How does a busy mom find the time to exercise?
143Meowww
Posts: 9 Member
Hi all, I am new here. I am currently at 225 pounds and trying to lose around 75 pounds. I am looking for suggestions from other mommies on how to find time to get my exercise in. I am a single parent of three amazing kids under the age of 9. Please help!
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If you chase them around like I do with mine that's a workout in itself, lol. But just about anything you do can be considered a workout, household chores, cooking, and so on because it all burns calories. I sometimes just set my boys up with a board game or give them 30 minutes to play a video game while I get on my treadmill0
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I try to keep them occupied for the most part but it came down to just exercising right in the living room in front of them with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. If it's nice out, take them to the park. Run around with them. Lean on a neighbour or family member and ask them to the little ones off your hands once in awhile so you can exercise.0
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You can either find something to do with them around (workout video, walking, etc) or do it when they aren't underfoot, like wake early, while they are at school, etc. I do some of both, although I am not a single parent.
I have an elliptical in the garage which I like to use, and my videos. I'm not a fan of going to the gym, and can't afford it right now anyway, but some have childcare.0 -
Thank you for all the advice! I have been thinking about getting up early to go for a run..... I used to run 3.5 miles a day faithfully.... but I got separated 1.5 years ago and have since gained all the weight I lost the first time back............ I guess I just need to get motivated!0
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I either take them for a walk/jog (they love it), or exercise at home (via Jillian Michaels, YouTube or strength training).
It's something you have to approach as a necessity, not a option - like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. You work those things into your day without a second thought - once you approach being active the same way, you'll find the time.
If all else fails and they won't let you be for 30 minutes - bribe them
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If all else fails and they won't let you be for 30 minutes - bribe them
That made me laugh....0 -
I do zumba at home, my lil one sometimes likes to join in lol otherwise I give her things to do like painting, watching her fav show ect I also walk to her to the park every sunny day and play their for at least 2 hours. You could take them to a field and play soccer ect or tennis to. Make it a family affair when you can, you will be rubbing off on them with healthy habits and giving them something to do, so you don't get oh mum im bored lol0
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Being allowed to watch Minecraft videos on YouTube is The Great Motivator here. My girls will do almost anything for 30 minutes.0
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Work out at the park while they are playing (walk/jog/sprint, step-ups on the picnic table, body weight squats, push-ups, lunges, pull-ups, burpees).
Make everyone have "quiet time" for 30-45 minutes once a day (color, read books, video games, movie) while you do a DVD workout.
Walk together.
Ride bikes together.
Go to the public swimming pool together.
Turn off the TV and do stuff together like hiking or a family yoga class.0 -
Also, my YMCA has sliding scale membership fees and free childcare. :-)0
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If you want it, you make time, not excuses.
3 kids 5 and under tand and 4.0 gpa in my 3rd year of school. I worked out for 45 minutes today and burned 600 calories.0 -
Honestly I personally just do it. I have an 7 month old and a 4 year old. I work a 10 to 5 drop them off early to daycare get a hour sometimes hour and half of exercise. Then do what I can at night when there sleep. Before when my son was younger the 7 month old I would put him in his carrier and dance to some high pace music. Make time for you and what you want to accomplish. Good tou0
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My kids are 9 and 5 and never leave me alone long enough to get in a workout. I once kicked my daughter in the face doing a DVD because she walked in front of me just a s I was kicking
I now have a gym membership which helps but on days I cant make it, I give them things to play with that I normally don't like play dough. Its messy but It's worth it if I can get in a quick Jillian Micheal's workout. :-)
In the warmer months , we also do a lot outdoors together. Bike Ride, go to the playground( I run around and swing with them), go on hikes. things like that.0 -
I work out at the gym... and what I found was a gym with a play area for kids... I have seen some with WII and other body type video games.. to get them active.
-ms0 -
I have used several of the things already posted,, YMCA- childcare, etc.
Currently am getting up super early to get my workout in. Before the kids need to get up. You can do this easily,, I go to the gym but you could get a workout in either at home or outside easy so you dont wake them.
I agree that the "I dont have time" thing is an excuse,, but one I have used for so long as well, but not anymore. Now I make time.
3 kids- 10 and under, full time job, president of collegiate honor society and just finished my MBA, also small business owner, so I know the "busy" feeling.0 -
My gym has a room where the kids can play while I work out, though they don't have wifi and my daughter would easily be entertained with anything electronic and she would be bored there. Sometimes I drive us both up to the local middle school and she rides her bike around while I walk. I have started getting up early three times a week and doing dvds before she gets up. Mostly, I have my parents watch her when I'm walking or at the gym. I don't know if this helps but good luck!0
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Busy working mom here and what works best for me on a daily basis is working out at home before everyone else wakes up in the morning. It is hard to get the habit started, but it's so worth it. I was previously a snooze fiend, but now it's pretty much second nature. I get it done, I feel great the rest of the day, and it doesn't interfer with dinner or chores or any of our other evening family activities. My boys have also gone on many runs with me too. One of the best things you can do for your kids is to set a good example of being active.0
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Single mom and I work full time and go to school part time. I exercise in the bathroom at work every time I go. Things likes squats and lunges. I have a small bicycle under my desk that I can pedal on during the day. I do yoga/lift weight after my son goes to bed and I jog every other day and before class. Its hard to fit it in, but if you make it a priority you can do it!0
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Depends on how old your kids are, but if 1-2 are in school, take the other on a walk. I love carrying my 35-pounder in a carrier for extra resistance, too. Really ups my burn.
