Working moms w/ preschoolers

think48 · November 2010

I need some ways to work in some exercise. I have two kids, 2 and a half years and 11 months. I work full days. I get up at 5am to get their food ready, shower, get dressed, etc. I get them up at 6:45 to get them dressed, drop them off at preschool at 7:30, in the office at 8. Leave the office at 5, pick up the kids, get home at 6, cook dinner, eat at 7, bathe the kids at 7:30, bedtimes at 8 and 8:30, and my first break comes at 9. At that point, my husband and I like to catch up on our days and honestly, I'm plum exhausted from the day and can't find time to do any worthy exercise. I had been going to the gym at 4/4:30 for a while, but that absolutely whipped me and I was so tired and lacking sleep that it kept me from losing weight.

I guess I said preschool aged kids too, b/c they can't do anything for themselves at this age. EVERYTHING must be done for them, which takes up so much time. I wouldn't trade it for the world...but I need to figure out a way to work it all in.

:sad: It's just my pity party.

I need some support. Thanks! :flowerforyou:

ladybug1620 · November 2010

I am in the exact same boat. I did great for about a month, waking up an hour earlier than usual. But I got so burned out and tired that I quit. I keep telling myself I need to do it at night as soon as the kids go to sleep but at that point I just want to sit down for a minute and relax. I also tell myself if I wanted it bad enough then I would MAKE time, and wake up to work out or do it at night. So I guess I don't want it bad enough.

Amanda421 · November 2010

I have a two year old and a seven month old and my schedule is very similar to yours. I have an hour for lunch so I try to walk brisklly for 30 min. as many days as possible.

Jennplus2 · November 2010

I need some ways to work in some exercise. I have two kids, 2 and a half years and 11 months. I work full days. I get up at 5am to get their food ready, shower, get dressed, etc. I get them up at 6:45 to get them dressed, drop them off at preschool at 7:30, in the office at 8. Leave the office at 5, pick up the kids, get home at 6, cook dinner, eat at 7, bathe the kids at 7:30, bedtimes at 8 and 8:30, and my first break comes at 9. At that point, my husband and I like to catch up on our days and honestly, I'm plum exhausted from the day and can't find time to do any worthy exercise. I had been going to the gym at 4/4:30 for a while, but that absolutely whipped me and I was so tired and lacking sleep that it kept me from losing weight.

I guess I said preschool aged kids too, b/c they can't do anything for themselves at this age. EVERYTHING must be done for them, which takes up so much time. I wouldn't trade it for the world...but I need to figure out a way to work it all in.

:sad: It's just my pity party.

I need some support. Thanks! :flowerforyou:

This is my life, other than the kids ages (mine are 3 and 5) and the husband part. It is hard, but I try to think of cleaning and playing with the kids as some exercise. I also try to walk during my lunch break, then I eat at my desk while I am working. I find it hard to keep on schedule, and dinner always makes bed time late. Glad it is not just me!
:flowerforyou:

caribeals · November 2010

i totally understand where you are coming from!! what i have to do to get some work out time is incorporate it in my "chores". like if i am folding clothes, i will do squats. while im cooking, loading dish washer etc, i dance around in the kitchen. i do pushups against the shower walls while conditioning my hair. i have a 2 story house, so if i need to go upstairs, i sprint up and down the stairs as fast as i can. every little bit eventually adds up.

:flowerforyou:

shannonkk · November 2010

a few things you could do, ask hubby to cook a few nights a week, then you could do a workout video or ride a machine you might have at home or take the kids in a double stroller for a walk or jog. You could also pre make a few meals or maker more on one night and eat left overs the next night and work out when you would normally be cooking. You could go for a walk on your three breaks at work or do the stairs. I have four kids ages 7 months, 2, 9 and 14, my hubby cooks so I can work out, or I take the double stroller for a walk, I also ride the elliptical while watching my favorite shows on the weekends and at work I sometimes walk my first 15 min break, 15 of my lunch and my last 15 min break.

RedHotRunner · November 2010

When my daughter was younger, I'd walk 2-3 miles on my lunch break. I'm fortunate enough to have a lovely track close to work. It really helped me jumpstart my weight loss.

Now that she's older and can tend to herself in the morning, I get up early and run.

Harris_C · November 2010

I'm in the same boat as you. I guess that's why the Biggest Loser show works so well...they get to take a vacation from life and ONLY worry about losing weight.

joshtina · November 2010

We have kids about the same age! I have a 3 year old and a 15month old. The only thing that I find works for me is to walk over my lunch hour. But, my place of work has walking trails and provides hallways for us to walk. I struggle with excersize too!! I try to excersize at least 3x a week so I don't feel so overwhelmed. I do notice that I feel great about myself after I do it. Good luck.

think48 · November 2010

Thank you everyone. Sometimes I wish I could clone "me" just so I have a workout partner who has the exact same schedule and desires as me, lol.

I will try to go to the gym during lunch, it's not too far away. I have done that on occasion. I have been using my lunch breaks as kid-free errand running lately and have been out every day for lunch doing that. I just bring a salad and eat at my desk when I get back. Maybe I need to figure out if the exercise or the errands are more important!

Ditto about the statement of if I really want it. I'm only about 10 pounds overweight, so it is very hard to push through it. I keep thinking "I'm okay...why am I stressing" but I know I'd be so much happier if I didn't have so many bulges.

briteyes · November 2010

shall we start our own group on here? i could've practically written your post word for word, except I have a 2 yr old and a 6 yr old. but my schedule is almost identical to yours! fitting in workout time is tough! it seriously takes a total will to just do it because i know it is good for me and i need it.

i try to run or walk on my lunch break, i don't know if you have that option. i only get a 30 min lunch, but if i did that everyday, i know it would be better than nothing. i also set my daily activity to sedentary, so by being up and around all evening w/ the kids, cooking and cleaning, i bet I burn more calories than I realize, but I don't log them. I do log my weekly house cleaning though... that's 2 hrs of nonstop cleaning!

i also try a few times a week to get on the treadclimber or do a workout video after my 2 yr old goes to bed. hubby and the 6 yr old hang out during that time.

however, i've been off the wagon for a couple weeks now. i was doing great, and got sick, and have not been able to get back to it.... gonna try again tonight.

Working moms w/ preschoolers

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