Sounds like an excuse i know...........

Emmarogers2008

I don't get time to exercise. I am a full time mum to two children 8 and 5 plus a full time care to my partner of 15 years who has mobility issues. I do everything in the house from the usual cooking, cleaning etc etc to the decorating and diy I never ask for any help from anyone. On top of this I am also a volunteer and PTA chairperson at my daughter's school.
But want to lose some weight but just can't fit in the time to exercise i have tried doing it early in the morning but then i'm to tired in the evening to finish my household commitments i tried doing it in the evening but same problem don't get household things finished.
I am by no means lazy i only sit for about 2 hours a day and thats in small 5-10 bursts and then meal times especially in the evening with the kids.
I do walk the children to and from school and use the stairs when out etc.
Will i manage to lose the weight if i lack exercise (in the textbook sense) or do i do enough already.
I'm currently 165lb (11st 11ib ish) and am aiming for 140lb (10st ish )

sarahmoo12

I dont really exercise much iv lost my weight from portion control and cal counting but if you could even fit in just 10-20mins a day it will help

BerryH

You don't need to exercise to lose weight, just maintain a calorie deficit, ideally what MFP gives you to lose 1lb a week.

Why not use your "bursts" of sitting around for a total of 2 hours and make say 40 mins of them mini-workouts? Do body-weight exercises such as jumping jacks, press-ups, sit-ups and squats for 10 minutes, walk fast round the block, get a skipping rope or buy one of the "10 Minute Solution" exercise DVDs.

Hope that helps :flowerforyou:

Werglum

I lost my first 10kg (22 pounds or so) without exercising at all!! People may say that you will become 'skinny fat' but in my opinion that is better than fat fat :happy: Also it sounds as though you are burning calories by living a very busy life. Once you lose a bit of weight you may find that you feel like doing some extra exercise (I did plus I like being able to eat a bit more).

Arwen280804

Sounds like you get plenty of exercise

you don't need to do more to lose weight, but it will make it quicker and will help tone you up.

Why not, when you do get time to sit, lift weights (not dumbells necessary, but cans of beans), you can also put a can into each end of oven gloves and drape that over your lower leg to lift weights with your legs, so you can work both arms and legs while watching telly. Just a little extra can help boost you.

LeeshaNichole

I don't get time to exercise. I am a full time mum to two children 8 and 5 plus a full time care to my partner of 15 years who has mobility issues. I do everything in the house from the usual cooking, cleaning etc etc to the decorating and diy I never ask for any help from anyone. On top of this I am also a volunteer and PTA chairperson at my daughter's school.
But want to lose some weight but just can't fit in the time to exercise i have tried doing it early in the morning but then i'm to tired in the evening to finish my household commitments i tried doing it in the evening but same problem don't get household things finished.
I am by no means lazy i only sit for about 2 hours a day and thats in small 5-10 bursts and then meal times especially in the evening with the kids.
I do walk the children to and from school and use the stairs when out etc.
Will i manage to lose the weight if i lack exercise (in the textbook sense) or do i do enough already.
I'm currently 165lb (11st 11ib ish) and am aiming for 140lb (10st ish )

When you are vacuuming do it at a faster pace then normal and add a little jog to it, do it with sweeping, moping, etc. When I'm cooking supper if I haven't been able to put a workout in for the day, I walk from my kitchen to my front door (very fast pace almost jogging) in between having to tend to dinner..I try to do it for at least 10 minutes. It isnt a lot but it is better then nothing. Hoping that helps-good luck!

josephinabonetto

I only do between 30 and 60 minutes a day. It sounds to me like you do enough to maintain health and burn a bit too.

beccalucy

You seem really active to me, maybe try playing active games with your children to spend time with them and increase your exercise that way if you'd like to increase it?

amnsetie

You don't need more exercise, you should put yourself as lightly active, like a nurse.
Then you don't log exercise.
Set your goals and log your food
You will be able to see which food is letting you down and balance your meals well.
MFP builds in the loss so you don't have to go significantly under, try to stay within 100 cals to the green.

furrina

Quit the PTA and volunteer to look after yourself first?

marie_cressman

remember "way back when" there was no need to tell someone "you need an hour of cardio"? when people were far more active and there was no sitting around watching tv and eating overly processed foods? long before video games when just about everybody grew their own foods and walked everywhere they went. they didn't need to run 5 miles a day or lift weights and people were healthy. you seem to live a pretty active life style and i wouldn't stress TOO much about working out like a mad person for an hour a day. if you walk your children to and from school, you can always grab some hand weights when you leave the house if you're wanting to burn more calories on those walks. to be honest, i lost a LOT of weight without exercise at all. i just created the calorie deficit my body needed. you can just add simple things to burn a few more calories a day like doing squats when you're standing around waiting for the children to be ready for school.

