Getting workouts in with a toddler and long work week

Ps-if you like to watch TV that can be combined with exercise. Look into getting a rebounder aka mini-trampoline. They range in price from $20-800. (Literally, $800!!!) I have an Airzone brand, 48" that I use in the living room. It has bands, not springs, so not squeaky. Great for cardio and easy on the joints. Your son would probably get some fun out of it also.

The Airzone can be ordered from Walmart online - so if you get it and hate it, you can always return to Walmart. $40-50 depending on sales.

My only suggestion is to look at your "million" things and see if anything can be streamlined or made easier for you.
-Do you have any help?
-any shortcuts in cooking that you can take like using a slow cooker, precutting and freezing veg ready to go, prepackaging meals etc
-can you afford to hire a cleaner - even someone that just comes in for an hour or two to help you out

Working out during your lunch hour does not have to include a trip to the gym. You could walk for thirty minutes, not require a shower, and still have time to eat a sack lunch. Something is better than nothing. You can also incorporate more walking during your day by parking as far from the building as you can, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting up and walking to co-worker's desk for a quick verbal exchange instead of emailing, etc.

If getting up early in the morning to get a workout in is not easy, then you can start by just training yourself to wake up a bit earlier each morning (but not working out). Set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier than usual and get up to get a cup of coffee, telling yourself you don't have to work out. You can use that time, instead to reflect on your upcoming day. It will get you used to getting up a bit earlier. Give yourself permission to get up earlier, but not work out. Then, you can gradually start pushing that wake up time earlier, until you are used to getting up early and you feel invigorated by it, instead of groggy. At that point add a workout before you shower. (It helps if you keep a regular bedtime and start making that bedtime earlier to correspond with the earlier rising time.)

On the other hand, you can definitely work out in the evening. If you own a treadmill or some other home cardio equipment, then you could set up a stand with your laptop and surf the Internet while you use it. Or place a small TV nearby. Then you don't have to miss your shows and you can still work out. Or, if you don't own any exercise equipment, then start taking walks in the evening. Pack up your toddler in the stroller and take him or her along.

There is more than one way to skin a cat and there is more than one way to get some exercise in. Use your imagination. If you offer up an excuse for why something won't work, then figure out something that will. Where there is a will there is a way.

I feel for you on this. I like the above suggestions. Or would your son participate with you? I try workout when my toddler is napping or after she goes to bed, but since you work long days that's not as much of an option for you. I think that working out with him is better than not at all! Get play dumbbells and he'll probably follow along with you. Maybe cut your workout down to half an hour so you still have time to play as well? IT's all about finding something that works for you personally. Getting an under desk bike sounds smart as well.

Get a housekeeper. You will not regret it. Even just an hour or two once ever week or two will be a big help... I like to spend my time with my kids, my hubby, and running... not on doing chores. I usually am able to work out during my lunch break. That is really the only time I can squeeze it in. Can you leave work a week bit early and get a workout in before going home?

I get up at 4:45-5AM. It's hard at first, but once the habit is formed, it becomes second nature. You can pop in a DVD and work out at home or go for a quick 3 mile run around the neighborhood..

It's the only time I can get it done. I don't have the energy after work and that's really my family time anyways.

On the housekeeper bit try to find a teenager or poor college student to come and help. I did house cleaning as a teenager and in college in cash, so no taxes, for not much money.

Also, do you have to be working that much? What is more important, your health and family time or money? I'm not suggesting you completely stop working, I'm a working mom of a 3 year old with another on the way, but there may be ways to cut back.

Also on the working front, will your work let you stagger your hours? My boss allows me to do this. One day I take two hours off, and make up for it one hour two other days. I use those two hours to do errands or things around the house, because as much I love spending time with my little one I can get grocery shopping or chores done in half the time without her.

I don't think you are whining. This is actually a problem for many people.

My suggestion:

If you can't streamline any of your daily activities, don't work out.

You never have to run or lift weights or go to the gym if you eat a proper, well tracked diet..

You can lose weight with zero exercise.

I have 2 kids (age 1 and 4) and work 50 hours a week. I get up at 5AM and workout at home for about 30 min a day. I am a bit of a morning person, so I never hit snooze anyway. I just get up, get dressed, and get moving. Soon it will become habit. Good luck!