Getting Organized (single parents/college students)

I can't wait to read responses either !

I'm in school full time, have an almost 4 year old son, a husband with a disability, etc. All those things that make us "too busy" too.

I plan meals a month at a time. I pre-cook and freeze as much as I can so I only have to add something small (if at all) to things. I bake pounds of chicken at one time and do individual packages so they are easy to grab and thaw.

I make a schedule. I put my son to bed, then I exercise for 30 min 5-6 nights a week at home in my own basement. Then I spent 2-3 hours on my homework several nights a week. I'm in school to be an RN and I currently have 4 classes (three online, one on campus). I find if I don't schedule my exercise into my daily routine like I would school, or other appts I skip it. I have no choice but to DO it if it's in my calendar.

If I can I change my exercise time so my son is with me and he does routines with me and thinks it's a blast. Getting the kid(s) involved helps!

It comes down to a choice. Rarely do people truly not have the time do do what they need to.

First I think you need to realize that the weight loss thing can't be all or nothing - we all get extremely stressed with different things and we get off track, so I know it's tough when things creep up and you don't log your food for a day or two or you can't exercise, but what's important is that you do what you can when you can. What's most important is you keeping yourself well and your daughter well.

How much sleep are you getting? That should be number one on your list... even if you don't have a ton of free time, sleep and rest are crucial to not only feeling great but losing weight, as well.

Next - for me, figuring out my priorities helped me lose the weight. I did a lot of research on food and where it comes from and what I'm actually putting in to my body. That combined with being an active college student did the trick for about 22 pounds, though lately I've kind of been plateauing, but I feel great and that's what matters. I would recommend taking a day and figuring out how you spend your time. You sound like you're really in a tough situation - working that much, providing for a daughter, AND doing classes online... I'm busy but not THAT busy and definitely don't have that much responsibility. I make lists. I make to do lists, I make lists about my goals, I make lists of what homework I have, appointments to schedule... it needs to be set out more logically otherwise my emotions often overwhelm me. I also have learned to say 'no' to doing certain things. Now it seems that you probably can't do that... you have a lot of high priority stuff to attend to 24/7, which is a vicious cycle. Eating well and living well takes a lot of time and attention, and though it SHOULD be a high priority, it gets pushed back because you're concerned with actually getting the money to pay for eating and living well... it would happen to me too if I were in that situation, I'm sure. Yay capitalism...

What you must try and do is what you can. If you have the energy, go for a walk or a quick jog if you've got 15 minutes. If you have bad options for breakfast, perhaps try just eating half a portion of something, slowly, so you savor it and you fill up. Drink a lot of water... maybe invest in a filter pitcher if you don't have filtered water that comes out of your fridge.

What kind of budget are you on? I'm not a single mom, but I am a very fortunate college student, fortunate enough to have gotten scholarships as well as having no siblings and parents who really saved up to help me out with tuition. There are healthy alternatives to the cheap crap, but it is a little more pricey depending on what you buy, no doubt about it. Buy seasonal veggies and fruit if you can... it will be cheaper. Also try buying in bulk - if you have a Costco or something around... if you go there often enough its definitely worth it. They have greek yogurt in bulk, fruit and veg, all that stuff... the catch is just that you have to get a lot at one time.

As far as exercise, I budget my time so that I can get my work done, or most of it, the night before and wake up early to run or go to the gym or do Tai Chi or whatever for an hour tops (at least for now an hour tops, on weekends I can do a bit more if I need to or want to). I don't want to go overboard, but I like to get in that time to exercise because I feel good and I can clear my head. I highly suggest running - though shoes can be pricey, it's a pretty cheap thing to take up. It's hard at first, but it really does get easier with time. All you really need for winter is a pair of leggings, some warm socks, your workout shirt and possibly just a fleece or sweatshirt to keep warmish, gloves/ear protection if it gets really bitter cold... investing in a good pair of shoes and/or thermal leggings goes a long way if you keep up with it. You can find good stuff online for pretty cheap... I got a pair of motion control shoes for less than 60$ when they originally went for 80$. It's not much, but it's something.

I'm not sure whether or not that helped... but feel free to add me as a friend.. I often post stuff about my life on my blog so maybe you can gather a pointer from there? I wish you the best of luck.

Hi everyone, well I am one of those single parents that has 2 full time jobs and a 3 1/2 yr old. My ex lives in another state as well and so I only get a break every 3 to 4 months. I live on my own and sometimes bills, housework, planning for the next day plus all of my studying and research seems over whelming at best.

But I do balance it by going through my apt once a month and anything I dont need, touched or wore in the last 6 months goes into a donation box for charity or consignment. The less clutter you have the less pressure you will feel, freeing up your mind to put yourself 1st. I do a little cleaning everyday.....like on Mondays I do vacuuming, Tuesdays the bathroom, Sat is laundry day, etc.....So everything stays well clean since it is just the 2 of us. I know my daughter is young but I put her in "charge" of certain details and she feels a sense of accomplishment and the pocket change I give her makes her feel that what she does is valued everytime she hears the jinggling of the coins going into her piggy bank.

Having a visual calendar on a wall helps scheduling as well so that both me and my daughter can see where we need to be each day and makes planning the week easier. As for meals I make a big pot of spaghetti sauce loaded with veggi's and I roast a chicken for the week, I do quick meals like chicken wraps, english muffin pizzas or I throw chicken in the crock pot and usually i can make 2 or 3 dinners out of everything. Plus once a week I take my daughter to Subway for dinner. It is way healthier that McDonalds or any other fast food dive out there.

Try not to over focus things. Just do the best you can for that day! Each day will have its own anxiety and by you worrying about the next day before it has come.......it doesnt really add anything to your life, it just takes away your valuable time and energy! Remember that you are human and being a woman in particular we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. Take one day at a time and remember that it is ok if something doesnt get done.......the world will not self destruct if laundry doesnt get done and put away!

These are just a few things that I do on a daily basis to help get me through! I hope I didnt type everyone's ear off......hahaha

~ L

:ohwell: I have this problem too!

I don't have any advice for you, as my kids are young and nap daily still and I'm a stay at home mom (though my DH is gone right now, military). I just wanted to say you CAN do this!! Don't give up!