Stay at home moms/dads

Skinnymomsoon

Im a stay at home mom of 2 and looking to chat with other stay at home mom/dads. I can say, being a stay at is the best "job", but difficult when it comes to losing weight. Im looking for help, sugestions, and support

tashajasmine

I am a stay at home mom of 3 boys and my oldest is special needs. I get dressed in the morning to work out and as soon as i get the chance to exercise I'm already ready.

SpaceMarkus

I'm not a dad but I do run my own business at home. I have two dogs and two cats if that counts, though, lol.

Best suggestion I can give is plan your day. Right down what you need to do and then when you're going to do it. Wake up and work out FIRST thing, even if you have to wake up an hour earlier. Then plan your day and take control of your time. Don't let your time control you.

trijoe

I'm a stay at home dad. Most days, it's a good gig. Nothing like being your family's support system. When it's tough, it's REALLY tough. And fattening.

I'm struggling mightily to find that balance between stress level, food consumption, exercise, and personal away-from-family time. It hasn't been easy. The toughest part for me is staying on a steady eating pattern, and keeping a steady rhythm to my day. My wife works unsteady hours, and I never know when she's working and when she's coming home. Our children stay sick a lot, and boy oh boy does that put a monkey wrench in one's day. I could keep complaining, but my guess is I'd be preaching to the choir.

What has helped me immensely is finding triathlon as my exercise/escape. Two birds with one stone! I can get away from the family, house, stress, you name it and enjoy a simple bike ride or run or swim or workout down at the gym. That's my time. Then every so often race day rolls around. Okay, I'm no athlete. A true BOP (Back Of Pack-er). I finished last at a race in OKC a few years ago, out of a few thousand. I don't care. It's still fun and exciting, and a great joy, etc. I have triathlon friends here there and everywhere, and they're all extremely encouraging.

Workouts are a booger. I go through periods when they're almost impossible to get in. So I've started doing "the unthinkable." I get up at 4:45 every morning, and ride my bike trainer or go running or sometimes go to the pool while everybody else sleeps. I get done before the rest of the house is even awake. Sometimes I need that afternoon nap, but the kids are pretty understanding about it. So, hurrah for that!

That's the easy part. Eating is a different animal. I struggle to keep my eating under control. Always have, always will. Luckily, MFP has been a Godsend. When I stick to my food log, I do well. There's something about having to write down every single thing I eat that stares right back at me and holds me accountable. So, I'm learning, with MFP's help, to eat more sensibly, and in a more controlled manner. Let's hope this continues...

I hope this helps. I know what you're going through, and I wish you success.
TriJoe.

lpeacock06

I'm currently a SAHM & it's tough!! I joined the YMCA in March & have loved it!!! They have childcare so you can exercise. But like today I didn't go so I just got done doing a Jillian video......while my younger child napped. My oldest can watch tv for 30min for me to exercise:) I agree tho sometimes I get up early just so I can fit it into my day

Skinnymomsoon

You guys are all amazing! I have worked in the ER of hospitals and that was a walk in the park compared to being a stay at home mom. I wouldn't trade it for the world. To me, the greatest thing in the world is watching my babies grow. SpaceMarkus, I'm also in the same boat as you. I'm a Chocolatier and started my business July 2010. So dealing with the business, kids and a 1 1/2 year old Australian Shepherd keeps me SO busy. I don't know how you guys get up at the are crack of dawn and do your workouts. I give you all the credit in the world for that. I have tried to do the morning work-outs, but after my kids lay down for nap, I CRAVE bad food, and all I want to do, and sometimes did is EAT!! I find it so much easier to hop on my bike trainer and do my training for my FIRST Aquabike ( its like a tri, but no running). I went through a bout of serious depression a few months ago when I was told I could never run again. 2 knee surgeries in 2 years. Have any of you heard of the TRX? Its like a home gym, but instead of weights, you use your body weight instead......its AWESOME!!

Jsnbabb1

Im a stay at home mom. And also starting homeschool in a week! But the best advice i have for you is to plan your day. BUT dont be discouraged if you cant complete your day exactly as you planned it. Children (as you might know) are very unpredictable. So if you decide you want to wake up every morning and exercise but your child kept you up all night or is up at the crack of dawn asking you for things wait intill nap time. Just be flexable.

flausa

I'm a SAHM of 2. I've lost 60 pounds since joining MFP and have found new sanity along with the renewed physical health. I love going out for walk/runs first thing in the morning before hubby goes to work. It puts me in the right head space to deal with the kids all day! It also ensures I get some me time! Happy to have more SAH mums or dads as MFP pals, so feel free to drop me a message to add you!

tttanyah

I'm a SAHM to two rather mischievous boys. We recently had our treadmill repaired, and having that available 24/7 has made it much easier to squeeze it at least a cardio workout. Would love to get more into weights, but need some guidance (and weights) before that's possible. Also, just started the 100 Pushup Challenge yesterday: http://hundredpushups.com/index.html . Given my total lack of strength, it seems like a very long road to a hundred!

I've already lost a lot of weight (about 110 lbs), then backslid for 40 lbs, and have now re-lost about half of that. Still a good 80 lbs to go. I've never in my life been able to maintain weight loss, but having my food logged here on mfp has helped and I'm hopeful that I will finally 'get it' this time.

My best tip is to have healthy, ready-to-grab snacks available at all times (made hummus yesterday). It helps ensure both me and my kids aren't eating crap on a daily basis.

graysmom2005

I am a stay at home mom and if you can afford it, find a gym with a kids club! This has worked for ALL of us. I can go and take a class and my kids get to play for 45 minutes/an hour with new kids and toys. We all win. It's how I ended up an instructor. Kids got to play...I got to workout...and now I was paid to do it! Best job EVER! Check out the gyms in your area and see if any have a kids club!

DisneyMommy

I'm a SAHM and I homeschool my two special needs kiddos. My husband commutes and works long hours so I exercise at night during the week. It's hard but I am committed to making it work. On the weekends I get up early and get it out of the way before everyone else wakes up. So far I've lost 24 lbs with the help of MFP and Turbo Fire. Being a stay at home parent is challenging but the rewards are so worth it! Glad you've joined us and all the best on your journey!!

TripleJ3

I am sort of a SAHM. I also run a Daycare in my home which can make things difficult. I can't just go for a walk or leave when I feel like it. My last daycare kids leave at 5:30pm, but kids are in and out all day and there's almost always someone napping or being picked up soon.

I love being home for my kids and I like that there are playmates for my kids, especially the youngest now that school will be starting for my oldest two soon! I try to stay on my feet as much as possible and stay busy, track all my food but for whatever reason, I can't drop even one pound.

Our goal is to cut back on my daycare kids. I used to only have a couple most days and it was easier to go to parks and museums, the library etc. No matter what I want to keep one particular girl who I love and have become friends with her parents. Shes only here part-time and I really miss all the fun things we used to go do.

Welcome and good luck on your journey!! :flowerforyou: