Busy and cant find time to excerise

Taquyoa
Taquyoa Posts: 3
edited October 23 in Introduce Yourself
Hey my name is Tasheania and Im new to FITNESS PAL and I am very busy, I am a mom of two kids and I work 8-10 hours a day and Im starting school again, My husband is starting to and when he's in school i have to have the kid and vice versa and it seems like there isnt enough time in the day to fit a work out, and I NEED to lose these lbs before i lose my life or someting.....some one please give me some ideas on what to do!!!! Thanks in advance
«1

Replies

  • 10kaday
    10kaday Posts: 177
    I have your schedule and I have time. I find it's best to have your own equipment. For instance I have my own exercise bike so I can get on that whenever I feel like it. That's not an option? There are always things you can do at home or at work on breaks. Run in place! Pushups! Situps! etc etc. You don't need necessarily need equipment. You can do it!!!!!
  • briocktj
    briocktj Posts: 128
    I have got to find the DESIRE to get up and exercise....
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    try Jillian michael's 30 day shred DVD. you can do it at home and it's only 20 mins!
  • 10kaday
    10kaday Posts: 177
    Also... get a pedometer and keep it on your hip at all times. You don't have to run in place constantly for one 30 minute session, for example. Do 5 minutes here and there, whenever you can! At the end of the day try to reach 10,000 steps! I make it a goal to do 5 minutes of running in place for every bathroom break I take. Also, them moments when your preparing meals and your just standing there... run in place!
  • KellyAnneH
    KellyAnneH Posts: 38 Member
    Most people try to do their exercise all at once and that's fine, but it doesn't HAVE. To be done that way. Go up and down the stairs extra times, walk the long way to class, give your little one a piggyback ride, walk in place while you do your school reading. It's all about finding the "wanna."*

    * as in "I wanna do it"
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    I had your schedule for a long time.... and I was able to exercise. It meant a twenty or thirty minute routine, and losing watching a TV show or a bit of sleep. You can do it, you just have to choose to do it.
    Personally, I got up early in the am, and did my workout while everyone else was asleep... I got up at 5:00 am and did it. Then I showered real quick, ate breakfast, and was at work by 7:00am.
  • tikanique
    tikanique Posts: 54 Member
    if you have comcast, do a couple of those 15 minute workouts a day. while the kids are doing their homework or taking baths just turn one on and move your body. I've been there too, kids, working full time, going to school plus kids in cheer, football, lego league etc and I'm on my own. I still found that if I had the willpower to do it, i could get in some type of movement somewhere.

    Or, take an iPod to work and walk on your lunch break. You can make it happen!!! :-)
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    How old are the kids? Can you take them to a local park, or on a walk, so you're getting your exercise and encouraging them to keep fit?
  • pspetralia
    pspetralia Posts: 963 Member
    Try and find some ways to workout at home or ways to incorporate the kids into working out. At home I use fitness DVDs, free weights, a stationary bike, treadmill, etc. I also have two kids and I can do these activities while they are in the house with me. Things they do with me that burn calories include taking a bike ride, going for a walk, dancing, swimming, playing in the park, etc.
    I find if you have the desire you can and will find time to do it. Remember YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!
  • gerirojas
    gerirojas Posts: 101 Member
    Go for a nice brisk walk on your lunch break, or get up an hour early and go for a walk or run or if you could join a gym that has a kids club that's great, if kids are young get a double stroller
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    I understand your dilemma...I am a single mom, work full-time, and am a full-time student. I find getting my daughter involved and exercising together works very well. I used to be like you and not think I had time, but I have learned that is just an excuse not to do it.

