Don't know how to incorporate exercise into my daily life

This might help as a family activity: during most of our growing-up years, we had no car. The whole bunch of us did everything on bicycles - laundry, grocery shopping, everything. It was like a duck lineup: our dad in front, usually with the current youngest child on his bike. Then all of us siblings in a row, brought up by our mom, guarding the rear. Since our father had an "interesting" sense of direction, we often saw parts of Brooklyn we never intended to, but it was always fun, it encouraged family unity, and, of course, it was exercise, though we never thought of it that way when we did it.

there is always the option of getting up earlier. it's hard but worth it once you get used to it.

and dvds or online videos that can be done whenever, like after the kids go to bed

or if the kids are in activities, do something then. walk, lift weights, etc. one of my yoga students comes to class while her daughter is in dance

Glad you found a way to incorporate more exercise into your very busy schedule! I wanted to add my two cents. XD

First of all, even 15 or 20 min of exercise is good. A lot of us (me, included) think that if we don't have an hour to workout, then why do it? It's something we (I) need to contend with. Also, the exercise we do is more important than the exercise we don't do. There are times when all we have is 10 min. If that's the case, then just do something, anything, for 10 min. It's definitely better than nothing.

I have a pool, so it's really easy to work in swimming and water workouts. I'm in there at least once a day, sometimes twice. I walk when I can and I dance around the house. That's it!

Do you watch TV? Stop. Turn on the radio and dance. Dance with your kids. Play fitness video games with your kids. Take walks together. Play music and dance a bit while you cook. Don't be afraid to look or be silly. Those will be fun memories for your kids someday.

Squeeze little bits in here and there. Park in the far back of parking lots and walk. Take the stairs. If it's 20 flights up, walk the first four and then catch the elevator.

Exercise is like romance. People who really want it find the time.

Your life looks a lot like mine. When I am not motivated all this gets in the way. When I am really focused on my health plan I find a way to do it. When it's my priority it's easier and I even feel upset when i don't manage to fit exercise. Ideally if you do it first thing in the morning. Honestly I often do it when everybody is sleeping in the evening around 10 11pm. Do it at home. I love Nike training club app for that but there's a ton of apps out there and fitness video on YouTube like fitness blender. More recently I tried to include my son in my exercise sessions. He loves hulk so I explains exercising will help him build big muscle and we do the videos together as a game. We challenge each other can you do this mommy? Like previous poster said take this opportunity to teach your kids a healthy way of life. Even in the swimming pool I like to do laps so now my 4y old races me I started to do the crawl and I take him when I go for a run. If you don't find time alone to do it include your child.

purplemystra wrote: »

After I started this post I joined the local YMCA. As a family we swim 3 times a week. I take a water Zumba class and water aerobics. When I can't swim I walk the treadmill or exercise bike. Thanks everyone for your help.

Great choice, not only does it give you a chance to work on your fitness it helps the kids develop healthy habits. Sounds like a win-win.

tomatoey wrote: »

blondeinnj wrote: »

Dont need to be rude tomatoey! I was merely making suggestions. Yea take advice from a blank profile.

How was I rude? Oh ok right you posted just before me. You weren't the only one saying that. I think it's not great for people who have trouble in the mornings, like the OP. Sleep really is important, for everything. And actually I'd say people who are shortchanging themselves that way for workouts, with e.g. 5-6 hours sleep a night, are doing themselves more harm than good in the long run, in all kinds of ways.

Lol re lack of picture, I have no need to put one up.

Getting home at 6 each night leaves plenty of time for sleep. Its about priorities and a schedule.

I go to the gym at 5 am to lift. I do my cardio at night after my son is in bed. I also have to take my son to school, work, get home, cook, clean, tend to 5 dogs, give my son a bath and put him to bed. My husband works retail and also has a second job he does from home so he is not able to help around the house as much as he used to. But I NEED to work out to feel better and have the energy to keep up. Sometimes the dishes or laundry piles up. That's ok though because the things I deem important (time with my fam and time for myself) always gets handled.

I used to feel guilty missing time with my family to spend on myself so I decided to do it around their schedule. It works for me. I hope you can find some time that works for you as well.

You could always go for a walk as a family after dinner or dance around listening to music with the kids. I think any kind of activity is better than nothing. Plus, involving the kids will start to engrain a healthy lifestyle for them as well.

Good luck!