How do other working mom's do it...find time?
jess_9981
Posts: 42 Member
Hello, my name is Jess. I'm looking for other working mom's so we can motivate each other. I'm struggling over here and I really want to lose around 15 lbs. by Sept./Oct. I have a 9 year old and a 5 month old. My husband helps out a lot at home, and I still find myself struggling to find time to exercise. MOM'S LET HELP EACH OTHER OUT!
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Replies
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With a baby that small, I would think it would be difficult. I'm not saying impossible but I know that I was still getting up in the middle of the night when my daughter was 5 months so you likely have the added issue of lack of sleep. She is 8 yo now though so I can exercise while she does something else and I can easily get up early in the morning to exercise before she's up. What really helps, though, is to take a few minutes each Sunday to see what's on the agenda for the week and then plan my exercise around it. If my husband is off on Friday, that means I can go to the gym that morning before work. If my daughter has dance on Wednesday, I know that's 30 minutes when I can take a walk. Finding bits and pieces of time here and there and planning ahead to take advantage of those bits and pieces is really key to fitting in exercise.0
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My daily schedule(M-F)
4:30 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Feed baby
5:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. Get hubby's lunch ready(heat up,coffee,etc.)
5:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Shower, get last min. things ready(try to do the day before), get dressed, etc.
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - Drop kids off with sitter
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - While I'm at work, I try to do lil walks. I walk up/down stairs for 10 mins. during lunch break, or take a walk....only got 30 mins. I can't always be away from my desk, so I wait til lunch.
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Pick up kids
5:50 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. - Swimming lessons - will finish soon
6:50 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Head home
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Cook, eat, bath lil one, clean, etc.
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Put kids to sleep
9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Try to get last min. stuff ready for next day
10:00 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. - Try to get some sleep
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With a baby that small, I would think it would be difficult. I'm not saying impossible but I know that I was still getting up in the middle of the night when my daughter was 5 months so you likely have the added issue of lack of sleep. She is 8 yo now though so I can exercise while she does something else and I can easily get up early in the morning to exercise before she's up. What really helps, though, is to take a few minutes each Sunday to see what's on the agenda for the week and then plan my exercise around it. If my husband is off on Friday, that means I can go to the gym that morning before work. If my daughter has dance on Wednesday, I know that's 30 minutes when I can take a walk. Finding bits and pieces of time here and there and planning ahead to take advantage of those bits and pieces is really key to fitting in exercise.
Thank you so much......yes, I need to find bits and pieces of time!
Yes, she was sleeping through the night, but lately she's been waking up at 1:00 and 3:00 a.m.
I feel a lil over whelmed with my son being in swimming lessons too, but I decided I'm going to take a 2-4 week break(He's in his 2nd session, ends next week) before he starts his 3rd one. I guess I could ask if I could push the stroller around the pool......LOL! Wonder if they allow me to? I should be able to squeeze in some work outs then.
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Its definitely tough! I have a daughter and I work full time. I usually can't get more than 30min in. I do workout videos. We are usually home by 6. I prepare meals ahead of time on the weekends so we heat up left overs during the week which is quick. I usually workout from 7-730 and my husband works out from 730-8 and we switch off watching out daughter. Its working but there are weeks where I Amy only work out once or twice. If there is not a lot of time to exercise then make sure you are counting your calories. You can still lose the weight!0
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Why is it taking an hour to get the kids into bed? Especially if that doesn't include bath time for the baby?
What are your husband's working hours and what is he doing during the evenings?0 -
When I had little kids, I took classes and night and did dvds at home. I also had a bike. Later I went to the gym during my lunch break. Now they're bigger and I'm used to getting up early so I go in the mornings.0
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Why is it taking an hour to get the kids into bed? Especially if that doesn't include bath time for the baby?
What are your husband's working hours and what is he doing during the evenings?
It takes an hour bc thats when I feed the baby(10-15), burp(another 15), etc., then im on my sons butt to have him shower and other stuff. My husband's hours vary.....he always help when he can.
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Its definitely tough! I have a daughter and I work full time. I usually can't get more than 30min in. I do workout videos. We are usually home by 6. I prepare meals ahead of time on the weekends so we heat up left overs during the week which is quick. I usually workout from 7-730 and my husband works out from 730-8 and we switch off watching out daughter. Its working but there are weeks where I Amy only work out once or twice. If there is not a lot of time to exercise then make sure you are counting your calories. You can still lose the weight!
