Time is not on my side...

Brookeharlander · October 2012

Hello all,

So i recognize that in order to get in the shape i want to be in, i should probably be hitting the gym everyday and eating healthy. I have gotten the healthy eating bit down and i typically am able to stay within my calorie goal. However, i am a full time nanny, part time retail associate and i go to school full time. Therefore, i have no time for the gym. Whenever i have a moment of free time i am usually exhausted and working out is the last thing i want to do. I am already only sleeping an average of 5 hours a night in order to fit in all my homework, responsibilities, etc.

I really want to get In shape, and i am looking for any advice on what i could maybe eat, or do... Something!!! Help!

Thanks for any feedback!

-Brooke

G__Force · October 2012

If your working some where that has stairs you could take your 5 or ten minute break and run the stairs, or do sit ups or push ups
or even jumping jacks. Thats what i do when i have a few extra minutes it gets my blood moving and my heart beating.

juliec33 · October 2012

Hi Brooke! Wow, it sounds like you are really busy. I bet running around chasing and playing with the little ones that you watch probably burns a lot of calories as does standing on your feet working retail. Could you exercise while you're studying? Hand weights or squats, that type of thing.

Oh, I know that you probably don't have time for more sleep but 5 hours every night is actually hurting your efforts to lose weight. Please, for your health, try to get a little more sleep.........

vtmoon · October 2012

It's one of those things that we can't help with, when you want it bad enough you will MAKE time for it. Small changes can help, walking more, climbing stairs instead of taking elevators, but if you really want something you will make time for it. Until then you will be bogged down by the excuses you make for yourself, best of luck :-)

ascotton80 · October 2012

If you've got your eating under control so that you have enough of a calorie deficit to lose weight, i would just focus on strength.

You could do this three times a week, and it would only take about 10-15 minutes:

- 3 sets pushups
- 3 sets of overhead press with dumbbells with squat.
- 3 sets of crunches

6mimi · October 2012

That is a difficult one! I understand as I work with children too (ages birth through age 5). If you don't get enough sleep it can really throw your eating off. I am no expert, but from my own experience have found that it helps me to try my best to get a full night of sleep, be as active as I can while caring for the children (the children benefit from activity too!) and try to at least get 30 minutes of strength training in 3 days a week. If you don't already have one, maybe a pedometer or fitbit would help to keep track of the activity you are getting in during your busy days. Best of luck to you!:flowerforyou:

DanerTee · October 2012

On top of eating healthy if you don't have time/desire to go to the gym then you should be able to at least get moving. As a nanny you are probably always looking for things to do with the kids, well why not run around with them at the park for an hour or go for a nice walk at least a few times a week. The great thing about being a nanny is that you aren't strapped to a desk so you have the ability to "work-out" without having to carve out any time in your busy schedule. What is better than getting paid to get in shape!? I don't know the ages of your charges, but my kids are 3 and 1.5 years old and they think it is tones of fun to act as my "dumbells" I get them to sit on my feet so I can do leg lifts and basically use them like little medicine balls. I turn the music on and we work out! They think it is the best fun. Then we have a dance party. There are so many easy ways to get moving without having to devote your life to the gym.

EccentricDad · October 2012

I really want to get In shape... Help!

Start by getting more sleep and STOP trying to be superwoman. A real person isn't divided that many directions. Cortisol is a major weight gain hormone (it's the stress hormone) and not getting 8 hours of sleep per night is going to keep your body fat on your body and cause food cravings. Just focus on sleeping and eliminating things you don't need (like a social life if your focus is on being successful or like your job if your focus is being healthy). Trying to do too many things at once is the #1 cause of anxiety disorders and weight gain IMO.

kdiamond · October 2012

A thought - if you're a nanny, any chance you can spend some time outdoors walking the children? Don't worry about the gym...just try to fit in as much as you can when you can.

Also, diet is 80% of it!! So watch your diet most importantly!

eve7166 · October 2012

If you've got your eating under control so that you have enough of a calorie deficit to lose weight, i would just focus on strength.

You could do this three times a week, and it would only take about 10-15 minutes:

- 3 sets pushups
- 3 sets of overhead press with dumbbells with squat.
- 3 sets of crunches

I totally agree with this! Also maybe on the weekends or the days you dont go to school you can go for a walk/run outside. Im not sure where you go to school but some have gyms you can go to maybe you can use it on the days you dont go to class or the weekends. GL!

Brookeharlander · October 2012

These are awesome tips! Thank you all! We go to lots of story times, so I'm going to try to work more walls and running around activities. That will probably be great for both of us especially during this fall weather! Thanks again for the feedback!

ajro0610 · October 2012

In order to lose weight you must do two things:

1. Consume less calories than you burn
2. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

These are two simple things that you HAVE to do. While the 8 hours is not concrete for everyone, you do need to let your body rest. Stress will cause you to hang onto and even gain weight.

If you truly want to lose weight, you will make these things a priority.

A very intelligent woman once told me that life is like a pie. You only have so many pieces of pie to make up 100%. If you decide what the IMPORTANT things in life are then you will have enough room for the important things. The others you need to cut out. Hope that makes sense. Honesty with yourself is the best policy if you want results :-)

Nix143 · October 2012

I'd second the getting as active as you can with the squiddlywinks - how old are they? If pre schoolers then running round the park will give you a burn. And if it's a baby maybe you could use the lil fella as an impromptu weight and haul him/throw him around a bit - try not to work out to exhaustion tho

And sleep. Your schedule sounds horrendous if I'm being honest, kudos to you, how long do you have to maintain that amount of work? Is there an end in sight? Because I'd be amazed if you could keep that up indefinitely. Hoping you can cram some more sleep in there somewhere because it really will make a heck of a difference. But I understand sometimes life gives us circumstances where we've just got to roll with it.

