How do "single" moms fit lots of exercise in?

Leka1000

I wish there was a healthy energy pill! LOL. I want crazy energy like my kid has! Then it would be easy to exercise in the evenings!!! go go go!!! Im dreaming,.....

urloved33

My kids are grown now but I brought them to the gym w me and they trained there as well...they were involved in competetive swimming and tai kwon do (black belts) and basketball...fun fun fun things on a daily basis.

Sharon_73

I have been a single mom for 14 years now. I work 2 jobs but my part time job on Saturday and Sunday is only 6 hours a day instead of 8 (Paying to put my kids through college!) My kids are 16 and 19, so childcare isn't an issue but I am still mom and have family responsibilities .

I take half of my lunch break to go for a walk or run and then I go directly to the gym after work for a 1 hour workout. When all is said and done, I am home by 6:30. I do my meal prep in the evenings and quite often I will cook two nights worth of dinner so I am able to have a bit of a break on "leftover" night.

It is a matter of juggling your time but it can be done. All a matter of priorities and knowing your own limits! There is no one size fits all answer, but it can be done and once you get in to a routine that works for you and your family you will be glad you did!

Sharon_73

ps. if you have a husband or partner even if s/he is away a lot you are in no way a single parent. I have been there too and it is worlds different from being the sole provider and caregiver for the kids and the only person in the world to worry after them as a parent would. There is no comparison. [/quote]

I agree very much with this comment! Being a single parent isn't only about physically being alone with the kids.

JenMc14

I am not single, but I do work full time. I get up between 4:30 and 5:00 am most week days. I get in my workout, shower, and wake up my youngest (my oldest gets herself up, typically, I'll wake her up if she's not up when she needs to be during the school year.) I get myself and the younger one ready and out the door, typically before 7:00.

Leka1000

Sharon_73 wrote: »

ps. if you have a husband or partner even if s/he is away a lot you are in no way a single parent. I have been there too and it is worlds different from being the sole provider and caregiver for the kids and the only person in the world to worry after them as a parent would. There is no comparison.

I agree very much with this comment! Being a single parent isn't only about physically being alone with the kids. [/quote]

Yes I agree too but it is in NO WAY relevant to my post.....I wasn't comparing and it is clearly indicated that I am NOT single.

Jennloella

I work full time and go to school (a full load). I have four kids 12, 9, 2, 1 - my husband works 15 hour days and is often out of town 10-26 days out of the month. I prep meals on sunday and work out six days a week for two hours average by waking up at 430 and doing it before the kids wake up.

rainbowbow

WARNING: THIS IS A SUPER LONG POST I AM SO SORRY.

Not single. Not a parent. So feel free to ignore anything i have to say, but...

Here's what I suggest and what i'd do personally if i were in your shoes:

First of all, get some sort of planner. You sound like a clean and organization freak like I am, so i highly recommend something like the Erin Condren or Kiki K planner variety.

On sunday nights before your week begins a new you should plan absolutely everything out. Day by day, hour by hour if you must. 3-4 days a week of exercise should be more than enough, so you don't have to worry about it everyday!

Something like this sounds more enjoyable and efficient to me:

5:45 am wake up and do morning cleaning routine
6:00 am complete a 30 minute workout to start your day
6:30 am begin getting ready for work and getting the kid up
7:15 am leave home to take kid to day care
8-4 pm work
4-4:45 pm stop at grocery store/necessary shopping ONLY
5-6:30 pm cook, and perform any necessary nighttime cleaning routine
6:30 pm-8:30 relax and interact with your child
8:30 pm Bath time for your child
9pm - kids bed time
9:30-10 pm - GO TO SLEEP! +( meal prep time on every 3-4 days)


I will include a sample of my cleaning routine which keeps my house spotless and visitor ready at all times (of course I have no idea what you have in your house so it's impossible for me to get this a hundred percent) this can be maintained all of the time!


I use something called the 1 minute rule. This means that if any one thing needs to be done and it takes LESS than a minute, JUST DO IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE! DONT PUT IT OFF!

I also always set a timer in my alloted intervals because it keeps me motivated to complete the task in the allotted time. If it goes over time, i just stop right then and there and MOVE ON! I never get stuck on one task for a long time because it's just not worth it.

