I'm not making excuses but I need help!

embercakez

I'm gonna go another route here. If you say you "have the diet down", why not just eat at a deficit and not worry about exercise? You'll still lose weight. Unless your goal is to be fit and thinner, I wouldn't stress about fitting in exercise.

THANK YOU! This is what I have been doing and losing, I just feel bad about not getting the exercise part!

Why would you NOT want to be fitter, stronger and healthier? Sure you can lose weight by just eating at a deficiency…but don’t you want to have a healthy heart, look good &feel strong?

anemoneprose

I'm gonna go another route here. If you say you "have the diet down", why not just eat at a deficit and not worry about exercise? You'll still lose weight. Unless your goal is to be fit and thinner, I wouldn't stress about fitting in exercise.

THANK YOU! This is what I have been doing and losing, I just feel bad about not getting the exercise part!

Please remember that exercise is important for many other factors. Perhaps if you don't have a lot of time, lift? Lift at home? You're losing muscle and that lifting will help retain it...plus as you get older, it's so important to have lean muscle mass.

Find a way to get a half hour of hard lifting in every other day and you may be amazed....

That's not a bad idea - even 1-2 sessions of HEAVY lifting on say the weekend and one weekday would help.

edit: I don't want to tell you how to parent (don't have kids), but responsibilities are helpful for children developing a sense of autonomy, & motivation/drive, and helps them learn to organize themselves later in life. It's a way of learning to become an *effective* human being who can make an impact in your immediate environment. And seeing yourself that way.

I didn't have many (any!) chores growing up (was SPOILED), and in my early twenties, it took me a while to learn to be a productive and organized person. Friends who did have obligations had less of that kind of trouble.

Also, working together, as a team, can help bind the family.

Also, whether they could articulate it now or not, I'm sure your kids would prefer hanging out with a less-stressed mom. Not that they wouldn't now, but they are sensitive to that kind of thing.

That said, I admire your obvious devotion to your kids.

juliaamilee

I car pooling an option with team mates? No help with chores? Get those kids busy, I have a 10 year old and a 13 year old. the 13 yo helps with home work and making sure things get done. Both do laundry and load and unload the dishwasher. We have a chore list, they have to help out to get things they want.

Ajessie

I am up at 3:40 every morning to go work out. You do what you have to.

That's insane and I love it! You are my hero

wrinju

Maybe while you are working on homework you could be getting lunches all ready for the next day. That would save you some time in the morning. YOu could get up a little bit earlier too. It's hard. I do not have three kids. I only have a one year old, husband and two dogs, lol. But I decided this summer to take care of me first. My husband has been very supportive because he knows that means I will be around longer to help take care of everyone else! I now get an hour earlier and head to the gym. I have free access through work. If I didn't have a free gym I would do something at home. I get everything ready for the next day the night before. you will make it work. Doesn't have to be all or nothing. Just do your best.

While making breakfast do squats. Do jumping jacks. when you have some down time even if its only 10 minutes or 5 minutes or whatever do something.

Just my two cents!

Capt_Apollo

try making and packing their lunches at night, same goes for their uniforms and sports equipment. the oldest two are old enough to be able to help get their things ready for their activities the next day. that may free up your mornings to exercise.


and no ones has time. we make it.

MacInCali

I'm a mom of two (11 and 8) who also works full time. I wake up at 5:30am to get ready for work and I do not get home until 6pm or later in the evening.

When I first started, I kept a pair of tennis shoes in the office for breaks and my lunch hour.

I now workout after 9pm (after the kids are in bed) as I am NOT a morning person and waking up at 4:30am to exercise does not appeal to me in the least.

Save your bigger/longer workouts for the weekend and choose 2 or 3 evenings to workout after your kids are in bed.

If you want it bad enough, you'll find the time. :flowerforyou:

ahviendha

I didn't see anyone ask what you're doing between 5am and 6am. I know showering, eating etc takes time but at most maybe a 1/2 hour. That's enough time to squeeze in a 20-30 minute workout. And as others have noted, with so little weight to lose, that much exercise 3-4x a week should be enough to jump start weight loss.

I also agree your kids could do some things themselves, especially at 12 and 13, they should know how to pack their own lunch some days and get their own uniforms ready.

