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Does anyone with a full time job and a toddler have time to exercise?

If so, I am looking for tips. But I need realistic tips - there is no way I going to get up at 5am to go running or anything like that. I was thinking that maybe there are a couple of people - moms or dads who want to start a fairly unambitious plan and would like to get together and figure out some way to squeeze in a little exercise.

Luckily there is already yoga at lunch right here in my department (EECS) so I am really really going to go to that from now on, but I also want to do a bit of aerobic stuff.
Melanie

Regarding time to exercise etc, by Melanie. I don't know how other people do this!

I have a full-time job (graduate student), and a son (1 year old) in daycare, 8 to 5 or so, M-F. The last thing I have wanted to do is get Curt out of daycare at 5 and put him in a childcare program at the Y while I go do aerobics (my preferred exercise) for 60 to 90 minutes. But I need exercise! Walking in the evening doesn't happen, as it seems like a "we'll do it after we eat" activity that doesn't happen cuz it's then "curt wants to be with mom and dad (and we with him)" and then it's "get ready for bed" time.

It seems that the only way to get aerobic exercise is to do what I can't bear which is to put Curt in another daycare while I exercise, which still doesn't take care of the lack of time (my work doesn't end at 5).

One possibility is this. We've thought about doing exercise every other day or so, husband and wife alternating taking care of Curt while the other parent exercises. Maybe this is the best way. Every other day is better than never.

I too am interested in (other) practical alternatives (are there any?). Like Melanie, I'm not getting up at 5 or 6 or even 7 to exercise. I prefer exercising between 5 and 7 in the evening.

Peg

In response to exercising when working fulltime: If you're working on campus, there is a walking group that meets at the Campanile on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:10. We stretch and walk for 30-35 minutes on three different routes. The walkers are at all levels and go different speeds. The size of the group varies and is usually all women. It's very enjoyable to get out at lunch and walk around the campus. You should try it.

This is one that I constantly struggle with. Before an injury, I played soccer. I found I could continue during (!) and after giving birth because my teammates were so supportive. Many had kids and would help each other watch them when mom was on the field. I also hired a sitter to sit on the side lines. At women's tournaments, you'll often see lots of kids. (I was impressed when I was in London recently and I saw a ad for pick up games at which childcare was provided.) Practice of course is harder and I wouldn't have made it often if the team I played with had held practices. But at least once a week I got 90 minutes of intense exercise. I would suspect one might find a similar atmosphere in other local women's teams sports.

During the week, I did and still do go to the gym -- but I find I can only do it at 5 or 6 AM, later on the weekends. Recently what has helped is paying a little extra (gulp) to meet with a trainer twice a month. That motivates me to go and work more intensely when I do go. I still can not get up every morning so early. I know some who go to the RSF during their lunch hour. I've considered that, but one hour doesn't seem like enough time to get there, exercise, shower and get back to work. Some gyms have childcare -including I think 24 hour Nautilus and the Oakland YMCA. I was very disappointed when my gym dropped childcare from their moving/renovation plan and that will be a consideration when my renewal comes up.

I find it difficult to get as much exercise as I'd like. When I could run, I found the jog-stroller to be a great thing and my son loved to ride in it. With this injury, I'm totally frustrated because running and soccer are out.

Martha- mother of 2.5 year old Miles

I am fortunate that I can bicycle to work, so I get all the exercise I need that way. I even bicycle my son to preschool--have been doing it since he was about 8 months old. (I have a child seat on the back of my mountain bike.) But even if you can't commute by bicycle, it's still a great way to get recreational exercise with a child who weighs under 40 pounds. On weekends we usually take family bike rides together. Sometimes we even take our son to the carousel or trains in Tilden Park by bike.

I would like to respond to the issue of finding time to workout. As a single parent of an active 3 1/2 y.o. I can attest to feeling extremely overwhelmed with trying to do everything and still have quality time for your child. I, however, am a firm believer in the "happy mommy makes happy baby" equation.

For a brief period of time I ceased going to the gym and noticed my energy level drop and stress level increase. I believe that as an active, hard working parent you deserve to have that time to yourself. Besides, if you are fortunate you may find a place that your child really likes going to.

I usually prepare my child in the morning by telling him that we will be going to the gym after I pick him up from school. He is usually enthusiastic about going, and is prepared to go when I pick him up. Throughout life there will constantly be obstacles thrown our way which test our priorities and devotion to family. If you truly want to find that time for yourself...there's a way. It may just take some scheduling adjustments. Utilize your weekends, and then shoot for one or two days during the week. Besides, think of the good example that you are providing for your child regarding being healthy.

Re: exercise. After our kids finished parent co-op preschool, another mom and I calculated that we'd take the evening we formerly dedicated to board meetings and parent ed meetings, and get some exercise.

We joined Berkeley Folk Dancers at Live Oak Park. This is a venerable organization that meets to dance five nights a week. The instructors are terrific (there is instruction at every level) and once you advance through beginners, you can come more than one night a week, between 7:45 and 10:00 p.m.

Professor Bill Lidicker (Integrative Biology/MVZ) and his wife Louise were our beginners teachers last year, and they are currently teaching the intermediate class this year. They are wonderful. There are other folks from the UC community there, too. There is an added bonus to this form of exercise: not only is it fun, and quite aerobic, but we have made many elder friends -- something that one easily misses, if separated from parents/grandparents by the miles.