at 5:45 but I always feel better when I do. I take my daughter to the park that is farthest way on weekends so I get a 3-mile walk at least one day. Not much but better than nothing.

moxiemom - if your kids hate the childcare at the gym, and they're in school, why don't you go to the gym while they're at school? 4.5 hours a week is a lot of time to do something you hate - doesn't seem quite fair to them.

When the kids are old enough, you might find some exercise that you can do with them. I take my daughter and one or two of her friends inline skating once or twice a week and am going to work on taking them swimming. We also throw a Frisbee and kick a ball back and forth. Try putting an older baby in a backpack for a walk (with some toys attached to the backpack). If possible, sign up for a class of some kind...the structure minimizes putting it off until it's impossible. good luck.

"Well, if your community is dangerous for a woman to be out alone at night, it's probably not all that safe for a man to do so either. "

Bahahahaha! Spoken like a....man!!

Why doesn't anyone work out at night? I run or swim 4-5 times a week usually starting around 9 pm or whenever things around the house settle down ( I have a wife and 3 kids). I get done and am home at 10 or 10:30. Beats waking up early.

"moxiemom - if your kids hate the childcare at the gym, and they're in school, why don't you go to the gym while they're at school? 4.5 hours a week is a lot of time to do something you hate - doesn't seem quite fair to them."

I guess I wasn't clear. When they are in school, I go to the gym during school hours. Now that it is summer, they go to the child care. Not a lot to ask of them when the rest of their time is playground, pool and popsicles. They also hate cleaning their rooms. I hate cleaning the toilets but sometimes we all do things we hate for the common good.

NewSAHM... My gym - Sport and Health in Old Town - has child care from 9am-3pm daily. It's great!

As I watch my weight skyrocket in my second pregnancy, this post is particularly timely! I try to walk for 40 minutes every day, pushing my nearly 2-year-old up the hills of Takoma Park (lots of snacks keep him occupied, for those of you who wonder. Time of day makes a difference, too. He's happy with it in the a.m., wouldn't last in the p.m.). But as it gets hotter and I get bigger, the walks are getting shorter. So I've been trying to figure out how to squeeze the exercise back in. One thing I have learned is that once you force yourself into SOME routine, it's easier to stick with it. It's just forcing that routine in the first place ...

And Brian is correct, vigorous housework isn't the same as a workout in the traditional sense, but in terms of the whole 30-minutes of activity requirement, I think it counts. It's just not likely to help sculpt those abs...

"can you find another mom you can swap child care with?"

I've been working on it. We have a Curves knock-off near my house, and I've suggested a child care swap to several of my friends. So far, no takers. But it is a great idea.

A new gym also just opened in my town, and it has child care that's available all day. As soon as we figure out what's going on with my body and our budget, I'm going to look into joining. But boy, is it expensive! $60 a month for one person!

"Why doesn't anyone work out at night? I run or swim 4-5 times a week usually starting around 9 pm or whenever things around the house settle down ( I have a wife and 3 kids). I get done and am home at 10 or 10:30. Beats waking up early."

See above posts about it not being safe for women to be out running the streets at night.

Plus, exercise experts say that working out right before you go to sleep isn't good for you.

wleffi,

The reason I chose not to exercise at night was because by then I'm usually already tired, have eaten dinner, and in the summer even at night the temperatures can still be in the low 90's/high 80's. Obviously if you go to a gym the temperature isn't an issue, but the fatigue and meal schedules can still interfere, as can spending time with other members of the family.

I will be here early today!

John L., I love your posts and admire your dedication to exercise. Ignore the trolls.

I exercise an hour before I go to bed. We have an elliptical (sp?) machine at home, so I just do a half hour, take a shower, and go to bed. I also started taking the stairs at work, which is about 100 steps a day. If you have kids, you could use the machine after their bedtime or leave them with the other parent. (I know, I don't have kids, so I'll never understand... blah blah blah.)

When I was training for the TNT marathon, I often had to jog alone at night (during the winter). I carried my ID in case I was attacked so they could identify my body. How morbid, right? I also had to jog on a sidewalk on a 3-lane road (Key West in Rockville) because it was the only one nearby that had 10 miles of sidewalk, so I was also worried about being hit by a car. It was stupid and I'd never do it again. Having an exercise machine in the house has been wonderful.

After gaining 65 lbs on my 5' body while being preggers with my monster baby, I am having a heck of a time getting back into shape. Before and while pregnant, until about the last two months when my doc told me to quit it, I worked out and modified it depending on my stages of pregnancy.

Now that I am 6 mos. past her birth, I still have 8-10 lbs to lose and can't get rid of it!!! To find out why, I have started keeping an exercise and eating diary and I think I have found the reason, too many calories and an overestimation of how much I am working out. So, I am cutting back on calories and kicking up working out-as much as possible.

When pregnant you eat more because you're hungry-ALL OF THE TIME. There was no choice but to get up at midnight and eat that food. My hubby called it "Midnight Muffin Madness." But after you've given birth it's tough telling your brain that you don't need that extra food.

As for exercise I have tried to adapt to my current lifestyle. I walk during lunch, after work with my kid, or on the weekends with my hubby, even if it's for 10 mins. During the hot summer months and cold winter ones, we aim for the Mall in the early hours. I also ride my stationary bike at night, for about 20 mins, at most, and longer on the weekends. And each night I do some type of resistant weigh-bearing exercise, arms, legs, whatever, and stretch-again for about 10 mins. All of these activities happen in the presence of my significant other and child, if she's awake.

So, it's doable but it's not the same as before her arrival. However, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will not fit back into some of my old clothes, or shoes. But at least I have gotten rid of most of the weight. Although, I would love it if my hips and shoulders/torso would move back to their pre-invasion width!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to agree, the new ice rink in Ballston is a huge blessing for me...right off the metro and skating is always my preferred form of exercise whenever possible...it makes it not so much of a chore.

I have to agree, the new ice rink in Ballston is a huge blessing for me...right off the metro and skating is always my preferred form of exercise whenever possible...it makes it not so much of a chore.

John L -- More power to you; that 3:30 AM is impressive dedication. I've tried 5:30 to fit in a quick run, but I just can't do without the sleep (even our normal 6 AM wakeup is barely enough to get me through to the weekend). Tried after work, but hated the time away from kids, since they go to bed @ 7:30-8. My New Year's resolution was 8 PM after the kids went to bed, but, ummm, errr, haven't really gotten butt outta the big comfy chair to do that yet.

