The old cliche, no time....what's your advice in this scenario?
snoweduponberries
Posts: 24 Member
I've lost weight 12 times over the last 17 years ( which means I've gained weight 14 times). One of the several reasons I've always quit, despite losing weight, is an absolute resentment of the time that exercising and eating right takes on my life.
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too)
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
9:00pm bed
I had exactly one half hour to myself each day to chill, just before bed. I had zero social life. And if I did choose something social, then my fitness got the cut. My entire life was work, workout, shower, bed. This, coupled with several other things, always caused me to quit my weight loss journeys.
Now......add in a baby. Other than being a weekend workout warrior, what's the solution? When would I workout?
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too)
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
9:00pm bed
I had exactly one half hour to myself each day to chill, just before bed. I had zero social life. And if I did choose something social, then my fitness got the cut. My entire life was work, workout, shower, bed. This, coupled with several other things, always caused me to quit my weight loss journeys.
Now......add in a baby. Other than being a weekend workout warrior, what's the solution? When would I workout?
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Replies
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There are 7 minute workout apps out there. You just bust your butt during that time limit with some good exercises.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Same schedule as you, so I started to get up at 4 a.m. to get to the gym.0
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You dont need to go all out... Why are you doing 2 workouts? Do your abs with your evening workout, or do your full workout at lunch instead. You dont need to work out every day and certainly not right at the start. How about 2 days a week you do an hour workout, and do "active" stuff on the weekends for a bit (hike, mall walk with friends to socialize, bike ride etc).
Can you sneak soem exercise/activity into things you already do? Walk or ride bike to work or store. Take baby out in stroller for walk/jog with friends who have babies.
How about picking ONE thing (2 formal workouts a week, healthy breakfast and just being more active in general instead of formal exercise) and making that a habit first. Once that is just part of your normal day, pick the next thing and add it in/replace something.
If you watch tv at all, stretch on the floor or do some light stuff while watching. Play with the baby (push her up and down in the air instead of doing pushups).
Biggest issue you have is trying to do EVERYTHING starting all at the same time. Work your way up to things, and see where you can use what you are already doing differently than you currently do things. Do prep work on sun nights for foods, allow yourself quicker options for lunch but work on breakfast or dinner first, etc.
You have "travel" in there... driving? train? if driving, do glute squeezes or bring a dumbbell and alternate arm curls. If train, go to the back and do squats or something (who cares what you look like). The point is, if you think about it you can find ways to work in extra activity without formal exercise. Even desk exercises - youtube has a series called "youcube" with cube workouts.
Heck, just get a fitbit or other step counter and start out by getting your current average steps over a single week, then spend the next week (and the a little higher the next) just trying to beat that average every day.
You know, Rome not built in a day... Ditch the "all or nothing" mentality.0 -
Yeah, here's the truth: Its an excuse and you need to stop making it. I'm a single mother and professional. I'm up before 5 every day, and go to sleep at around 11-12 sometimes (often later and sometimes I have to pull all-nighters). I workout at least once almost every day and have a great social life. In addition to my career and being a mom, I'm always learning something new on the side (this year its knitting and Spanish). I used to make the same excuse, but two years ago, realized I just had to stop making excuses and do it. Anything worth having isn't easy and takes hard work and perhaps less sleep.
To answer your question....I usually work out in the early morning. If a second workout is happening, its immediately after work), and I have fun while being active on the weekends.0 -
There's no reason you must work out in order to lose weight. And there's no reason you need to work out for an hour or even go to the gym. You are making this more complicated than it needs to be. Eat less than you burn. It really is that simple. The difference between a day when I'm sedentary and a day when I work out is only about 200-300 calories. 400 if I work out twice. Yes, working out is good for other things, but it certainly isn't necessary for weight loss.
However, I notice you have time to do an ab workout over lunch. If you really want to work out, just do it at lunch. A quick full-body routine can do wonders for a person's physique.0 -
According to your profile, it's going well...I typed out a huge bunch of advice but it does not sound like you need it.0
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Wow, harsh. So I guess, as a single mother, you also work 10.5hour shifts every day like me? And you're telling me you sleep less than four hours a day to "make it happen", because, according to you, you're up before 5am every day to work out. I suppose I could eliminate sleep, too, what was I thinking, eight hours?! I posted this under the group "support and motivation", so thanks for being a super human and shaming me for not.
