Don't know how to incorporate exercise into my daily life

ejbronte

This might help as a family activity: during most of our growing-up years, we had no car. The whole bunch of us did everything on bicycles - laundry, grocery shopping, everything. It was like a duck lineup: our dad in front, usually with the current youngest child on his bike. Then all of us siblings in a row, brought up by our mom, guarding the rear. Since our father had an "interesting" sense of direction, we often saw parts of Brooklyn we never intended to, but it was always fun, it encouraged family unity, and, of course, it was exercise, though we never thought of it that way when we did it.

Sharon_73

You have the time, but you have to make it a priority. We all have 24 hours in a day. I understand the multiple demands of parenting, work and other responsibilities in life. I am a single mother of 2 working full time plus going to school (distance ed). It is tough but you can do it! YOU are as much a priority as the rest of your family!

This may sound silly, but throughout the work day, whenever I need to use the washroom I will also then do a body weight exercise. Squats, countertop pushups, calf raises etc. It keeps you thinking about moving your body.

Go for a walk at lunch, take the kids to the park after school and play with them on the jungle gym. It doesn't have to be big, start small throughtout the day. I hope you find what works for you and the motivation to make yourself a priority. Everyone deserves that!

mbaker566

there is always the option of getting up earlier. it's hard but worth it once you get used to it.

and dvds or online videos that can be done whenever, like after the kids go to bed

or if the kids are in activities, do something then. walk, lift weights, etc. one of my yoga students comes to class while her daughter is in dance

purplemystra

After I started this post I joined the local YMCA. As a family we swim 3 times a week. I take a water Zumba class and water aerobics. When I can't swim I walk the treadmill or exercise bike. Thanks everyone for your help.

JanolaBarbara

Glad you found a way to incorporate more exercise into your very busy schedule! I wanted to add my two cents. XD

First of all, even 15 or 20 min of exercise is good. A lot of us (me, included) think that if we don't have an hour to workout, then why do it? It's something we (I) need to contend with. Also, the exercise we do is more important than the exercise we don't do. There are times when all we have is 10 min. If that's the case, then just do something, anything, for 10 min. It's definitely better than nothing.

walksa27

You honestly must find the time. As someone else said, it is blunt but true. You are a working mom as am I but i had to figure it out. You didn't mention a husband or a partner, do you have help in the home? My husband and I came up with a schedule about a month ago. There are kick boxing classes I enjoy 4 times per week and we schedule things around both of our lives. We are better parents since we do things for ourselves. We both work a lot so it takes juggling and sharing chores, but it works for us.

Kalikel

I have a pool, so it's really easy to work in swimming and water workouts. I'm in there at least once a day, sometimes twice. I walk when I can and I dance around the house. That's it!

Do you watch TV? Stop. Turn on the radio and dance. Dance with your kids. Play fitness video games with your kids. Take walks together. Play music and dance a bit while you cook. Don't be afraid to look or be silly. Those will be fun memories for your kids someday.

Squeeze little bits in here and there. Park in the far back of parking lots and walk. Take the stairs. If it's 20 flights up, walk the first four and then catch the elevator.

Exercise is like romance. People who really want it find the time.

Kalikel

purplemystra wrote: »

After I started this post I joined the local YMCA. As a family we swim 3 times a week. I take a water Zumba class and water aerobics. When I can't swim I walk the treadmill or exercise bike. Thanks everyone for your help.

That'll teach me to check all the pages and read the whole thread first!

Good for you!!!!

fuelednfit

Your life looks a lot like mine. When I am not motivated all this gets in the way. When I am really focused on my health plan I find a way to do it. When it's my priority it's easier and I even feel upset when i don't manage to fit exercise. Ideally if you do it first thing in the morning. Honestly I often do it when everybody is sleeping in the evening around 10 11pm. Do it at home. I love Nike training club app for that but there's a ton of apps out there and fitness video on YouTube like fitness blender. More recently I tried to include my son in my exercise sessions. He loves hulk so I explains exercising will help him build big muscle and we do the videos together as a game. We challenge each other can you do this mommy? Like previous poster said take this opportunity to teach your kids a healthy way of life. Even in the swimming pool I like to do laps so now my 4y old races me I started to do the crawl and I take him when I go for a run. If you don't find time alone to do it include your child.

johnmverdone

You just have to take the time for yourself. Either learn to wake up 30 minutes earlier (sucks at first, but you get used to it.) or fit it in right after dinner. If your kids are older you could pre prep dinner and have them heat it for you so you can come home, work out then dinners ready, or crock pot meals would help this. You have to invest in yourself!

BrianSharpe

purplemystra wrote: »

After I started this post I joined the local YMCA. As a family we swim 3 times a week. I take a water Zumba class and water aerobics. When I can't swim I walk the treadmill or exercise bike. Thanks everyone for your help.

Great choice, not only does it give you a chance to work on your fitness it helps the kids develop healthy habits. Sounds like a win-win.

Jennloella

4 kids here, two under 2. I work and go to school. I don't like to get up early but I do it every day because I want it. I work out before kids get up. If you're not willing to budge there then you don't want it yet. Your days, evenings, weekends are full. You'll decide which is more important.. and if it's sleep then it just is.

Jennloella

tomatoey wrote: »

blondeinnj wrote: »

Dont need to be rude tomatoey! I was merely making suggestions. Yea take advice from a blank profile.

How was I rude? Oh ok right you posted just before me. You weren't the only one saying that. I think it's not great for people who have trouble in the mornings, like the OP. Sleep really is important, for everything. And actually I'd say people who are shortchanging themselves that way for workouts, with e.g. 5-6 hours sleep a night, are doing themselves more harm than good in the long run, in all kinds of ways.

Lol re lack of picture, I have no need to put one up.

Getting home at 6 each night leaves plenty of time for sleep. Its about priorities and a schedule.

urloved33

My kids came to the gym with me and adopted a healthy exercise regiment as well. (swimming and taekwondo)

ladybg81

I go to the gym at 5 am to lift. I do my cardio at night after my son is in bed. I also have to take my son to school, work, get home, cook, clean, tend to 5 dogs, give my son a bath and put him to bed. My husband works retail and also has a second job he does from home so he is not able to help around the house as much as he used to. But I NEED to work out to feel better and have the energy to keep up. Sometimes the dishes or laundry piles up. That's ok though because the things I deem important (time with my fam and time for myself) always gets handled.

I used to feel guilty missing time with my family to spend on myself so I decided to do it around their schedule. It works for me. I hope you can find some time that works for you as well.

You could always go for a walk as a family after dinner or dance around listening to music with the kids. I think any kind of activity is better than nothing. Plus, involving the kids will start to engrain a healthy lifestyle for them as well.

Good luck!