The problem is, for me it really IS a chore. I don't enjoy it, and when I do it, it's only because I know I "should" -- and it's usually about the 87th "should" of the day. What I need is something like Brian's hockey league -- I used to love softball and volleyball leagues and play 3-4x/week (would even love a hockey league myself). But my schedule is unpredictable and I don't want to let my teammates down, so I tend not to sign up -- plus most of the leagues I've found are after-work leagues, which takes away time from my kids. I also love golf, but finding a babysitter for 7 AM Sunday morning is, well, impossible.

So for now, I take a Saturday class, try to fit in family walks and bike rides, throw/kick some balls around with the kids, and feel guilty about not getting upstairs to the treadmill. But I do think things will get better in a few more years -- my daughter is starting to want to run with me, so when the boy is old enough to bike or roller skate, we can do more cardio-type things. Even if it is just laps around the field at soccer practice.

wleffi -- working out at night sounds as awful to me as working out early in the morning sounds to you! Our routines sound pretty similar, just at opposite ends of the day.

The thing with exercise of any kind is to do something fun that you enjoy. I've done martial arts for years because I find it to be fun. Finding the form of exercise that is right for you can take some time.

We have a treadmill and still find it difficult to make time to do it. I have found the change in attitude recommended above helps. I purchased a TV series on DVD (one I didn't see when it was running) and spend 30 minutes 4 to 5 times a week on the treadmill walking and watching this show. It is my time to do and watch what I want. Yes it was splurge to buy the series but my health and motivation are worth it. I find the time by walking during bathtime, because that is daddy and ds (almost 3) time, or right after ds falls asleep. Most nights this is sometime between 7pm and 9pm. What I had to give up was time I spent sitting on the couch with DH watching TV.

We have a treadmill and still find it difficult to make time to do it. I have found the change in attitude recommended above helps. I purchased a TV series on DVD (one I didn't see when it was running) and spend 30 minutes 4 to 5 times a week on the treadmill walking and watching this show. It is my time to do and watch what I want. Yes it was splurge to buy the series but my health and motivation are worth it. I find the time by walking during bathtime, because that is daddy and ds (almost 3) time, or right after ds falls asleep. Most nights this is sometime between 7pm and 9pm. What I had to give up was time I spent sitting on the couch with DH watching TV.

I have also thrown an extra pair of sneakers and socks in the trunk of the car so I can start to sneak walks in during lunch or other minutes when I need some stress relief at work.

Also, my husband and I take walks around the neighborhood with our dogs. If you need motivation, maybe you should get a dog. They need 45 minutes of exercise a day and so do you! It also teaches resposibility to the kids and motivates them to stop the video games for about an hour during the evening (at least that's worked for my husband ;)

Laura,

It sounds like exercising for the sake of exercising isn't for you. In order to stay focused on it, you'll need to find something that interests you but at the same time helps to burn off calories. Have you tried swimming or some kind of semi-organized class that isn't competitive? That way if you miss a session or two you won't feel like you're letting everyone else down.

Meesh,

I don't carry any ID with me when I walk; I probably should "just in case" but I don't. I'd recommend any woman exercising outdoors alone carry something for self defense, whether it was a whistle, pepper spray, or whatever. We've had various news reports lately about creeps in cars following women/teens out jogging along roads, both in the morning and evenings.

A partner is probably the best security though, and letting someone you trust know what your route is and when you'll be back.

"Plus, exercise experts say that working out right before you go to sleep isn't good for you."

First, I work with "experts" in another field and most of the time they are wrong with their generalizations. Second, listen to what your body tells you it can handle. For me, if I quit the aerobic about two hours before bed and do the stretches/lifting about 1/2 hour before bed, I have found I sleep better than the nights I don't work out. Excuses are excuses for not doing something. Just do it. (Darn it Nike.)

John L -- yeah, I do do a class on Sat., which I enjoy; it's just hard to find one during the week that interests me and that doesn't interfere with after-work kid time and dinner time. I'm actually starting to wonder if I could find some sort of mother-daughter martial arts class, so we could be spending time together while learning something AND getting exercise! Of course, then I would have to face the humiliation of getting my butt whipped by a 6-yr-old. :-)

I have to actively schedule in my exercise, or I can find a million excuses to avoid it. Buying a treadmill was one of the best investments I ever made. Now I get up at 4(yes 4, since I have to be at work at 6) to walk and watch the BBC early news. I'm done in 30 minutes and have my English Acccent fix for the day, all while still in my pjs. After that, I schedule a walk during the work day -20 or 30 minutes to get out of the office. It makes all the difference.

BTW, I nominate "Midnight Muffin Madness" for POTD. :-)

"Excuses are excuses for not doing something."

Or excuses for the state of something - like thinking that a "monster baby" has anything to do with gaining 65 pounds - twice the maximum recommended gain during pregnancy. Was monster baby really a 40 pounder?

John L

"I get up at 3:30 in the morning to do my 3 mile walk on work days, usually 3-4 times a week"

That schedule would take me smack into the hookers' busiest hour and "last call" boozers weaving their way home in my neighborhood.

Posted by: | June 20, 2007 08:07 AM

Yes, I'd like to PROLONG my life with exercise- not cut it short through a rape or something.
This strategy is not advisable for women!

I too am thinking of proposing a semi-compressed work schedule stay 1 hour later 2 days, leave an hour early 2 days during the week to workout at the free gym at work.
But I could also used a compressed week to get the laundry done...it's a toss up!

best topic in a while!

I remember when the boys were younger, it was tough to work out. I was exhausted all the time, but to me, working out isn't a chore but a necessity to living. I grew from a tomboy up to athletics and competition. I love the high I get from doing some kind of athletic activity.

Now the boys are older and doing athletic competitions themselves. I look back to those baby years and think: a) it was so short and b) I would look much worse now if I hadn't kept up my athletic passions.

oh yeah, I forgot to add: the key to adding exercise is a) like it and b) leave your kids with your spouse or whatever works for you. I was always comfortable (and maybe lucky). My husband wanted alone time with the kids too. Win win situation for us. We just worked out separately.

I tried the static workout routine; weight training, stair climbers, etc. I got so bored with doing that I almost stopped exercising completely. For me that was truly "exercise just for its own sake", and I realized I had to do more than that.

I've found that walking through the neighborhood and seeing the different scenes is what keeps me motivated. I've met a doe and her fawn, seen an owl silently glide above the road, and said hello to the prowling cats and curious rabbits as I walk along the roads. The trick is to find what keeps your interest and allows you to burn those calories.

Meesh - I have a dog and his "need" for 45 minutes of exercise a day (? where did you get that cast-in-stone number?) isn't much incentive for me to do the same. Perhaps if you crate the poor thing all day he needs 45 minutes of exercise, but if he is let out regularly and played with by the kids during the day, he shouldn't need to be walked for 45 minutes every day.

