Need help from other moms out there!

brittanydaniel79

Hey ladies,

My weightloss journey is only just begun, and I need help from you moms. I'm about to become a mom too, though not traditionally... My husband has full custody of his two daughters (we just got married, and they're staying with his parents until the house is settled). Next week, they'll come to live with us full time. We'll finally be a family and we've been waiting a long time for this

However, I'm worried what it will do to my workout routine. How do you balance kids' busy schedules with making time to do what's right for you? They are 8 and 9 years old. How do you plan healthy dinners every single day? I can barely keep track of my workouts by myself, so I'm worried I'll just say forget it and quit.

Please help! There must be a secret to this thing!

Thank you,
Brittany

Hoteffinmess

I work mine around my work schedule. Mine go to daycare/camp during the day and I normally get off work at 4 pm. I'll run in to the gym for 30 minutes to an hour, do a few weights and some quick cardio. It may not be much but I try to work out 5 days per week this way. Other days, I'll wait until they are in bed and go to the gym if my boyfriend is home. If you have a Wii or XBox, try some of their games, Zumba, Just Dance, etc. The kids can almost do it with you and it's fun! Just a few suggestions... unless you wanna get up REALLY early in the morning and work out before they get up.

kylee_marie

Hi Brittany,
First, congrats on your exciting news! I am a married mom to a little boy, 4, and i work a full time and a part time job. I am here to tell you, it can be done! You have to make yourself a priority. You may not be able to go to the gym as much as you were before but that doesn't mean you can exercise. Kids are naturally full of energy... make a game out of it. take them to the park while you walk, do a "obstacle course' in your backyard. not only will you be teaching them to be healthy but you will keep up your routine. its all about adjustments. my son loves cooking with me. will you be working or staying at home with the kids?

MrsPike07

I am a stay at home Mom to two awesome little girls, 8 and 15 months. Normally I do my exercising at night when my husband can be home to watch them. My 8 year old would love nothing more then to come for walks with me but I know she wouldnt be able to keep up and would (hate to say it) slow me down. I guess you just need ot settle in and see what works best for you and your husband. Best of luck to you!

crazycat828

I get up really early on Sat and Sun mornings and go before they get up.. and we occasionally do the Wii / Just Dance, etc.

cjsgrimlin

8 and 9 year olds are easier to deal with. Have a talk with them and make them understand that you are trying to improve your health. They should be old enough to find something to do for the hour or so you exercise. Let them know you are still there if there is an emergency, but that they need to find something to occupy their time.

Other than that i'd split up the time you have do 10 min here or there if your at home with them all day.

crazyladym

we have a wii fit that we all play together, i have 4 kids ages 12, 9, 6 & 5. its lots of fun and keeps us all moving. As far as dinner i work 2nd shift so i dont have to worry about healthy dinners so much.

Hoteffinmess

I forgot to add - in terms of "healthy" dinners... I may prepare something a little different for myself when I make dinner. For example, if I make baked chicken and mashed potatoes for the rest of the family, I'll make a little brown rice on the side for myself in place of the potatoes. Same thing goes for macaroni and cheese, french fries, etc. Make sure you have a vegetable of some kind. If it's a chicken nugget and tater tot kind of night, I'll make rice and beans for myself. You may just have to bend a little for yourself. But always remember: everything in moderation. Once you start really reading labels and deciding if the serving size justifies the calories, you'll start substituting regularly... I know I did.

coltonsmumma

I think you are super lucky that they are 8 and 9 and not 2 and 3. Just work out when you regularly do I'm sure they can occupy themselves and not get underfoot, unless it's the gym of course... perhaps the daycare room at the gym would help?

I am always crunched for time. I get up with my impossible, but oh so adorable 2 year old who is go go go from wake up time through the whole morning. I am out the door at 9 when my night working husband wakes up. I work til 3 to get home for husband to go to work. My little guy is just busy busy... so I currently try my workouts after he goes to bed.

I have no help with food. My family all has severe food allergies, so I make 3 different dinners each night for us.

SemperAnticus1643

I'm a busy mom to a 5 and 8 year old. My kids will both be in school. They both play soccer. I really got into working out this summer so my plan for when things get back into full swing is getting Zumba dvd's to do at home. My girls would love to do that with me (and it keeps them fit too). I work 8:30 to 5:00 25 minutes away from home. So working out during the day is out. But I will be going to the gym at 5 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to get my workouts in. That way my evenings are free with them and my husband and whatever they all have going.

