Busy Mom needs help with how to make it all happen

I get up at 5:00 am. I first started out doing exercising 15 minutes in the morning. I have a Wii Fit but I also like the other sport games on it. If you can go to a second hand store or the local thrift store you will be surprised on how many exercise DVD you will find there as well as equipment (hand weights, bands and exercise ball) yoga mat. Most personal trainers will tell you it is the core that will keep you balanced. Try doing a plank every day. I started out I could only hold the plank position for less than a minute. Now I can do hold it for 5 minutes! It is the bay steps that lead to bigger and better steps. Just think of when you babies were learning to walk. They did not do it all at once. The first rocked on the hands and knees. Crawled then took their first steps. Now, I bet you cannot keep up with them... Make you goals manageable. I am going to walk in place for 5 minutes today. Then increase it each time. It may sound funny but all you got to do is move.

Diet is key. Keeping track on MFP is a must for me. Today I was hungry because I waited too long to have a snack. I thought about those peanut M & M’s but ended up with an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter. So I really had to make a choice. If you want to be friends let me know.

Single mom who works 50-60 hours/week here. No dad in the picture, or family nearby. Here's my advice:

Tell the whole family that you want to make your body healthier, and that means there may be changes in what you will eat, what kinds of foods you can have around the house, and changes in what you will do--and that you want their help to keep you "honest" and on track (there is NOTHING more motivating than the support and encouragement I am getting from my son).

Do each one of these things until it becomes a habit, and then add the next thing on the list. It's hard to make big changes all at once.

1. Cook healthier meals--the whole family will benefit. It doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. You don't have to put everyone "on a diet," either. Check out some cookbooks from the library to get some ideas, or seach on-line (or in the forums here).

2. Practice portion control and stick to your MFP nutritional goals. Take a multi-vitamin to make sure you're getting it all in.

3. Add activity in your normal daily activities (park far away from the door, use the stairs, you know the drill).

4. Exercise. 20 minutes a day is good to start. There were lots of great ideas in the earlier posts for DVDs, improvised weights, craigslist fitness equipment). I started out with EA Sports Active for the wii (20 minutes/day), and burned about 200 cals/day. My kid either exercises with me, or runs around me cheering "go mommy!" You don't need a gym, or any special gadget or programs--you just need to move and sweat. If your income is limited, most Y's have scholarship/financial aid AND on-site childcare...if you really DO prefer to work out in the gym.