Moms - When do you find the time?

Right now I'm on maternity leave, so I work out when my 2 year old naps and put my newborn in his swing. Before I got pregnant with #2, I woke up around 5:30am to workout before work, and I'm thinking that'll be the only time I have when I go back to work too.

I am 38 yrs old almost 39 this year, and a mom of 3 awesome active boys (7, 5 yo. twins). Both my husband and I compete for early morning workouts because we both work full time M-F(9-5). I usually go from M-F 5-6am and he goes from 6:10- 7:15am. Right now, I am struggling because one hour isn't enough time to burn extra calories to reduce the extra 10 lbs I found during the holidays. I also started to notice my hormones are off:( I hate to think I am getting older but I do have to acknowledge it's happening and had to switch up my routine up. Things that I am doing differently is getting to the gym 20 min earlier(4:40 ugh!), started a compounded testosterone cream a month ago(has increased libido and some muscle tone) been consistent w vitamins and B-12 meyer's cocktail injections and staying away from pasta's, dairy and grains because it makes me bloat. Most of all just eating organic and clean. So far I have been feeling great and my relationship w my husband has gone from a 8+ to a 10++. I always have to keep a training goal ahead of me so I signed our family up for a Spartan Run April 5! Wish me luck! I know I am in my prime and hope to have another 40+ healthy years ahead.

I am a mom of 3 kids, 3, 7, and 9... I also work full time 8hrs mon-fri... and plus 30min commute on top.... I will sometimes wake up at 5:30am and get it done before the kids wake up and if not its about 9pm after mom/wife duties are done and the kids are in bed...sometimes earlier... BUT I tried going to the gym and just doesnt work... Ive been doing at home videos usually 30mins to an hour depending on tiredness... YOu can do it...some days it doesnt get done...and it is what it is but just try your best push yourself

I have 3 young boys, one is a baby. I'm only working part time now, but there are 2 things that make working out possible for me.

1) we own a treadmill which makes running much more likely to happen.
2) I've started doing body weight exercises from "you are your own gym", at home with free weights


Both these can be paused and I don't have to go anywhere to workout. I can manage 30 minutes just about any day.
I do look forward to a time when I will have the time/childcare to goto the gym and get into some more intense weight training, but for now this works well enough.

I am a single mom of 3 working both a full time and a part time job. My first year I onlyt worked out from home, either using a dance or exercise game on my Xbox or a 20-30 minute workout on youtube. There are lots of 20-30 minute workouts to be found and you might want to check out Fitness Blender or BeFit channel. Personally I was more consistent doing my workouts in the evening rather than getting up early, but find whatever is easiest for you to stick to. I planned for 6 workouts/week and usually got in at least five. Some days I really didn't feel like working out but would always tell myself I could last for 20 minutes and was always glad I did. I was often interrupted by the kids, but just hit pause and then kept going. Once the kids got accustomed to me working out they didn't interrupt as often and sometimes joined in.

Don't neglect to include resistance training in your exercise routine because you want to keep as much muscle mass as possible which will mean more of the weight you lose will be fat, which is what you want. I didn't have access to a gym or money for exercise equipment so I got a book on bodyweight strength training and did three 20-30 minute bodyweight strength workouts/week. I used Body By You, which is like You Are Your Own Gym but tailored to women and has easy progressions. Nia Shanks also has a good program called Beautiful Badass.There are also good bodyweight strength programs to be found online for free, I think nerdfitness.com has one that is fairly popular. I started at the easiest level on almost everything but by the end of six months I could do full squats and floor pushups. Don't let your starting level bother you, just keep looking forward.

Most importantly, I counted calories and stayed at a deficit. I didn't lose very fast, but it was consistent and over time it really does add up.

Now I have access to a gym and lift weights 3x/week and I love it but most of my progress was at home with no gym and no equipment.

I've FINALLY found a morning routine that works for me. I've found that having me time first thing in the morning, which includes quiet coffee and devotional time, then workout is the ONLY time that always works out. On weekdays, its getting up at 5:00am, because I have to be out the door by 7:15. I spend 30-45 minutes doing either a dumbell workout or a REFITrev workout with dvd or youtube. There are tons of workouts online that you can do from home. Everything imaginable and FREE.

On week days I have to get up at 4:30 and start my workout no later than 5:00 because I have to be out of the door with my 2 girls by no later than 7:15 also. It took some getting used to but I'm usually up before my alarm goes off now. I use the Turbo Fire DVD's plus we just bought a treadmill. I've also just signed up for a membership at the gym and I do Zumba 2-3 times a week. When hubby is home for his 21 days he keeps the kids so I can go but when he's gone for his 21 day hitch I have to bring them with me....good think the gym has a membership. I also don't let myself talk me out of a workout. It used to be a big issue with me but I just can't let that happen anymore. Losing this 50 lbs is just too important.

Either go the the gym in the evenings once my husband is home. Im usually back within an hr. They can and will survive without me. LOL. Or I get up early like around 5 to workout before the day gets started. I prefer getting up earlier because it gives me a fresh start and makes me feel energized.

I am not a parent, but is there a chance you can play with your kids? Run around, play tag, shoot hoops...

It takes patience, teamwork & dedication. Work with your husband and come up with a schedule. My wife and I have 3 kids, a 4 year old son, & 18 month B/G twins. My wife is usually awake at 4ish in the morning so she goes to the gym when it opens at 5. She also tries to go at lunch. There are also times when she goes with a friend right after work, but it depends on my schedule. I go right after work on days when I have spin class, then days when I don't, I go after the twins are in bed (so I can help feed & bathe and such).

It's not easy, but work with your husband and see if there is some agreement you can stick to & still meet requirements. & like others said, you have to make the time.