Moms and Dads

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Replies

  • leanne0627
    leanne0627 Posts: 109 Member
    I think you and your family will do great! Your already off to a great start. Take it slow and just do what you can when you can.
  • clandrum1984
    clandrum1984 Posts: 94 Member
    @leanne0627: Thanks for the idea. We were playing Fruit Ninja last night. While it did not create a significant calorie burn for me, it was still fun and made me out of breath or a few minutes, plus gave my arms a workout! :smile:
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Hi All,
    I am looking for people to keep me motivated. I am a working mom, three kids (5, 3 and 5 months). I am away from the home from 6:30am-6:30pm (typically). After getting home and getting the kids settled in with baths, homework and things ready for the next day, I'm exhausted and don't much energy to do anything else.

    I love seeing people post on their feeds about their day and how they have done because it motivates me to do more. Please add me if you are going through the same thing or feel like you could maybe help me. :D

    Thanks in advance.. You guys rock!

    I am a mom to one 14 year old. I am a sahm and homeschool my kid. I hesitate to join threads or groups with a parent focus because it is a different lifestyle. My challenges are being around food all day, getting enough sleep and being very sedentary.
    I pre-log my food for the whole day- usually for the next day right before I go to bed or while I eat breakfast. That is really helpful for keeping me on track. I do meal planning and have dinners for the whole month planned out.
    I drink mostly water or unsweetened tea. I'd rather save my calories for food.
    I usually eat something low prep for breakfast like yogurt, granola bar, fruit, sandwich or cereal. Lunch is usually a sandwich or leftovers. I cook dinner almost every day.
    I try to exercise around 30 minutes a day. I don't go to a gym. I like workout videos off of you tube, walking, or some exercise dvd's. Dd will join me in playing some active video games like Just Dance or Walk It Out. If I am tired or stressed, a bit of exercise generally makes me feel better. Sometimes you just have to make yourself do it like brushing your teeth.

    I think watching your calories is the most important thing you can do.
  • fullofsmiles04
    fullofsmiles04 Posts: 158 Member
    edited January 2015
    Hi Everyone!
    I am a working mother of an incredible almost 9 month old little girl. I gained 45lbs during my pregnancy and although I have lost all of it, I still have more weight to lose and need to set an example for my daughter. I am more motivated than ever to continue losing weight to become the healthiest I've ever been. I am also looking for anyone who can help support me and help keep this motivation alive. I've been using MFP for quite a while, sometimes more regularly than others, but I am going to do my best to use my food and exercise dairies every day. If you think you'd like to be friends, feel free to send me a request!! :)
  • amber5151
    amber5151 Posts: 51 Member
    I have a 7 and 3 year old. I feel your pain, lol. I made the mistake of signing up for a gym (12 month contract) that didn't have childcare. (I had a live in babysitter at the time that got them ready for school/stayed home with my youngest, I no longer have that) In order for me to get to work on time I wake up at 5, get ready, wake the kids at 5:30, leave at 6:15, drop everyone off, get to work at 7, pick up at 4, go home and start dinner, my SO doesn't get home until around 7 so even though I would love to go to the gym at 4, I have no childcare. And during DVDs mine yell and "momma! momma! mom! mom! mom! mom!" me. So I am riding out the last few months of this wasted contract and just trying to get my steps in at work and go to the gym on the rare times that I can and really just controlling calories in. I know that once you get in the habit, it gets easier. In May I was waking up at 4 every morning to go to the gym, I need to get back into that habit.
  • Cindy_Walks
    Cindy_Walks Posts: 12 Member
    I am a mother of 4 yr old twins. One is very high energy and the other is ADHD in fricking outer space. I work full time, so I totally get that you are spent by the time you get those kids in bed. It really helps a lot if you can manage to squeeze your exercise into your work day. If nothing else - go for a couple of short walks. Make sure your lunches are healthy. Do you have a gym near your work? I know this is something that is really hard to get used to, but if you can get to a gym and do a quick 30 minute workout, you'll feel so much better. I decided that since I didn't have time to shower, that I would just stay away from co-workers in the afternoon - hehe. My health is more important. Get a walk buddy. I'm 50 years old and my walk buddy was a cute 24 yr old male. He never let me skip.
  • clandrum1984
    clandrum1984 Posts: 94 Member
    Hey All.

    @lounmoun: I feel you when it comes to being home. I ended up being home with my kids (off from work/school) from December 24th-today, January 5th and it was extremely hard for me to not just go pick up a snack whenever I was bored. I find that most of the time I eat when I am bored!

    @fullofsmiles04: congrats on losing the baby weight and good luck on losing the remaining weight that you want to lose! Definitely here to motivate if you would like.

    @amber7088: WOW, 4am wake up for the gym. not sure I could do that. Well I know I couldn't. I feel you when it comes to the "mommy, mom! mom! mom!, he hit me, she touched my stuff" (those are from my kids! :smile: I am starting to make it a group activity for them to do as well so they are involved and enjoy it as much as I do! We challenge each other.

    @Cindy_Walks: I actually have a gym attached to my building at work but the price of the membership is too much for me to afford right now so I am just working out at home. I am, although, starting classes at the university I work at so, technically, I am a student and can go to the student center to work out, since I pay for it with my tuition. May just have to hit up the student center! I am also looking into signing up for some aqua fitness classes. Wish me luck..

    Any of you who would like to add me, please feel free to do so! I'm sure we could all use a little extra support!
  • DiChic74
    DiChic74 Posts: 15 Member
    Hi! Day 1 back at MFP after a 2-year absence.