I used to go to the YMCA at night. It worked because DH could get home to watch the children. I never went to bed early those nights but I wasn't getting up so early either.

It's just hard to get exercise in with small children. I figured that Moms with young children need their strength so a few extra pounds was fortification.

You can lose the weight in your 40s when your kids get older and you've got more free time.

Meesh,
My dog needs to be walked a lot also. Retrievers! Love them to pieces but they need their exercise big time!

If anyone wants to borrow my neurotic lab/bluetick hound at any hour of the day or night for an exercise partner, I would be all about that!!

Guranteed to be fierce when appropriate!!

John L - ok, so the 3:30 thing works for you and you agree that women should exercise with a partner and carry mace. What if she can't find another friend to run with at 3:30 - or what if she doesn't wish to have to fight off an attacker with mace? What do you recommend then? Does your wife get up and exercise at 3:30 on the days you don't?

I work out at night also. My husband is in grad school so he is studying late, so I usually work out sometime between 8:30 and 10:30. I sleep great!

p.s. I have never in my life heard that working out right before you go to sleep is bad for you. That's laughable!

Well, there is certainly a camp here for "work out with your kids" if they are old enough. Last year, my ten year old needed to lose weight to play football. Rather than instill the horrible habits of his father for losing weight, we decided to work out together. After a while, I stopped, by my son rose each morning at 6:30 and ran himself. He has inspired me to start again. I see this as a habit he carries throughout his lifetime.

I had just the opposite issue. I played hockey twice a week, one for pickup and the other on a team, along with other sports. Ballston is not the only place to do this and Reston would be a 20 minute drive for you, Brian. I preferred the late nights, even though I'm up at 5:30, and gyms generally don't stay open past 10:00.

Now, I have physical problems that prevent me from playing the game I love and I am finding it difficult to find other late-night avenues. I have considered underwater hockey, and I wouldn't feel all sweaty afterwards, but even that is not late enough.

OT to atlmom: today to Disney?

You can lose the weight in your 40s when your kids get older and you've got more free time.

Posted by: RoseG | June 20, 2007 09:34 AM

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Your metabolism changes once you hit 40, making it harder than ever to lose weight.

When I work out, I do it at lunch. I don't eat as much junk, and it keeps me from napping in the afternoon.

If there's no gym in the building in which I'm working, I just take a walk - a couple of miles during the middle of the day is safe in *almost* any neighborhood. Okay, when it's really, really hot I go to the YMCA, which means I'm gone about 90 minutes, but that's where flexible work schedules come in - so we're back to "work/life balance".

(When I was a Fed I had a boss who was an absolute stickler for the rule that lunch was 30 minutes, which made it tough to fit in lunch-time exercise. If I was away from my desk for more than 30 minutes, she wanted to make sure that my time card reflected "the hours I actually worked." This despite the fact that I was usually in the office 10 - 12 hours per day in those days. Made it fun to leave that job!)

"You can lose the weight in your 40s when your kids get older and you've got more free time."

Rose, You just keep on dreaming that little dream of yours. Trying to lose after 40 is MUCH harder.

Biking with a kid on board works.

Yup, till the bike falls over or you get hit by a car.

"I have never in my life heard that working out right before you go to sleep is bad for you. That's laughable!"

So you're laughing at the University of Maryland?

from http://www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.html

Exercise regularly, but not right before bed. Regular exercise, particularly in the afternoon, can help deepen sleep. Strenuous exercise within the 2 hours before bedtime, however, can decrease your ability to fall asleep.

Looks like I missed Snippy Monday (the dentist was probably more pleasant). Hope all you dads had a nice Father's Day.

John L:
3:30!! A.M.!! I mean, 3:30!!! NOTHING says dedication like 3:30!! I sit in awe!!

Exercising can be tough when the kids are small, whether you work or not. I didn't do much for a couple of years, and I didn't like the feeling -- the big workout was generally chasing the boys around yard, the mall, or the neighborhood; I got to the gym maybe 2x/week, if I could get my mother to babysit.
When I was not working and the kids were in elementary school, I went to the gym every day right before I picked them up from school (20 min treadmill, 10 min abs, 20 min weights), plus I walked the dog every morning. I was in good shape, and I want to emphasize WAS.
As soon as I went back to work, I came home and worked out while the kids were out playing with their friends. I still do about 10-15 min on the elliptical walker (watching Oprah) then do crunches and some other ab stuff, and a light workout with weights.

My sister has a gym in her building, and she exercises during her lunch most days, and eats at her desk while she's doing work.

I'm just trying to stay one step ahead of that guy in the hooded robe these days...

How much does Brian's hockey hobby cost? I bet a lot of families could never afford such a luxury.

Army Brat,

What do you do about the sweating from the lunchtime exercise? Some people don't have showers at their workplace and going home to shower/change clothes isn't an option either. If I walked 2-3 miles during lunch I'd be ostracized from the workplace in the afternoon due to the sweat soaking my clothes!

BTW,

I never said women should walk at 3:30 am. I said if they did walk early in the morning (whatever time works) having a partner is the best form of security. That and someone trustworthy knowing your route and expected time back.

This is an interesting topic to me - I really struggle with my weight now, despite eating pretty healthily and working out regularly through an early morning boot-camp style exercise program (in addition to walking to work and for most of my errands)....I dread the idea of putting on at least another 25-30 lbs during pregnancy and having even less free time and money to devote to burning it off (though I would definitely do it if was a good point in my life to have a child).

I wish all of you parents the best in trying to fit in some regular exercise, and I think that in future years you'll really find that the effort pays off for you, however and whenever you end up doing it. My grandmother was a regular walker all of her life (she never got her driver's license), and now in her late 80's, she is amazingly sprightly - in much, much better shape than most of her age group peers. She's been able to stay in her house and maintain a good quality of life during her latter years. Part of it is probably good genetics, but I think that the walking played a huge part too.....

wleffi and CeeCee, I work out at night too and sleep like a log. I think the 'night exercise = bad' idea is just a rumor or rationalization. The important thing is finding a time of day that feels comfortable, because there's no way I would stick to a workout schedule that required early mornings.

I walk to & from work, 4 miles a day. I take an evening boxing class once or twice a week, and on weekends I switch it up (hiking, biking, swimming, jogging etc).

All that is a bit beside the point, though. The main thing is, it works for me because (a) some of it is built into my regular schedule (the walking) and (b) the rest of it is stuff I love to do. I recommend trying a number of activities until you find something you really adore--it sucks when working out is just another chore on the to-do list.