Aperture_Science

you don't need to exercise but I was going to suggest this...

Quit the PTA and volunteer to look after yourself first?

I think that raising kids and caring for your partner is enough "civic/social" duty and you need some time for you.

GuruOnAMountain

I know how it feels to be overloaded and feel that you can't give up things but as other people have said, maybe consider giving yourself more time and quit the PTA thing?

Also, you're kids are beginning to get a little older.....how about asking them to take on some chores to lighten your load. The 8 year old, in particular, should be able to do quite a lot to help out and it is a good thing for them, too. You might find if you start asking them to do some things round the house, it'll free up a bit more time for you to exercise and spend time as a family eg. running around playing chase with the kids or playing football or something fun.

alicepoppyh

Sounds like you have a lot of exercise already! Set your activity level at pretty high, go for a 1lb/week loss, and stick to the calories it gives you. Calorie deficit is calorie deficit. You can do it

Bobby_Clerici

Yes, you are right; it does sound like an excuse.
Exercise is paramount to optimal health. You must make time, because you have time.
We all do.
It's about setting priorities and making the decision that exercise has enough value to justify in your mind the time it takes to engage. There are no short cuts or easy paths to success, but the path to failure is a cruise to nowhere.
And many will welcome you aboard their sinking ship with open arms.
Misery loves company.
I hope you reconsider and make the time for exercise.
Good luck with your goals:flowerforyou:

lesle1

you don't need to exercise but I was going to suggest this...

Quit the PTA and volunteer to look after yourself first?

I think that raising kids and caring for your partner is enough "civic/social" duty and you need some time for you.

Funny thing about exercise it gives you more energy. Losing weight is one thing .... but how you feel is another. I'd rather take the time and get a good work out in and feel great the rest of the day then diet and feel tried all the time.

alicepoppyh

I for one am not welcoming you aboard a sinking ship. I do work out because I have the time and space. I merely have some compassion, can see you already have your hands full and probably burn more in a few hrs of your daily life than anyone who does an hr or two of workout and then sits on their *kitten* for the rest of the day.
This whole thing is about you, what you can manage, what is sustainable for you. Every positive step you take is just that, positive, better than you were before. So for now, stick to calories, once you start eating better, you may find you have more energy and an urge to exercise extra now and then. Maybe a long way round when walking back from the school, maybe try Leslie Sansone in-home walking DVDs for an extra burn. But if you don't have the time or energy, you don't have the time or energy. None of us posting on here know enough about your life and your responsibilities to make sweeping remarks about whether or not you are making excuses for yourself.

Feel free to add me for support & motivation.

Werglum

A bit off topic, but have you ever checked out the Flylady? (look up www.flylady.net) she is awesome, and free and helps you to get the housework done a bit at a time. She also has ways of turning housework into games to play with the kids - I'm not sure if it would help but it has helped me (2 kids under 5, working full time and trying to reclaim my health and well being!)

lesle1

Try speeding up your walking some. I race my grandkids when we're walking (gotta let them win though ) They're 5 and 6. I also use them as weights. We play, I swing them around, carry them. When I take them to the park I climb with them. I've taken them on 3 mile walks. We've even done a 5K. I take them to Kiddy Ks. They love getting the medals. My 6 year old grand daughter wants to run a mud run. I told her to wait until next year so her brother can do it with her. Make it a family thing.

kyle4jem

Will i manage to lose the weight if i lack exercise (in the textbook sense) or do i do enough already.
I'm currently 165lb (11st 11ib ish) and am aiming for 140lb (10st ish )

Yes. I think you are probably more active that a lot of peeps and no, I don't think it's an excuse.

But being that active and still overweight means one thing: you're eating too much. But I think you've already sussed that out.

So the challenge you have is to identify what you're eating and when/why and find a way to manage your diet. I suspect that because you are up and about and running after your kids, looking after your partner, you might not be sitting down to 3 square meals, but picking here and there and snacking in between and that's where you are getting your calorie excess.

I think you do need to start looking after #1 because you won't be around for your kids or your partner if you don't.

Good luck and best wishes :flowerforyou:

tigersword

Weight loss is 100% diet. It really has nothing to do with exercise.