I would suggest buying games on the wii, playstation, xbox, whatever. Workout DVDs. Weights or resistance bands for home use. That's if you can't get to the gym.

faithfitnessandnutrition

I am a single mom to a 16 year old and as hard as it is, I get up very..very early in the morning to get my hour of exercise in, for my evening workouts I either do it as soon as i walk in the door from work or if she has practice i will do a short workout while she is at practice before I go pick her up. For meals, I try to precook as much of the meats such as chicken, turkey meatballs, etc that I can on the weekend to last for a couple of days so that all i have to worry about is the sides for dinner; I also prepare our lunches the night before to make getting out of the house easier in the mornings. A slowcooker is a wonderful thing for soups etc and you can find recipes all over the internet. Good luck

DancinSMartiPants

I'm of the camp that gets up early. I also do some exercise with my little ones, but since they're 6 and 2 they demand a lot of attention during the "workout" and I don't get many calories burned. Yours are older so this might not be a problem You can also plan the next week's menu together before you go shopping. Let them each pick at least one meal, but give them the rules of what you consider a balanced dinner. In my fam that's 2 veg, a protein, and a healthy carb.

thetrishwarp

I'm not a mom but...do a workout dvd while they sit down to do their homework

vsetter

Only because I am not a morning person, I work out after the kids have gone to bed. I can almost always get an hour in (sometimes two). I try to do this at least 4 times a week. It does mean, however, that I have to do workouts at home. Getting to the gym at that time is not realistic (and most places aren't open much past that).

I do plan to join a gym, but in that case, plan to hit the gym immediately after work. We'll see how that works???

brittanydaniel79

Thanks everyone. Yeah we'll just have to work out the kinks in the schedule once they get here. I work 9 - 5:30, and Garrett works noon to 9.

It's looking like I'll have to get up early and work out. Garrett could get them ready for school while I do that. I just hate getting up early--and I'm still at the point that after I exercise, I'm worn out instead of energized. I'll just have to suck it up though! I can make this work, right?

Thanks for the support!

ajbeans

Congratulations on the insta-family! What an exciting time for you all!

Meal planning isn't as hard as it seems. There are lots of ways to do it, so you just need to find something that works for you. You can choose themes for each night (like Meatless Monday, Fish Friday, etc.), and each week just go through and plug in meals that fit the theme for each day. That works for lots of people. Or you can make a list of 31 meals (some can be repeats) and just go through that list over and over every month, with variations as necessary. Or you can cook double or triple portions of some of your meals, freezing the leftovers for a quick dinner. There are no wrong answers here, and lots of different suggestions and articles online if you want to look into it further. Or, come up with your own method!

As far as timing goes, that depends on whether you have a day job. If you do, you can get up early and do your workout in the morning. It doesn't have to be a super-long workout either -- you can do something like this: http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/03/10/angry-birds-workout-plan/ Just fit in a few minutes of exercise throughout the day. You can also take family walks in the evenings, which will be good for everyone and be a nice bonding moment and winding-down period at the end of the day. If you don't have a day job, you can just work out whenever you find time during the day while the kids are in school.

Good luck! The most important thing is not to give up. Things may be weird through the transition, but you'll get everything figured out. Congrats again!

calebespnsmommie

First of all congrats to you and your husband, being a parent is one of the best things God has given us in life!! Our son is three years old and is very active. He doesnt like to sit still for more then 10 minutes unless he is tired! I am a stay at home mom right now with him. Sometimes its hard getting a workout in. I usually put a movie on for him and do my workouts. There are many many times that he is yelling at me while I am doing my workouts but I just keep going and talk to him during it. It might be a little easier for you because your kids are a little older then my little man. In the end you will find a routine that works for you!

