Uhhh

I am having a HUGE problem staying motivated. I think my main issue is energy, its very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and when I do get up I have to do what cleaning I can get done while my twins sleep and when they get up I am running after them all day. When they nap I finish my cleaning, and even though I have time to exercise I can not find the energy. Same thing when they go to bed, I am a zombie. Does anyone know anything I can do to help gain energy/motivation?
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Replies

  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up
  • belladonna786
    belladonna786 Posts: 1,165 Member
    I also have twins so I hear you! That being said you just have to do it! You dont feel like it, you would rather have a root canal, but you will regret it more if you dont. It has taken me quite some time to get back into working out because I am so busy and so tired. If you dont work through the fatigue the results you want you will never achieve.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up

    This. But seriously, it might sound counter intuitive but excersising gives you more energy.
  • Polly758
    Polly758 Posts: 623 Member
    Coffee has very few calories and works wonders for motivation :) Or, tea.

    Also it sounds like you are very active, so you may want to simply make sure your activity level is set correctly, then stay within your calorie allotment each day.

    I mean, if I was chasing twins around all day I would not be getting on a treadmill unless a gun was pointed at my head. Just eat smart and the weight will come off.
  • FitandFab33
    FitandFab33 Posts: 718 Member
    I have a non-sleeping new baby.. so I am pretty much exhausted alllll the time- I can imagine how you feel. But I also know, I almost always feel better/more energetic after I work out. I have to push myself through the first few minutes, but then it kicks in and I get that sweaty glow.

    You can do it momma- make some time for you!
  • AddieOverhaul
    AddieOverhaul Posts: 734 Member
    You have to force yourself and once you've been working out regularly for a little while your energy level will increase and you will actually start to crave exercise.
  • rhvandan
    rhvandan Posts: 185
    Energy seems to be an upward or downward spiral.. The more you work for it, the more you have.. but you have to start. I have twins as well (they'll be two in a week and a half) so I know your pain and frustration. You can always get a double jogger if you dont have one now (I got one quite affordably from craigslist) and get walking. Also, you might want to consider joining a multiples support group (google the NOMTC and they can refer you to your local chapter). You will meet other ladies with great advice and they may even want to meet for workouts. If you have a supportive partner (I dare not make ANY assumptions! LOL) start with one or two days a week taking an hour just for yourself to workout. Start slow. Walk, swim, something you enjoy.. as you get more used to it you'll be ready to push yourself.
    Feel free to add me if you'd like support from a fellow multiple momma. Good luck!
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    What do you mean by "running after them all day?" I'm not being facetious. I'm genuinely asking. If they're keeping you genuinely physically active throughout the day, that's a little bit of cardio. If it's more that your mind is busy trying to keep them out of stuff (which was more how it was with my kids), then that's an opportunity to get everyone out of the house and get active, because they need something to do and you need a mental break. Go for a walk (put the kids in the stroller if they're too young to walk with you). Go to the park, and do push-ups while they play in the sandbox. Or if you want to stay home, turn up the music and have a living room dance party. Swing them around and play follow the leader.

    Also, check this out: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/03/10/angry-birds-workout-plan/
  • You have to force yourself and once you've been working out regularly for a little while your energy level will increase and you will actually start to crave exercise.

    ^^^^
    This.
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Stop making excuses for yourself. We are all busy. Either you want it or you don't!
  • WolffEarl
    WolffEarl Posts: 379 Member
    I can only imagine how tiring this must be. I remember the days when my munchkins were little. You seem to be doing a lot of cleaning. How about incorporating exercising into that. Get your Ipod out, plug in some good music and every time you wipe the counter, or do three dishes, throw in some dancing around, do some squats, do your mopping with lunges, for every two toys you pick do some simple exercise, then carry on. I do the same sometimes when I cook some meals, the counter tops are great for doing push ups against, or triceps dips, etc. dry dishes while you do deep knee bends, etc. Be creative:)
  • paygep
    paygep Posts: 401 Member
    Maybe you could have time to make a berry smoothie in the mornings. I always get an energy boost from the berries. Also, drink more green tea. :flowerforyou:
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    work out tapes

    drink a cup of coffee and bust a move.
  • Crystaleyed
    Crystaleyed Posts: 229 Member
    I am having a HUGE problem staying motivated. I think my main issue is energy, its very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and when I do get up I have to do what cleaning I can get done while my twins sleep and when they get up I am running after them all day. When they nap I finish my cleaning, and even though I have time to exercise I can not find the energy. Same thing when they go to bed, I am a zombie. Does anyone know anything I can do to help gain energy/motivation?

    I have the same problem, I'm at school at the moment and I do a lot of drama outside school. I find if you do exercises you enjoy e.g. I do dance classes and fencing lessons, which I love. If you do something you like you want to do it more, even if you're tired you'll make an effort to wake up and go and do these things :) I hope that helps :)
  • DonM46
    DonM46 Posts: 772 Member
    Maybe a vitamin supplement, particularly B-12.
  • sugarlips1980
    sugarlips1980 Posts: 361 Member
    Have you tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD? It's on YouTube. It's intense but just a 20 minute workout. Sounds like you need to do something that's quick.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    As an addendum to my earlier post, getting out of the house frees up more of your time, because if you're not home you can't be making messes. Clean up in the morning, then head to the park and have a picnic lunch, and come home for naptime. Then voila, you don't have to spend all naptime cleaning. I do that all the time. It's magical. :)
  • I live where it gets 120 in the summer, lol it's finally starting to cool so that is a great idea I will soon be able to use. :)
  • Restybaby2012
    Restybaby2012 Posts: 568 Member
    I am having a HUGE problem staying motivated. I think my main issue is energy, its very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and when I do get up I have to do what cleaning I can get done while my twins sleep and when they get up I am running after them all day. When they nap I finish my cleaning, and even though I have time to exercise I can not find the energy. Same thing when they go to bed, I am a zombie. Does anyone know anything I can do to help gain energy/motivation?

