You don't say how old your son is, but since he's doing homework I'm guessing over 5. Could some of your play time be "exercise" time as well? Dancing, running around, jumping, ... maybe go for a walk? If he doesn't want to participate, maybe while he plays on his own you could be doing something? If you're on a 2nd floor apt maybe you could be going up and down the stairs (walking and/or running) while your son plays? Sometimes you gotta get super creative.

As far as food there are some nights where I do make separate things for me and my daughter, but other times I either plan so that I have enough calories to have the same thing as her or like last night she made do with what I was having. I made sure to include her favorite veggie so that she wasn't "bored" with the other stuff (chicken and rice). Always a good idea to teach the kiddos healthy eating too (as much as possible anyway).

Any chance you could go to the YMCA right from work? Is there someone who could watch your son for just a little while longer? That's what I do currently. My daughter stays at the sitters for a little big longer while I work out (I'm fortunate, we have a gym where I work so I don't have to go far to work out) then I pick her up and we head home for dinner. Our evenings are pretty tight timewise, but so far it seems to be working out for us. Of course, I don't yet have homework to contend with...

Or, could you get up early and do some working out? Low impact, of course so your neighbor doesn't complain.

Anyway, hope some of these suggestions can help you. Feel free to send a friend request if you'd like the additional support. :-)

Definitely understand the time constraint thing. I get home at 6:30 and kiddo's bedtime is 8:30... Talk about a whirlwind!

As for exercise, it seems you could try and cut something else out of your schedule.... Make meals on the weekend? Have your child do homework before you pick him/her up? Make playtime exercise time? If none of that works for you, maybe just extend bed time a little bit?

Does child have a bike or a scooter? Extend that bedtime by 1/2 an hour, and go out right when you guys get home. Or go to the pool at the Y. Or put your child in day care at the Y ( whatever is easier for you).

Dinners at my house are never " catered". That is WAY too much work for me. lol. If he does not like what is being served, he does not eat... ( that being said, since it is only the two of us, he gets to help plan most meals anyways, so there is always something he likes).

You don't find time, you make time. You can wait for some free time because it won't ever be there.

I agree with the other posts. I leave work everyday and head straight for the gym, but I make sure his homework is done before we leave my office. My son goes to the "kid zone" while I work out. We go at least 4 times a week (although I aim for 6). If the Y offers a daycare center, it might be worth checking out. We don't normally get home until after 6 and then his bed time is at 8:30.

When it comes to dinner, he helps me pick out what we are having so that when I put a healthy spin, he can not complain because he chose its components. If he really does not like what I made, then he knows where the sandwich stuff is and he can fend for himself, but he has to at least try what I make first.

I am so lucky now that my DD is a teen, I get up at 5am and go to the gym, am home by 6:30, then we get ready for work and school and it doesn't interfere with her at all. But I couldn't always do that!

I agree with the post above, you have to MAKE time, schedule it in and do it. Doesn't have to be every day, weekends and 2 days a week is a good start. If the weather is good, both of you go for a walk, kick a ball in the park, call it fun.

I know it's not easy, you have to make it work. Good luck!!

I am a single mom with a 1.5 year old and 4.5 year old. I take to the YMCA with me and they go into the childcare. I get off work at 4:30 change and get them. Then we go straight to the YMCA...and we play together for a while before they go into the nursery then I do an hour workout. We go home and have a dinner that I already made the Sunday before and just needs to be warmed up. It helps save on time. Then we read, do what chores we have and then bath and bed time. They see me being healthy now and they ask to go on walks or if I am doing a yoga video at home my oldest does it with me.

I kept telling myself I do not have the time...but I figure every pound off...is another day I get with them...bec if I do not make the time to get healthier I am not going to be around for them later in life.

The last few months I haven't really found the time. I can't remember the last time I worked out! I leave the house by 7:30, get 3 kids to two different schools and am in the office by 9am and don't get home til after 7pm. Then I want to spend time with my kids before they go to bed. After they are in bed, I usually eat dinner, get things ready for the next day and then to bed. My BF is there and helps out as much as he can, but he is usually out the door by 6am and gets home the same time as me. I am hoping my work schedule lets up soon so I can squeeze in workouts, but in the meantime I just have to adjust my diet to make up for it.

I am a single mom of 3, and I also am trying to take classes online. I am home all the time and I still can't seem to find time to workout. I used to try to wake up early but then someone would always wake up too. I gave up on that idea...was thinking of trying it again. Some days it seems like the effort to put in to finding the time to workout takes more energy than the workout. I have found that its just better to workout with the kids. If you have small children...sometimes you can find time during nap time...or after they go to bed. Another thing I have found helpful is to skip the gym. I was paying so much money for gym membership...not to mention the gym get crowded during the times the child care was available. I wasn't even getting the results I wanted by going the gym. I took that gym membership money and invested in some good workout ...weights...etc. I lost 30 pounds last year and I have been able to keep it off. You just have to sneak in the time where ever you can. It is hard!!! I am not even working right now and its hard for me...so I can imagine how hard it is for mothers who are working full time. Another thing that keeps me going is finding an online group for support. We are definitely handling a lot as single parents...having a support system is a must.

I do shorter workouts at home. I am also able to work out during lunchc at work and I get some possible workout time Tues/Thurs afternoon. I have to wake up at 4:30 AM just to get to work on time (drop off kid, put on uniform, etc.. military) so sometimes fatigue is a issue for me. A short little 15 min Yoga session will usually help wake me up which is a bonus. Watching my calories is a huge key though!

I am sort of "in between" the to cater or not parenting choice. I only make one thing. I have my kid eat some of it as long as it's not horrifying to him (I don't eat stuff I hate and don't feel like I should make him do so either) and then he can make his own dinner beyond that. I only have healthy foods so I know his own dinner isn't a bunch of crap. He's only 5, so it makes him self sufficent at least. I pack his lunches so I know what he's eating on a daily basis. So far it's worked out well. I'm not throwing away uneaten food, there are no battles, and he's still healthy. All of my meals are really simple as well, I am not slaving in the kitchen for 2 hours. Baked fish with a few spices topped on, microwaved vegi bags, sauteed whatever (precut and frozen but without added sauce), and sometimes a bagged meal. It helps that I can afford to buy the "no weird stuff added" versions of that stuff vs. Chip n Dale's bag of Chemicals. We eat out almost once a week as well. I've found local places where I can pick up (we dont' eat in very often, I can eat and study or whatever at home easier) and not consume a ton of calories.

I make my gym time an appointment on my calendar, this way I don't miss it. You can make your workout kid friendly! My son and I do trail walks/runs, ride bikes, dance, play basketball etc. There are days when I can only squeeze in 10 minutes of a workout but anything is better than nothing.