IronPlayground

Yes, you can lose weight if you do not exercise. Staying at a caloric deficit is all that really matters with regards to your question.

Darlingir

You seem really active to me, maybe try playing active games with your children to spend time with them and increase your exercise that way if you'd like to increase it?

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soontobesam

Maintain a healthy diet and a calorie deficit and you will see weight start to come off. Once you have gotten to a certain point and if YOU choose to incorporate some exercise you can most definitely squeeze in things here and there.

Doing the dishes? Add some calf raises
In the shower? Add some squats
Folding laundry? tighten up abs (same for when you are driving - no reason you can't use road time to work on some abs)

There are countless ways to sneak stuff in - cardio can be tricker time wise but see where your diet gets you and go from there!

Best of luck :flowerforyou:

kritterxx

Try speeding up your walking some. I race my grandkids when we're walking (gotta let them win though ) They're 5 and 6. I also use them as weights. We play, I swing them around, carry them. When I take them to the park I climb with them. I've taken them on 3 mile walks. We've even done a 5K. I take them to Kiddy Ks. They love getting the medals. My 6 year old grand daughter wants to run a mud run. I told her to wait until next year so her brother can do it with her. Make it a family thing.

This is so great! Making it a family thing is an awesome idea. And that includes the food you're making, you didn't really specify what kind of food you're cooking, but changing the diet of the whole family can be really positive. Not only will you be helping yourself in terms of diet and nutrition, but also educating the kids about healthy food choices.
I can understand though that maybe running around with the kids, and the above idea about doing the 5k with them etc., might be a bit difficult if your partner has mobility issues - would they feel left out? I think that'd be important to keep in mind. You didn't say much about their condition or health, but I'm sure they'd be super supportive of you, and even join you on your journey.
The ten minute workouts are great too. There's even an intense 4 minute one that really gets you going (:

stylistchik

You can lose weight at a caloric deficit without exercise, but you will maintain lean muscle and optimize your health by exercising. You will never "find" the time, you have to "make" the time. Until then, just work with you caloric deficit.

Meggles63

Exercise doesn't have to be long...you don't have to spend hours in the gym, etc. Try getting up 15 minutes earlier, or, like many suggested, drop the PTA and get yourself a little time. With the energy it gives you, you'll find you will want to do it, and will be able to make time to do it.

Emmarogers2008

And that includes the food you're making, you didn't really specify what kind of food you're cooking, but changing the diet of the whole family can be really positive. Not only will you be helping yourself in terms of diet and nutrition, but also educating the kids about healthy food choices

The foods we eat are 90% home made. I don't add fats or salt to any cooking and we have a varied meal plan that incoperates tradition, modern and ethnic foods. I even make my own burgers, meatballs, pies, nuggets etc etc
so on the whole my diet is good, i think the problem i had was not eating enough so my body was in starvation mode. i was only eating a yoghurt for breakfast half a sandwich at lunch then a cooked dinner in the evening

athminbri

You say that you never ask for help from anyone. Maybe you should. Keep in mind that this advice is coming from someone who also has a problem asking for help. I am working on it though. I do not know what your family's lifestyle is already, but some suggestions for you to ask for help:

Kids can do (more) chores
Hire a maid
Trade babysitting time with a friend
Hire a home nurse for a couple of hours a week

You could also take the kids to a park and do a workout there. Monkey bars, swings, even the merry-go-round can be great workouts. Look into Once a Month cooking to save time. If once a month is too much, aim for Once a Week cooking. I grill up a ton of chicken breast on Sundays to have it available all week for quick meals. I also have rules about going into certain rooms. Whenever I go into the kitchen, I do 10 pushups off the counter. I go into the bathroom and do 10 squats. It only takes a minute or so each time but definitely adds up over the day.

Everyone else has had some great ideas also.

Connie

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

I lost my first 10kg (22 pounds or so) without exercising at all!! People may say that you will become 'skinny fat' but in my opinion that is better than fat fat :happy: Also it sounds as though you are burning calories by living a very busy life. Once you lose a bit of weight you may find that you feel like doing some extra exercise (I did plus I like being able to eat a bit more).

Being skinny fat is not better than fat fat. Both are facing with health risks associated with obesity. The only advantage of the skinny fat is that they have easier time correcting their body composition than with the fat fat since they don't have a lot of weight to lose.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

As others have said, you can lose weight simply by calorie deficit (moderate deficit & not VLCD). As for your workouts, perhaps if you can instead of walking 3.5mph (assuming you're doing it this way), why not doing it like 4.0mph on some days.