I guess we need to start preparing ouf meals ahead of time. We usually cook enough to take left overs(pack at night) and pull out meat for next day. But really preparinv on Sunday, is a good idea. Thank u!0 -
A colleague of mine said she finds time when she can. She knows she wants to get it done each day so she figures it out and goes with the flow. She has three kids (2, 5, 8). She does Piyo at home whenever she can fit it in.
I have a one yr old. I really don't want to wake up earlier then I already have to. I started to make some freezer meals/crock pot meals to make dinner go by faster. So just this week, I started walking with my LO after work. So far it seems to work.
Also, there are tons of 10 minute workout videos on youtube that you can use and try to do 3 a day at various times.
I'm still trying to figure out which resource will work best with my schedule and personality. There are also other folks that rely on the babysitter at their local gym too.0 -
Hello, my name is Jess. I'm looking for other working mom's so we can motivate each other. I'm struggling over here and I really want to lose around 15 lbs. by Sept./Oct. I have a 9 year old and a 5 month old. My husband helps out a lot at home, and I still find myself struggling to find time to exercise. MOM'S LET HELP EACH OTHER OUT!
keep in mind that weight management is largely about your diet, not what exercise you are doing. exercise is great for fitness and your overall health and well being and you should try to get it in when you can...but losing weight, maintaining weight, and even gaining weight (that is some people's goal) happens in the kitchen.
I cycle about 80 miles per week and lift weights a few nights per week and do a bit of hiking and swimming. I've lost weight doing all this stuff, maintained weight doing all this stuff, and deliberately gained weight doing all of this stuff...the difference between the three weight management goals wasn't the exercise, it was my diet.
keep your diet in check first and foremost and exercise where you can...diet for weight management, fitness for the sake of fitness.0 -
I've got a 6 year old, 4 year old and 13 month old. I've been back at work since April and I'm finding it much harder now. We can take a year for maternity leave in England, which is great. My husband does shift work so it was easy to fit my gym sessions round that while I wasn't at work.
I work 3 days a week. I get to work before 8, and on a Mon I leave around 3:30 (I'm a teacher) but Tues and Wed we have meetings after work so I'm stuck there until 5. On my husband's early shift week it's fine as he collects our eldest from school, and I collect our daughters from nursery after work, then I can exercise later on. I usually do a circuits class at 7:30pm on a Wed. On my days off it's no problem as I wait until hubby is home, or I use the gym crèche.
When hubby is on late shift I usually do a PT session at my gym on a Mon at 4pm. It's a rush though as I rush from work, then after PT I collect my son from after school club, then go to nursery for my daughters. Then when we're home I have to get dinner, bath them, do bedtime etc. Tues and Wed I can't exercise at all as I have to collect my kids by 6pm. Thurs and Fri are my days off so I exercise in the mornings.
The hardest thing is my eating. While I was on maternity leave it was so easy, but if I'm not home until 5:45pm and I'm on my own with 3 kids I don't have much time, so I usually resort to quick cook pasta or even ready meals, which I used to hate. I also have to try to remember to prepare something healthy for work the next day.
We finish for the Summer holidays on July 22nd and I can't wait
. This is when I love being a teacher lol. 0 -
I work 10~12hr days 6days a week, come home and cook, clean and go to the gym. So it can be done. You just need to prioritize.
Ser yourself up with a routine, like get up thirty mins early each day or go to bed thirty mins later in order to make time for yourself. You could even find a gym with childcare so you can bring the kids with you. I brought my son until he was 10yrs old every day .0 -
I have a little boy who's getting ready to turn 3. I get up early to work out before I shower and get ready for work (around 5:00 a.m.). My son didn't consistently sleep through the night until he was about 14 months old, so my workouts were very sporadic before that point. Now I try to get up at least 4 days a week to work out for 25 minutes (T25 is great for me). While at work, I try to go up to the third floor to use the restroom, walk around the office, etc.