ErinBeth7

Ok, I know a lot of you are going to say that I'm making excuse but I really do struggle with finding time to work out. I think I have the diet part down though. Here is my typical daily schedule. I have 3 kids btw, ages 6, 12, 13.

Up at 5 am to get ready for work
6am - wake up oldest son
6:30am - pack lunches for self and kids, gather sports uniforms for after school practices
6:55am - out the door
4:30pm - rush home to fix dinner
5:00pm - out the door to drop daughter off at cheerleading
5:30pm - pick oldest son up at soccer
6:00pm - back home to do homework with 6 year old
6:45pm - out the door to pick up daughter at cheer then off to Gymnastics
8Pm - shower the youngest and get him into bed
9pm - back out the door to pick up daughter from gymnastics
9:45pm - finally able to take work clothes and shoes off before passing out

I have no help with running my kids around or doing any of the household chores (dinner, homework, etc) so I'm busy.
I'm not complaining because this is my life that I chose to live so my kids are active and happy.
I'm just asking for some tips on exercises I can do quickly throughout the day. I'm aware that walking is good and I would do this on lunch break but in heels and where I work, that doesn't happen.

Thanks in advance.

I have a very active life to but I got to point out a few things.

1. Why not get the kids to help make their lunches the night before?

This is what I was thinking. At least get your 12 & 13 yr old to help with their lunches and definitely clothes for practice. They're old enough to get their own clothes ready. I was doing that at their age.

TeresaWash

How long did it take you to log in, type this?

Winner


/thread

maybe she is like some of the rest of us and is sitting at her desk getting paid to be on MFP??? Doubt she could go work out or she probably would.

LaurenAOK

I'm gonna go another route here. If you say you "have the diet down", why not just eat at a deficit and not worry about exercise? You'll still lose weight. Unless your goal is to be fit and thinner, I wouldn't stress about fitting in exercise.

I was actually thinking this as well. Exercise is great for getting fit, but if you feel fine without exercise, you definitely don't HAVE to do it! If you're seeing great results with diet you can just stick with that I lost the majority of my weight with no exercise. Now I exercise because I like it, but that's beside the point!

TeachTheGirl

There's a gap between waking your son up and getting lunches and things prepared. How about making sure everything is organized before you to go bed, set an alarm for your son and use that half an hour to work out?

recee96

How about working to get your fitness in on the weekends and then just pick 1 day during the week. That way you will have 3 days in and you will feel great! And if you have to get up earlier it would only be one day a week, as opposed to five. I definitely tip my hat off to you as a mom! I'm sure with all of that running around, you are burning some calories!

peter236uk

I am guessing your a single mum so must be pretty tough and all that rushing around is exercise of sorts. I would suggest perhaps some biking or walking if you can fit it in.

Is it possible to walk to collect kids ?

There is a 10 minute work for you

run up and down stairs 5 times or run on spot for 5 minutes then do 10 press ups repeat do 10 sit ups repeat do 10 squats you can increase as you want its good i can tell you.

DonniesGirl69

youre up at 5.
get up at 4.

This......it sucks balls, but on days that I know I'm going to be working both jobs and running my daughter around, I have to do it because NOT getting the run in is simply not an option for me.

"If it's important, you'll make time. If it's not, you'll make excuses."

(please don't think I'm being mean, I'm not....that's just a quote that REALLY helped me :happy: )

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Cook most, if not all of your meals on Sunday to open up time during the week, then you just need to reheat instead of cook full meals. Then, do all of the morning routine stuff as far as packing lunches and after school activity gear the evening before, wake up 30 minutes earlier, and get the workout in in the morning.

gec1266

Find a half an hour throughout your day. 10 minutes here,5 minutes there...etc. It doesn't have to be a full body workout but you can sneak in a few lunges...push ups...crunches...walk (always a winner)..etc. Take the time out for yourself and just say that you have to slow it down and just get it done. Best of luck..

AuburnGirl2001

Make good use of a crockpot to help with dinner -- that way it's ready when you get home

JudieBK

I'm in a similar situation, with two kids playing two rep sports, jobs, etc. I have started incorporating a run (or brisk walk) during their practices. It's 2012 - you've probably got a cell phone and they can reach you if they need you. Time to put yourself higher on the priority list!