And this isn't an excuse - I DO workout, I'm looking for a way to make doing it easier. If you take a look at my profile, I've just lost 78lbs in 155 days. I'm not some slob making excuses to not workout.0 -
You dont need to go all out... Why are you doing 2 workouts? Do your abs with your evening workout, or do your full workout at lunch instead. You dont need to work out every day and certainly not right at the start. How about 2 days a week you do an hour workout, and do "active" stuff on the weekends for a bit (hike, mall walk with friends to socialize, bike ride etc).
Can you sneak soem exercise/activity into things you already do? Walk or ride bike to work or store. Take baby out in stroller for walk/jog with friends who have babies.
How about picking ONE thing (2 formal workouts a week, healthy breakfast and just being more active in general instead of formal exercise) and making that a habit first. Once that is just part of your normal day, pick the next thing and add it in/replace something.
If you watch tv at all, stretch on the floor or do some light stuff while watching. Play with the baby (push her up and down in the air instead of doing pushups).
Biggest issue you have is trying to do EVERYTHING starting all at the same time. Work your way up to things, and see where you can use what you are already doing differently than you currently do things. Do prep work on sun nights for foods, allow yourself quicker options for lunch but work on breakfast or dinner first, etc.
You have "travel" in there... driving? train? if driving, do glute squeezes or bring a dumbbell and alternate arm curls. If train, go to the back and do squats or something (who cares what you look like). The point is, if you think about it you can find ways to work in extra activity without formal exercise. Even desk exercises - youtube has a series called "youcube" with cube workouts.
You know, Rome not built in a day...
+1...great advice!
Losing weight and staying fit is about doing what you can to maintain over the long haul. If you're burning yourself out by trying to fit a workout in (more like 2 it sounds like) everyday, and then just quitting because you get so stressed, you're not really helping yourself.
HIIT is great if you don't have a lot of time. There are plenty of 20 minute workouts you can do and really bust your butt.0 -
snoweduponberries wrote: »Wow, harsh. So I guess, as a single mother, you also work 10.5hour shifts every day like me? And you're telling me you sleep less than four hours a day to "make it happen", because, according to you, you're up before 5am every day to work out. I suppose I could eliminate sleep, too, what was I thinking, eight hours?! I posted this under the group "support and motivation", so thanks for being a super human and shaming me for not.
Not sure how new you are here... but a random person on the internet is not capable of shaming you unless you allow it.
The best approach on here is to ignore the posts you dont like, and get whatever you can out of the others.. life will be happier
. I notice you didnt comment on the helpful suggestions... ignore tone - read content, ignore what you dont like or doesnt apply. Even harshly worded responses can have some good info in them. Take it!
78 pounds in 155 days? That is 0.5 pounds per day? no wonder you burned out! Slow it down! 1-2 pounds a week!0 -
Yeah, here's the truth: Its an excuse and you need to stop making it. I'm a single mother and professional. I'm up before 5 every day, and go to sleep at around 11-12 sometimes (often later and sometimes I have to pull all-nighters). I workout at least once almost every day and have a great social life. In addition to my career and being a mom, I'm always learning something new on the side (this year its knitting and Spanish). I used to make the same excuse, but two years ago, realized I just had to stop making excuses and do it. Anything worth having isn't easy and takes hard work and perhaps less sleep.
To answer your question....I usually work out in the early morning. If a second workout is happening, its immediately after work), and I have fun while being active on the weekends.snoweduponberries wrote: »Wow, harsh. So I guess, as a single mother, you also work 10.5hour shifts every day like me? And you're telling me you sleep less than four hours a day to "make it happen", because, according to you, you're up before 5am every day to work out. I suppose I could eliminate sleep, too, what was I thinking, eight hours?! I posted this under the group "support and motivation", so thanks for being a super human and shaming me for not.
And this isn't an excuse - I DO workout, I'm looking for a way to make doing it easier. If you take a look at my profile, I've just lost 78lbs in 155 days. I'm not some slob making excuses to not workout.
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I understand the frustration. This isn't my first time bouncing back from my current weight. I have 2 kids and work 40 hours a week. For me, I look at my time at the gym as "my alone time". Even if I'm only there for a quick 30 minute run, it's my stress reliever for the day. On days I just can't fit in a gym trip, I make sure I eat a little better. I would try to find a few work outs you can do at home on days you just don't have enough time. That will eliminate your drive time to/from the gym.0
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Do you have a chance for like 15 minute breaks at work? I know some places you can and some you can't. If you have stairs in your building try going up and down a couple of times during your break if you can. If you don't, can you go outside and just walk around the parking lot a few times? That is a quick and easy way to add some activity to your day. I also find it makes me less likely to want to snap someone's head off.
Oh and try Pintrest. They have lots of 7-10 minute work out plans that could help.
