Suggestions on exercise ideas

So I have been struggling to find time to get to the gym. The issue that I am having is that i have a 5 year old. I feel guilty for leaving her when I go to the gym. I am away from her all day at work so it makes me feel bad when I am away from her in the evening to go to the gym. So I was wondering if anyone had any exercise suggestions that I can do with her. Please remember she is 5 and not 10 so her attention span and hand eye co-ordination arent that great yet. But any suggestions would be appriciated.. thanks..

Put the guilt aside.  Use the gym's childcare, let her socialize and grow early independence, and get your workout in.

Otherwise, google Mommy and me exercises, I guess.

If you don't take care of you, you can't take care of her....

You might not like what I have to say, but I agree with Jerz.  Get in the gym if you have the membership already.  I have four kids myself so I know where you are coming from (ranging from 19-8).  I know it' s hard, and if you find some activities to do with her **** skating, roller skating, walking, jogging, snowball fights) that's great!  But YOU need to do this for YOU, and not only you, but your daughter will be watching you and learning from this experience.  She will learn and grow up knowing how important exercise is in your daily routine.  Plus just working out with her will probably not suffice for you, just like you said .....her attentiion span isn't that long.  Heck I outdo my eleven year old on the bike all the time.  YOU need this, and in the long run she will be grateful. 

Good luck!

When we lived in California and I had my 3rd child, we were POOR. I lost 40 lbs of post-baby weight (at 30 years of age) by going to the local park and kicking a soccer ball with the kids, and pushing them on swings. Kids of 5 love to see mom run around trying to kick a ball. Also, do you have any way to hit the gym either on your lunch hour or prior to your work day starting? I've had to give up a little sleep to be able to get to the gym at all as a small business owner.

Ruth Shapovalov
Bothell Wa

Hmmm...a five year old working out with you.  You said it yourself, her attention span is too limited.

But there are ways for you to get in a great workout at home while she is watching videos and Mommy is sweating.  Or, you could get her to "pretend" read a book to you or tell you a story while you are exercising.  And it's a great way for her to exercise her imagination and creativity. 

I'm assuming that since you go to the gym that you have no equipment at home.  Instead of a treadmill, you could do interval training by jogging in place, then walking in place, then power walking in place, just like you would do on the treadmill. 

Anything done on a machine at the gym can be adapted to using weights at home.  For example, if you do lateral presses at the gym, sit in a chair and use your weights for resistance.

Of course, squats, kicks and lunges can be done anywhere.  Good luck with keeping count of your sets while you are being told a story!

Mary 

I know - those years are hard to get in formal exercise! My girls and i would ride bikes a lot, swim, go to the park and try to do hopscotch or jump rope tricks. Tossing a big ball or kicking it while trotting is also a great workout! My grandsons could do that all. day. long.

Kids love to do Monkey see Monkey do - so you can take turns doing simple moves like jumping jacks or hopping on one leg.