It feels like I never really have enough time for everything, so I've been trying to prepare or cook meals on the weekends that can be re-heated during the week. That's a big time saver for us.0 -
Do you have a gym near your place of work? I just go during my lunch. It is the only way I can fit it into my day.0
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I have a 4-year old and 18-month old. I go to the gym when they're in bed or get up and go before everyone wakes up. For me, it's about making it a priority. That said, I think it's harder when you have an infant. In those days, I think it's just trying to get in walks with the stroller and sneaking in 10 minutes here and there. And don't forget that your diet is way more influential in terms of losing weight. Good luck!0
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Thank you so much. I try to sneak in what i can at work...since it's hard for me at home........AbsoluteTara79 wrote: »I have a 4-year old and 18-month old. I go to the gym when they're in bed or get up and go before everyone wakes up. For me, it's about making it a priority. That said, I think it's harder when you have an infant. In those days, I think it's just trying to get in walks with the stroller and sneaking in 10 minutes here and there. And don't forget that your diet is way more influential in terms of losing weight. Good luck!
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Good morning.....yes I have one by both. I only get 30 mins for lunch and it's not possible. The one by my house opens at 8........i gotta be at work by 8. I'm going to start planning some gym time soon. This is the last week to my son's 2nd Session of swimming lessons. I'm taking a break before he starts his 3rd. Kids before me......need to make time for me.powerpuffgirl66 wrote: »Do you have a gym near your place of work? I just go during my lunch. It is the only way I can fit it into my day.
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my kids grew up in a gym. great environment to live grow learn be healthy0
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I do little stuff at work too......park farther, take the longer way to go to another office, etc. But I want to work out, work out......SWEAT! I'm gonna get it, I just need a lil more time to get it together. But I'm going to!AnitaCRice wrote: »I have a little boy who's getting ready to turn 3. I get up early to work out before I shower and get ready for work (around 5:00 a.m.). My son didn't consistently sleep through the night until he was about 14 months old, so my workouts were very sporadic before that point. Now I try to get up at least 4 days a week to work out for 25 minutes (T25 is great for me). While at work, I try to go up to the third floor to use the restroom, walk around the office, etc.
It feels like I never really have enough time for everything, so I've been trying to prepare or cook meals on the weekends that can be re-heated during the week. That's a big time saver for us.
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I know it can be done.....it's just new to me.....having a new baby, etc. Prioritizing is one of the problems.....I need to do that. THanks!thorsmom01 wrote: »I work 10~12hr days 6days a week, come home and cook, clean and go to the gym. So it can be done. You just need to prioritize.
Ser yourself up with a routine, like get up thirty mins early each day or go to bed thirty mins later in order to make time for yourself. You could even find a gym with childcare so you can bring the kids with you. I brought my son until he was 10yrs old every day .
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Yes, I also find time when I can. When I'm MIA at work, my boss sends out the hound dogs.......LOL!
10 min. workouts, gotta look up. Great idea!
Thank you.A colleague of mine said she finds time when she can. She knows she wants to get it done each day so she figures it out and goes with the flow. She has three kids (2, 5, 8). She does Piyo at home whenever she can fit it in.
I have a one yr old. I really don't want to wake up earlier then I already have to. I started to make some freezer meals/crock pot meals to make dinner go by faster. So just this week, I started walking with my LO after work. So far it seems to work.
Also, there are tons of 10 minute workout videos on youtube that you can use and try to do 3 a day at various times.
I'm still trying to figure out which resource will work best with my schedule and personality. There are also other folks that rely on the babysitter at their local gym too.
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That is another problem as well..........my diet. I'm trying to stay within my calorie count.......I did better this week than last, I hope it's even better next week.
Thank you wolfman!cwolfman13 wrote: »Hello, my name is Jess. I'm looking for other working mom's so we can motivate each other. I'm struggling over here and I really want to lose around 15 lbs. by Sept./Oct. I have a 9 year old and a 5 month old. My husband helps out a lot at home, and I still find myself struggling to find time to exercise. MOM'S LET HELP EACH OTHER OUT!
keep in mind that weight management is largely about your diet, not what exercise you are doing. exercise is great for fitness and your overall health and well being and you should try to get it in when you can...but losing weight, maintaining weight, and even gaining weight (that is some people's goal) happens in the kitchen.
I cycle about 80 miles per week and lift weights a few nights per week and do a bit of hiking and swimming. I've lost weight doing all this stuff, maintained weight doing all this stuff, and deliberately gained weight doing all of this stuff...the difference between the three weight management goals wasn't the exercise, it was my diet.
keep your diet in check first and foremost and exercise where you can...diet for weight management, fitness for the sake of fitness.
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Let me start off by saying..........I wish I was off for the summer............YOU'RE SO LUCKY!
You stay pretty busy as well. I need to come up with a routine that works with our schedules.