Good luck to you x

SideSteel · October 2012

Hello all,

So i recognize that in order to get in the shape i want to be in, i should probably be hitting the gym everyday

You actually don't need to hit the gym everyday. You could probably sufficiently retain LBM on 2 to 3 full body workouts per week if done correctly. Diet will take care of the calorie deficit and it sounds like your lifestyle is very active so you shouldn't have much issue creating an energy demand.

and eating healthy. I have gotten the healthy eating bit down and i typically am able to stay within my calorie goal. However, i am a full time nanny, part time retail associate and i go to school full time. Therefore, i have no time for the gym.

Now here's where I keep it real and I don't mean this to be rude.

At some point, exercise and fitness will become more important than whatever else it is that is currently occupying your time. "I don't have time" means "It's not important enough to me to make time".

If a single mother with multiple children and multiple jobs can find a way to make the time to exercise, I have no doubt that you can find a way yourself. I'm not saying this to insult you.

Now, keep in mind: For a while at least, you could do fine on bodyweight exercises at home. However, depending on your fitness goals you may be best off getting a gym membership.

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jetscreaminagain · October 2012

I really want to get In shape... Help!

Start by getting more sleep and STOP trying to be superwoman. A real person isn't divided that many directions. Cortisol is a major weight gain hormone (it's the stress hormone) and not getting 8 hours of sleep per night is going to keep your body fat on your body and cause food cravings. Just focus on sleeping and eliminating things you don't need (like a social life if your focus is on being successful or like your job if your focus is being healthy). Trying to do too many things at once is the #1 cause of anxiety disorders and weight gain IMO.

Great advice. I hope that guy that was posting so much asking for help and then explaining that he couldn't possibly exercise regularly because of how busy he is and how he is responsible for so many people in his household will read this and take it to heart!

oh. wait...

OP, you've gotten some good advice. It is clearly sometimes easier to say than to do. But try to take care of yourself and find joy in what you choose to do. Take time to relax as well. Good luck.

19611982 · October 2012

Hi'

try the walk dvd at home it only take about 20 minutes to do a mile. The one I use is Walk away the pounds by Leslie Sanaone. I hope that help you.

zentha1384 · October 2012

I'm with you on the work out, but one thing that is helping gear me towards the mindset is this

http://epicweightlossjourney.com/2012/09/28/you-are-not-too-busy-to-workout/

also if you have ten min here or there the 10 min solution work out are pretty good

Brookeharlander · October 2012

Wow! You guys have a lot to say! I appreciate all the comments. Reality is that i work as i do because i need to pay for college. In order to continue to be on the deans list and be successful in work i sacrifice sleep. There is an end to this after i graduate, however i don't have a social life to give up, besides is that realistic. Some of you have given very positive feedback that is much appreciated... Others i would say should just keep their negativity to themselves, but then again there's that first amendment thingy.

so anyways... Thank you again to everyone and i will start working on incorporating more activity AND sleep into my daily routine that isnt so routine. Lol and see how it goes. Good luck to everyone on their journey and STAY POSITIVE. Just remember that properly worded reality checks can be a good thing, but otherwise they can be counter productive.

P.s. I wish i was still a teen **** was way easier back then. Adulthood sucks!!

magj0y · October 2012

Hello all,

So i recognize that in order to get in the shape i want to be in, i should probably be hitting the gym everyday and eating healthy. I have gotten the healthy eating bit down and i typically am able to stay within my calorie goal. However, i am a full time nanny, part time retail associate and i go to school full time. Therefore, i have no time for the gym. Whenever i have a moment of free time i am usually exhausted and working out is the last thing i want to do. I am already only sleeping an average of 5 hours a night in order to fit in all my homework, responsibilities, etc.

I really want to get In shape, and i am looking for any advice on what i could maybe eat, or do... Something!!! Help!

Thanks for any feedback!

-Brooke

With regards to sleeping, have you thought about taking a few hours of work off twice a month to get in some much needed sleep.**for a block of sleep, not 1/2 here or there, but for a whole 8 hours of sleep, especially right before finals.
A 20 min. cat nap can also be refreshing and clear your head.

I also second the extra activity with the kids and a quick cardio between classes can get things going again. walking briskly to each class can really make a difference!

neohdiver · October 2012

However, i am a full time nanny, part time retail associate and i go to school full time. Therefore, i have no time for the gym. Whenever i have a moment of free time i am usually exhausted and working out is the last thing i want to do. I am already only sleeping an average of 5 hours a night in order to fit in all my homework, responsibilities, etc.

I really want to get In shape, and i am looking for any advice on what i could maybe eat, or do... Something!!! Help!

I've been where you are. Same story, different details.

What I did was a mental trick to coerce myself into working out. I figured I take a shower every other day. So if I found a gym near where I worked, went there on the days I had to shower anyway, so all I was adding into my schedule was the actual time exercising. I've now been swimming a mile three times a week for two years. I expected to feel more pressed for time - but I actually feel less - it was a pain for 4 months. I literally forced myself to keep my bargain with myself. But after that I started noticing how much better I felt, and even though nothing else had changed I felt as if I had more time rather than missing the hour I had used exercising 3x a week.

Time is not on my side...

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