If you ever need any help, encouragment feel free to ask. I always have my internet up with this site running.. it has become my life! Good luck on your weight loss!!

arwensb

On the weekends, I usually work out while the kids are eating breakfast and bumming around in their pajamas watching cartoons or whatever. Mine are 10 and 6 and they are able to make themselves eggs, toast, cereal or whatever for breakfast. Or, I make them breakfast and then workout while they are eating. Yours are at an age where you don't have to be watching them every second and you don't have to entertain them either. During the week, I slip in workouts during homework time sometimes. The rest of the time I exercise after they go to bed (even when I work out for an hour, I still make it to bed myself by 10). Once in a while I will go running in the afternoon while they are outside riding their bikes or playing with neighborhood kids - I just run around our block over and over so that I am within earshot if they need me.
All it takes is dedication, some planning ahead and the ability to grab moments when they present themselves. I have a mini-elliptical machine. I can sometimes bring it downstairs to use while we are having family movie night instead of sitting on the couch for the entire movie.
As for feeding the family, it does take planning ahead but it is so much healthier for the entire family if you serve good food consistently. Your job as a parent is to teach them the habits that will serve them later in life. That includes how to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. Setting a good example by serving healthy meals and letting them see you commit to exercising regularly will teach them well.The key is to plan ahead before heading to the grocery store. That way, you have all the ingredients you need for the week (or however long) and you don't have to stand in the kitchen trying to think of what to make.

photorific

Find some healthy crockpot meals - that way you don't have to deal with cooking when you get home. Perhaps you could even spend some quality time with them, and go for a walk before dinner? It's a good habit for them to get into, also. (Plus, it can work as motivation down the road when you don't feel like it, and they're so used to it that they're prodding you to go for a walk.)

amymt10

My kids are 5 & 2, I work fulltime. I get off at 4 and head to the gym til 5, get my boys fromd daycare then head home to prepare dinner. Sat & Sun I try to cook enough for leftovers for Mon & Tues, then cook Wed for Wed & Thurs, then Fridays I usually pick up a rotissierre chicken from Safeway along w/veggies. After dinner I clean up realy quick, take them outside, then its bath and bedtime for the lil one, then I do Jillian Michaels or Chalean Extreme dvd. Then my 5yr old gets his bath and goes to bed. Then shower for me, make everyones lunches for the next day and bed for me Somewhere in all that I will still have a conversation w/the hubby, cant forget him!!

Once they moved in and start getting a routine going you'll be able to tweek it to work better. Have fun and enjoy your family!!

JennsLosing

8 and 9 year olds are easier to deal with. Have a talk with them and make them understand that you are trying to improve your health. They should be old enough to find something to do for the hour or so you exercise. Let them know you are still there if there is an emergency, but that they need to find something to occupy their time.

Other than that i'd split up the time you have do 10 min here or there if your at home with them all day.

this.

Latoyamary

Congrats to you and your husband. I have a 10 year old daughter. I just incorporate her. I know kids are crazy when it comes to food, so I look up meals that are easy to plan as well as low in calories and tasteful. We play the Wii together and walk together as well. Find ways to incorporate them and soon they will asking you is it time to work out..

bzmom

Where would the children be between noon and 5:30pm when you get out? if you can set pick up 1/2 hr or so later you may be able to squeez something there if not my boys are 10 and 14 and they either go to their room to listen to movies, get on the computer or just stay there with me and watch me LOL!!

Thanks everyone. Yeah we'll just have to work out the kinks in the schedule once they get here. I work 9 - 5:30, and Garrett works noon to 9.

It's looking like I'll have to get up early and work out. Garrett could get them ready for school while I do that. I just hate getting up early--and I'm still at the point that after I exercise, I'm worn out instead of energized. I'll just have to suck it up though! I can make this work, right?

Thanks for the support!

redheadmommy

Given the children are already 8 & 9 , you should be fine with your workout. You can jog, bike , hike, or workout with you. they are also big enough to occupy themselves for an hr or 2 if they do not want to join your workout. Kids have tremendous amount of energy and they need & want to be active. You can make up a mini championship among yourselves. It would be a great motivator and would build connection among the new family.
i do cook maybe 5 times a week, and we eat out or eat frozen food the other 2 nights. My kid is just a toddler, so I have a hard time to make him involved into the cooking process, but yours are big enough to join. There are many cooking book for kids. I think making healthy dinner together can be fun and good for you.
Kids these days hear & learn about healthy eating in school, so they are open for healthy choices.

Make sure you get a big family calendar to put on the fridge to get organized with your new family schedules. If the kids have extra afternoon classes or other activity that makes your life really busy. If you work out in a gym, maybe that is the best way to do your workout during your kids extra activities. Drop them off, hit the gym, and pick them up afterwards.

