I'm not making excuses but I need help!

A lot of people on here seem to be self centered. If you'd rather spend time at the gym than with your kids, I think you need to think about why you became a parent. If I have to delegate everything for my kids to someone else, why bother having kids at all? And to those of you suggesting that she have the older ones take on responsibility for the younger one, bad idea. I was a product of a single parent of 3. We had to take care of my younger sibling ALL the time. Kids will maybe resent her. I didn't have a life or many friends because my mom adopted this kind of attitude. At 12 years old, I was responsible for getting him up, dressed, breakfast and to school. I had to quit sports because I had to take him to school and pick him up. As for making her kids wake up on their own, most of the time I'm still waking up my kids because they didn't hear the alarm. Even when they are doing things for themselves I still have to stop what I am doing to answer questions or help them with something. i was once told I was lazy (by a trainer at the gym). Anyone who knows me knows I am not lazy by any means. On days I do go to the gym I force myself up at 4.50am and at the gym by 5.10am. Home by 7am and my day starts. I don't drive so I have to walk every where (gym, groceries etc.) that takes up a lot of time. Like I said even though kids can do things for themselves, you're still checking to make sure it's done. My kids do help out and I still can't get in the exercise I need. To the person who said for her to drop her kids activities until they help out: really? You think threatening them will work? I think too many people have adopted the "me" mentality and it's the reason kids today are the way they are. I think her post was just to give you an idea of what a day is like for her. I think she's doing a great job. And even if she can't get in the exercise, at least she's eating healthy. You guys are suppose to be motivating and supportive, not judgmental and rude.

And before anyone says anything, I did work until my younger ones were born. Full time and took care of the household plus spent quality time with my kids. My kids do have chores, not as much as most kids do. And only because I would rather my kids have a life and be kids than to take up the slack or be responsible for other kids I chose to have. And no my kids are not spoiled brats. They are very independant and self-reliant.

I would have your older son pack the lunches while you're getting the younger one in bed and have everyone set out their own clothes/gear before bed. Then you can exercise from 5-6 and then get ready at 6.

Jillian Michaels' Thirty Day Shred is only 20 min long. You could get up 45 min earlier or go to bed 45 min later and try that. Her workouts are free on Youtube.

Also, see if your kids can hitch rides with friends to cheerleading and soccer a few days a week, to give you a break once in a while. You're going to develop ulcers, or the urge to drown yourself if you keep pushing yourself at that rate with no respite.

I am in your boat. I have 3 kids as well. Between work, picking and dropping them off at school, making sure they get their homework done, and all the other stuff that comes along with Mom duties, I find time to run about 20-25 miles a week, usually 4 times a week and then I try to do some sort of strength training 2 times a week using the Free Nike Training Club App or a Jillian Michaels dvd.

You have to be able to make yourself a priority! Even if it is just 30 minutes per day, you deserve time to take care of yourself.
In the summer, I get up at 5:30am some days to get my runs in. On the weekends, I get up at 6-6:30 and get my runs in.


That all being said, I have a really supportive hubby that doesnt mind hanging out at home with the kiddos while I run outdoors. If you start making yourself a priority, things will follow suit....Good Luck!!!

You get up a full hour before you wake your kids - is that an hour where you're could squeeze in a fitness dvD.? I only ask because like you I have very full days and I get myself ready in minutes ! But. I am not exactly the most well- groomed woman I know!

I also think that with the schedule you have you are pretty active - if you're eating we'll you are probalbly doing enough...

Old thread is old.

12 and 13 ought to be able to pack their own lunches.

what about weekends?

***6am - wake up oldest son
6:30am - pack lunches for self and kids, gather sports uniforms for after school practices***

This block right here can be entirely eliminated. Your oldest are definitely old enough to get themselves up, and it's not going to kill them to make sure the youngest gets out of bed. They are old enough to gather their own uniforms, and they are old enough to make their own lunches. If you don't want them to assume responsibility for the youngest's lunch, pack it the night before while you make dinner.

