Need to Do Cardio!

Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30. It is KILLER. There are 3 circuits. Each contains 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs. It doesn't sound like a lot, but I promise you, it gets results. There are 4 different workouts on the DVD. You're suppose to do a new one each week, but I find myself still struggling with Week 1 and I've been doing it for 3 weeks now. The workouts are only about 20 minutes, so they're easy to do while baby is napping. I also like her 30 Day Shred. Between the 2 DVDs I've lost roughly 6 inches. I really did see results within the first couple of weeks. Plus, I just feel stronger.

Everyone I know who has done it is crazy about Zumba. I'd love to do it, but I'm too unmotivated by DVDs. Good luck!

Sex is great cardio ;)

I love anything by Chaleane Johnson... she does P90X and the Beach Body workouts, as well as Turbo Fire (my fav.)... my kids live trying to keep up with it, it's fast but fun :)

The 30 day shred is good because it uses the concept of alternating between fast and slow which people say now is the best way to burn. If you do interval training you can literally get the results of cardio ih half the time. Do 20 minutes of 1 minute full out and 2 minutes regular and you will see the same results as 40 minutes of walking. So if you really wanted you could jump rope for a minute and then walk in place for 2. Anything to get your heart pumping super fast and then rest for a little bit.

You should buy some rollerblades and get a racing stroller. Thats what i do, and its fun!

No dvd suggestions, sorry. BUT, as far as the gym goes, I started taking my daughter there when she was 13 mos. old, and I can tell you, it's a gradual process. I would suggest slowly easing her & yourself into it. Start with short trips to the gym & your little one to their daycare. By short, I mean maybe 20 minutes & work up. My daughter used to cry when I dropped her off, within a few minutes she'd stop & start playing with the kids. Good luck!!!

i love zumba! I bought it for my wii so my kids could do it too and they love it!

The Biggest Loser has cardio dvd's that are great

I'm in the same boat. Instead of doing DVDs, I try to chase my kids, play with them or take them on bike rides. Research shows that you get just as good of a work out breaking it up into small doses than doing it all in one 30-60min session of "exercise".

Cardio gets easier as the weather cooperates. You can get a bike trailer for your LO and start getting her used to rides a little at a time. You can jump rope while she plays - EXCELLENT workout and cheap!

As for the daycare, start in small increments. I've had to sit with my son in their FOR OVER AN HOUR!!! Just talking with the "teachers" and letting him see the place. I've also dropped him off, said goodbye and left for awhile, then come back to get him. Now I'll leave, he'll scream, and sometimes "pass out" for a quick nap. My theory is you just need to do it...they will survive and learn that "mom goes away and comes back".

Also, to make it easier and easier, consider getting a "mom's helper" for the summer. Pay a 12-15yr old to watch your child while you're home. Tell them she's not to come to you or get your attention - they are in charge of her. It's like an oversized playmate. You either work out, do some chores, etc. As things progress, maybe you can take them both to the pool, on a picnic, etc.

Not only will this help your child to "detach" from you a little bit, but you'll have a babysitter for years to come, without using a HS JR that you'll lose in another year or so.

Finally, look NOW into a "preschool" or parents day out program for the Fall. It's a LIFESAVER!!! You can put your child in a safe environment, where you leave, and they can play and make friends. Plus you'll meet other moms with kids your child's age.

Best wishes

I like HIP HOP ABS and it did really work for me in the past and planning to start again.

Walks in the stroller--you can go fast, you don't have to "think" about it, and it's a piece of cake. You can make it conversational with her, too.

I really like Jennifer Nicole Lee's Fabulously Fit Moms DVDs. The Total Body one has a lot of good cardio combined with some strength and I did it almost every day after I had my second son. I also really liked some of Denise Austin's (her Boot Camp is great) even though she is annoyingly perky. My toddler liked doing that one with me. 10 Minute Solutions are also good for fitting cardio in. You can preview clips online or go to Youtube and see different trainers. I also like anything with kickboxing since it is fun and a stress reliever.

Honestly, I tried some of my mom's old school Cher workout videos and they kicked my butt hardcore. haha.

I think there are some DVDs for mommy/child - they might entertain her and get her used to you doing some "routines" with her. Maybe someone else has the exact names.

I have a 3 year old and she was such a mama's girl that I could never drop her off at the y daycare either. I've been doing the Firm DVDs and LOVE them. They really work! You can buy them at Amazon, Target or Overstock.com. Good luck!

Can you get away in the evenings when your hubby is home? If so, try a zumba class. Not dvd, but the live class. It has changed my life. It's not advertised much, but i did a local search and found that our Y, and other gyms were holding this classes. I do it 3x a week, and my body feels better than when I went to the gym on an elliptical 5x a week! The best part about it, I LOVE to get in the car a go. I look forward to it rather than the dread of the gym!

Biggest loser cardio max DVD is great.

I just recently started doing chalean extreme, and love it, it is a combination of weights and cardio, i do it at home when my son naps, it ranges from 30-50 minutes, and has a receipe book that goes along with it and 9 dvds, love it, beachbodycoach.com/debraboyden, check it out, awesome