Making time for excerise

LKArgh

I am assuming that no child has an official game several days per week, so the usual schedule should be training a few times per week, no? If he is an only child (i.e. no younger siblings to supervise and chase all over the place at the same time) then this is the perfect time to either leave the child and go to the gym or for a long walk or run. If there are multiple kids and you have to spend several hours per day taking them to and from activities (my case) then either figure out if there is enough waiting time in between activities to spend on walking or jogging (20-30 minutes is a good start) or schedule 2 workouts on the weekend and once a week leave the kids with their dad once you all get home and go for a late evening workout. He might not be thrilled if it is the first time he actually has to parent alone, but it will do both him and the kids good.

ruggedshutter

That looks like my schedule...lol I get up at 4am for a 25-60 minute workout. I usually don't get a chance to sit down until 8 or 9pm and in bed by 10 or 11pm. Like others have said, you don't have to exercise to lose weight. There are quick and intense workouts like T25 or Insanity Max30 that can get a good 200-300 calorie burn in under 30 minutes.

crosbylee

I have been where you are. My son played peewee football from the age of 5 to middle school. I used to walk during his pracitces. It gave me tons of time to get some exercise in. At the time I was working full time with over and hour commute myself. Granted I know we were not eating as healthy as we could then. We would often eat out after practice, so I didn't have to clean up the kitchen. But I promise you that there could have been more damage to my weight if I had not been doing all of the walking!

berlynnwall

sanren79 wrote: »

I want to know, how does everyone do it. I really don't want to hear the whole thing that if you really want to make it happen you can...I need to know if I am alone in the fact that I feel like I have to sacrifice sleep in order to get in the exercise.

Example of my day today:

Wake: 6am
Leave for work: 7:15
Work: 8:30-5
Get home: 6:15
Sons Ball Game: 7pm
Leave Game: 9pm
get home: 9:30
Feed kids snack, ask repeatly to shower, clean up kitchen, start laundry, actually see husbands face, load dishwasher, shower me, pick clothes, prep lunches, etc byt this time its almost midnight.

Yes, I do have over an hour commute to and from work.

Am I alone in trying to get exercise in?

Not anymore, but in the past I've had a very hectic schedule where it was hard to get in any exercise. Can your husband do any of those things you list after you get home? If you're not getting home until 9:30, could he do some laundry or dishes or make lunches? I mean, unless he is also away until that time, I really don't see why he isn't helping.

LAWoman72

Can you walk around during your son's game? Where my son plays, there's a whole perimeter and I can still watch the game.

enterdanger

Sanren. Your schedule up to and including the commute is almost exactly the same as mine. For those of you asking about a ball game everyday, it might not be a ball game but there is something everyday like returning library books, grocery shopping, etc. It is ALWAYS something. Especially, if you have more than one kid.

Now, this isn't to start the whole "then why did you have multi kids argument." Sometimes you just have to find a way to fit in exercise. I go late at night when monkeys are in bed. Usually around 8:30 (I'm lucky because my boys are still little and my husband is a rockstar!) Anything that is extra, husband's commute is 15 minutes and the boys and I commute about an hour each way. That gives him a whole hour to himself to do minor errands so that I don't have to do them.

I also get my groceries delivered which is the raddest service ever. For $8 peapod by giant drops that *kitten* off at my house. I also cook alot on the grill and in the crock pot to save time and dishes.

Yes, I do give up sleep. I bet every parent on here (dad or mom) does the same. If I have a week that is too hectic I'll try to stay within my calorie limit at least. If that fails, I eat at maintenance. It's not the fastest way to lose weight, but seriously, I need to be able to sustain this for at least 20 years until the kids get out.

The hardest thing is to get out of the "I deserve a reward" attitude. When you live through a ridiculously busy day and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a glass of wine because "you've earned it" that is where I struggle. I did earn it. But I also earned a fat butt by drinking a glass of wine each night....so. Go to the gym however and for however long you can manage.

Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day or two or even a week.

cwolfman13

sanren79 wrote: »

I want to know, how does everyone do it. I really don't want to hear the whole thing that if you really want to make it happen you can...I need to know if I am alone in the fact that I feel like I have to sacrifice sleep in order to get in the exercise.

Example of my day today:

Wake: 6am
Leave for work: 7:15
Work: 8:30-5
Get home: 6:15
Sons Ball Game: 7pm
Leave Game: 9pm
get home: 9:30
Feed kids snack, ask repeatly to shower, clean up kitchen, start laundry, actually see husbands face, load dishwasher, shower me, pick clothes, prep lunches, etc byt this time its almost midnight.