Have a great summer!DawnieB1977 wrote: »I've got a 6 year old, 4 year old and 13 month old. I've been back at work since April and I'm finding it much harder now. We can take a year for maternity leave in England, which is great. My husband does shift work so it was easy to fit my gym sessions round that while I wasn't at work.
I work 3 days a week. I get to work before 8, and on a Mon I leave around 3:30 (I'm a teacher) but Tues and Wed we have meetings after work so I'm stuck there until 5. On my husband's early shift week it's fine as he collects our eldest from school, and I collect our daughters from nursery after work, then I can exercise later on. I usually do a circuits class at 7:30pm on a Wed. On my days off it's no problem as I wait until hubby is home, or I use the gym crèche.
When hubby is on late shift I usually do a PT session at my gym on a Mon at 4pm. It's a rush though as I rush from work, then after PT I collect my son from after school club, then go to nursery for my daughters. Then when we're home I have to get dinner, bath them, do bedtime etc. Tues and Wed I can't exercise at all as I have to collect my kids by 6pm. Thurs and Fri are my days off so I exercise in the mornings.
The hardest thing is my eating. While I was on maternity leave it was so easy, but if I'm not home until 5:45pm and I'm on my own with 3 kids I don't have much time, so I usually resort to quick cook pasta or even ready meals, which I used to hate. I also have to try to remember to prepare something healthy for work the next day.
We finish for the Summer holidays on July 22nd and I can't wait. This is when I love being a teacher lol.
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Thanks to each and every one of you that replied to my post. You'll gave me some wonderful advice. I wrote this bc I wanted to know how other working mom's do it......it's tough, but I know it can be done....
Working mom's please add me, because I need the support!
Thanks again!0 -
My daily schedule(M-F)
4:30 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Feed baby
5:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. Get hubby's lunch ready(heat up,coffee,etc.)
5:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Shower, get last min. things ready(try to do the day before), get dressed, etc.
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. - Drop kids off with sitter
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - While I'm at work, I try to do lil walks. I walk up/down stairs for 10 mins. during lunch break, or take a walk....only got 30 mins. I can't always be away from my desk, so I wait til lunch.
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Pick up kids
5:50 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. - Swimming lessons - will finish soon
6:50 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Head home
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Cook, eat, bath lil one, clean, etc.
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Put kids to sleep
9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Try to get last min. stuff ready for next day
10:00 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. - Try to get some sleep
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Cook, eat, bath lil one, clean, etc.
Maybe if you and your husband switch everyother day with this task u can get an hour exercise in before you put the kiddos to bed..0 -
or half hour, just while he cooks.. so you can eat as a family still0
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Its tough, but I just have to workout before work. 5am comes early, but once its over I feel so much better physically and mentally. Just remember weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Focus on sticking to your calorie daily goals and you will still lose even if you cant get a workout in every day.0
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set up the coffee at night, so that way in the morning all you have to do is press a button, and even less if you have an automatic coffee pot.
do a lot of bulk cooking and preparing. throw in 2-3 lbs of chicken breast and some seasoning and you have shredded chicken for multiple meals. i tend to cook in bulk a lot and every so often we can go a week without actually having to cook a meal.
same can be done with breakfasts and lunches. there are ways to save yourself time. and if you can find ways to save yourself some time in the morning, you can have that time from 5am to 730am to get your workout in.0 -
My wife and I trade off mornings and nights. She gets up at 4 to do TRX and goes to work from 7-3:30. I have the morning routine with the kids and work 8-5, then I workout after and get home around 7-8. She picks up the kids after work and we take care of business (swimming, gymnastics, etc.), then we team up getting them ready for bed.
Our kids are 7, 5, and 1. The older kids are now taking care of themselves for the most part (we trust but verify) and have chores to help out. We just increased responsibilities for the older kids and have them helping out more every month. You have a 9 year old - how are they helping out?0 -
I'm fortunate that my gym does have daycare service and I feel okay leaving my son there for an hour or so, but his dad is always there for us so I tend to drop him with his dad after work so I can get my workout in then hustle home and cook, eat, clean up, bath and bedtime... its hard. I have help and its hard...
It took a few months for me, I felt really guilty spending an hour every day on myself. After I started feeling my weight loss, and found classes that I enjoy it was more fun. I didn't spend the whole hour thinking about my child and how I wasn't with him... I started thinking about what MORE I'll be able to do with him now that I am happier and more healthy.0
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