***4:30pm - rush home to fix dinner***

You don't mention picking the kids up. I'm guessing that means the kids get themselves home. Take a weekend and teach them to cook. The two oldest can alternate days. Give them a menu and a recipe. If they gripe, tell them how much you appreciate your help so that you can take care of yourself as much as you are taking care of them. If they continue to gripe, let them know that sacrificing your own health is not an option, so they can choose making dinner or their activities. If only your daughter is home, she can make dinners, and your son can get a different chore. He can also make his meals on the weekends and freeze them.

***8Pm - shower the youngest and get him into bed***

Do your workouts while he is in the shower. I've seen it recommended to break your heart pumping exercises up into 10 minute chunks throughout the day if you have to. Lift, do yoga or pilates, jumping jacks, whatever you like.

***9:45pm - finally able to take work clothes and shoes off before passing out***

Take off your work clothes some other time, like between 4:30-5:00 when your kids are making dinner. If they don't want to be seen with you, they are free to stay home.

I would also say don't sacrifice sleep for exercise. Be more active on the weekends and do what you can on the weekdays.

If you feel too guilty about asking your kids to take responsibility, check out loveandlogic.com

If you still feel too guilty, remind yourself that if you teach your kids that you aren't worth taking care of, they will either treat their partners that way or themselves that way.

In your situation, I would either try and do a little something on your lunch hour, but MOSTLY I would focus on having the cleanest eating possible. Diet is 90% of our health IMO anyway. I personally would NOT try to work out by missing additional sleep or if I was too stressed. I feel that can do more harm than good.

I know there are a million replies but they almost all sound centered around adding exercise in somewhere, making more time for it. I didn't read every one though so maybe this has already been suggested but one option could be to add in exercise while you're doing things....

*****Blow dry your hair in the morning? Great, add in some squats or calf raises while you're standing there. Or while you're brushing your teeth. Not advisable while applying makeup though

*****While you're making lunches or dinner, add in some bicep curls with the gallon of milk or a soup can or whatever you pick up.

*****Sit all day at work? If you're on the phone frequently maybe try simply standing up to talk, or with a headset you could possibly walk around your office a bit. Also maintaining good posture will engage your core muscles.

Good luck. And really, don't stress too much because it's obvious your children are very important to you and they grow fast. In a few years you'll have more time.

Haven't read all the replies.

But to the people saying "get up earlier", there's quite a bit of research showing that being too short on sleep will hinder weight loss. It can also cause other issues.

Try squeezing in bits of exercise. Does the travel take all the time between 6:45 and 8 pm? Could you walk around the building? I would expect places where you do gymnastics and cheerleading to have good floors for walking around or even jogging the perimeter. March in place any time you can... while brushing your teeth, cooking, making lunches, etc.

Twelve and Thirteen year olds are old enough to make their own lunches, and it's good for kids that age to start learning how to do some household chores. For a relatively cheap price they'd probably also be willing to make lunch for the 6 year old. At first that's more work for you, but it should eventually make your household run more smoothly and prepare them to function effectively as they get older. At twelve when I was growing up we were expected to make our own lunch everyday, to cook dinner for the whole family at least once a week, to help out with laundry and many other basic household chores. Twelve and thirteen year olds can also look after a six year old for some time so you can exercise, even if it's at home instead of going to a gym.

While it's nice to have the luxury of being able to go to a gym for a solid chunk of time, small bits of exercise add up. It addition to things like marching in place while doing other things, I'm sure you've heard many other ways to "sneak" in exercise into regular daily activities. Things like park farther away and walk across the lot to the store, school or work, take the stairs instead of an elevator, walk during lunch, get up frequently to walk down to the coffee station, bathroom or a colleague's desk. Use an exercise tape for 10 minutes at a time multiple times during the day. Even 5 minutes of push-ups or lunges is quite a bit when you first start.

You will need to get creative, but you can do it!

Your 2 oldest can help you around the house and the youngest. It seems that you do everything by yourlsef, I think that will wear you out. Working out gives you a moment by yourself to clear your head. Take 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there throughout the day.

not sure if you're still looking for answers or not (this thread looks pretty old) but your 12 and 13 year old should be able to get themselves ready in the morning. my parents made my siblings and I wake ourselves up and get ready by ourselves when we were 10-11