_Elemenopee_

I'm up at 6:30, commute 1.5 to 2 hours each way, M-F to bring my daughter to my MILs and continue to work (Car to train to ferry then back). Once I'm home (7 PMish) we make dinner, bathe the kiddo and off to bed with her. We clean up, spend time with eachother and go to bed...exhausted.

I keep a pair of sneakers at my desk and walk for 30-45 minutes on my lunch hour. I either eat at my desk before or after walking and there's my hour. If you want to do it. you'll make the time.

Good luck.

pastryari

I also want to suggest to you that even 20 mins inserted somewhere in your day would be sufficient.

Ivana331

Could you try to get a carpool situation going a few days a week with one of the other moms?


You guys could alternate who takes the kiddos to practice and what not.

My thoughts exactly, I am sure your daughter has made a good friend or two at cheer or gymnastics who could carpool. I would say even if you workout for 30mins a day for at least 3 days a week, that should be good enough. It works for me, and I am not nearly as busy as you are as my kids are 4 and under.

BerryH

All sorts of ways to pack things in. If I don't have time for an "official" workout I keep trainers in my desk drawer and go for a power walk at lunchtime. You could make lunches the night before.

It definitely looks like you could tighten up your morning routine too - it looks like you have an hour and a half just to get washed and dressed and wake up your eldest son. Cut that down to an hour (or even half an hour - I can have breakfast, wash up, shower and get dressed in that time) then you've plenty of time for a workout.

Also: weekends.

Cliffslosinit

How long did it take you to log in, type this?

Winner


/thread

maybe she is like some of the rest of us and is sitting at her desk getting paid to be on MFP??? Doubt she could go work out or she probably would.

Sarcasm it was....reality is we are all busy. Play here at work, etc. Just even 10 minutes of anything is better than nothing:flowerforyou:

Lisa1971

Lady, if anyone needs sleep, you do. Your brain & body need it to recover, and not sleeping will slow weight loss.

This! You are one busy mom!

Capt_Apollo

also, if you start bulk cooking it frees up a lot of time. winter meals, such as chilli, pastas, stews, etc really lend themselves to that.


also, that whole line "945pm finally take off my shoes and get comfortable" kills me. i'd feel like crap walking around in work clothes all day. do you really not even have five minutes to change??

trtmom

I lost 35 of the 42 pounds without exercise. I started just walking and doing light body weight exercises to get the last of the pounds off. I've been maintaining just with diet only and I think I look pretty darn good! LOL

Thanks!

Wonderwoman2677

Why aren't the kids helping? I've been a single parent. I know how tough it can be. Your 2 oldest should be making their own lunches, and maybe yours too. They should also be in charge of their own clothes. Can one of the kids give the 6yo a bath? My 9yo plays with my 2yo sometimes so I can do things while the little one is playing in the tub. Last night I got to work out and watch my favorite tv show at the same time!


Can the 6yo do their HW in the car while you're picking up/ dropping off kids? Not ideal, I know...but some kids can handle this.


Asking other parents to carpool is also another great way to make time reappear into your schedule.

Take sneakers to walk at lunch.

I do leg lifts under my desk.

Raychel_P

Totally agree with what others said about getting your kids more involved. My 10 year old has been waking himself up with an alarm clock, getting dressed and ready by himself, and walking across the street to the bus stop and going to school by himself since 5th grade. No offense but its sort of absurd that by 12 or 13 your kids cannot wake themselves up pack their own uniforms. Tell them to do it, and if they won't, they lose priveleges. That, by itself, should free you up at least some time in the morning to go for a walk, do some light weight training in the house, or work out with a kettlebell. If you have an hour lunch break, bring some shoes and get a 30 minute walk in for cardio, that still leaves you 30 minutes to eat.

trtmom

also, if you start bulk cooking it frees up a lot of time. winter meals, such as chilli, pastas, stews, etc really lend themselves to that.


also, that whole line "945pm finally take off my shoes and get comfortable" kills me. i'd feel like crap walking around in work clothes all day. do you really not even have five minutes to change??

If I were to change into what I think is comfortable, (sweats and a hoodie) my kids wouldn't let me out of the house! lol