Exercise Question?

I am pre-op. My consult is 5/19 and I am 26 years old. I am trying to develop good habbits now. I have a 2 and a 1/2 year old son. I work full time days. I am married, but my husband works 12:00pm-8:30pm. The thing I am struggling with most is that I am having trouble figuring out when and how to exercize with my little guy under foot. I can't really get away to the gym and I have tried to get up early before work, but I am pretty sure I have sleep apnea and I have found getting up early to be impossible. I have some time after 9:00/9:30 to exercize, but I have always heard that exercizing before bed was not good. I figured there was no one better to ask than other parents how to do it. Any advice??? Thanks, Krista

Krista, You could exercise with the child. both of you sit on the floor together, have your feet touch his feet, bend your torso forward and reach out to hold hands. Ask him to get on his knees just like you and start working your leggs. It will be a positive and a constructive playtime for your son and a nice exercise for you even if it only last for 10 minutes. Sit on your back and work your leggs like you are riding a bike. HAve him do the same while laying down in the same position next to you. I am sure your son will have a blast playing with mami on the floor. Good luck Dani

I did a lot of upper body stuff pre-op. My knees were so bad that I couldn't do a lot of walking or other aerobic stuff. I did it with my daughter. She would stand on the couch next to me and do all of the motions with me. It was a game to see who could hold their arms above their head the longest. It's easiest to have the kids be part of the exercise versus finding time without them to exercise.

I have went walking with my son in the past. He's 4 now and now he can walk with me. He has more energy than me anyway.....I've also learned that this helps tire him out a little as well (hehehe)! However, when he was 2 I would use a jogging stroller and sometimes he might want to walk as well.....depends on your level of fitness and how well he's walking.....if you walk kind of slow he might be able to keep up but, if you want to go faster use a stroller (jogging strollers are easier to push than regular strollers). My son who is 4 can certainly keep up with me now (I'm pre-op so we will see if he can keep up once I get some weight off). If it's too hot outside where you live you might also try walking in a mall - where I live they even open up the mall earlier in the morning for walking, but I have seen people doing it during regular hours as well. I know you said you couldn't get away to the gym....if that is due to a childcare issue I know that my local YMCA (and I am sure others would as well) has a wonderful child care program and they even have a big glass window so you can look and check on your child at all times. I also purchased a workout tape the other day and was thinking my son may be able to do some of that with me as well. I am not 100% sure but, I am almost certain I have seen a workout video somewhere that involved exercising with your child (it may have been yoga - not sure). I was thinking about checking on that and if I find anything I will let you know....sorry I was so long winded but, your best bet may be walking as long as your son is okay with riding in a stroller....