Looking for Tips from Working Mothers Please

prov31ms

Hello! So I began my "weight-loss journey" shortly after Christmas and have lost 19 pounds. I have also been unemployed and able to spend more time focusing on diet / health / fitness... I believe I am close to landing a job next week (I have a final interview with the president of the company Monday) & I need tips from other working mothers on how to fit it all in! I have two sons, ages 13 & 15, and a DH who works a hectic schedule. And, I am also taking college courses online part-time which I do evenings / weekends (being unemployed for almost a year has re-motivated me to finish my degree!). The majority of the household responsibilities fall to me & I delegate what I can to my sons but I know it is going to be tough to not get derailed. I have been derailed in the past by life events like this & don't want to fail again! So I would like to hear from other women who work full time & have the full-time responsibilities of kids & home as well. How are you doing it? What does your schedule look like? What tips & secrets can you give me? I am thinking I will have to get up at 4:30 in the morning to have time to exercise - I'd love to hear from other working moms doing this (misery loves company - LOL)! TIA!!!

grits317

Hi there, good luck to you in your career goals as well as your weight loss goals. I'm a 36 y/o working mom too. I have a 7 year old daughter and a 3.5 year old son (and 2 7 month old Beagle puppies). I also have a long commute as does my husband. I have joined a gym and I try to go directly after work at least once per week (to do an hour long Zumba class). Going to this gym allows my son to play in the kids room while I work out (my hubs picks up our daughter). I do try to get to the gym other days, but I try not to beat myself up if I can't go more than that. Planning and preparing food is a struggle for me too, but searching the web and investing in cookbooks have helped (I love love loven Hungry Girl cook books). Oh and the online school thing, I can totally relate. I received my associates degree one week before my son was born by going that route. Maybe when they are older, I'll go back for my bachelors.

beatlemom

I am a working mom of one (a little easier than 2 I think) but we have somewhat of a hectic schedule. I get up 30 minutes earlier than everyone else to get my exercise in. I also eat alot of the same foods over and over as it's easier for me that way, lol. ON days where we have Scouts or school activities, I plan the night before on my meals and do my best to stick with it.

JMCade

I am also a mom of 2 and working full time. I am married, but my hubby is self employed and puts in a long day. So all the household work falls on me as well. We have 3 dogs and I end up walking them a lot. It's too hard to walk more than 1 at a time, so the benefit is more exercise for me I also go to a zumba class for an hour 3 x's a week. And right now my kids are in baseball so it's getting a little tricky to do it all. I feel for ya- moms kinda take a backseat bcuz everything else comes first, ugh. Hang in there! Just remember that ALL exercise counts- even if it's a 10 minute walk each 3 or 4 times a day. I've heard that exercise is still effective even if you have to split it up throughout the day.

tamarab3

Hi, I a mom of two also. My son is 3 and my daughter is 1. I work full time at an office and still take care of a majority of the household stuff. I get up at 5 and work out about 1/2 an hour before getting ready for work. I also take a 15 minute brisk walk on my morning and afternoon breaks (if the weather is crummy I walk the halls of the office). I also make sure to bring my lunch and snacks everyday so I can control what I am eating without being tempted to buy something not so good for me. I have lost 13 pounds since mid February doing it this way. You can do it - just stay focuused and know in the end your whole family will benefit. Good luck on Monday and great job in losing 19 pounds already.

bk2011

Hi there! I'm a working mom of a 18 month old and a 10 year old! It definitely isn't easy. I used to work out at night, around 9pm, after the kids were asleep. BUT, then I never saw my dear husband! So I have recently started waking up at 5:30am when my husband gets up for work. Then I tend to work out until 7ish or so, hop in the shower, get the 10 year old off to school and then get myself off to work. My mom watches my 18 month old at my house so that helps not having to get him ready! And I work 10 minutes from home so that helps as well. My mom helps as much as she can with some of the cleaning (mainly my son's toys and things). I will try to get a load of laundry in while I workout, and then do another one as soon as I get home from work. I've gone from hand washing dishes to using the dishwasher for EVERYTHING! I run it once daily. As far as cleaning goes, I try to get what I can done when I can! I tend to wash the kitchen counters, sink, stove, etc every single night after cooking dinner so that it stays clean. Then I do a deep kitchen cleaning once weekly. Vacuum a couple times a week whenever. I usually get home at 7pm and spend that next hour getting my 18 month old ready for bed. Then I have about 20 minutes or so where I pick things up, do 'quiet' cleaning, etc before my husband and I spend some time together before bed at 10pm! GOOD LUCK! Feel free to friend me!

keljo05

I would recommend planning and preparing as well. Plan now. Take this weekend and start finding easy, but satisfying breakfast and lunch ideas and make sure they are easily made the night before. Also put into your planning snacks. Fresh fruits, nuts, veggies with or without dip - even some prepackaged snacks in calorie controlled amounts. Don't worry about a lot of variety- find a couple of things you will enjoy for a week or two to start.. as time goes on you will find other ideas. Also plan healthy dinners with extra to take as lunch leftovers, I do this a lot. Oh and invest in a lunch tote that is roomy and that you love, I found a fabulous one at Target for $11....it will fit 9 soda cans so I have lots of room, lol.

Exercise wise instead of worrying about making time for it... view it as a must have. You have to go to school, you have to work, you have to exercise. How much exercise do you want in a week as a goal? My goal is 3 days a week..... i manage to get 4-6 days of gym or dvd exercise in each week. Is your new job ( lets think very positive here) in a building with stairs? use them. use them several times a day. will you get a lunch of an hour? use half of that to walk if you can. Not everyday, but maybe once to twice a week. I'm lucky that I have a longer lunch 2 days a week and the gym is around the corner from my office - I work out during the day and then can go home at night with no interruption in family life. Also check out your local library and see what DVD's they have for exercise there... variety keeps you going. Put out your exercise gear at night and you have no reason to forget a gym bag or even just a pair of sneakers the next day to fit in exercise.

don't get elaborate right now. Just sit down, plan what you want to achieve each week and look at the week and schedule the time for you. Remember too that taking care of yourself helps you take care of others.

Leisa42

My kids are 10 and 13, and since they are older, I mix exercise with family time, like walking on the greenway (my kids love going there) and shooting B ball. I am hopeing to start rideing bikes with them too. I get up at 3:50 mon-fri and my day ends around 11. The hardest part for me is trying not to go to bed right after I eat supper, I'm soooooo tired by then. So, I have started walking the dog before I go to bed, which used to be delegated to the kids. Good luck!

JessJoJell

I feel like I know exactally what you are going through! There are soooo many temptations once your out of your own home its hard to stay on track. I always get up before work to work out because I know I will always find a reason to not if I wait till that night. I also always try to pack my lunch so that even if they order in I can just so no thanks I brought my lunch. Good luck feel free to add me! Im always looking for good ideas and motivation. Good luck!

Rloral

I'm a single mother so most of the responsibility is on me all the time. I exercise as soon as I get home from work. That allows me to calm down from work. My kids understand to allow me that time. I usually exercise 30 to 40 min 6x a week. It can be done. Good luck with your job interview.

hyper_stitch

I am a single working mum of a 6yo and it's all in the planning I find when I don't plan I fail, I sit down and menu plan one night when my daughter's in bed and also plan the food shopping for, making sure I have suitable snacks and factor in my work lunches. I get up early, all clothes are laid out the night before. Not sure what the deal is now but if they don't already maybe a chore rota for your teenagers? Good luck with the job, I hope it all works out for you x