Yes, I do have over an hour commute to and from work.

Am I alone in trying to get exercise in?

Can't your husband pitch in a little here? How old are your kids? Do you really have a ball game every night?

My wife and I alternate duties so that we can both have our time...it's important because both of us actually want to be around and be healthy enough to watch our kids grow up so regular exercise is a priority. We also want to be examples for our kids and we as a family are just generally active.

One of my kiddos has Kung Fu 3x weekly...my wife and I alternate. When she takes them, that gives me time to get in a quick workout at the gym and I can be home and have dinner ready for everyone and I will generally get my kids lunches packed for the next day as well as any other domestic things that need taken care of...my wife reciprocates on the other day.

It sounds to me like you have a situation where only one adult is doing all of the domestics and taking care of the kids, etc. I just don't think it can work in that kind of situation...you have to have a partnership. Maybe talk to your husband about how important it would be for you to have some time to exercise....it's also just great time to be away...my 45-60 minutes in the weight room is heaven...it is my time and it's only 3x weekly.

I would also add that I use my lunch hour for exercise as well and we as an organization recently adopted a wellness program at the office...if people sign up they get an additional 30 minutes per day to exercise during office hours.

Gogirl40

I'm in the same boat, working full time with 4 kids and a husband who travels for work. Plan your workouts on Sundays and aim for 3 workouts a week. If you can manage 4, bonus! Put it in your calendar with reminders just like anything else. Pack your gym bag on Sunday night when you put clothes away and get ready for your work week.

I always exercise on Saturday or Sunday, sometimes both. Monday or Wednesday if the weather cooperates I'll run during gymnastics practice 6:00 - 7:00. When my kids were small enough they came with me in the jogging stroller. Tuesday I either go to the gym during my lunch hour or after work before dinner (alternating weeks when my son doesn't have physical therapy.) Thursdays during my lunch hour. If I don't have time for the gym, walking shoes and laps around my office building. 20-30 minutes is better than nothing. Sometimes Fridays after work and if we don't eat till 7:30 or 8:00 pm that's ok. When my husband is not out of town I try to get to a 5:30-6:30 am boot camp once a week.

Laundry - only on weekends (12 loads a week) Husband and kids do their share of laundry, dishes & picking up. Sometimes the dishes pile up. Oh well.
I have a magnet on my fridge that says, "We can't both look good. It's either me or the house."

FatFreeFrolicking

sanren79 wrote: »

I want to know, how does everyone do it. I really don't want to hear the whole thing that if you really want to make it happen you can...I need to know if I am alone in the fact that I feel like I have to sacrifice sleep in order to get in the exercise.

Example of my day today:

Wake: 6am
Leave for work: 7:15
Work: 8:30-5
Get home: 6:15
Sons Ball Game: 7pm
Leave Game: 9pm
get home: 9:30
Feed kids snack, ask repeatly to shower, clean up kitchen, start laundry, actually see husbands face, load dishwasher, shower me, pick clothes, prep lunches, etc byt this time its almost midnight.

Yes, I do have over an hour commute to and from work.

Am I alone in trying to get exercise in?

Surely your son doesn't have a basketball game every day.

How old are your kids? If they are older than 5/6, I suggest giving them a list of chores, i.e. laundry, dishwasher, etc.

What's your husband doing while you slave away? Why can't he prep the lunches, help with cleaning up the kitchen, doing laundry, and loading the dishwasher?

You can't be the only person doing the chores. He should be contributing so you can have some 'me' time.

phill_143

I have a similar routine, at least in terms of commute and hours. I moved further away from work 6 months ago and really had to make a conscious effort to adjust to fit in daily exercise.

Key changes I made:

- Waking up an hour earlier
- Speeding up the morning routine! I'm out of the house 18mins after waking up now
- Heading straight to the gym pre-work and skipping drying my hair after post-workout shower to allow a longer gym session
- Also managed to agree with my boss to work 1 day a week at home - it's awesome getting the commute time back on that day! Nice long run by the river on that day
- Eating lunch at my desk and using lunchbreak for a walk
- Doing more meal prep and chores on the weekends

I know I'm pretty lucky that I'm fine on 5 hours sleep and in being able to work at home one weekday - so appreciate that might not work for you too - but just wanted to share some thoughts

As a more drastic adjustment... I've been doing the long 1.5 hour commute for 6 months now - and am considering whether it's still worth it.

If exercise is a priority, how much are those 2 hours daily commute worth to you? Could it even be worth taking a paycut to have a job close enough to cycle to?
It's definitely something I'm thinking about...