Working Out with Kids - Making it Work !

I just wanted to write about the most difficult part of parenting - figuring out how to juggle your time between yourself and your kids.

I have three of them: 4yrs old, 2.5yrs old and 9 months old. My time is almost non-existant... but I make it work.

After my second daughter was born I left my FT job and became a FT Stay-at-home Mom. It took me a little while to get into the swing of it, but before long I had it down to a science. I would spend my days action-packet, full of playing and physical activity both with the kids and my beloved p90x dvds. Then I got pregnant for my third daughter and was put on bed rest for the duration of the pregnancy. I would get sooo bored that I would still sneak over to the beach most days and relax in the sand, or just float around in the pool; but it wasn't the full out skating I would regularly do or biking, walking, jogging, running, etc. I thought I would resume things as normal.. but then, the week after I came home from the hospital with my brandnew daughter - just a few days after my husband had returned to work, he was laidoff. It changed everything. He spent the next 8 months looking for a job, interview after interview. He was qualified - has extensive education and over ten years experience in his field, just every time he would interview it would always be the same story, "Sorry Eddie, you really impressed us and we would love to have you join our company, but unfortunately we no longer have the funds to proceed with this project." It happened, literally fifteen times, probably more. Interviews became a nightmare rather than an exciting opportunity. I could tell he was completely stressed out, so I rewrote my own resume and re-entered the workforce. At first I worked as a paralegal, with a 90 minute each way commute.. but then I was laid off because I'm not Hispanic, not bi-lingual and apparently speaking English wasn't fullfilling their needs. I found another job, closer to my house, working as an Executive Assistant for a CEO. It was great until he found someone willing to do my job, with MORE hours, for literally HALF of the pay. (Not making it up, I seen the paperwork, sadly enough.) I was working as a Court Reporter until Eddie's former boss called him and offered him another positon within the company. He's returned to work FT as of Monday and now I am back home with the kids.

I love being home with my kids.

I'm just feeling slightly out of place. I haven't figured it all out yet, or gotten back into the swing of it.

I know I NEED to workout more, but... how? when?

Why am I feeling overwhelmed? I've done this before, all on my own.. why can't I just get it together?

Its only day 3, surely I will find my way and make it work. I'm just afraid to get into a BAD routine.

Monday I took the kids skating. I put all three of them in the double jogging stroller and skated down the beach for a total round trip of 9 miles. We stopped at the water park and also at a playground. It was fun, they had a good time and they're well-behaved. But, skating isn't enough exercise, I need something more intense. I will never get the results I want if I JUST skate.

I found a gym up the street, its just a 5 minute walk away and they're offering half-price membership right now. I have a free 3-day pass. I know this sounds foolish to spend money on a gym membership when I have my own full gym inside my house, but at home I don't have anyone to WATCH THE KIDS. And, the best part of this gym is that they include childcare in the membership.

I am hoping that taking classes at this gym will help keep me active and not feel discouraged. I can still skate, surf and all of the other things that I like to do, but hopefully this will help. It is my hope anyway.

So, what do all of you do to find the time to workout while juggling kids? I'm just looking for any ideas! Any reccomendations or anything you want to add!

Thanks for reading this, I've missed you all !
- Jayde