    I am a 40-yr old mom of 1 (5 years old) and work FT. I need to lose about 20 pounds (mostly leftover baby weight...can't believe it's been 5 years!!!!) but like so many others, my challenge is controlling food intake and finding time to work out. I LOATHE gyms - we actually have one in my building at work but I tried that last year and using machines/weights just bores me to tears and so I never stuck with it. I DO, however, love dancing/Jazzercise and was a regular class attendee before my son was born. Unfortunately, class times no longer jive with my family schedule so I can't make that work. We do have an ancient, manual treadmill at home in the garage that I want to try to use, but also seeking ways to fit in exercise at work. I've committed myself to taking the stairs instead of the elevator (I work on the 5th floor). Also hoping to get a group of coworkers to walk around the block 20-30 minutes after lunch.

    I do love to eat and I am a total variety seeker...so I quickly get bored with the same fruits, yogurt, granola bar snack options and salads for lunch. We have a nice cafeteria at work but I don't have a lot of info about the nutritional value of the food, so it will be easier for me to bring my own. Just need some help coming up with new and different ideas for lunch/snacks! My weakness is eating out at restaurants....love to do that too. I am committing myself to trying new, healthier options on the menus and staying away from fried foods altogether.

    Would love to stay in touch with other moms/dads finding it tough to fit in exercise and stay motivated! I need a lot of support and motivation and I'm happy to help others with that as well!
  • mummiecakes
    mummiecakes Posts: 28 Member
    Late to join the thread here, but I think I might fit...add me if you like. I am a mom to three kids and working two jobs right now. I have been away from mfp for a while, but coming back and hoping to be consistent. Right now, I need to figure out how to make exercise more consistent and get back to cleaner eating.
  • mamameg312
    mamameg312 Posts: 7 Member
    I'm back to MFP recently after a few months away. I did the food plan work and lost 30 lbs, but I didn't implement exercise. I'm convinced (admitting? LOL) that exercise is the missing link to my long term weight management success. I need to figure out a way to get it into my busy schedule. I have 2 kids at home, age 8 and 10, and I work 30 hours a week, plus run them around to all their stuff, and do my own volunteering.

    I think getting up early and getting it in first thing in the morning is going to have to be the way I do this.
  • clandrum1984
    clandrum1984 Posts: 94 Member
    Working from home today and I took my "lunch break" and did my 50 minute exercise DVD's while the babies were napping. I plan to ride the stationary bike this evening after the hubby gets home from work.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    edited January 2015
    I'm a mom of a three year old, pregnant with #2, a full-time student, and I work nights at my gym. I know busy! I make time to work out in the mornings, before my husband has to leave for work. Usually that means I'm up at 4am and in the gym by 4:30. It's not always fun, but I find I actually have MORE energy on those early morning workout days than days when I get to sleep in and take it slower. Go figure.
  • traci9028
    traci9028 Posts: 104 Member
    Hello. I don't have near the workload that you do but I have two children at home (16 years and 11 months), am doing classes online (between part time and full time) and have five dogs. I am still nursing a baby who won't sleep through the night, so that adds to less time. I would love to have a busy mom for a friend and try and help each other through busy days. My husband and daughter recently started packing their own lunches and not waking me in the morning. That's a huge relief but school is very stressful. I really like time to myself when everyone is gone or napping. I can get a lot done when my son watches his favorite programs on TV (plus I can tune those out, for some reason). DVD's that I have that I workout to are "The Biggest Loser" and "Latin Dancing." I don't always get through an entire one without interruptions but I can always hit pause.
  • silentKayak
    silentKayak Posts: 658 Member
    Not sure where you are in your progress or how much you have to lose, but with 3 kids and a fulltime job, you probably don't have much time for exercise.

    Focus on diet rather than exercise. Log what you eat, and try to stay below your maintenance level. It doesn't take more time to eat low-cal than high-cal, and you can absolutely lose weight that way even without exercise.

    For exercise, try to walk at least a little every day and see if you can do something more active on the weekends. Go hiking, take the kids swimming, or put the baby in the stroller and go running.

    Good luck, and be kind to yourself. You've got a lot going on right now. It does get easier.
  • silentKayak
    silentKayak Posts: 658 Member
    Also - I have some of the same foot problems (PF and pronation). I got good shoes and orthotic inserts, and I use a standing desk at work. Standing for most of the day has massively improved my foot issues (weird but true), as well as burning calories.
  • majess1022
    majess1022 Posts: 70 Member
    Hi all! OP, I'm also a mom of three, with a very similar schedule! And after baths and homework and bedtime, I am also popped out. I get the busy, busy demands.

    That is awesome that you getting time on the exercise bike! I wish I had something like that, but I worry that I will spend the money and not use it.

    I've been thinking about blocking out weekend time for family exercise, like a hike or something. Weekdays are crazy, but we've got more time to work with on weekends.


  • clandrum1984
    clandrum1984 Posts: 94 Member
    @zarckon: that is so weird that you just said that about the standing desk. my co-worker and I were just talking about standing desks. We were talking with my supervisor about a specific type that you can sit at or change to a standing type. I would love to be able to stand part of my day rather than sit 8-9 hours straight. Would you mind if I messaged you some more specific questions regarding low-cal and maintenance?
  • babyseal_24
    babyseal_24 Posts: 26 Member
    There's a Wii game series called Just Dance. It's super fun and it's an excellent workout. It would be an easy way to spend time with your family but still be active... and at home!
  • clandrum1984
    clandrum1984 Posts: 94 Member
    @babyseal_24: my kids and I were playing Just Dance Disney last night.. it was hilarious! We got 3 stars!! :smile:
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