I recently signed up to run the Breast Cancer marathon next year in February. I'm a little scared since I've only ever run 5Ks. My husband and I discussed at length since I will need to do long runs (several hours) on the weekends to train, and he'll have to cover the kids.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Educmom,

Believe me, there are mornings when that 3:30 am wakeup is torture, even after 3 years of doing it. I've noticed that if it is raining heavily I'm more likely to go back to sleep; in the past I'd put on my raincoat and go out in it. This morning, for example, my wife worked very late and didn't get in until midnight, so I slept in and didn't go out this morning to get some extra sleep.

Two years ago I actually walked during a tropical storm; I was determined to set the habit of walking and nothing was going to stop me from going every single morning. The wind wasn't that bad, only about 30-35mph, but the rain blowing horizontally made it a bit uncomfortable when I was walking into the wind. Thunderstorms will send me back to the house by the shortest direction possible, though, or I just won't go out at all if one is already in progress.

The worst time was a winter morning where it was 18 degrees and a 30mph wind was blowing. Even with two pairs of pants, three shirts, a knit hat and gloves, and walking as fast as I could, I didn't ever really warm up the entire route. Usually even on cold days I've warmed up (i.e. can feel my fingers again) after the first mile. Not that day.

"You can lose the weight in your 40s when your kids get older and you've got more free time."

Yeah, and who's gonna want to have sex with me until I get in shape in my 40s?

Poor example to set for the kiddies.

notyetamom:
My mother's parents walked everywhere too. My grandfather really took to walking after he retired, and he walked about 10 miles a day (he only drove somewhere when it was very far and he couldn't walk -- like Florida -- or he was getting something that couldn't be carried). My grandmother never drove, and she walked to the pharmacy, the grocery store and the hairdresser's.

Grandpop only lived to be 80 (cancer) but he looked like a man 20 years younger until the bitter end. Grandmom made it to 89, and she was healthy until about age 85. My mother, who does NOT exercise (because she's naturally skinny and skinny people don't need exercise in her opinion), isn't as healthy as her mom was at 80.

John L:
Still...doing something that difficult most mornings, even when you sometimes don't want to, is admirable. Most of us could not do that five times a year, let alone five times a week.

9:32, I guess every dog is different. My vet told me the round number of 45 minutes. My dogs aren't crated during the day and have a backyard to play in. Still, they need the controlled exercise of a walk (to reinforce that we're in control so they listen to us) and they need the fun exercise of the dog park to learn socialization.

The best thing about a well exercised dog is that they don't chew on furniture or otherwise mess up the house. We leave them alone in the house when we're at work and nothing is ever out of place.

And the dog needing exercise motivates us to give it to them because it makes them happy and keeps them healthy. There's no better motivation than making someone you care about happy! It may not motivate others who couldn't give a rat's a$$ whether or not their dogs are happy, so YMMV.

oops...anon at 10:05 was me

Huh, I realize that the last bit of my post could be considered offensive to you who I responded to. I did not mean that you don't care about your dog. it souonds like he or she gets plenty of exercise. I was strictly talking about bad pet owners. I'm sorry if I offended.

"Why doesn't anyone work out at night?

DH and I both work full time. His job is physical and he has no desire to exercise with me. I'd rather be with him and the kids than exercising somewhere. With all the other things to do in our short time away from work, exercise is the thing that gets pushed to the side.

I already get up at 5:45 and would have to go to bed earlier to get up earlier, which I am not interested in doing because it would cut into family, kids, hubby time.

Full gym membership at work is full. Part time membership can only be used before and after work. I try to walk every day at work but find that I can't raise my heart rate enough without perspiring enough to ruin clothing. No locker room or private office, only restrooms available for changing.

I used to be very active, but to be honest, I would rather keep the weight I've gained than lose any more time from my family. Work interferes with my life way too much. sigh.

There's a third way - those of us with a cobbled together combination of late evening, post kid bedtime workouts, interspersed with lunchtime dashes to the gym 1-2 times a week. It's crazy, but because it's also flexible, it works.

I play Arlington County Flag Football. Contrary to popular belief, if you play for a decent team the game is very physical (similar to your hockey league). If you play for a good squad, there is pressure to keep yourself in decent shape so you can play well for the team.

Plenty of players bring their kids to the field, so there is kind of a "shared babysitting" thing going on on the sidelines with a parent is on the field.

The downside is the threat of injury and the soreness/stiffness two days later.

My dog has developed a blood disorder and is extremely lethargic and the medication has caused weight gain. She can barely walk to the end of the driveway, much less through the neighborhood.

"Exercise regularly, but not right before bed. Regular exercise, particularly in the afternoon, can help deepen sleep. Strenuous exercise within the 2 hours before bedtime, however, can decrease your ability to fall asleep."

Yes, but any exercize is better than none regardless of when you do it. Sleap Apnea brought on by obesity will also reduce your ability to fall asleep.

I would choose to work out at night rather than not at all. But, nice try at an excuse for not working out.

"I used to be very active, but to be honest, I would rather keep the weight I've gained than lose any more time from my family. Work interferes with my life way too much. sigh."

Nice...Not!!! how about the time you could lose from your family due to sickness or disease brought on by your excess weight?

WorkingMomX, for my training, I had to run 4-5 miles a day, ever-increasing mileage on Saturday (start at 4, go up in increments of 2 or 3 miles every week), with one day off.

For me, I had a 4-mile loop for the week. For the long run, it was easiest to plan the route by car (looking at the odometer for mileage) by looking for continuous sidewalks. I would find a route that I had to double back on. So if I had to run 10 miles, I got to five and then turned around. That way, I couldn't just decide to cut it short if I was tired because I had to get home. I figured that if I was just on a track, it would be so easy to skip the past few laps if I wanted to.

Try to stay in well-lit areas and don't listen to music so you can hear if someone's coming.

Lastly, ice your knees! I'm sure they'll tell you that in training, but it's so important. I didn't, and my knees ended up being damaged. I had to walk the marathon because my knees were still bad.

"Sleap Apnea brought on by obesity will also reduce your ability to fall asleep."

People with sleap (sic) apnea don't have problems FALLING asleep. The problem is that they're not getting GOOD sleep because they're gasping for breath so they fall asleep at inconvenient times during the day.

"Nice...Not!!! how about the time you could lose from your family due to sickness or disease brought on by your excess weight?"

Not everyone who is carrying some excess weight is ill or has diseases.

WorkingMomX -- good for you and how exciting to commit to a Marathon. Okay, it's been a long time since I ran one, and that you are doing it post-kids is really impressive. I agree with Meesh about keeping up the regular weekday runs and then extending your long runs. I really had to mentally prepare myself for the long runs each Saturday. Also, I "rewarded" myself with a special long run on the Mt. Vernon trail when I did the 20 mile run -- a way to mix it up.

