Finding Time

I look at it like this.... Even if you went to the gym EVERY day for an hour, you are still only spending 4% of your life there. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to find 4% of a day to get some "me-time" in. Especially since many gyms offer childcare. Maybe wake a little earlier if you gym is open, or skip some TV/computer time. Or heck, can you use your lunch breaks from work to go to the gym?

I have to exercise in the morning, otherwise I never have the energy anymore by the end of the day. I also get up at 4:30 am before my almost 1-yr-old and before my full time job to make time. It takes dedication, and I do wimp out some days, but I never regret it when I push through and just do it.

I see you taking the steps to get to your long-term goal. You have started incroporating working out at lunch time because that is time that is just your time. You have also incorporated eating healthier as well. Sometimes when we go all in right at the beginning it becomes too much and overwhelming. Now that you have started these positve steps it will be easier to add in an additional day of working out and that should be the goal, because it is easy to add in one day and then when you see you are being successful with the one day, add another. It is a journey and we have to make this fit and work into our life. You don't want to set yourself up to fail. Celebrate each milestone and make the gym a bonus that is just for you. Oh, also ask your family members to help with the chores, there is no reason why they can't.

Awesome! I'm in a fun workout group on Facebook. Everyone is so positive and supportive. We would love to have you join us! Send me a Facebook friend request if you're interested! (My FB link is Facebook.com/brad.lessman.1).

I also work full time and have two daughters 5 and 3. I switched to morning workouts toward the end of last year and it's had such a great impact on my life! Sure I have to go to bed a little earlier and get up at 4:15 but I get to the gym 5 days a week and rarely miss a workout. Plus I get to spend more time with the kiddos and overall feel less rushed at night because that's one less thing I'm trying to fit in. It definitely takes a few weeks to get used to but I love having it done for the day and it isn't affecting my husband or girls one bit other than having a healthier and happier wife and mom! I know getting up so early may seem crazy but I suggest giving it a try for a few weeks and seeing how it works out for you! Good luck to you!

Can you go to the gym before you go home in the evening? It would be hard for me to go home and then back out again.

If you arrange to meet a friend at the gym, it makes it hard to call and cancel.

Can you make easier meals that take less prep and cleanup so that you can get to the gym? Make big meals on the weekends and eat leftovers during the week.

Put on workout clothes when you get home and put your workout bag next to the door so that when you have time you can get out the door.

I go after my kids are in bed, usually 9-10pm. It sucks, but I do it.

First and foremost, exercise has to become something that is just a part of who you are and what you do...it has to cease to be something "extra" in your life...it has to just be a part of your life. When that happens, you'll find it a lot easier to make the time for it vs trying to find the time. Time is illusive and trying to find time is a passive endeavor...making time is proactive.

There are a few things you need to remember though...getting a good workout in doesn't take hours and hours and hours...and you don't necessarily need a gym...so you may want to re-evaluate that element if you're having difficulty actually working the gym in. I lift weights in the gym, but much of my exercise is actually done outside of the gym.

You're going to have to sit down and devise a schedule that works for you and your family...and you'll need to stick to it. Personally, I can't be off to the gym every night of the week...I go and lift 2x during the work week after I get off work...that's it...then I hit it again on a Saturday. I use the gym primarily for weight training and I do full body lifting so 3x weekly works out fine and again...it ends up only being 2 nights during the work week. My Saturdays are usually a couple hours long as I'll do a lifting session and then cross train with some cardio...and in the summer we may all go and use the pool on a Sunday or something.

Gym selection is also important...I chose my gym because it has a lot of family friendly features, including a family membership. They have a drop off child care for ages 6 months to 5 years and then a separate child care area with ping pong tables, a study area, t.v. etc for 5 years to 12 years that is also supervised. We also get family membership discounts on swim lessons and other classes and many of them are free like the "Daddy and Me Gym Time" on Sunday mornings with my almost 4 y.o.

Of course, the more stuff, the more it's going to cost...I feel that our's (Jewish Community Center) is a good value at $93 per month for the whole family...it is far cheaper than the Sports and Wellness Center we were looking at with similar amenities. You may definitely want to look into a community center rather than your prototypical gym.

At any rate, a lot of things must be considered and planned out...it's not easy, but it is doable.

don't find time... make time!

I have two children also, and it is hard to find time!! They are in sports and piano and between pick ups and drops offs, homework, games, dinner, and working full time, I don't have the time! So I had to make time like everyone else who posted. My kids are number 1, so I get up before they are awake and exercise from 4:45 - 5:45. It's hard, but I'm happy once I've done it. Good luck!!!!!

ALL of us have 24 hours in the day.

I found that it also helps to make time/make fitness a priority when you find an activity that you like doing. I only stuck to running for years, but found other things that motivate me enough to get up in the morning before everyone else in my house is awake.