how?? do you do it?

Hadley_SM

bump

lewcompton

My wife walks on her lunch hour... She leaves the house before 8am and returns after 7pm... She simply has decided to use her lunch hour to her advantage. My schedule is much more flexible and I can work out several times... before work, at lunch, or after work... I can even focus on walking more while teaching.

Joreanasaurous

Why not throw dinner in the crock pot in the morning and then spend the time would at night making dinner do a workout video?
If you want it bad enough you just find the time and energy to do it.

alpine1994

In the long run it will make you less tired. The better shape you are in, the less tiring everyday life is.

Couldn't agree more. I wish I had believed people who had told me this during the many years I wasted being overweight and out of shape.

yoovie

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/08/13/productivity/ <~

cmriverside

I didn't read all the replies, so sorry if this was already said: Weight loss is achieved by a calorie deficit, which means you can lose weight without planned exercise. It isn't the optimal plan, but it does work. Since you are working and have kids and are managing a household alone (I assume) - you probably have enough activity in your day to lose weight at a modest deficit. Measure and weigh all your food, and track it all by logging it.

So figure out your TDEE (Google that) and subtract 20% from that. Eat that - every day.

Drink lots of water. Sleep 7-8 hours a night.

Try to get some extra exercise on your days off. You can go to your library and check out exercise DVDs. Or make up a routine of situps, pushups, jumping jacks, toe-touches, etc. Look online for exercise routines.



If you want it, you will find a way.

vim_n_vigor

I decided the only time of day that I could commit to working out was in the morning. Evenings were too unpredictable and I was too tired. For bed, I put on my workout clothes - sports bra and everything. If I didn't get up to work out, I had the added shame of taking off my workout clothes to take my shower. Over the course of a few weeks it became habit and I just did it.

samreitz

I spend 2-3 hours on Sunday mornings prepping our food for the week. I also prepare Monday night's meal so all I have to do is put it in the oven when I get home. While its cooking, I get my workout in. After dinner I pack my lunch (which takes about 5 mins since I've already prepped everything on Sunday) and get the next nights dinner together as much as I can and repeat the same schedule the next night. If I need a longer workout I'll cook dinner on a lower temp for a longer amt of time. My average time in the kitchen each night is about 30 minutes.

The motivation part is up to you but I will tell you that I'm motivated knowing dinner is ready and waiting when I get done.

babeinthemoon

I'm a stay-at-home-schooling-mama of 2 (12 & 8). I also help run a non-profit & have a part time job for two hours a week doing the books for a small business. Both my children are busy with the local homeschool co-op, scouts & church.

At the moment I may as well be a single mom since my dh is working full time (for pay), part time (for hugs), going to school full time and still volunteering with our church & scouts. I think last month I got 3 hours alone with him. Maybe.. and most of that time was running with him ocassionally).

Right now, I'm on an exercise kick. I normally hate it, and have to really talk myself into going. But lately, it has been my only "me time" that I get where the kids are not bickering, and I can't see the dishes in the sink nor the mountains of laundry to be done. So, when my frustration level is through the roof, I tell the kids... "mama's going outside for a run... don't kill each other."

Currently my run times are only about 30 minutes... but that will be increasing to an hour by the end of the month (I'm training for my first 5k & 10k). Strength training is still a goal of mine. My neighborhood has a small gym in the clubhouse (weight machine, bikes, treadmill & elipictal). My goal for December is to be working in 3 strength weight lifting workouts by the end of the month, in addition to cardio 3x a week.

Since I can, I get dressed in my work out clothes in the am, and wait to take my shower until after I actually get the workout in... usually after my lunch has settled and while the kids are eating theirs. If I don't get it in then, I'll force myself to get it in after dinner... when the kids are in bed is the latest I'll go out. Sometimes if I wait that long my hubby will join me for my run. I'm thankful for that.

My determination to be healthier inside and out is what is keeping me going. I battle with depression all the time, and right now I'm on the winning side... so I'm "running with it" as long as I can.

TylerJ76

4am will become your friend..

alvalaurie

One word - crock pot! If you use it, you can do a workout the minute you get home while the kids are eating dinner. Then you eat & clean up. Boom; you're done!

If that's not an option, then you will have to make up your mind to get up earlier to do it. If you want it bad enough, you'll fit it in & mornings do get easier once you're in the routine. You can always go to bed 30 minutes earlier to compensate.

Good luck!

RichS6150

It's hard. Years ago I used to work out int he morning, before work. Yes, that means I was in the pool at 6 AM. With a new job and 1.5 hour commute, that is no longer possible.

I also have three kids (8, 8, and 6); however, I am married and that helps. Nonetheless, I took several years off from exercising because there was no time. I am just getting back to exercise. I try to run one morning on the weekends. During the week, I am planning on walking for 30 minutes at lunch. Even if it feels like I am not doing much, at least it is more than what I was doing.

BTW, a co-worker of mine just lost 60 pounds doing weight-watchers AND getting off the bus early and walking an extra mile AND walking briskly for 30 minutes at lunch. Walking really can do wonders.

Good luck.