As for figuring mileage, the Post had an article a few weeks ago that recommended this site, which I love, it's sort of a Mapquest for runners:
http://www.walkjogrun.net

Also, it's HOT out there now. Summer training is going to be really hard, and you'll find that as soon as fall comes and the humidity is gone, you'll be running so much better.

"How much does Brian's hockey hobby cost? I bet a lot of families could never afford such a luxury."

Equipment = about $300 (less if you get used), most of the cost is skates

Stick = $25

Random (tape, skate sharpening, bandaids) = $10/month

League = varies, but one I play in costs $300 for 22 games.

Pickup = varies, but one I go to is $10 a session

In general hockey is on the expensive side, but it's certainly not exclusive (and far more affordable than things like golf, or membership to certain swim clubs). Still love outdoor running as most affordable/efficient exercise there is (and practically free if you do it like my crazy Filipino neighbor and run barefoot)

John L - sweating from a lunchtime workout can be an issue if you don't have the right facilities handy. I guess I'm lucky in that one set of restrooms in this building has showers, if needed. I also keep a change of clothes in one drawer of the filing cabinet in my office. (Since I'm almost always dressed casually - hey, I'm an engineer; it's the uniform - it doesn't matter that they're neatly folded.)

But on days when you're in a suit because of an afternoon meeting with an important customer, you just have to skip the lunchtime walk.

"I would choose to work out at night rather than not at all. But, nice try at an excuse for not working out."

I have worked out at night. It does rejuvenate me to the point that I can't fall asleep, and then have major trouble getting up in the morning. Since the kids have to go to school and I have to go to work, I found it to be way too disruptive. I really tried, but when the lateness to school and work became a problem, I had to stop.

To the anon poster, June 20, 2007 09:24 AM,
"Or excuses for the state of something - like thinking that a "monster baby" has anything to do with gaining 65 pounds - twice the maximum recommended gain during pregnancy. Was monster baby really a 40 pounder?"

I can't believe I am responding to the nerd who is sitting in the dark, eating ho hos, while scratching himself, but I have to do it.

Geek! I actually only gained 20 lbs, the other 45 lbs were baby, all of the related baby stuff, and a lot of fluid because I was almost pre-eclamptic due to high blood pressure b/c the kid was so big, 9 lbs+ at birth. In fact, in the first six weeks I dropped 45 lbs, and have dropped a little more than 10 lbs since then. AND, the average woman gains about 5 lbs post baby due to issues related to birth. So, before you shoot your anon little mouth off, know what you are talking about. Smooches and Happy Wednesday. Now, where did I put my twinkie...

Nutty Mama,
I can't believe that you felt the need to respond to that...Are you that insecure?

I'm a big fan of yoga. If you haven't done it, it sounds easy (or at least not strenuous) but 90 minutes of twisting and bending and balancing is a great workout and will make you quite strong and fit over time. When I'm good about going, my body moves better and I'm more relaxed.

Even better, I can walk to my yoga classes.

Just came from Whole Foods for my lunch salad...saw a mother with three kids, one a little chubby (girl) and two (girl/boy) absolutely HUGE. The girl looked like a fireplug and the boy had a belly that would make Bubba proud. They couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 - how does this happen????? When I was that age, I was picked on for being a stick - of course, I was out racing around all the time.
Oddly enough, the mother was petite and slim....

"Yeah, and who's gonna want to have sex with me until I get in shape in my 40s?"

Hopefully, your spouse who should love you for you and not for how you look. My DH knows that the c-section scars and extra pounds came from bearing his children.

"Still love outdoor running as most affordable/efficient exercise there is (and practically free if you do it like my crazy Filipino neighbor and run barefoot)"

Nope! Sex is the winner everytime!

WorkingmomX - my husband and I joined a local running group (there are chapters nationwide) to train for a marathon. We do three runs during the week of 40 or 50 minutes, time goes up as you progress but not beyond an hour, and a long run on Saturday. We've done one half-marathon, have another one planned for Labor Day and are planning a late October marathon. The program works great and the time it takes is reasonable. Our kids are supportive and excited as we accomplish our goals and the older two (13 and 11) will start running with us. We get up early now because it is too hot to run after work but we usually put the youngest (5) in the jogging stroller - the boys are out of town for a few weeks with family - and she dozes some more while we run. She doesn't mind the stroller at all but we do have a sitter for the long runs because I think it is too much to ask of a 5 year old to sit in the stroller for 2 hours or so. I found our group on the internet - first was "In Motion" and now it's "city name - fit." Local running stores have the information about these programs too. We plan to make running another of our family sports. The labor day run is at Disneyland where they also have a family 5K and a kids' run. We plan to take the kids when we run destination marathons too so they can see a new city and they want to cheer us on. I think it's fun to have all of us involved, and they seem to think so too.

I love that he mentioned mental health as a reason to exercise. That is what keeps me running every day - I feel so good! I love runners high! The physical benefits are just icing on the cake. I exercise at night too but don't have any problem falling asleep - nice and deep. Would that be due to a runners crash? :)

John L
"I never said women should walk at 3:30 am. I said if they did walk early in the morning (whatever time works) having a partner is the best form of security. That and someone trustworthy knowing your route and expected time back."

I'm not trying to attack you personally, but I am trying to make the point that men just don't have as many limits on their exercise or other free time as women do. AND, men don't have realize it. Telling someone when to expect me back is just a way to get them to the rape crisis center or my body in the morgue more quickly, not a safety device. It doesn't matter what neighborhood you live in. It's dangerous for women to be out alone in the middle of the night. I'm also assuming you would have a seriously hard time finding a buddy to run with at 3:30. My friends would laugh at me until they cried, if I even suggested getting up to walk before 6:30, and then getting to work on time becomes the issue. Also, it assumes you have a spouse hanging around to stay with the kids in the early a.m., which is often not the case. These are not excuses for not getting a workout. These are recognitions that women have a lot less freedom than men, due to violence against women and disproportionate responsibility for watching the kids.

MountainS - I agree! People who don't run don't believe me when I use the term "runners high".

Don't rely on sex to help you lose weight; the entire act only uses about 150 calories; that's not even a decent sized dessert! Stretching out foreplay won't help you either; most of those calories get burned during the most...energetic...activity.

I suppose you could just increase the frequency, but since 30 minutes of walking/running burns around 400 calories, you'd need to have sex nearly three times a day just to equal that.

"I guess I'm lucky in that one set of restrooms in this building has showers, if needed. I also keep a change of clothes in one drawer of the filing cabinet in my office"

Folks, PLEASE do not change back into dirty undies after a shower!!!

Yes, mental health is another major reason I do it. I find that when stress related to whatever gets to me, a nice walk just clears my head. The calmness that follows a workout is just wonderful.