Good luck! Finding time can be hard. Luckily I have a pretty good job that lets me have a more flexible hours.0 -
Are you working 10 hour days every day or 4 days/week?0
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I wouldn't advise sacrificing sleep, that's not good for you at all. Maybe you could try home workouts so you don't have to find time to get to a gym. And with a baby, you need some sanity too so don't put too much pressure on yourself! Sounds like you've done great so far.0
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Ya, the responses are popping up quicker than I can acknowledge them!! Most of the advice is superb! Especially, aylajane! And yes - though I've been using MFP for a bit now, this is my third day in the MFP community, and my first post - so I appreciate the advice. The negative response was the VERY FIRST response I was directed to, and I was shocked.
I'm sorry to the group at large for showing my upset like that. And again, the advice so far has been awesome!0 -
snoweduponberries wrote: »Wow, harsh. So I guess, as a single mother, you also work 10.5hour shifts every day like me? And you're telling me you sleep less than four hours a day to "make it happen", because, according to you, you're up before 5am every day to work out. I suppose I could eliminate sleep, too, what was I thinking, eight hours?! I posted this under the group "support and motivation", so thanks for being a super human and shaming me for not.
And this isn't an excuse - I DO workout, I'm looking for a way to make doing it easier. If you take a look at my profile, I've just lost 78lbs in 155 days. I'm not some slob making excuses to not workout.
You said: "I've lost weight 12 times over the last 17 years ( which means I've gained weight 14 times). One of the several reasons I've always quit, despite losing weight, is an absolute resentment of the time that exercising and eating right takes on my life." So you said you have made the same excuse repeatedly. I'm not trying to be unnecessarily harsh, but you already recognize that there is an issue preventing you from reaching your goals and maintaining. Congrats on the current weight loss, but how is this time going to be different? Isn't that the reason you made this post? Well I'm telling you, the only way this time will be any different is if you make it different, and the only way to do that is to stop making the same excuse that caused you to fail 12 times. Sorry if that is harsh, but its the truth.
I hope you figure things out so that this time is the last. Cheers.0 -
I agree with those who said to only workout once a day and to include some outdoor family fun on weekends if you feel the need to workout 7 days a week. However, your body does need rest. Over exercising does cause stress. Other than that,i t seems like you are doing what you need to do.0
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The phrase that comes to my mind is the adage of "abs are made in the kitchen", the whole idea being that, while both are valuable components, what you eat can have a much larger impact on weight loss than going to the gym. It's remarkably easy for anybody to "undo" the additional burn from a workout with a quick trip to the snack cupboard.
So I'd say that, if you don't really like either side of that coin, it's probably more important to find a way to make peace with eating right because anybody will likely find it easier to not go to the gym for a day than to not eat.
How long is your "lunch ab workout"? You can't spot-reduce, anyway, so it might be possible for you to find a more whole-body workout you can do in the same amount of time that would let you free up that 6-7 PM block. Plus, because you do it at lunch, you won't feel as much like you're losing family or personal time.
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you said you have made the same excuse repeatedly. I'm not trying to be unnecessarily harsh, but you already recognize that there is an issue preventing you from reaching your goals and maintaining. Congrats on the current weight loss, but how is this time going to be different? Isn't that the reason you made this post? Well I'm telling you, the only way this time will be any different is if you make it different, and the only way to do that is to stop making the same excuse that caused you to fail 12 times. Sorry if that is harsh, but its the truth.
I hope you figure things out so that this time is the last. Cheers.
Sorry, having trouble learning to quote properly.
This time is different. You can read my blog to see how awesomely different it is. Those weight losses were all pre-baby. My 78lbs current loss is post baby, while staying at home, no real workouts, simply calorie counting (and breast feeding). I'm looking for a game plan for when I have to go back to work.
Most other replies have been very constructive. I love the idea of these 7minute workouts, and when/how to squeeze in extra workouts.
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I wish I could 'like' or 'up vote' so many of these replies! It's funny how sometimes all you need is another set of unbiased eyes to look in on your situation. Can't see the forest for the trees, but you all see both!0
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Forget sleeping less... sleep is essential.
A few things... 1h45 minutes to get ready in the morning seems a very long time. What takes so long? I get ready in 5 minutes tops in the morning, and can eat in 10. You can probably save some time there - pack lunch while you make dinner the night before perhaps? If you can sleep an hour longer, it means you can stay up an extra hour in the evening. If the baby wakes you up and you have any free time there, just do a quick workout then.