Mondays:

• AM:

Set timer to 3 minutes:
Make Bed.

Set timer to 5 minutes:
Tidy Up- Walk Around(do a quick inspection and walkaround, anything that isn't in it's dedicated place gets put where it belongs. This does not include cleaning/washing/wiping anything or ANYTHING extra!)

Set timer to 4 Minutes:
Unload Dishwasher.

Set timer to 3 minutes:
Squirt toilet cleaner in each toilet

Total AM time: 15 minutes

• PM:

Set timer to 5 minutes:
Scrub all toilet bowls and wipe down toilet seat/lid with antibacterial wipes.

Set timer to 10 minutes:
Wipe down bathroom countertops, Spot clean mirrors with a microfiber towel and water (no need to fully clean), And spray down tub/shower stall with a generic no-scrub bathroom cleaner. Rinse out.

Before bed:
Set timer to 8 minutes:
Load dishwasher and start it.


Total PM time cleaning: 23 minutes

Total time cleaning On Mondays: 43 minutes


Tuesdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes) Dump all clean laundry on made bed (this way no sleeping before it's put up!). (2 minutes) (14 minutes total)

• PM:

Fold laundry and put away clothes (20 minutes). Load dishwasher and start it. (8 minutes) (28 minutes total)

Total cleaning time Tuesdays: 42 minutes


Wednesdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes) Pour some baking soda down the drain in your kitchen sink and a cup of vinegar into your dishwasher.

• PM:

Wipe down counters/surfaces in your kitchen. (8 minutes) Pour a kettle of boiling vinegar down your drain and turn the disposal ON (note: this also keeps your kettle limescale free) (3 minutes). Scrub your kitchen sink down with a magic eraser and some vinegar. Then spray with rubbing alcohol and buff with a microfiber. (this works for stainless sinks and leaves them super shiny) (5 minutes)

Total cleaning time Wednesdays: 25 minutes

Thursdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Throw any clothes in the washing machine and set on delay timer. (8 minutes)

• PM:

Fold laundry and put away clothes (20 minutes). Load dishwasher and start it. (8 minutes)

Total cleaning time Thursdays: 44 minutes

Fridays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes)

• PM:

Vaccuum and Mop all floors room by room, section by section. (35 minutes or 8 minutes per room)

Total cleaning time Fridays: 47 minutes

Saturdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes)

• PM:

OFF FROM CLEANING!

Total cleaning time Saturdays:12 minutes

Sundays: Grocery Shopping, Any areas that need intensive and thorough cleaning (should be minimum because every area is kept generally clean).

Food prep. This includes washing all fruits and veggies before going in the fridge, chopping any fruits/veg that will be used in food prep. Prepping anything in your weekly meal plan that can be done in advance.

Any writing out your Weekly planner for the next week. I like to take this time to pre-log MFP with my meals as well that way i know what i'm eating.


I think waking up and getting the workout out of the way when you have time to focus SOLELY one yourself before anyone else is up and about is good because you can put the maximum effort in before you're exhausted at the end of the day. I think doing these small cleaning things here and there in a routine and pattern makes it easy because you are never just spending A TON of time hours upon hours cleaning with a house that always feels dirty. Of course you can delegate out some of these items to your spouse or your child like picking up after themselves, making their bed, etc. It's good to get your child (2 years+) in the habit of doing this themselves DAILY.

I know this is long and probably intimidating, but i love having a schedule like this because I never have to worry about having guests over. I come home to a clean house and live in an environment where i feel relaxed and comforted not stressed and anxious. I know what i'm eating, and because i've prepped/chopped stuff I can just really pour and sautee/heat on most meals. I always eat leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day and have fruits/veggies/snacks both cleaned and ready-to-go at any time i'm feeling snacky so i never have to stray.

I hope this helps! It took me a while to type this out. heehee

zoeysasha37

Bring kids to gym and have them sit in the child care room.
I only go to gyms with child care. They color, play, watch movies. And they even have kids fitness for an extra fee. So the kids work with a trainer doing child level fitness gamea while the parents can go exercise.