By the way, I saw a few comments that seem to discourage cycling. I wanted to point out that the new/nice cycling kid trailers are less than 30 pounds and tow behind your bike on two wheels. Therefore if you fall over the kid(s) do(es) not.

Downside is that the brand name ones are expensive. The Burley models go for $450 new. However, I picked up a decent used one on eBay for a little over $100. I am excited to put the boy in the trailer and go for a ride...

It's strange that all the people who work out at night talk about how great they sleep...

I take a warm shower after working out and fall right to sleep, tired and clean. It is the best feeling! I fall asleep so much
easier when I work out at night than when I don't.

I understand that my schedule will change through the years due to children and the like. But right now, working out at night works great.

"I suppose you could just increase the frequency, but since 30 minutes of walking/running burns around 400 calories, you'd need to have sex nearly three times a day just to equal that. "

Sex 3x a day sounds about right! Let's go!

bearing his children "his?"

I guess you weren't there except for the birth!

"I suppose you could just increase the frequency, but since 30 minutes of walking/running burns around 400 calories, you'd need to have sex nearly three times a day just to equal that. "

Doesn't this somehow violate the ban on exercising at night?

I'm chatty today I guess. The silence of Jury Duty yesterday must have had that affect.

So, regarding women running at night. Proud Mama runs at dusk with reflective clothing and a protective scowl on her face. Yes it's still warm at 8pm (this is the boy's bed time so I am still settling him down when she takes off). In the summer, I'm not sure why ladies don't feel comfortable running at 8pm unless the kids are up later and hubby can't get them to bed.

Also, my neigbor's teenage daugthers run at night. Like 10pm. They run together and each one carries a glow stick. Since this is routine for them we (neighbors) are all used to seeing them and I would like to think that if something bad were about to happen we could come to their aid.

What ban? That kind of "exercise" tends to put me right to sleep immediately afterward if done at night! :)

I gained 65 pounds during my pregnancy on a 5 ft 3 inch frame. Not a pretty sight. (And no, I did not eat twinkies 24/7 for 9-mo) My DS is now 2 and I still have 10 more pounds to lose. However its not the weight that's so much the problem, its the waistline. I'm a full two sizes bigger now than pre-baby. I applaud your effort to stay healthy - keep up the good work!

"I can't believe I am responding to the nerd who is sitting in the dark, eating ho hos, while scratching himself, but I have to do it.

Geek! I actually only gained 20 lbs, the other 45 lbs were baby, all of the related baby stuff, and a lot of fluid because I was almost pre-eclamptic due to high blood pressure b/c the kid was so big, 9 lbs+ at birth. In fact, in the first six weeks I dropped 45 lbs, and have dropped a little more than 10 lbs since then. AND, the average woman gains about 5 lbs post baby due to issues related to birth. So, before you shoot your anon little mouth off, know what you are talking about. Smooches and Happy Wednesday. Now, where did I put my twinkie... "

Actually, I'm a woman who has given birth several times and has never gained more than 25 pounds with a pregnancy. And whose babies were all 8.5 - 9.5 pounds.
So perhaps YOU'RE the one who doesn't know what she's talking about.

Just because the midnight muffins were calling you doesn't mean you had to eat them. Talk about excuses.

Proud papa - kudos to proud mama for wearing reflective clothing..some runners do not realize how hard it is to see them!

Just joined the Y to start swimming.

Re ice hockey, yes, it's a great way to get exercise, but... My husband was in one of those leagues 15 years ago; he played defense. He's a great skater, been skating (at that time) for 15+ years. Broke his ankle; has plates, pins, and rods in it now. Was on crutches and out of work for 6 months.

Sigh.

"Just because the midnight muffins were calling you doesn't mean you had to eat them. Talk about excuses."

Ha, ha!

Finally, something I can comment on! I don't have kids yet, hopefully soon, but I play ice hockey twice a week, once with my men's team (my husband plays as well) and once with my women's team. It's a really fun sport, and much cooler than doing ANYTHING outside this time of year (except maybe swimming). And it doesn't matter how terrible of a player you are, there are tons of people worse than you. Plus, like Brian said, the games are late, so you don't miss out on other things, time with family, etc.

"Hopefully, your spouse who should love you for you and not for how you look. My DH knows that the c-section scars and extra pounds came from bearing his children."

My spouse loves me for me and not for how I look, but may not be ATTRACTED to me when I have the saggy boobs, fright night c-section scars, swollen vagina lips, and excess blubber. Regardless of the source...

Actually, I'm a woman who has given birth several times and has never gained more than 25 pounds with a pregnancy.

I know you, your middle name is sanctimonious!

Not to start a flamewar, but...how many of you think, if you met and married when you were in good physical condition, that you should not let yourself go after you get married. Some people are adament about it, think it is somehow "false advertising" if you do this.
Just wondering.

Okay, somebody set me straight here. I never understood how people complained about never having time to exercise because of all the time they spend with their kids. I've seen young kids in action, and they're relentlessly energetic. I used to run ten miles and then immediately take an hour-long kung fu class without much of a problem, but playing chase with a classmate's kid for an hour left me breathless. How can you chase around a bunch of little ones--even for an hour a day--and still claim you get no exercise? Am I missing something here?

"I have never in my life heard that working out right before you go to sleep is bad for you. That's laughable!"

I hear it all the time. From docs, PTs, trainers, etc. It's best to leave at least a one-hour gap to wind down before bed so your metabolism and mind can slow down. However, if the only time you have is right before bed, it's better than nothing.

OT to scarry: I just read that you're having a boy! Congrats!

OT in general: Know what I hate? "Bwahahahaha!" Does anyone actually laugh like this? Are you trying so hard to be insulting that you're willing to make yourself sound this silly?

I could never exercise on my lunch break. I'm one of those slooow people who takes 15 minute showers and 15 minutes to dress after a workout. That leaves only half an hour to work out. I like to take at least 90 minutes. My solution is to work out in the mornings (when the gym is empty) and I'm lucky enough to have flexible hours so it's not a problem if I'm a little late. But early to me means getting up at 6:30 AM and working out from 8-10; it seems you guys get up before 6 even on days you DON'T work out. You guys are making me count my blessings here! :-)

WorkingMomX:

Training for a marathon, like everything else, will have its up days and its down days. Meesh had some really good suggestions. I suggest that you also incorporate the time aspect into your training. Some days you're just not going to feel good and if you focus on distance, you could hurt yourself. On those really horrible days, go out and run for time (e.g. 30 minutes total) and don't worry about whether or not you actually ran X distance. On the flip side for days when you feel really good, run a little further than you had planned so that your heart rate is elevated for Y minutes. I definitely agree with icing your knees down after a long run. You might consider taking "workout candy" (aspirin, ibuprofen, ...) before your long runs to help keep the swelling down, but don't do this on an empty stomach.

Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!

Swimming is a great way to exercise when pregnant. I ran up until I was 8 months along but stopped because my son bounced up and down on my bladder and there were some embarrassing issues. I did deep water running and swam laps. It is great cardio and strength training and it makes you feel so light especially during the last trimester when you feel so heavy.

Perhaps the person who gained 65 lbs was underweight prior to her pregnancy?

I bought some skates so i could skate with ny daughter. It really is refreshing on a 100 degree day. I am not surprised that JOHN L can do that, wasn't he in the military at some point? Impresses but not surprised.

It's often recommended that people avoid exercising at night, for fear that it will be too stimulating and will wreck a good night's sleep. But that's usually not the case, says Shawn Youngstedt, an assistant professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

"The evidence indicates that [evening exercise] does not disturb sleep for most people," says Youngstedt, who researches physical activity and sleep.

Hockey: one of my favorites sayings picked up from working for the Toronto-based company for three years:

A hockey goalie is a person who says "I can make you hit me with that hard rubber object that you hit at high speed. No matter how much you try to miss me, you can't. No matter how fast you make it go, you can't miss me. You'll hit me every time."

Makes sense to me. :-)

"Actually, I'm a woman who has given birth several times and has never gained more than 25 pounds with a pregnancy. And whose babies were all 8.5 - 9.5 pounds.
So perhaps YOU'RE the one who doesn't know what she's talking about."

Well, goodie for you. Ever hear that people are different? I gained 60+ lbs with each pregnancy -- 20+ lbs in first trimester even while being hospitalized for severe nausea. Not a twinkie or muffin in sight (couldn't stand sugar). Things like water retention/pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and thyroid issues can really mess with you -- as my doctor will be the first to tell you. Oh, and I lost the weight without much trying afterwards (6 weeks for first, all but 5 lbs within 3 weeks with the second). So believe it or not, it's not just about being a big fat slob -- any more than Scarry's lack of weight gain has anything to do with starving herself.

Proud papa - it really, really depends on where you're running. I felt pretty comfortable walking around my parent's housing development even at 9-10 pm during the summer when I was a teenager - but it was a 2.5 mile loop total, fairly well lit, not many hiding places en-route, in a very low crime area, and I knew someone on pretty much every block.

I can't think of a 5-10 mile decently-lit route near my neighborhood (I don't want to run in total darkness and risk twisting an ankle) - and I certainly can't think of a route of that length where I'd know enough people nearby that my neighbors could "come to my aid" if needed.

Reflective clothing is a great safety precaution, but it's not going to deter a rapist or mugger, and in my neighborhood (as in most of the DC metro area), that's something women have to think about. A scowl just doesn't cut it. A standard routine is even worse - the bad guys would know approximately when those teenage girls will be coming ...I'm just glad that they're running together.

Mona

"I never understood how people complained about never having time to exercise because of all the time they spend with their kids."

There's a secret club for parents. Parents can use their kids as an excuse to get out of doing ANYTHING they don't want to do.

I would ignore the other poster who is saying you gained too much weight. All women gain weight differently during pregnancy and sometimes you just can't help what you gain, even if you do eat healthy. I was sick during my first pregnancy and lost ten pounds and only gained ten back and I had a baby who weighed 7 pounds.

This time, I am a little better in the sickness department, but I have still only gained five pounds at 6 months. My mom never gained more then 20 pounds with all her kids, except that one time when she gained 60! Yes, she ate the same way she did as before.

Mona- I am having a boy. He looks pretty big on the screen and in the pictures. Those five pounds are going to good use.

"Re ice hockey, yes, it's a great way to get exercise, but... My husband was in one of those leagues 15 years ago; he played defense. He's a great skater, been skating (at that time) for 15+ years. Broke his ankle; has plates, pins, and rods in it now. Was on crutches and out of work for 6 months."

D'oh. I also broke my ankle (in 3 places) playing hockey. Fortunately I have a desk job, and my wife worked at the same office and could drive me to work. I often wonder why insurance companies don't ask 'do you ski? do you play hockey? do you engage in any other death defying hobbies?' and charge larger premiums. Maybe that's built in to the 20-35 year old wealthier white male premium? Actuaries out there?

As a kid I broke a collar bone playing hockey. I reckon it's not the safest hobby, but it is definitely fun.

damn typos!

"I never understood how people complained about never having time to exercise because of all the time they spend with their kids. I've seen young kids in action, and they're relentlessly energetic. I used to run ten miles and then immediately take an hour-long kung fu class without much of a problem, but playing chase with a classmate's kid for an hour left me breathless. How can you chase around a bunch of little ones--even for an hour a day--and still claim you get no exercise? Am I missing something here?"

Everyone's young kids aren't that active. Most young kids aren't that active post 6 p.m. Healthy exercise requires keeping your heart rate up to your optimum rate for at least 30 minutes. Chasing kids doesn't keep your heart rate up to that level. That's the problem, actually. It makes you tired but doesn't give you the work-out that would produce endorphins and keep you healthy.

Here are my thoughts regarding exercise at night - if it disturbs your sleep, don't do it. If it doesn't disturb you sleep, carry on.

Mona, sometimes with kids you just can't get things done. Retrospectively, I don't know why, when my kids were little, I couldn't find 15 minutes out of a 14 hour day to shower. I just couldn't though. I think it is much like the mystery of the dryer and the missing sock.

I'll give another shout out to cycling, especially if you have a trail. My older child rides on something called a tag along which is just like a bike but with only the back wheel - it hooks onto the seat of the parent's bike so the child can ride and pedal if they like, but can just ride if they are tired. We have done 2 hour rides frequently with this and a trailer on my bike for the younger child. Add in a picnic and you have a really nice family day together.

OT to dotted: on the magical express as we speak. I hope I can get to my room and get some lunch before the meetinng!

To nutty mama: sounds like you are doing fine. If you work out enough-and it sounds like you do-who cares what the scale says? You may never fit back into your clothes but that doesn't make you a failure. After the second kid the only 8 lbs will sound heavenly. Why stress about numbers that aren't meaningful?

Lifetime fitness in fairfax and centerville has quality childcare 8am-8PM. 75.00 a month, but my kids LOVE it there and cheap compared to a sitter!

"There's a secret club for parents. Parents can use their kids as an excuse to get out of doing ANYTHING they don't want to do."

Only somewhat true. Kids as people here know eat up an enormous amount of time and are completely unpredictable and slow moving. Having been a motivated workout person , stress been unfortunately, people (including me) can find a million excuses not to work out.

