Working out of the home, single, or partners who travel...how do you do it?

AidansStarfish

I am new to the site, though I set up the profile months ago...just before I gave up. I am sure you all have discussed this before, but am wondering how you do it if you are working full time, single, or partnered but with someone who travels or is away a lot. I am interested in more than the logistics, though I saw a great thread about that. I also want to know how do you talk yourself into consistently eeking in a 30 minute workout and feel satisfied by it (I love a 90 minute workout, and this is one of the reasons I keep not working out. Which is not cool of me, but there it is).

Here are my logistical challenges right now: I had been doing very well working out at night (8:05pm) until our son hit a serious sleep regression at 3.5. Our daughter gets up anywhere from 4-6am and I just can't seem to motivate myself to get up, get dressed, start working out to a video only to have her wake up just a few minutes into it (at 2, she is very clingy right now...does not like the idea of me working out while she watched a video). I have a supportive husband, but he has taken a position that requires a lot of travel. I am about to transition from part-time to full-time work. After losing 40 lbs last year I am already up 30 just over the last 4 months...so scary! Much of that is the indiscriminate eating that giving up on the whole idea brought. I have just sort of been operating on an "obviously I can't do this in my life right now, even though it feels so important, so, forget it" only, I might not be using the "forget" word. While I know it is true that I will be better at doing this when they are sleeping more regularly, I am feeling desperate about having given up when I worked so hard. I just ran a trail 10K last May. I probably couldn't run 4 miles today.

This is a multi-pronged problem, you know? My attitude, my mental health, my emotional state, my love for my family, and my financial need to work full-time (in a position that has a lunch meeting every.single.day.) are all in play.

Right now I am trying to work on my attitude, and in the past that has been so easy...but...I am failing myself now.

If you have been here before, please, please remind me that I can get through this. Mothers are truly amazing...but I need to know it is worth trying to get healthy again when it seems too hard. I am going to start a diary, but I am not planning a particular food plan or exercise plan just yet. I am just trying to get to where I feel I can do that.

ourtruelovewillneverdie

It's difficult but you can do it. Motherhood is the most difficult job I have ever had. Even compared to being in the military and constantly being away from my family. I struggle sometimes with exercise. Last week I took the week off due to 4 out of 5 kids and myself being sick but I just hopped back into this week and didn't let the week of not exercising make me lose my motivation. Think about all the reasons you want to get healthy and even post sticky notes as a reminder. Maybe try to get your kids involved with you during exercise. We do dance parties or dance games on the wii. My 2 year old likes to do my 30 day shred with me some days but I put on workout music to keep him more entertained. Today we did it together even though obviously his cardio was just jumping. I find that encouraging him and telling him how good he is doing exercising not only motivates him but motivates me and takes my mind off of any workout pain I may experience. Good luck.

Becka4Real

I feel you! My first child was an amazing sleeper and (with hard work) was able to get off the baby weight and even a few pounds less than before I got pregnant. My second child (7 months old) has NEVER slept through the night. My gym has child care, so that's not an issue, but when one is sick we have to stay home. And when one gets sick, we all get sick. My weight loss is completely stalled. I know from losing weight before that one bad meal doesn't necessarily ruin a good week. Or, missing a few workouts can still yield results. All I know is that I have to commit and stay committed. I have to talk myself out of eating more calories than I should and I have to work out hard whenever I get the chance. I'm currently frustrated, but I hate how I feel about my body. I want to be comfortable with my body again and that's what I have to focus on. Its hard work, no matter what your obstacles are.