Moms - When do you find the time?

Mother of 2, work fulltime...

I pick them up when I get done with work and we go straight to the gym (usually 3-4 times/week) or I go for a short run and hit the gym after they go to bed. On the weekends, I go for a run early Saturday morning.

During their baseball season, we usually have practice every night, so I'll go after I get them settled into bed. If it's been a rough day, I'll take a rest day without the guilt. But, working out makes me feel better so I do everything I can to fit it into my schedule.

I am 40, two kids (11 & 6), full time job (from home but I have to work 7:30 - 5:00 so its not as flexible as others are) and my husband works overnights (7:30 pm - 8:30 am). I admire those that get up in the morning -- but I just can't -- total night owl.

**I do get a 45 minute lunch so I try to fit in a 30DS workout over lunch. You tube has lots of workouts that fit into your schedule. It's nice that if its 9:00 at night and i haven't gotten to a class or the gym, I can find a workout and do it in my living room after both kids are in bed.
**My husband gives me 1-2 evenings at the gym by taking care of the kids by himself (buy in from him has been the main thing this time around...he's willing to take my son to saxophone lessons or basketball practice etc)
**If I need to go to the gym, I will wait until my 6 year old is in bed and then the 11 year old can babysit

Quite frankly, if you want to do it, you'll find a way and make time. If you don't, you won't.

All you need is 20 minutes a day - it doesn't even have to be consecutive.
Get up 20 minutes earlier (it's only 20 frickin minutes, don't whine about being tired just suck it up and do it, that 20 minutes sleep ain't gonna make a lick of difference), grab a jump rope and get jumping. Do some bodyweight exercises.
Walk in place while you watch TV.
Do jumping jacks and bodyweight exercises in the ad breaks.
Got stairs? run up them.

Regular exercise will make you feel *less* tired once your body gets used to it (a week, two tops). Lethargy breeds lethargy.

I don't work outside of the home but I do have four children, all involved in things after school, three at least a few nights each week. I also do the majority of the housework and cook 95% of all meals. I think it's just decidingto make it a priority. I would start with 30 minutes, either before you go to work, during your lunch hour if possible, or perhaps after dinner. You will find the time if you really want it. Sometimes while I'm cooking, I do squats, some yoga moves, and dancing, it all counts in the end. Get creative if you can't carve out a solid hour.

You just do. Chances are good that you have plenty of time to work out, but it's just an inconvenience. Pick a time of day and just start doing it. If that time of day doesn't work, at least you're not just putting it off and you have a starting point for figuring out a different time. You may have to shift things around, try various routines, but just get started. Even if it's going for a 30 minute walk, jog or run on your lunch hour on days when you can't do more, do something.

I'm a 37 yr old mother of 2 and I said the same thing a year ago. A brutally honest friend who would get up most mornings at 5am to fit her workout in told me when I asked how she did that every morning that when I wanted to do it and wanted to change, I'd do it. On the weekends I hit the gym 1st thing in the am before my mind can question what I'm doing. During the week I have a DVD set that I do right after the kids go to bed. Yes, I'm tired most nights and don't want to do it, but I make myself do it and feel so good afterwards. Make the plan and follow through!

I'm only a dad. I've got tons of time on my hands.
Really, I just choose to get up at 3:00 AM to work out because 6 hours of sleep a night is more than I really need.

Lock my kids in the closet with an Apple App. Yeah there is an app for that. No seriously, I joined a gym with a daycare. Also I told my husband if I don't get my "Me-time" He wont get his.

:laugh: I could have used that app once upon a time! I used to threaten to lock mine in a closet and keep the survivors. (They knew beyond any doubt I was not serious so please, no scolding about child abuse!)

Seriously, spouses have to understand that those precious few minutes may be what keeps the relationship going, physically and emotionally. Far too many do not have a clue what the other half goes through daily. I was really one of the fortunate ones. My husband does whatever it takes to make sure I can go to the gym. We no longer have kids at home (youngest is 18 and HS senior.) but when we did, he would swap off with me watching kids and gym time so we both got to workout.

I get up at 5:15 a.m., 4 days a week to be to work by 7:00 a.m. I refuse to get up any earlier to work out. I am lucky enough to have a gym at my work and supportive co-workers, so I walk 2 miles on the treadmill on my lunch hour. If I can't squeeze in anything at home, I at least know I did that much. I used to come home and do Jillian 30DS every night, but it just got too much. Now I just do level 3 two or three times a week right when I get home at 6:00 p.m. before I lose steam. I sit my kid in front of the TV, but it's only for a 20 min. DVD so I don't beat myself up about it. On days I don't work (Fri-Sun) I walk on my own treadmill and do the 30DS or a Kettleworx DVD at some point during the day.

Some days may be crazy and I only do a 30 minute walk, but it was more than I used to do. I'm proud I move a little each day, after years of being a couch potato. Take what time you can and make the most of it.

You ladies are so dedicated. I need to quit moaning and crack on.

Supermums

Bump

-Walk them to school (if possible). It's how I lost my weight, but I was in college then and had later hours.
-Wake up early and get it out of the way before they wake up. (Mine are old enough to be left alone for an hour while they sleep)
-Go somewhere to exercise with them after school or after dinner. (they can ride bikes while you run, they can walk while you walk, do a heart trail but go around twice because they'll torture you with trying every single station)
-Enlist their friends'/cousins' moms to go along with you so they can all hang out together.
-Wii fitness "games" and DVD's like Insanity
-Get someone to come over and watch them for an hour.
-Gym membership with child care.
-If your hours at work are flexible, make them work for you
-lunch break

It's more about making the time rather than finding the time.

I will workout when the kids are in bed, or even when they're up. They used to bother me or join in but the novelty has worn off and they just do their own stuff. Also weekends I will fit in a workout on one of the days.

I'm a single dad of three and a full time job. I make time after they r in bed. Like everyone says you have to make time and once its a routine its easier to follow. Trial and error is the only way your going to figure it out.

It is DEFINATELY a constant struggle. Id much rather sleep in and much rather hit the snooze up to the last minute I cant any longer BUT - id much rather be a positive role model for my daughter SO I get up an hour earlier during the week to get in a workout before leaving for work! This was the hardest part of it all but I have found that if i get it over first thing then I dont have to think about or try to talk myself out of doing it later in the day! Now that I have been doing it for 2.5 months now I actually wake up before my alarm!!!

I look forward to the days where I dont have to force myself to workout while kicking and screaming and actually enjoy It!!!!