Frankly with such a schedule, I'd just workout every other day, so you don't get burned out. And squeeze those small workouts mentioned above when you have some time. But if you really waste one hour in traffic between work, the gym, and your house, I'd also find another option - either a closer gym, or some home workouts.
I'm also a huge fan of my stationary bike... cost $100 and you can read or watch tv and still exercise, it's win/win.0 -
Honestly, I'd just cut the workout time to 30 min in the evening and only do it 4-5 days a week. If possible, add a little more to than just abs at lunch. 60+ min a day of exercise is not necessary for health and if calories are your only concern, then just really bust your butt in those 30 min. Some days even cut it down to a 15 min HIIT workout.0
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I've added suggestions/questions your example day in Bold
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too):
1:45 minutes is a LONG morning routine. Mine is 1 hr and I do all the same things (well- I don't pack my husband his lunch). I do 6-6:15 shower, hair, makeup, clothing until 6:45, then throw the freezer items in my lunch bag and hit the road by 6.
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
You do not need to do a separate lunch ab workout. Incorporate that exercise into your evening. Use your lunch to get ahead on your personal life, like making plans with friends and paying bills. Also- do you take a 1 hr 45 minute lunch? This is a very long work day. Do you do a compressed schedule?
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
One hour every day, Monday - Friday? You can make your workout more efficient by lifting heavy with lower reps, or by doing HIITS instead of prolonged cardio. That should at least get you down to 30-45 minutes on lifting days.
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
You shower at night? So what are you doing during the morning? The shower is the longest part of my morning routine that i can't seem to shorten.
9:00pm bed0 -
britishbroccoli wrote: »I've added suggestions/questions your example day in Bold
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too):
1:45 minutes is a LONG morning routine. Mine is 1 hr and I do all the same things (well- I don't pack my husband his lunch). I do 6-6:15 shower, hair, makeup, clothing until 6:45, then throw the freezer items in my lunch bag and hit the road by 6.
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
You do not need to do a separate lunch ab workout. Incorporate that exercise into your evening. Use your lunch to get ahead on your personal life, like making plans with friends and paying bills. Also- do you take a 1 hr 45 minute lunch? This is a very long work day. Do you do a compressed schedule?
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
One hour every day, Monday - Friday? You can make your workout more efficient by lifting heavy with lower reps, or by doing HIITS instead of prolonged cardio. That should at least get you down to 30-45 minutes on lifting days.
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
You shower at night? So what are you doing during the morning? The shower is the longest part of my morning routine that i can't seem to shorten.
9:00pm bed
Breakfast alone takes 35minutes. In the morning I putter, move slow, enjoy the wake up process, I guess. I could never rush in the morning, it would stress me out and set me off on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.
And yes, 10hr shifts, 5 days a week, 1hr lunch, no breaks - sometimes it was so busy, even lunches were "asked" to not be taken, to stay on the floor.
I was doing the additional workouts because I used to think that's how I had to lose weight, especially when I'd plateau, I'd work out harder and longer and more often - I didn't know how else to beat it. The longer I use MFP, and the more I listen to those in the community, the more I understand that my issue was never with working out - my job alone was highly active. My issue was that I needed to eat almost a thousand calories more per day!
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So you have weekends free, yes? Weekends are when I get some of my best workouts done because I'm not rushed.
You need to figure out what you want more; to be fit and healthy or to be where you are today. Then you need to make a smarter workout plan. It looks like you're just doing things ad hoc when really, you need a program that will guide you.
For reference: I have 3 active kids, a full time job, and am a single parent. I work out 5 days a week.0 -
snoweduponberries wrote: »britishbroccoli wrote: »I've added suggestions/questions your example day in Bold
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too):
1:45 minutes is a LONG morning routine. Mine is 1 hr and I do all the same things (well- I don't pack my husband his lunch). I do 6-6:15 shower, hair, makeup, clothing until 6:45, then throw the freezer items in my lunch bag and hit the road by 6.
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
You do not need to do a separate lunch ab workout. Incorporate that exercise into your evening. Use your lunch to get ahead on your personal life, like making plans with friends and paying bills. Also- do you take a 1 hr 45 minute lunch? This is a very long work day. Do you do a compressed schedule?
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
One hour every day, Monday - Friday? You can make your workout more efficient by lifting heavy with lower reps, or by doing HIITS instead of prolonged cardio. That should at least get you down to 30-45 minutes on lifting days.
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
You shower at night? So what are you doing during the morning? The shower is the longest part of my morning routine that i can't seem to shorten.
9:00pm bed
Breakfast alone takes 35minutes. In the morning I putter, move slow, enjoy the wake up process, I guess. I could never rush in the morning, it would stress me out and set me off on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.
