Finding the time to exercise.. Single Mum works Full time

2»

Replies

  • r5wr
    r5wr Posts: 203 Member
    I'm not a mom but I'm a full time college student who works full time as well. I'm doing the 30 day shred. It's about 25 mins, you do it at home and its intense with great results. You should look into it, its perfect for the busy bee with still getting results. Search it in the forums here , especially the success stories, and be amazed!. Oh and a lot of moms has told me their little ones enjoy doing it with them, they find it fun so that's an option too :)
  • LittleMiss_WillLoseIt
    LittleMiss_WillLoseIt Posts: 1,373 Member
    I'm a single mom to two young crazy boys, I work full time with a bunch of preschoolers and I make time to work out. Yes sometimes I can't make it to the gym so we go for walks or I do some form or workout in my apartment. If you are committed you will MAKE time. Stop making excuses and get on it.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Either skip the TV time or workout while you watch TV I usually will put a workout video on my laptop and put that in front of the TV and do the video while I watch TV.

    This!

    I've done my one workout video enough times I have it memorized so I made myself a strength training prgoram that I do while watching TV, best part is, if I absolutely positively MUST stop mid-workout, I can and I can just pick it back up after a minute or two, not the end of the world. When I run on the treadmill in the morning, well, I am NOT stopping mid-workout unless it is an emergency!

    Agreed! I do exercise while looking at my TV programs. It works. Like others have said, if you are determined, you will figure something out. Where there's a will, there's a way.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I'm a single mom to two young crazy boys, I work full time with a bunch of preschoolers and I make time to work out. Yes sometimes I can't make it to the gym so we go for walks or I do some form or workout in my apartment. If you are committed you will MAKE time. Stop making excuses and get on it.

    ^ What she said. Absolutely. You have the ability to take control of the situation. Enough with the excuses. You can make it work if you want to.

    Aside from LittleMiss - I have several other single parents - both women and men on my MFP FL. Some with 2 or more kids - and they are still able to log, eat a bit healthier, and get in their workouts .

    Probably because they understand that excuses are just excuses and that what they are doing isn't just a "hobby" they are trying to fit into their day.

    It is a lifestyle change. They also know that this lifestyle change will trickle down to their kids and as they learn new, good habits - so are their children.
  • gorgeousness999
    gorgeousness999 Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks all - you know what, that was supportive and also a reality check - kick up the but* that I needed. The excuses part is TRUE. I am going to get creative. The thing is, I've never thought doing a dvd at home actually works - but sounds like it is working for lots of you. Its so much easier in the summer as me and lil one (age 8) are very active and go out together alot - either on walks, bikes or run around the park. He likes being my "coach" :-) but its winter time and we kinda hybernate once we are home from work and school. But ok, thanks for the motivation, I will try it............... watch this space :-) xx
  • NattieJoan
    NattieJoan Posts: 72
    You take your child on a bike ride or swimming, fun exercise you guys can do together (:
  • littlecrystal
    littlecrystal Posts: 110 Member
    Not exactly replying to the thread, but I am FT working mum with two small kids, I have a husband but the main duties are on my shoulders.
    I found that giving up sleep for exercising does not work for me – lack of sleep makes me a zombie, a very hungry zombie indeed. As a consequence it is much more difficult to control my hunger. I’d rather sleep longer and have less calories to eat.
    When the weather will be a bit nicer, my plan is to go jogging for 15-30 mins after husband comes back from work, in early evening.
    But no sacrificing my precious sleep in any case.
  • joybedford
    joybedford Posts: 1,680 Member
    If I am working in the day i workout after the kids have gone to bed. i have a home gym so this is easier for me. i am not a single parent but my husband is not the most supportive so i do everything for the kids, homework, bath bed etc. Sometimes I really don,t want to go in the gym after getting them to bed but I push myself and feel Ok once I have started.
  • nachodman
    nachodman Posts: 29 Member
    The suggestions for working out during your time wiht the tele are great! I must also agree that when something is important, really important, WE MAKE TIME. Take work for example, we may not like the hours, the work itself, but we go! Why? We have to and it's IMPORTANT! Well, while work may put a roof over one's head and clothes on their back and food on the table, exercise will allow you to enjoy the years you have on this earth. Dr. Stephen Covey advises that we should 'schedule our priorities,NOT prioritize our schedule."
    I have to say I admire anyone who can work full time, raise children alone (without a spouse) and still finds the time to set the example for their children to live a healthy life. The one thing to consider too is that your child will grow up and learn from what you do with him/her as well. So why not engage the little one in some activity? A walk together in the park? A workout video together? Just some suggestions...my son sees me bike and wants to as well, when the weather is warm we swim laps and make it a competetion...All the best of luck, keep your head up and stay the course.
  • BroiledNotFried
    BroiledNotFried Posts: 446 Member
    Is it mandatory that you sit down? I know someone who "HAD" to stand up for her job because she had a bad back. She had her desk altered to bar height, a stool, but stood up most of the time. sHe was a tax accountant and was able to get more & better work completed becuase her blood was flowing.
  • FitCowgirl8
    FitCowgirl8 Posts: 175 Member
    I am a single mom to a 3 year old and I also work full time at a desk, am a 4-H leader, and a drill team director. I completely understand how hard it is to find time. I used to be the same way. I was always too worn out to stick with an exercise routine once my daughter was in bed and trying to get up in the morning to work out cut into the little bit of sleep I already get (up at 4:30 already just to get to work on time). I spent years making excuses that I couldn't find the time but last November I decided that this was something I needed to do for me so now I treat exercise as I do any other meeting or commitment. It is in my planner to work out from 3:30 to 4:30 right after I get off work before I pick up my daughter from daycare. This way there are no more excuses and I have found I have actually been able to stick with this schedule much better than the other times that I had tried. There are still days that I miss due to my busy life but I think that happens no matter when you exercise. One other thing I do while I am at work is have my computer set to print at the printer 3 floors up from my office so every time I need to print something I have to walk stairs to go get it :)

Categories