    Mary Ann
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/iddreams
  • stubbysticks
    stubbysticks Posts: 1,275 Member
    Gotta get creative, girl. Where there's a will, there's a way. I finished up a degree not long ago while working full-time with 2 school age kids with all their activities (band, choir, football, basketball, etc etc) & worked it out, but it only works with proper planning. The planning part is challenging at first, but crucial to making it work. I'd plan out my meals the night before so I could make anything ahead I needed to & know I would meet my calorie goals the following day. Here's an example of what a typical school day would look like for me:

    6 am: get up, get kids up, get ready for work, pack my food for the day & load it up into my backpack with my laptop & books
    8 am: get kids out the door to bus, walk 1/2 mile to park & ride. Husband is retired & was willing to drive me to work any time I wanted, but I wanted the extra activity so I'd walk & take the bus to work. Once I got downtown I'd get off at the first stop & walk the remaining 1/2 mile to the office.
    3 pm: leave office early to walk 2.5 mi to campus. It took less than an hour & if I got there early enough I could sit & eat something I packed or go up & down the 5 flights of stairs in the building until class started. I arranged my schedule so I could leave an hour early on class days & work an hour late on the in-between days.
    4 pm: class, would eat my dinner during break
    7 pm: husband would pick me up, but I'd tell him to meet me across campus so I could walk an extra mile after class
    8 pm: get home, hang out with my kids a bit before bed, study for a couple hours
    11 pm: bed.

    If one of my kids had an activity in the evening my husband would take them, but say my son had football on a day I wasn't in class. I'd take him to the park to practice then go for a 5k run around the neighborhood & be back before practice was over.

    Mary Ann's right about excuses...everyone has excuses not to exercise. There are people way busier than you out there making this a priority. And think about how much more effective you'll be at all the other stuff in your life as a fit & healthy person.
  • arizonaladybug
    arizonaladybug Posts: 91 Member
    Try to Buy the Wii possibly you can play it with your kids and Wii fit. Im gonna try that. Also all the other suggestions are awsome.make the kids excercise with you. I have a 8 month old duaghter and work full time and my husband works nights and we live on a dirt road with tons of dogs but I try and go to the park with the stroller and do a few laps and then at least walk on my lunch break going to the gym takes too much time.
  • mommamindi
    mommamindi Posts: 256 Member
    I am a mom to a 6 year old, 4 year old, 16 month old and 6 week old. I homeschool my oldest daughter as well. I am in school taking 14 credit hours, an internship, working, and fitting in time to exercise. I do 5 minutes at a time whenever I can do it. And while I am writing this I am peddling away on my stationary bike....you do what you gotta do. GOOD LUCK!
  • Use your lunch break and walk for 20 minutes (or more).
    Take the stairs at the office.
    Stand up when you're on the phone.

    Little changes like that will add up!
  • significance
    significance Posts: 436 Member
    Even 5 or 10 minutes a day is better than nothing. 5 minutes of step-ups or rope jumping can burn a surprising number of calories, and is something you can easily do while watching the kids (or with them, if they are old enough).
  • I think the first step is to engage everyone in the process.. not sure how old your child is, but get him/her involved if possible with working out, eating healthy, and make sure your husband is on the same page as you regarding your health. Second, and probably the most important (in my opinion), is make YOURSELF the priority... all of the things you've listed are real and are important, but YOU are the most important and if you don't get healthy, it is going to make all of those things.. school, work, activities... a lot less important because you may not be able to do them. It may mean less sleep or less time for other things, but like people said, spend some time planning your meals, and get active somehow. 30 Day Shred is a good way to do it if you are short on time... it's in your house, it's 20 or so mins and it will get you started... Lots of luck to you. :)
  • Walk during you lunch break.
    Buy some workout DVDs? They are 15-30 minutes and I'm sure you'll have time for that.
  • george_ie_girl
    george_ie_girl Posts: 120 Member
    If you want to do it - you'll find the time. Make it a priority as much as your job and kids, because YOUR health IS number 1 priority.
  • RogerF765
    RogerF765 Posts: 113
    I second the Pedometer suggestion. Yesterday I tried an app that I've had on my phone for a while and in the course of my 8 hour shift at work I walked 2.7 miles. Granted I have a job that has me on my feet but I was shocked at how much I was walking in the course of a day. And as far as exercise goes to get you started even if you do a few pushups and situps or what ever during commercials it really makes a difference. When I first started I could do 1 pushup now I can do 15 my daily workouts are usually around 30 minutes using bodyweight exercises and dumbbells and I find that if I get up a little early and do it first thing I am more apt to do it instead of waiting until I'm off work when I 'm tired. If all you can do is a few pushups or what ever it isn't required that you do them all at once. I have friends that do pushups and instead of doing 100 at once they will do sets of 10 or 12 through out the day so by the end of the day they have done 100. That's the beauty of bodyweight exercises all you need is a couple of minutes a few times a day and enough space to do the motion. I've seen people do exercises in cubicles on their break. Sure some people may look at you funny but it's even funnier when a couple of weeks later those same people are doing the same thing or walking on their break. I know this is a bit long winded but I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you don't have to have an hour or so block and a gym to get a good workout. The small things that you do throughout the day will have a cummulative effect.