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Hi all, I am new here. I am currently at 225 pounds and trying to lose around 75 pounds. I am looking for suggestions from other mommies on how to find time to get my exercise in. I am a single parent of three amazing kids under the age of 9. Please help!
The Russian Kettlebell!! It's the only tool proven to burn 1200 calories in a hour.... Here's the science... http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/studies/kettlebells012010.pdf You don't even need a gym! It's a hand held gym, you can workout with it anywhere in very little space. There are millions of moves so you never get bored. It does not isolate muscles so you get very strong. It does it all!! Of course, you do not have to workout with it for an hour.... as long or as little as you can handle it and work up your time. It's High intensity workout, the workout that we now know is the best.
Joanne Moniz
The Skinny on Obesity Group0 -
Also, don't think you have to workout at the same time everyday. I've got two kiddos, and we're homeschoolers. My husband and I own a small business, and I run a non-profit organization. I work out at different times pretty much every day because our schedules can be a little nuts.0
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When I first had my son (12 years ago), I just used the recumbent bike while he napped in his bassinet next to me. As he got older, we started "explore" walking around the farm (where we lived at the time). We continued our "explorations" when we moved into town haha. I also did a lot of VHS workouts (yes, I'm old-I know haha).
Do you have any parks in your area that have a walking track? I also used to take my son to play at the park & I would walk or run around the track.
Now that he is older I can workout more easily. But, I am in a master's program that takes up a lot of my time. For me, it's all about time management. Each night, I carve out a schedule that I strictly adhere to.0 -
Take them on a walk, Go to the park and play on the equiptment with them, play ball with them, jump rope with them, dance with them, do races with them, go skating, go bowling, go swimming. I'm a single mom too and it took awhile but I realized that the trick isn't "getting away" from my son to exercise but including him... he learns to be healthy that way and we both have fun...0
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I have a friend whose husband was travelling most of the time for work for far more than a year, so she got someone to babysit a couple of times a week for her; mom, other family member, or close friend.
Like someone else said earlier, it is about taking the time. Your family needs you to be able to care for them and that starts from you taking care of yourself.0 -
I take advantage of the daycare room at my gym. My son loves to play with the other kids and I get to do my workout without interruptions - like being crawled on/under in the middle of a yoga stretch or "push-up". :laugh: Our center also has a pool so some days I'll drop him at daycare go for a swim & then take him for some play time in the kiddie pool. We also go for walks and play at the playground or in our backyard. For the days I just can't get my butt out the door, I play one of the fitness games on the xbox or wii.
When I first started trying to incorporate exercise I made a commitment to go to the gym 3 days a week and over the course of the last year I worked up to doing all of the above. Don't feel it's an all or nothing kind of thing, look for ways to add activity into your day. Maybe leave a little earlier and walk the kids to school/bus stop. Park a little farther away from the stores when shopping. Nobody said you have to workout for an hour straight for it to count as exercise - do it in 10-15 minute increments if you must.
One last thing, pick an activity that you really enjoy. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you will be willing to make time for it.0 -
At home, before they wake up or after they go to bed. Or while they are awake, just have them work out with you. My kids loved to do that when they were younger. Now I only have 1 under the age of 9 who will exercise with me. The other two care more about their phone or the tv...0
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I think for us busy moms it all depends on what works for your schedule. I am on the move 24/7 so I feel your pain. However, I found something that I can stick with and that is what you will need to focus on. I work full time I have 3 kids 16, 13, and 5 I'm the first one to wake up in the morning, then my husband followed by the teens and it ends with the little one. Luckily my husband drops the boys (teens) at school I am left with the little one to take to daycare. While she eats breakfast I do weight lifting (dumbbells do not have an actual gym at my home). That combined with calorie counting I have successfully lost 15lbs steadily but I know they will stay off.
I would recommend you try different methods and see which one works for you some of my tries was late at night when the kids were a sleep. Another one was during my 1hr lunch I attempted to go running at a near by walking trail. Or you can do what I do and attempt to squeeze it in the morning. Good Luck!!0 -
Hi, I have two little ones and work full-time. I take walks with them in the evenings after work. On weekends, we do lots of activity together. (trails, parks, playgrounds, zoo) If I can manage to wake up early enough, I work out in the morning using DVDs before I go to work. I'll do it at night after they go to bed if I'm not too tired lol. Don't give up - it's hard but you can make it work. Feel free to send me a FR!0
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Thank you all so much for the advice!!! I walked two miles tonight with all three kiddos... 0
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I just finished my second round of an amazing program. I have two boys 12 and 14 and we are alllways busy, running here and there plus trying to keep up with everything at home. I have always been super obsessed with trying to stay fit and healthy, and teaching my kids the same but as a busy mom and wife it has been hard!! But I recently took the plunge and ordered the 21 day fix after seeing it on Tv! I love it! I am about to start my 3rd round and I feel amazing. The workouts are only 30 minutes; you can sneak them in any time. And it gives you these awesome containers that teach you healthy clean eating. I've actually been packing my hubbys lunches based on the containers and he has lost weight without even exercising! The nutrition program makes you so conscious and becomes a new lifestyle. I look forward to my 30 minute workout everyday! So excited to pass this information along!0
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