I'm not making excuses but I need help!

trtmom
trtmom Posts: 76 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
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.
«134567

Replies

  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    Lunch hour?
  • jennm72
    jennm72 Posts: 45 Member
    I keep a pair of walking shoes at work and change into them and walk over lunch breaks. This really helps me to get in activity on days I wouldn't normally get it. I have a 13 year old as well and before she goes to bed, we lay out what she needs for the next day to help in the mornings. I try to put our lunches together before bed as well, although I don't always get to it. Hope that helps.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Do you have the money to hire a baby-sitter three days a week to drive your kids to their activities?
  • bartman52
    bartman52 Posts: 7 Member
    I am up at 3:40 every morning to go work out. You do what you have to.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Well, obviously you are plenty active already. With only 14 lbs to lose, I hope you are set at "Lose 1/2 lb per week."

    It's going to be slow going to lose that last 14 lbs, no matter if you magically find an extra hour in your day, or not. Just work on eating as cleanly as you can. You get plenty of movement already.
  • Whiskybelly
    Whiskybelly Posts: 197 Member
    I don't have kids, so I couldn't possibly comprehend how tough it is. But my work sometimes involves 16 hour shifts back to back for days on end, and I just can't find the time to run as much as I want to. It involves events - building stages and sets by day, running and operating shows by night. So I try and make up for it by just watching what I eat.

    And at least every third day I'll just force myself onto a treadmill or cross trainer for an hour - even at 3am in the morning. But still, my diet is the priority.

    Calorie counting is more important that running, as far as I am concerned. I might be wrong though (there's a first time for everything).
  • trtmom
    trtmom Posts: 76 Member
    Do you have the money to hire a baby-sitter three days a week to drive your kids to their activities?

    I WISH!!
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    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.
  • julieh391
    julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
    I say wake up 20-30 minutes earlier and do a Jillian Michael's video or go for a run/walk. 30 Day Shred takes 20 minutes, and people love it. One thing that I also do is hit the gym while my son is at karate one day a week (the other days I go at 5:30am.) I drop him off, get a quick 2-3 mile run in at the gym, then pick him up. I also work second shift part time, so some days I'm not even home until 11 or midnight. And I still get up at 5:30 to go to the gym. You just have to make it a priority. Good luck!
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    youre up at 5.
    get up at 4.
  • sandygaylegunn
    sandygaylegunn Posts: 87 Member
    I used to put on my sneakers 3 times a day: Morning and afternoon coffee breaks, lunch break, total 1 hour. This worked. Wishing you the best!
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    How long did it take you to log in, type this?
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    How long did it take you to log in, type this?
    Winner


    /thread
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member
    Lunch hour?

    Bingo! I will sometimes (need to more often) got for a 20-30 minute jog on my lunch break and still have about half an hour to eat.
  • ZombieChaser
    ZombieChaser Posts: 1,555 Member
    You haven't mentioned your weekends...

    Get up at 430 - get 30 mins in. Get another 30 mins in before bed time and at lunch if you can.

    I like the carpool idea with the other moms.
  • trtmom
    trtmom Posts: 76 Member
    How long did it take you to log in, type this?

    about 5 mins while I'm sitting at my desk trying not to get caught by my boss! (however if I did, that would give me more time to exercise!)
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    Could you bear to wake up 30 minutes earlier? A 20 minute run in the mornings could burn 200 extra calories. Or you could do a 20 to 30 minute workout DVD, like 30 day shred. Possibilities are endless. Workouts don't have to be long!

    Also, and I'm not saying this to be mean, but I always say when people post these threads: If you had time to get online and post in a forum, you have time to work out.
  • Gela1979
    Gela1979 Posts: 5
    Could your 13-year-old help the littlest with his homework? Or could you jump squat burpee the number of answer to all the math equations? Your life is pretty hectic, I don't envy you. Could you carpool with other parents? Are any of these activities within walking distance at a pinch? Could the kids take the bus at all?
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    either wake up earlier, possibly make lunches at nighttime instead of in the morning so you get a little extra time in the morning.
  • trtmom
    trtmom Posts: 76 Member
    Could you bear to wake up 30 minutes earlier? A 20 minute run in the mornings could burn 200 extra calories. Or you could do a 20 to 30 minute workout DVD, like 30 day shred. Possibilities are endless. Workouts don't have to be long!

    Also, and I'm not saying this to be mean, but I always say when people post these threads: If you had time to get online and post in a forum, you have time to work out.

    getting up earlier than I do is easier said than done (I take medicine so I can sleep) but I know this could work...If I could get it to.

    as for getting online, like I said, I'm doing this at work...trying not to get caught.


    Thanks for the advice! appreciated!
  • embercakez
    embercakez Posts: 141
    youre up at 5.
    get up at 4.

    this.

    YOU have to make time.
    You think all these other people don't have a busy life? THEY MAKE TIME!
    stop making excuses and just do it.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    +1 hook up with other parents to delegate some of the driving around.

    Other than that, ??? :(

    I guess you could fiddle with meal planning/preparation (get lunches done the night before, at the same time you make dinner; or make easy, uncomplicated dishes for dinner, eg, grilled meat & veg).

    Running a household is a lot of work for one person, never mind child-rearing - especially while working. I hope you take any help from friends/family that's available. (I actually think single moms could save themselves a lot of grief by sharing homes, but I get that most people wouldn't want to do that.)

    Can your older children help with some things? Eg, oldest son pitching in with helping youngest for homework.

    Lastly, I appreciate that your kids' hobbies are specialized, but maybe, some days, you could all do active things together as a family (bike ride, hike).
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    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.
  • trtmom
    trtmom Posts: 76 Member
    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!
  • Nell720
    Nell720 Posts: 7 Member
    You are going to have to fit in a nice fast walk during your lunch and try to get more hours in on the weekend if you can. Every little bit helps. I have four kids, work, and attend school so I understand your time is limited. You just have to push through it. I try to fit my workouts in the morning. I am up at 4:30am and try to do some cardio. Its hard but in the end it is worth it.
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    Lady, if anyone needs sleep, you do. Your brain & body need it to recover, and not sleeping will slow weight loss.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    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
  • nickhuffman74
    nickhuffman74 Posts: 198 Member
    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?

    2. You cant tell me that you have soccer, cheerleading and gymnastics every single night. I coach soccer, go to boxing twice a week, take son to football/baseball practice and then games. But never do we do it for all kids every single night.

    3. 45 minutes to help a 6 year old do homework?! What is she in high school?

    4. If you want to do it you will find time to do it period. We all have busy lives.
  • _Wits_
    _Wits_ Posts: 1,286 Member
    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....
  • WhoTheHellIsBen
    WhoTheHellIsBen Posts: 1,238 Member
    Well first, your two oldest are 12 and 13, buy thm an alarm clock and make them responsible to wake themselves up same with packing thier own uniforms, stop babying them, In that mindset, have them help your 6 year old get ready, there's no reason why they can't. Bam! One hour shaved off your clock. Lunches, can be mostly pre made on Sunday minus sandwiches and what not but fruits, veggies, ziplocks of chips or what not can all be done and lined up in rows so you pull em and bag em, then sandwiches can be banged out in 10 min or less, using last nights left overs? Pre pack em the night before after dinner, that's even quicker.
    Are their no other kids in the area sharing the same sports teams as your kids? Why not ask the parents to get on a rating schedule of pick ups and drop offs? so you actually get breaks from it as will they and everyone wins, more free time. Power walk for lunch break, avoid elevators, park further away from every destination you go to, the options are endless

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