Leka1000

Jennloella wrote: »

I work full time and go to school (a full load). I have four kids 12, 9, 2, 1 - my husband works 15 hour days and is often out of town 10-26 days out of the month. I prep meals on sunday and work out six days a week for two hours average by waking up at 430 and doing it before the kids wake up.

OMG!!! How do you find the energy!!!

slowrollem

Stay on topic people please! Let's not make this a Mommy wars post. We are all trying to get healthy and fit. Let's focus on what we have in common and address the OP's original question.

Leka1000

rainbowbow wrote: »

WARNING: THIS IS A SUPER LONG POST I AM SO SORRY.

Not single. Not a parent. So feel free to ignore anything i have to say, but...

Here's what I suggest and what i'd do personally if i were in your shoes:

First of all, get some sort of planner. You sound like a clean and organization freak like I am, so i highly recommend something like the Erin Condren or Kiki K planner variety.

On sunday nights before your week begins a new you should plan absolutely everything out. Day by day, hour by hour if you must. 3-4 days a week of exercise should be more than enough, so you don't have to worry about it everyday!

Something like this sounds more enjoyable and efficient to me:

5:45 am wake up and do morning cleaning routine
6:00 am complete a 30 minute workout to start your day
6:30 am begin getting ready for work and getting the kid up
7:15 am leave home to take kid to day care
8-4 pm work
4-4:45 pm stop at grocery store/necessary shopping ONLY
5-6:30 pm cook, and perform any necessary nighttime cleaning routine
6:30 pm-8:30 relax and interact with your child
8:30 pm Bath time for your child
9pm - kids bed time
9:30-10 pm - GO TO SLEEP! +( meal prep time on every 3-4 days)


I will include a sample of my cleaning routine which keeps my house spotless and visitor ready at all times (of course I have no idea what you have in your house so it's impossible for me to get this a hundred percent) this can be maintained all of the time!


I use something called the 1 minute rule. This means that if any one thing needs to be done and it takes LESS than a minute, JUST DO IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE! DONT PUT IT OFF!

I also always set a timer in my alloted intervals because it keeps me motivated to complete the task in the allotted time. If it goes over time, i just stop right then and there and MOVE ON! I never get stuck on one task for a long time because it's just not worth it.

Mondays:

• AM:

Set timer to 3 minutes:
Make Bed.

Set timer to 5 minutes:
Tidy Up- Walk Around(do a quick inspection and walkaround, anything that isn't in it's dedicated place gets put where it belongs. This does not include cleaning/washing/wiping anything or ANYTHING extra!)

Set timer to 4 Minutes:
Unload Dishwasher.

Set timer to 3 minutes:
Squirt toilet cleaner in each toilet

Total AM time: 15 minutes

• PM:

Set timer to 5 minutes:
Scrub all toilet bowls and wipe down toilet seat/lid with antibacterial wipes.

Set timer to 10 minutes:
Wipe down bathroom countertops, Spot clean mirrors with a microfiber towel and water (no need to fully clean), And spray down tub/shower stall with a generic no-scrub bathroom cleaner. Rinse out.

Before bed:
Set timer to 8 minutes:
Load dishwasher and start it.


Total PM time cleaning: 23 minutes

Total time cleaning On Mondays: 43 minutes


Tuesdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes) Dump all clean laundry on made bed (this way no sleeping before it's put up!). (2 minutes) (14 minutes total)

• PM:

Fold laundry and put away clothes (20 minutes). Load dishwasher and start it. (8 minutes) (28 minutes total)

Total cleaning time Tuesdays: 42 minutes


Wednesdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes) Pour some baking soda down the drain in your kitchen sink and a cup of vinegar into your dishwasher.

• PM:

Wipe down counters/surfaces in your kitchen. (8 minutes) Pour a kettle of boiling vinegar down your drain and turn the disposal ON (note: this also keeps your kettle limescale free) (3 minutes). Scrub your kitchen sink down with a magic eraser and some vinegar. Then spray with rubbing alcohol and buff with a microfiber. (this works for stainless sinks and leaves them super shiny) (5 minutes)

Total cleaning time Wednesdays: 25 minutes

Thursdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Throw any clothes in the washing machine and set on delay timer. (8 minutes)

• PM:

Fold laundry and put away clothes (20 minutes). Load dishwasher and start it. (8 minutes)

Total cleaning time Thursdays: 44 minutes

Fridays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes)

• PM:

Vaccuum and Mop all floors room by room, section by section. (35 minutes or 8 minutes per room)

Total cleaning time Fridays: 47 minutes

Saturdays:

• AM:

Make Bed. (3 minutes)Tidy Up- Walk Around. (5 minutes) Unload Dishwasher. (4 minutes)

• PM:

OFF FROM CLEANING!