    Whether you think you can, or You think you can not....You're probably right.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up

    this. And you realize if you exercise regularly you'll have more energy.
  • StaceyL76
    StaceyL76 Posts: 711 Member
    I can only imagine how tiring this must be. I remember the days when my munchkins were little. You seem to be doing a lot of cleaning. How about incorporating exercising into that. Get your Ipod out, plug in some good music and every time you wipe the counter, or do three dishes, throw in some dancing around, do some squats, do your mopping with lunges, for every two toys you pick do some simple exercise, then carry on. I do the same sometimes when I cook some meals, the counter tops are great for doing push ups against, or triceps dips, etc. dry dishes while you do deep knee bends, etc. Be creative:)

    Great Advice - I do this!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Put the little ones in a stroller and go for a walk/run.
    Literally run around after them all day.
    If you have friends with small children, trade baby-sitting duty to give you and them time to workout (or whatever they choose to do with their free time).
    If you have family nearby, ask them to watch the little ones for an hour a couple of days a week.
    If you have a husband or SO, exercise when he's home to watch the little ones.
    Exercise while you clean. Don't always use the ease that modern life provides in cleaning and/or dance while you clean.

    You can burn a lot of calories without ever doing formal exercise. Just move your body.
  • nturner612
    nturner612 Posts: 710 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up

    this is terrible advice! BEING A WOMAN AND HAVING KIDS IS HARD WORK!!! yes it can be done, but you have to work around harder obstacles than a MAN or women without kids. before i had kids i was in GREAT shape because i worked out ALL the time. now i usually get up around 545am, get myself ready, get kids out of bed and ready, make sure everyone has everything, go to daycare, go to work, grocery shop on my lunch break OR be selfish and go workout, get off work, go to daycare for one kid, travel 15-20 min to get kid from school, go home usually after 6pm, hurry up and cook, hurry up and choke on ur food, do homework, throw them in showers/baths, clean up kitchen, brush teeth always a battle and get them in bed by 830!!!! HARD HARD work! and then i am drained! and some days we have soccer practice, bible study, or school activity. I am now trying to figure out how i will be working out in the winter time since we wont be able to go outside. i have actually lookeed into buying an elliptical or somethin of that nature. Thank you VERY MUCH
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    I live where it gets 120 in the summer, lol it's finally starting to cool so that is a great idea I will soon be able to use. :)

    Ah, well, there's your problem. You're just going to have to move. ;)
  • sherim71
    sherim71 Posts: 130 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up

    REALLY???? She has twins. I don't think your statement is very supportive or helpful. I don't have children and even I empathize with her dilemma.

    OP - maybe try some B12 supplements or B complex supplements to help support your energy.
  • missy0936
    missy0936 Posts: 1,507 Member
    you can either make excuses or man up

    This. But seriously, it might sound counter intuitive but excersising gives you more energy.

    The sooner you get up and do it. The sooner it will become more of a habit then a chore and you will eventually find you do have the time and energy you just didnt know it. I have 2 kids a puppy and a full time job and i still work out 6 days a week. The dishes or laundry can wait until your done... and actually you will have more energy. I find I actually get more done casue I'm moving faster.
  • joytron
    joytron Posts: 103 Member
    Wow, I can't imagine how much more difficult this whole process must be if you're looking after kids. My hat is off to you!

    I find, with exercise, I get an endorphin kick fairly quickly, so it's simply (ha!) a matter of starting. I have a job that requires a lot of overtime and late in the evening I'm often exhausted and in NO mood to work out. So I make deals, like how I'll just do it for 20 minutes, and then once I force myself to start (I'm always resentful), I find I'm enjoying it soon and actually WANT to continue the whole hour. So yeah, my advice would be to lie to yourself a little bit to get your foot in the door, and also obviously to find a form of exercise that you enjoy.
  • MichelleOnWheels
    MichelleOnWheels Posts: 114 Member
    I am having a HUGE problem staying motivated. I think my main issue is energy, its very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and when I do get up I have to do what cleaning I can get done while my twins sleep and when they get up I am running after them all day. When they nap I finish my cleaning, and even though I have time to exercise I can not find the energy. Same thing when they go to bed, I am a zombie. Does anyone know anything I can do to help gain energy/motivation?



    It sounds like you might need a nap more than a workout! My experience with exercising when my kids were babies was that a nap served me better.
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
    I am having a HUGE problem staying motivated. I think my main issue is energy, its very difficult for me to wake up in the mornings and when I do get up I have to do what cleaning I can get done while my twins sleep and when they get up I am running after them all day. When they nap I finish my cleaning, and even though I have time to exercise I can not find the energy. Same thing when they go to bed, I am a zombie. Does anyone know anything I can do to help gain energy/motivation?
    You need to do 2 things. (1) start working out first thing in the morning, 3 days a week. No excuses.; (2)Get a minimum of 7 hours sleep at night (but 8 is ideal).

    As you may have noticed, your house will always need cleaning. It is a repetive task - always being undone only to be redone. But working out is a cumulative task -- every time you work out, you are getting fitter and stronger. When you leave the house, no one will notice how much smaller your jeans are because your living room is clean. No one will notice how much more energy you have because you vacuumed.

    You can always clean when they nap -- and you will have more energy if you've worked out. So put exercise first. Try something routine, like the 20 minute 30Day Shred dvd -- make it a habit. Because a routine is easier to maintain/commit to , rather than making do and promising to grab time here and there, or maybe tomorrow (don't make it easy to skip, or put off). Do it first thing in the morning -- just get it done.