FirewifeCarrie

Right now I workout when they are eating breakfast or watching morning cartoons. They even help me get my stuff out for me (I have a 5, 3 and an almost 2 yr old). My daughter (2) will quite often 'workout' with me, lol! They can get in the way at times and I do have to hit the pause button on my DVD but I get it in. They are used to it by now. Sometimes I do my workout during nap time or at night when I put them down for bed. When my husband is home I'll do my workout at the track (run/walk) because I need to get out of the house. I'm a teacher and school starts up in a few weeks so I'll have to move my workouts in the evenings or do my workouts at school when my class leaves.
Sounds like your kids will be old enough to understand your need to exercise and be healthy. Maybe you can incorporate some fun activities that they might like to participate in. I've heard the Dancing games for Wii and other game consoles are a fun workout. Sometimes I'll turn on music and dance with my kids. They think it's hilarious to see me dancing and they usually start dancing with me and it helps with the crabbiness!
With cooking healthy, I'll admit my kids are not always the happiest but I do try and always cook something that I know they'll like and make them try everything on their plates. However, I do not cook a separate meal for them, just always include something in our dinner/lunch that I know they like to eat.

You have to make time for yourself to get healthy..make this a priority! Good luck with your new family!

bzmom

bwahahahaha my 2yr old works out with me too she pulls out her little 2lbs pink weights stands next to me and does ChaLean Extream with me. Dont be fooled she does squats and bench press too :laugh:

Right now I workout when they are eating breakfast or watching morning cartoons. They even help me get my stuff out for me (I have a 5, 3 and an almost 2 yr old). My daughter (2) will quite often 'workout' with me, lol! They can get in the way at times and I do have to hit the pause button on my DVD but I get it in. They are used to it by now. Sometimes I do my workout during nap time or at night when I put them down for bed. When my husband is home I'll do my workout at the track (run/walk) because I need to get out of the house. I'm a teacher and school starts up in a few weeks so I'll have to move my workouts in the evenings or do my workouts at school when my class leaves.
Sounds like your kids will be old enough to understand your need to exercise and be healthy. Maybe you can incorporate some fun activities that they might like to participate in. I've heard the Dancing games for Wii and other game consoles are a fun workout. Sometimes I'll turn on music and dance with my kids. They think it's hilarious to see me dancing and they usually start dancing with me and it helps with the crabbiness!
With cooking healthy, I'll admit my kids are not always the happiest but I do try and always cook something that I know they'll like and make them try everything on their plates. However, I do not cook a separate meal for them, just always include something in our dinner/lunch that I know they like to eat.

You have to make time for yourself to get healthy..make this a priority! Good luck with your new family!

atsteele

Hey ladies,

My weightloss journey is only just begun, and I need help from you moms. I'm about to become a mom too, though not traditionally... My husband has full custody of his two daughters (we just got married, and they're staying with his parents until the house is settled). Next week, they'll come to live with us full time. We'll finally be a family and we've been waiting a long time for this

However, I'm worried what it will do to my workout routine. How do you balance kids' busy schedules with making time to do what's right for you? They are 8 and 9 years old. How do you plan healthy dinners every single day? I can barely keep track of my workouts by myself, so I'm worried I'll just say forget it and quit.

Please help! There must be a secret to this thing!

Thank you,
Brittany

The "secret" is making yourself the priority! Put it on your schedule. Get it done first thing in the morning. Or make yourself do your workouts after they are in bed and/or husband takes the reins when he gets home. Whatever you do, don't always be the last priority... or you might crash and burn.

jrhstarlight

Im not a mom now but I had the instant family for a bit and its not too complicated. One you can do some workouts with them they will love being a part of your daily activities (plus it sets a good example) or send then to play outside or when watching tv you can workout then or when they are in bed Dinners can be easy as well depending on how picky they are. I had a 5, 7 and 8 yr old and only one was picky. But she understood one healthy thing had to be eaten at meals. They loved yougart, my homemade salads, lots of veggies and some fruits. So 2 of them at least would beg me for salads and yougart or fruit daily. Fortunately the picky one may not get broccoli but she liked carrots so i substituted and they enjoyed these raw even better on me Plus I sent healthy snacks to school as well such as fruits or nuts. They will adjust to this and love it