Working mom, wife, mid 30s, loves food, hates working out.

Exercise isn't needed to lose weight; weight loss comes from a calorie deficit. It's up to you whether that deficit comes from eating less or exercising more.

However... exercise is good for you although I'm sure you're well aware of that. I get how you feel about your life but I'm also a mom, wife, work 9 hour days (plus another hour for the commute) and go to school online. I still manage to find an hour or so nearly every day for exercise. I run every other day and weight lift on the work days I don't run.

When I finally got the point a few years ago where I realized I was close to my heaviest weight ever I started watching what I ate and after getting a pedometer (and was horrified by how sedentary I had become!) I also starting trying to move a bit more. All I did was walk on my breaks at work and watch TV while riding my stationary bike. That led to trying to run. Dozens of half marathons later I realized that I should be strength training. I now wish that I had just started strength training from the start.

Here's the thing... with only changes in your diet you can certainly reach your goal weight. The problem is every time you lose weight without strength training (or very, very vigorous cardio which strengthens muscles) you lose muscle along with the fat. The next time you put the weight back on it's all fat. The end result is an escalating body fat percentage which results in a lower metabolism and makes it harder and harder to maintain a healthy weight as time goes on.

My advice to you would be to start strength training. You don't need to spend hours at the gym, either. While eating to lose weight (less calories than your body burns) you won't gain much muscle, and even that will only be at first, but you'll maintain more of the muscle you already have. You'll look firmer at your goal weight, too.

Two ideas for you. Find some new rewards that are not food based. Would it be some alone-time away from the children, like a bubble bath?

Or are you more social? Perhaps your rewards in that case could be picking up a new hobby or interest that has nothing to do with being a parent. My daughter acquired a show dog. Or you could join a bowling or softball league.

Which is really my second idea. Instead of working out, just pick something active with or without the children. A roaring game of tag before dinner will help wear everyone out.

Great Ideas! ^^^

I started out the same. I always thought I hated working out or that I didn't have time. I actually found a website with free videos starting at 5 mins for some of them. NO ONE can say they don't have 5 minutes in a day to exercise. Quite a few of their HIIT videos are only 10 mins. I think 10 mins is extremely doable for anyone.
Also, look at the other things you make time for. For me, I quit Facebook the same month I started getting healthy. If you add up all the time you spend on your phone or social media (which most people do a lot of) you might find some extra minutes there. Exercising doesn't have to be a half hour every day - find something you like that is effective and just 10 mins can make a world of difference. Part of it is that by working out, you motivate yourself to be conscious of what you're putting in your mouth. Like "Oh, it would take me 45 minutes to work that off, I guess I probably don't want it that badly." I find I hold myself more accountable when I have worked out.

If you want the link to the website of short exercise videos I use, I would be glad to link it to you.
Best of luck!

I'm a 27 year old mom of one. I am 5'4 and currently 176 lbs, trying to lose about 35-40 lbs. I'm like you in regards to doing good for a month (usually it's a week or 2 for me though) and then messing up! Add me if you'd like some support

I'm not a mom but I have a man in my life I do everything for.... might as well classify him as my child.

As a few other posters have mentioned, exercise is great but it isn't necessary to lose weight as long as you are creating a calorie deficit by eating less. That said, exercise can allow you to eat a little more and feel better and stronger as you go. Is there a way to work out during your lunch or breaks during the day? I have a hard time working out in the morning (already get up at 5:30 am to start the day), and by the end of the day my motivation is gone. I find that taking walks during my breaks (adds up to around 2miles a day for me) and working out over my lunch period is the only way for me to consistently exercise. I am super lucky and my employer has an onsite fitness center. Is there something like that available for you, or a gym with fun classes near your workplace you could join? If those are out, bring a pair of athletic shoes with you to work and take a 30 to 45 minute brisk walk. Those minutes of activity add up!

Hi! Me too. 30s, Mama, not my first time here.I am 220! I have far to go but I would love to join you for your journey and my first third of my journey! My challenge is that exercise makes me feel anxious. I need to get used to my heart pumping again.

I am about to go do squats and pushups just so I can make a start.