Three kids, a full time job and no time! Tips?

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  • Nyxstar
    Nyxstar Posts: 2 Member
    whatatime2befit wrote: »
    I have 3 kids and work full time as well. The activities I fit in are:
    Gym at night after the kids go to bed
    Walk or bike ride with the kids in the evening
    Gym over my lunch break when my work schedule fits
    Treadmill for the days I can't get a walk or run in outside
    Bench and Plates in the garage for when I can't get to the gym

    Basically I make time to fit a workout in 5-6 times a week. It might mean me being up past midnight to get it in, but if I want to squeeze it in, I do what I have to do

    Exactly what I do! I have 3 kids. They are part of my weight loss adventure. They hike, bike, and climb with me. After bedtime I can sneak out to the gym a couple nights per week. Then, during my lunch break I get in as much walking/jogging as possible. I try to get to work about 20 minutes early to walk around the complex before my workday begins. Its not easy to get it in, but once I made it my priority, it became very possible. right now I'm down 29 pounds and still have a lot to lose, but I have no doubts I will get there since it is a priority for me.
  • RosieWest8
    RosieWest8 Posts: 185 Member
    There are many HIIT workouts on Youtube that could be useful to you and they can be really short, so just do some searching for one that would fit into your schedule. I do not have any children but at one time I had an office job where I worked later hours (10am-7:30pm) and I enjoyed sleeping in so I didn't want to get up early and workout and I also didn't want to have to try working out at 8pm when I got home. I had two 15 minute breaks at my job and I worked in a building that had 4 floors and stairs so I would just jog up the stairs for my 15 minute breaks. I actually didn't find that I got too sweaty but it wouldn't really have mattered anyway because I had a phone job and didn't see anyone other than my co-workers.

    It would also be helpful if you could find a gym that was close to your home or job. There was a gym for employees at my work so I would also bring workout clothes and just go straight from work downstairs to workout so I didn't spend extra time driving to/from the gym.

    Good luck!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    7 minute workout. It's free.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • njfitnessmom
    njfitnessmom Posts: 345 Member
    I am a full time working mom of two kids with a hubby that works full time, part time student and his own photography business. What's worked for me best is getting up before everybody else and getting my weight lifting in around 4:30am. It's quiet and I have a good 45 min to workout and then shower before anybody gets up. Then in the evenings I'll go for either a bike ride or a jog. If hubby isn't home that night, I have a treadmill to get a run in. I'll even take the kids out on their bikes around the neighborhood to get my walk in and some quality time with them. I do what it takes to get it done and sometimes that means juggling things around.
  • allaboutthefood
    allaboutthefood Posts: 781 Member
    Beach Body Mom on youtube has a workout video for small spaces, and tons others. The track is a great idea and just going for family walks/playing outside anything that keeps you moving, if you have a desk job, go for walks on your breaks? if you can walk to work or walk home?
  • Seeyoubabyweight
    Seeyoubabyweight Posts: 49 Member
    edited August 2015
    I'm the same as you. I work full time, three kids at home and my hubby worksd straight nights. My day is up at 6am get everyone out the door, work till 3:30pm, get home, clean, cook feed (hubby leaves at 6pm) get everyone to bed and finally have xx time to myself before crashing at 9:30pm...repeat.

    Sound familiar???? You CAN add a workout. I did. I started with a YouTube program that was four weeks of 10min work outs. I would get as much supper prep done the night before and insisted my family leave me alone for that short time while I worked out in our office. I also started taking 20 min walks on my lunch break.

    When that started to be to simple and I wanted more I discovered FitnessBlender. I purchased the 8 week busy people calendar and started getting up at 5:30am for workouts. Does it suck absolutley, but by this point I was committed.

    I've been doing this about five months now, and its become routine for all of us. Now my kids are even at the point where they will sneak in to watch or join me in a workout, but nobody actually bothers me. Start with the small\shorter workouts and go from there. It is possible!
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    rilmarie999 wrote: »
    i know I'm not the first person to say I have no time to exercise - but I really don't. I'm wondering what interesting, creative ways others have come up with to exercise in the in-between times? I keep reading about two hour walks and trips to the gym - I'm lucky to get a ten minute jog around my neighborhood :) anyone have any secrets to share?

    Four kids, full time job, scout leader (Cub and Boy), Sunday School teacher, and do other volunteer work. You have to make time.

    Practically, that looks like this in my life:

    My 9yo goes to the "youth fitness" area of my gym or to the pool with one of my teens when I workout. I walk at lunch and eat at my desk. I walk around the soccer field instead of watching practice. I take a turn mowing the lawn. Every little bit helps.

  • cpower4604
    cpower4604 Posts: 33 Member
    I have found it hard to fit exercise into my schedule as well. I have started wearing a pedometer daily and I make sure I get up and walk around at least once an hour and I try to park farther away. It is amazing how much of a difference it makes just parking further away. Baby steps.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    rilmarie999 wrote: »
    Thank you! What great support and ideas! I think the best part is seeing that others are doing it and making it work :) the thing I keep reading is YouTube or treadmill at home - 5 of us live in 900sqft so that's not an option but the 5 am workout sounds like the next best bet. I also liked the idea of taking the kids to a high school track with their bikes while I run. Thanks everyone what a great community. In the end I just have to do it! :)

    For home workouts that take little of no floor space google: Convict Conditioning, Cramped Quarters (Gin Miller), or Leslie Sansone. Also, look for anything that requires a mat....pilates, yoga, etc.
  • marcelo_templario
    marcelo_templario Posts: 653 Member
    Gonna sound stupid again: go hike, jog or something at least 1 hour a day, 45 minutes would be good too, now, if you want to lose weight that's a feeding matter, now, as I see you have no time at all I'd recommend 2 things: yoga and stretching, not the usual pre workout stretching, but a tough one that push you, all you need is a mat (a thick one) and youtube videos, I discourage of doing Pilates...
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    30 day shred. 20 minutes in front of your TV with or without kids watching ;)
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Early in the morning? I get a ~3 mile run in 6 days a week before anyone else is up, besides the dog.
    Lunch time? I'll get 3-5 miles twice a week at lunchtime. Or I'll spend 15 minutes picking stuff up and putting it down over and over again
  • Monisfit4life
    Monisfit4life Posts: 228 Member
    I have a little one and I workout when he goes to sleep. I had a long commute for awhile and so I did 10 minute trainer by Tony Horton. Now that my commute is better I will be doing Les Mills Pump and CIZE dance workout when he goes to bed. Is working out once they go to bed an option for you? Try to take at least 10 minutes to do something daily. Eating is key as well it's 80% of the whole thing.
  • kristyfincher2
    kristyfincher2 Posts: 2 Member
    Popsugar Fitness App!! Love it and it's free
  • sleepypapa
    sleepypapa Posts: 27 Member
    My YMCA will watch my kids two hours a day for free while you work out. They have a play area/jungle gym for older kids, one for younger kids and a baby area. They charge based on your income. I pay 70 bucks a month for my wife, two kids and I. Well worth it just to get a break from the kids!
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