Total cleaning time Saturdays:12 minutes

Sundays: Grocery Shopping, Any areas that need intensive and thorough cleaning (should be minimum because every area is kept generally clean).

Food prep. This includes washing all fruits and veggies before going in the fridge, chopping any fruits/veg that will be used in food prep. Prepping anything in your weekly meal plan that can be done in advance.

Any writing out your Weekly planner for the next week. I like to take this time to pre-log MFP with my meals as well that way i know what i'm eating.


I think waking up and getting the workout out of the way when you have time to focus SOLELY one yourself before anyone else is up and about is good because you can put the maximum effort in before you're exhausted at the end of the day. I think doing these small cleaning things here and there in a routine and pattern makes it easy because you are never just spending A TON of time hours upon hours cleaning with a house that always feels dirty. Of course you can delegate out some of these items to your spouse or your child like picking up after themselves, making their bed, etc. It's good to get your child (2 years+) in the habit of doing this themselves DAILY.

I know this is long and probably intimidating, but i love having a schedule like this because I never have to worry about having guests over. I come home to a clean house and live in an environment where i feel relaxed and comforted not stressed and anxious. I know what i'm eating, and because i've prepped/chopped stuff I can just really pour and sautee/heat on most meals. I always eat leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day and have fruits/veggies/snacks both cleaned and ready-to-go at any time i'm feeling snacky so i never have to stray.

I hope this helps! It took me a while to type this out. heehee

Holy crap! I have to come back and read this later! You are 100 steps up from my organization and I thought I was pretty good LOL. Im pennies to you. Thank you for typing all this. I will read later.

Sharon_73

Responding to Leka1000

Leka1000 wrote: »

Yes I agree too but it is in NO WAY relevant to my post.....I wasn't comparing and it is clearly indicated that I am NOT single.

I am sorry if you took it as a personal attack because that certainly was not my intention. The comment was one which was posted by another member contributing to the post and I was indicating that I agreed with this sentiment. No sinister intent implied so I am sorry if you took it to be.

Leka1000

Ok thanks. I completely understand...texting=misunderstanding...ugh!!!!

Karen_can_do_this

I'm also a "single mum" aka my husband works away in the mines.
I drive 90 minutes to go to school to study nursing in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Friday and Saturday and Sunday I work from 6-2
My kids are 13, 7 & 2
My day looks like this:
4.15 - get up and dressed and sneak out of the house
4.30 start my workout at the gym
5.20 shower and dress for either work or school
5.25 drive to work to start at 6 or drive home to get the kids ready
5.30 kids up, breakfast, lunches packed, showers etc.
6.30 drop them at day care, head off to school
8 15 arrive at school.
4.00 drive home
5.30 pick up the kids from daycare
5.45ish Heat up premade dinner while helping with homework and catching up about their days
Til 7 30 dinner, bath story bed routine
7.40 fold washing and catch with with Mr 13 while he does his chores (dishwasher etc)
8.30 pack lunches put them in the fridge, pack bags, get out gym clothes, uniforms etc,
9.30 read or study for 30 minutes & send Mr 13 to bed.
10pm bed for me.

I talk to my husband on the phone while packing lunches and on the way to and from the gym in the mornings.
I get to the gym every second day. Thursdays are my housework days.
I do my meal prep and freeze meals on the weekend after work.

nikkiab86

I don't know how some do it. I have a 4yr old who's wingey, a 2yr old going through the terrible twos, getting tantrums for anything. And a 10 month old who's teething and completely needy at the moment. When 10 month old naps, I'm most of the time trying to keep the others from waking her. I managed to do some squats and push ups last night when they all were asleep.

Leka1000

omg i love my life and Im only having 1 kid for sure