And yes, 10hr shifts, 5 days a week, 1hr lunch, no breaks - sometimes it was so busy, even lunches were "asked" to not be taken, to stay on the floor.
I was doing the additional workouts because I used to think that's how I had to lose weight, especially when I'd plateau, I'd work out harder and longer and more often - I didn't know how else to beat it. The longer I use MFP, and the more I listen to those in the community, the more I understand that my issue was never with working out - my job alone was highly active. My issue was that I needed to eat almost a thousand calories more per day!
Have you considered prepping your breakfast and clothing the night before? Anything to cut some of the time out. Exercise is great for fitness, don't get me wrong, but yeah, glad you're seeing you can cut it down, especially with an active job. If you do cut any of the exercise, be sure to cut the calories accordingly.0 -
britishbroccoli wrote: »snoweduponberries wrote: »britishbroccoli wrote: »I've added suggestions/questions your example day in Bold
Example day:
5am-6:45 wake up, eat, get ready, lunch packing for husband and self( yes, most things already prepped in Tupperware, some last minute additions, too):
1:45 minutes is a LONG morning routine. Mine is 1 hr and I do all the same things (well- I don't pack my husband his lunch). I do 6-6:15 shower, hair, makeup, clothing until 6:45, then throw the freezer items in my lunch bag and hit the road by 6.
Travel
7:15am-5:30pm workday, lunch ab workout
You do not need to do a separate lunch ab workout. Incorporate that exercise into your evening. Use your lunch to get ahead on your personal life, like making plans with friends and paying bills. Also- do you take a 1 hr 45 minute lunch? This is a very long work day. Do you do a compressed schedule?
Travel
6pm-7:00 work out
One hour every day, Monday - Friday? You can make your workout more efficient by lifting heavy with lower reps, or by doing HIITS instead of prolonged cardio. That should at least get you down to 30-45 minutes on lifting days.
Travel
7:30-8:30 cook, eat, shower
You shower at night? So what are you doing during the morning? The shower is the longest part of my morning routine that i can't seem to shorten.
9:00pm bed
Breakfast alone takes 35minutes. In the morning I putter, move slow, enjoy the wake up process, I guess. I could never rush in the morning, it would stress me out and set me off on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.
And yes, 10hr shifts, 5 days a week, 1hr lunch, no breaks - sometimes it was so busy, even lunches were "asked" to not be taken, to stay on the floor.
I was doing the additional workouts because I used to think that's how I had to lose weight, especially when I'd plateau, I'd work out harder and longer and more often - I didn't know how else to beat it. The longer I use MFP, and the more I listen to those in the community, the more I understand that my issue was never with working out - my job alone was highly active. My issue was that I needed to eat almost a thousand calories more
Have you considered prepping your breakfast and clothing the night before? Anything to cut some of the time out. Exercise is great for fitness, don't get me wrong, but yeah, glad you're seeing you can cut it down, especially with an active job. If you do cut any of the exercise, be sure to cut the calories accordingly.
No, no. I'm not being clear, I think. I can't cut calories, I have to add!
This schedule was all pre-baby. Currently, I'm not working, and not working out, just counting calories, and losing weight faster than I ever have ever before. I have MFP set to lose 1lb per week, but I'm losing 2.5lbs per week on average (breastfeeding). I just figure that, I'll eventually plateau again, weightloss will slow, I'll be going back to work, need to re-introduce exercise, but had a baby I would never see if I opted to work out after work, still. So all these ways to squeeze in exercise, and realizing I don't have to work out so often are revelations.
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I'm in a very similar situation to yours, snoweduponberries. I have three kids (5 yo twins and an 18 month old) and work full time. But you are already doing more, activity-wise, than I am!
I agree with those who say you can probably cut down your workout time/frequency to make it less of a burden. An hour 2-3 days a week or a short workout daily would be just as efficient and feel much less like work.
If there's anything you can do at home, to save travel time etc. to the gym, I would investigate that. Do you have any exercise equipment at home? We invested in a treadmill a few years ago and my favourite workout is a HIIT walking workout on that (I use an awesome iphone app that sets the workout and syncs up your music to it).
FWIW, I don't think the time you take to get ready in the morning is that bad. Having kids myself, I know that getting yourself, a kid or two and hubby up and out the door can take much longer than just getting yourself going. It takes me a similar amount of time in the morning, and I have my mom there 30 mins before departure time to help with the kids.
It sounds like you are actually doing really well - you just need to refresh things a bit. Keep up the great work!0
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