Need some busy parents to read this!

Leigh_b

I too am a mother of young children (2 girls), work full time, and have a husband that travels most days so find myself on my own more often than not...

I know it will sound like a broken record, but getting up earlier is the only way for me. I get up at 5:00 so that I can work out and get myself showered and dressed before I get the little ones up for "school". That's not to say that I'm better at this some weeks than others. There are days that I end up staying up too late or my kids wake up in the middle of the night and I can't get back to sleep... without a good night's sleep 5:00 gets very difficult... especially since there in no chance for rest until 8:30 pm.

Meal planning and prep makes a HUGE difference. I sit down on Saturday and plan out exactly what we will eat the upcoming week to include a few meals that can be made ahead (which I make on Sunday). The planning takes about 1/2 hour, but is totally worth all the time is saves. ( I use a lot of recipies from cooking light to keep things interesting. They have a lot of 20 minute meals as well as make ahead meals.)

As for the stuff that doesn't get done... it was hard for me to do, but I eventually just had to accept that I wasn't going to be able to get it all done all the time. If you have the choice of laundry or working out, choose working out. If you choose laundry, you will never make up the work out, but you will figure out how to get the laundry done (either that or you will have to buy more underwear ) House work will get done... even if it's not exactly when you'd like it to be done.

Feel free to friend me... I've been trying to find others in the same boat with me...

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I agree with cooking on the weekend, this is what I do. 90% of the cooking is done on the weekend and then reheated during the week, otherwise I'd live on eggs and cereal.

lovejoydavid

I agree with cooking on the weekend, this is what I do. 90% of the cooking is done on the weekend and then reheated during the week, otherwise I'd live on eggs and cereal.

We sort of cheat by eating a lot of fresh produce, much of which we have delivered from an organic service. No prep time on most of that. But we have taken to making large amount of beans and rice, our own pasta sauce (too much salt in commercial prep), and then me and the grill!

Prettyme924

I'm a single mom of an almost 2 Yo and work 12 hr shifts 3 times out the week I do jillian Michael 30 day shred every day and 6week 6 pack every other day which are great short dvds...my advice is do it before the kids wake up once u get it over with its over so u can crash at night and not worry abt it. That works for me

melzteach

Good for you wanting to change and trying to make this work!. I'm a mother of 2; my kids are 7and 9. I'm a public school teacher and during the school year I have to leave the house by 7:00 and don't usually get home until 3:45-4:30.

1. You have to schedule exercise like anything else important in your life. If you try to find the time to exercise, you will almost always never find the time. Schedule exercise at a time that is most convenient for you and make it non-negotiable.

2. FOOD
- Make a weekly menu and include your breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners.
- Make meals on the weekends and portion out for quick meals during the week.
- Begin family meals on the weekend and get the prep done so fixing the meal is a snap.
- If you don't have a crock pot...get one. They are fantastic!
- Double meals that are easy to make and you'll have leftovers all ready to heat up!
- Don't worry about when you eat just make sure your food is nutritious and watch portion sizes.
- Make lunches and snacks the night before, so you can grab and go in the morning.
- Be diligent about measuring your food and recording everything you eat in your food diary.

3. Exercising
I live in the country and don't have access or money to use a gym. In the past I'd gotten workout videos but frequently got bored and didn't stick with it. I started the year doing P90X and now I'm doing Turbo Fire. I really enjoy the variety, schedule, and the music. I'm always challenged and never bored; so working out is lots of fun! I feel fantastic when I'm done with my workout and it helps me on the days that I struggle.
- If working out every day is a bit taxing, you could just commit to 3 days and after a little while increase that to 4 and so on.
- If you can't buy a whole workout set you can find great videos at Wal-Mart for about $10 or less at a used book store.
- Alternate between your favorite yoga, cardio, and walking/jogging/running

Sorry that's so long. Remember that you have a great support system here on MFP and good luck!

Rae6503

Yeah, 3 kids here too. I've been getting up at 6am to get my workouts in but with summer often the kids are up almost that early as well. I'm going to have to try to get up at 5am. I am NOT good at getting up that early, but it's important to me to to work out and it's a pain to try to do it while the kids are roaming about (my husband goes in at 4:30am so he can't help).

_beachgirl_

I have 4 kids and work 40 hours a week, then there's sports, religious classes and driving the older two to work, and I am a single parent.

I never used to be able to find the time or energy to do exercising and mostly ate on the run.

One day I realized that I will always be able to find excuses to not eat right/stay active.

It takes effort, organization and commitment.

I try to do whatever I can at night before I go to bed, put out the kids clothes, pack their backpacks, make their snacks, etc.

I wake up earlier and exercise and prepare my food for the day. If I know we will be running around after work, I pack a dinner.

At first, it was difficult. I felt like I had even less time to relax and recooperate after a busy day. But then, after about 2 weeks, I realized it was getting easier, eating right and being more active gave me more energy and I was sleeping a little less, but I was getting better sleep.

It can definitely feel overwhelming to try and do it all, but the benefits will make it all worth it!

Good luck!

chic_mama_25

I just got my little girl a kick scooter - best investment ever! Now I can go running with her scooting alongside (they are pretty fast!). I don't know how old your little one is but they can do it from about 3 or 4 years old.

I have to either go running at 6am before my man leaves for work (I am NOT a morning person) or during the day with my daughter on the scooter. I also take it whenever we walk anywhere as I can't even keep up with her - so it makes me walk faster!

I am a stay at home mum this summer (just finishing uni) and I start full time work in 6 weeks - gonna cycle there and back as I will have even LESS time

suzycreamcheese

i dont think 8pm is too late to eat dinner if thats what fits in with your lifestyle.

We dont normally eat dinner till 8 or 9 after the kids are in bed, although i do have a snack about 4ish to keep me going

melindalamb

A year ago, I joined a gym that has daycare. Right now, my husband is deployed. My son and I go to the gym in the evening, 5 times a week. He spends his time in the daycare, which is good for him to socialize, and gives me a little break from him.

As for meals, I make things beforehand and stick them in the oven when I get home from the gym.