Exercising at Night After the Kids Go to Bed

Hi T.,

Although it's not aerobic, yoga is great for strength, toning, and relaxation. I am a working mom who finds it hard to get to the gym anymore, and the classes I want to take are never when I have the time or motivation. I found myyogaonline.com is just the ticket. For $10 a month I have access to a ton of different yoga and pilates classes. The site allows you to pick a class of less than five minutes up to 90 minutes, which is great because it helps me fit the workout with the time I've got and with the mood I'm in. The classes are very high quality and they are offered for a range of ability levels, including beginner.

Good luck!

J.

Hi T.. I too am a working mom. I find that working out after my son goes to bed works best for me, it keeps me from snacking at night too. I have a stationary bike that I use for 30 minutes, then I use an exercise ball to target my abs, butt, and legs. I don't worry about my arms, with all the baby lifts I do. Yoga and pilates are fun to do too. I don't use tapes, I just record them off cable. I take a nice hot shower after I'm done exercising, and that's it takes for me to wind down. I have no problem falling asleep. I feel so much better, physically and mentally, since I started exercising again. The weight may come off slowly, but it's better than putting more on. Good luck!

First of all, good for you both for asking for help and for recognizing that exercise will make you feel better. I can absolutely attest to this. I am a stay-at-home mom turned fitness coach after losing 30 pounds (now 40 on my current workout program).

Evening yoga can be a really good way to wind down and still get in a bit of a workout. Gaiam has a DVD called PM Yoga. Can your partner cover the kids first thing in the morning or before they go to bed for a little while? That is how I first got started. I rode our exercise bike for just 20 minutes a day. You might also try to fit in 20 in the morning and 20 at night too.

There is also a terrific program called 10-minute Trainer from Beachbody. You can PM me for more info as you can order from me and I can be your coach. Even if you don't order anything, feel free to PM me as I love to help others workout and feel great!

All the best! - ____@____.com

I am in the same boat and looking forward to what other mamas say. I don't work, but my boyfriend works 3rd and sleeps all day (where the treadmill is). I try to do tapes during the day when my 18 m.o. son is running around, which usually ends up in him sitting on me, throwing toys in my face, or bouncing the body ball around.... not helpful. When he naps is the only time i have to shower, laundry, dishes, floors... again, you know the routine. I have found time to go on the treadmill for a mile as soon as my boyfriend wakes up, but I've been doing it for 2 months, with diet, and no lbs. lost.... Good luck to you. Maybe some moms can help me out too!

Hi T.,
I am also NOT a morning person, at least as far as exercise goes. Because we eat our dinner a bit later, I try to do Pilates, which is great for the body but also somewhat relaxing, while dinner is cooking or my son is doing his homework (he's a bit older). If your husband or partner can look after the kids for half an hour or so while you're working out, or if you can leave the kids in a bouncy seat watching TV or playing in the pack-n-play (you don't say the age of your kids), you can always find a solution for half an hour for you to dedicate to yourself if you don't have a partner to entrust their care to.

Another thing I do is take a thirty to forty minute walk during my lunch hour. Those two activities paired together are a good fitness combination, and then the full workout isn't packed in to one time slot.Good luck!

I don't know what your fitness level is but there is a great walking dvd that has a 1, 2 or 3 mile walk and it comes with fitness bands for arm work. I used this tape before I had my son and loved it. I, like you, get up early (5am) out of the house by 6:30 and do not return until 8:00 bed time so am exhausted at the end of the day. I have a hard time fitting in laundry & general cleaning never mind the excercise on top of it. I may try the nighttime workout as others suggested. I always thought it was advised not to because it would disrupt sleep but anything is worth a try.

For me I have no problem exercising at night. I just bought an elliptical a few weeks ago after not exercising for a few years and will do that for about 45 minutes a night. I use to do the same thing in a gym but with 3 boys I stopped having time for that. After I am done I will take a shower and go to bed and even though I feel more energized after I work out I fall asleep feeling better than on a night I dont work out and I fall asleep faster. I have sleeping issues anyway but this works for me anyway.