    Roger
  • niqua215
    niqua215 Posts: 283 Member
    It is very doable with our schedule. I am a mother of two girls, ages 4 and 2 and a 3 month old infant. I returned to work not too long ago and work from 6am-3 pm then come home and take over with the kids while my husband goes to work. I'm also a student. You just have to make your mind up that you want to do this. I have over 100lbs to lose and I'm determined to get the weight off one pound at a time. I workout at home and will be going to a live Zumba class once a week starting this week. Jillian Michaels has lots of workouts that's only 20-30 minutes. I have her Shred it with Weights workout dvd. I also workout with the Wii, its fun for the whole family and there are many workout games to choose from. There are also quick workouts OnDemand if you have cable. It's very doable, you can do it, even if it means working out before you go to work or after the kids are asleep.

    Add me as a friend if you would like the extra support from someone on the same journey.
  • pratod
    pratod Posts: 68 Member
    this website posts some good workout videos and they are all under 12 mins.

    http://www.bodyrock.tv/
  • Jarnard
    Jarnard Posts: 497 Member
    A lot of people have already suggested getting Exercise DVDs that will start you out with a few exercises you can do at home. You can also grab an exercise ball that could help with small strength training as well as ab workouts! THe most important thing is what you're eating, so if you can monitor the things you eat.. that's also a great way to start on a new path to a healthier you. Good luck on your journey!!

    Jarnard :)
  • I have to wake up before everyone else and work out otherwise it will NEVER happen! It takes a while to get used to, but getting up and getting my "me" time in and exercising is the perfect way to start the day! I just use DVDs at home, I am doing Turbo Fire and have done other beach body workouts
  • samatalma
    samatalma Posts: 197
    If you have the time to post on here, you have the time to exercise!!
    Seriously. May seem a little harsh, but true if you think about it.
    It's not about "having" time, it's about "making" time.
  • lauristewart
    lauristewart Posts: 379 Member
    How old is your child? What time do you get up? I usually get up at about 4:50 am to get my workout in before everyone else wakes up. I have a 5 yr old and a 7 yr old, work everyday along with their extra curiculliar activites....I get 6 workouts in a week and usually only workout at home. I have tons of dvd's, an elliptical climber and a spin bike. I started out slowly about 4 yrs ago, getting small weights and using them for the Firm videos. Now I am working out to Insanity and Asylum.....you can figure it out if it is important to you!! Good luck!
  • heatin
    heatin Posts: 1
    It's hard to fit exercise in when you have such a busy schedule, but even 5 minutes at a time will help. Me and 2 of my co-workers walk up and down a flight of stairs every time we go to the rest room. I am taking 2 lb weights this week to curl every time I get back to my desk after getting up for the rest room or to get files. It doesn't sound like much, but it adds up. This week we are adding another trip up the stairs. It only takes 30 seconds to go up and down once, so there's no excuse for us not to do it. I am a couch potato, so this is out of my comfort zone, but no one can do it but me!
    Good luck reaching your goals!
  • kcmomof2
    kcmomof2 Posts: 457 Member
    I am a fulltime work out of the home mom to two children ages 5 & 3. I have to get up at 4:30am to get my hour workouts or runs in, otherwise I don't.

    One of my favorite quotes I used to say to myself is "If it's important to you, you will find a way, if not you will find an excuse".

    Good luck,
  • morgansmom02
    morgansmom02 Posts: 1,131 Member
    Hi! I have two kids and a job as well. I find that I NEED to get out of the house and go to the gym after they go to bed. It feels good to be able to get out and away from everything! If you don't have equipment in your house, consider joining a 24 hour gym!
  • danibu98
    danibu98 Posts: 281 Member
    I get up at 6 am and work out before the kids wake up. It's working so far
This discussion has been closed.