Patrick, yes, I was in the military, but that was long, long ago, and I wasn't in for very long (torn Achilles tendon), so my service hardly accounts for my exercising habits now!

I explain that I just became sick and tired of purchasing a new pants size every six months, and had to do something drastic to put a stop to it. Now I can wear a pants size I wore 15 years ago!

Good topic! I have a pool, so I swim with my daughter after work. Our temperatures are already in triple digits in Phoenix, so a swim after work feels great.

When I was still married and lived in NoVa (Centreville), I would get up and run at 5 a.m. I dropped the baby weight (got back down to a size four after gaining 40 pounds). I stayed out in the open, no trails, but I do understand those women who are reluctant to run while it's still dark.

"Ever hear that people are different?"

Of course they are. But Nutty Mama originally blamed her "monster baby" (9+ pounds - big deal) and her needing to eat constantly for her 65 pound weight gain. Not the differences between her and other women, or her "almost pre-ecclampsia" - the fact that her baby was big(ish) and that she ate a lot. And she said that not exercising before bed was just an excuse. And then when I said that "being hungry" and having a "big baby" were also excuses, she blasted back that I must be a big hairy man with no clue about childbirth or pregnancy and what it does to your body.

she blasted back that I must be a big hairy man with no clue about childbirth or pregnancy and what it does to your body.

That is what you sounded like to me.

....Actually, I'm a woman who has given birth several times and has never gained more than 25 pounds with a pregnancy. And whose babies were all 8.5 - 9.5 pounds.
So perhaps YOU'RE the one who doesn't know what she's talking about.

Just because the midnight muffins were calling you doesn't mean you had to eat them. Talk about excuses.

Posted by: | June 20, 2007 11:08 AM

Hey there anonymous, holier than thou "lady". I know who you are. You're that biz-atch who drives the big SUV and weaves in and out of traffic cutting people off because you're much more important than them. You curse the poor kid working at the Starbucks because he's taking just a bit too long making your triple shot skim caramel foo-foo blah blah coffee drink. I just love, LOVE people like you, and wish I could be as perfect as you.
To Nutty Mama- "Midnight Muffin Madness". Hysterical. I could totally take that another way, but your husband probably wouldn't think too kindly of me!

"Not to start a flamewar, but...how many of you think, if you met and married when you were in good physical condition, that you should not let yourself go after you get married. Some people are adament about it, think it is somehow "false advertising" if you do this.
Just wondering."

You can't possibly know how aging will affect your body till it happens. How can it be false advertising when you can't prevent it and you can't predict it?

"explain that I just became sick and tired of purchasing a new pants size every six months, and had to do something drastic to put a stop to it. Now I can wear a pants size I wore 15 years ago!"

Congratulations JOHN L. My sister is inspiring me to get off my butt. She has lost 95 lbs and is very disciplined now. She is like a new person, more confident and happy.

Altmom and others, thanks. I needed to hear that what I am experiencing is not uncommon. All of my Interet research came up with nothing.

Myother comments didn't get posted but-to moxiemom:

I just would feel guilty getting up early and lvng the kids with dh in the am -but, maybe w the au pair it will be easier -maybe one day a wk in the early am and one day during lunch and I could do way better than my current condition...

dcgirl1899 - I hear what you are saying, but what I meant was people who quit exercising and pack on the lbs. after just a couple years of marriage.

"Mona

"I never understood how people complained about never having time to exercise because of all the time they spend with their kids."

There's a secret club for parents. Parents can use their kids as an excuse to get out of doing ANYTHING they don't want to do."

Like anything else, it depends...
If you are a SAHM, I don't get it either. If you work out of the home full time, as I did, it is much harder to find time. My routine when the kids were pre-school and early elementary school was to leave work, pick kids up from day care, go home, talk to kids for a few minutes, settle them with toys or another activity, cook dinner, eat dinner, clean up while daddy played with kids (kitchen too small for more than one person during clean-up, we just bumped into each other). By now it is 7:00 or 7:30. Supervise homework, take a walk (kids are tired and don't run as much this late). It's hard to raise heart rate when you are stopping to look at bugs, talk to neighbors, etc. Back home for bathtime, storytime, bedtime etc. By now, it's 9:30 - 10:00 or so. I love reading with the kids at night. Even though DH also reads to the kids, I enjoy it and don't want to give it up. My children have always had later bedtimes. I just don't care to put them to bed at 8:00 when I don't see them until 5:30 or 6:00.

I'm just giving my perspective as an honest repy to Mona. If anyone still thinks it's making excuses, that's OK. I know that I could excercise more, but I really would rather be spending the time with my children.

Oh, and NuttyMama when I am not sick, I eat all the time. Everything from chili dogs to apples. I think it really just depends on your baby.

I think 9 pounds plus is a monster baby too, and next time I send my husband out for something for me to eat, I am going to tell him I have "Midnight Muffin Madness."

I think fitness is important for kids. I am amazed at teh number of fat little kids. It seems that when I was growing up , we were all stick thin. The kids a re finally getting big enough to ride bikes,play some sports etc and that is fun to practice with them.

me

"dcgirl1899 - I hear what you are saying, but what I meant was people who quit exercising and pack on the lbs. after just a couple years of marriage."

Sexual boredom with the spouse is the
#1 reason (besides child bearing) that people pack on the pounds after a couple of years of marriage.

dcgirl1899...
You can't predict what aging will do to your body but you CAN predict what eating too much and exercising too little will do.

Get real girl!!!

I think it really just depends on your baby.

I meant to say body.

atlmom: we used the magical express also. Good service all around. Have fun!

And people chided me way back for my special gym....it works for me. Just returned from an intense butt kicking.

"Guy Named Marvin," Thank you. I made the mistake of biting and have been since kicking myself. Oh well. I will have to remember to ignore "them," like I normally do. And another thanks for the "Midnight Muffin Madness" comment. I will share that with my husband. He will get a kick out of it.

Excuses are for everyone. I don't have kids and I still make excuses for why I don't look the same way I did in college (quitting smoking, desk job, etc.). I think that being pregnant or tired after chasing kids all day are fantastic excuses compared with mine.

What it took for me was a visit to the doctor who explained that quitting smoking and exercising will lower my outrageously high cholesterol level. Also, my dentist said that exercising will relieve stress and ease my TMJ problems. The good effects far outweighed the lame excuses, so I started working out.

WorkingMomX:

Congratulations on training for a marathon! I have done several. One way to get the long runs in is to start early. The group I trained with would meet at 5am on Saturday to do long runs during the summer because of the heat. This worked out well for parents because they'd get back early enough to have time with kids. Depending on the length of the run s