I'm on the same schedule you are with trying to find time for exercise. I have found that exercising in the morning (hard to do) with Yoga or light aerobics seems to help wake me up, usually only a half hour or 45 min. I have sometimes had the energy at night and exercised after 8, once i get out of the shower it's a "good tired" versus an energized kind.

I would leave it open ended, and exercise on the nights you feel you have abundant energy so it would help dissipate it and get you ready for sleep. I also do a really good intense workout on Saturday, pull out all the stops so you can feel accomplished for the whole w/e. good luck!

Hi T., I'm a stay at home mom and like you the only free time that I have is at night after my little man has gone to bed, otherwise I'm busy chasing him around all day. I find that after my workout I am energized, but by the time I come home, talk to the hubby for a minute then jump in the shower I'm pooped. The hot shower always does me in so try that!

Hi, I know what you mean. I have 3 young children and have trouble fitting in fitness. I use pilates tapes as soon as they go to bed-around 7:45. They take about 30 minutes and then I relax with my husband for an hour or two before bed. I have no trouble falling asleep and am often asleep on the couch. As soon as the weather warms up, I hope to take a walk at the same time of night.

Hi T.,
Just a couple of thoughts - don't know it they'll be helpful in your situation... I go to the gym or for a run as soon as my husband gets home from work, about 5 or 5:30. Is that an option for you? Perhaps when your significant other gets home? It's not so late that I still have time to wind down after my workout, I usually get home btwn 7 and 7:30. Another possible option for when the weather starts to warm up a bit - we found a reasonably priced double jog stroller on Craig's List. You could tuck the kids (as long as you don't have more than 2) into the stroller and go for a walk/jog. One more thought - many gyms still have great new years deals to join. If you found one with a daycare, that might be an option. Hopefully this helps a little. I understand how important "me time" is and I hope you're able to get some for yourself. Good luck.
J. :)

I have a dvd for you! Rodney Yee's "Yoga for Strength." It's about an hour long but you can skip around if you want. Don't get discouraged if you can't do some of the poses, especially in the second half. it get's easier the more you do it, and it's a great workout! It ends with relaxation and meditation. Perfect for before bed!

Hi T.,

I run at night either while my husband makes dinner (on the rare nights he is home early enough to do it) or after I put the kids to bed. I have no trouble falling asleep and I feel great! I am not a morning person and like yourself get up at 5:30am, I have two girls ages 6 and 2 years old and I run a home daycare so I understand being busy and the need for some time to myself. I actually find I run better at night than I do in the morning because I think it is because I am more stretched out from running around all day. I am training to run a half marathon for my 40th birthday in 2010. I find having a goal keeps me motivated to exercise. Best of luck and definitely find that time for yourself, it is so important!

Due to a work schedule change, night time is the only time I have to exercise. I joined a gym, we got a great monthly price through work, and it is only 3 miles away. I find that after I exercise, shower and then get home, I am tired. After being up since 6 and then exercising hard, all I can do is crash when I get home, maybe because I am already a little tired. I find that if I exercise in the mornings it gives me energy for the day. Showering at night also allows me to get a few more minutes of sleep in the morning.

I don't know of any current exercise tapes, but you could try some out by renting or record some from the tv. Previously I have liked Kathy Smith and Denise Austin. Yoga and pilates are good for stretching and strengthening. I've also found that when I have down time, like riding in the car, playing on the floor with my son, I will squeeze in exercise; leg lifts, crunches. Good for you for making exercise a priority. Keep up the great work.

Wow, you are a rock star! I thought I had it bad but my hubby is a stay at home dad so he takes care of all the household things. What I do is exercise as soon as my son is asleep for 30-50 minutes and then relax. Exercising too close to your bedtime can keep you up so try to keep 1.5 hrs in between your workout and bed. Can you do your "finishing" chores after you exercise?

Good Luck, Nat

Try yoga its very relaxing.

check out Stroller Strides:
http://www.strollerstrides.com/search.php

They have exercise groups everywhere. Basically, it is like fitness boot camp for moms, and you bring your kids, too! The older ones just play together on the field while moms exercise. I recently took a class, and was surprised that it was a lot more of a workout than I expected (abs, pushups, sprints, free weights), but it was really a lot of fun, and nice knowing that my daughter had fun with it too.