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Losing Weight as a stay at home parent or a working parent?
panda4153
Posts: 417 Member
in Debate Club
Hi Everyone,
I am putting this in the debate section, because I think it could turn out to be kind of a hot button issue. Do you think its harder to lose weight and maintain a healthy life style as a stay at home parent or a working parent?
I ask because I saw a thread asking for advice from SAHMs on how they do it. I work, I have 3 kids, I commute and I do most of the household chores, shopping etc. I answered that it wasn't about stay at home or not, it was about making fitness and eating habits a priority or not. I personally think that all of us have life circumstances that can make it challenging to get in the workout that day, or harder to eat like we know we should and maintain a calorie deficit if your goal is lose. The OP responded that she was specifically seeking tips from SAHMs and then proceeded to list a bunch of reasons why its hard for her. My point though is that its hard for everyone! Regardless of circumstances you either are going to make it happen or you are not, it all comes down to choices and priorities.
I would love to know what everyone else thinks.
I am putting this in the debate section, because I think it could turn out to be kind of a hot button issue. Do you think its harder to lose weight and maintain a healthy life style as a stay at home parent or a working parent?
I ask because I saw a thread asking for advice from SAHMs on how they do it. I work, I have 3 kids, I commute and I do most of the household chores, shopping etc. I answered that it wasn't about stay at home or not, it was about making fitness and eating habits a priority or not. I personally think that all of us have life circumstances that can make it challenging to get in the workout that day, or harder to eat like we know we should and maintain a calorie deficit if your goal is lose. The OP responded that she was specifically seeking tips from SAHMs and then proceeded to list a bunch of reasons why its hard for her. My point though is that its hard for everyone! Regardless of circumstances you either are going to make it happen or you are not, it all comes down to choices and priorities.
I would love to know what everyone else thinks.
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Replies
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I have done both, working and SAH. I find it harder when I at SAH because the temptation is there and I am weak.
When I work, I bring my food and I can't really cheat. Plus, when I'm busy a work I have less time to think about food.3 -
Hard is relative. You can't judge someone's circumstances because things are easier for you. Also, this is not going to end well.6
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »Hard is relative. You can't judge someone's circumstances because things are easier for you. Also, this is not going to end well.
I agree with you, I try not judge anyone else's circumstances as I know that for various reasons things can be harder for one individual then another. What is easy for one can be challenging for another, and vice versa. I guess though that I had never thought working in the home or out of the home made a difference in weight loss and fitness, as both circumstances can make it difficult to stick to your goals at times. I also know this is a hot topic which is why I posted it to his board.2 -
hopetobelean wrote: »I have done both, working and SAH. I find it harder when I at SAH because the temptation is there and I am weak.
When I work, I bring my food and I can't really cheat. Plus, when I'm busy a work I have less time to think about food.
Haha that's funny, I found the opposite true for me. When I have been at home, I can control the food that is in my house and avoid temptation that way. When I work I find it hard to avoid the temptation of eating out all the time. Don't get me wrong I think you can eat out and fit it into your calories, but its way more taxing on my willpower then eating at home.1 -
I might get hate because I'm not a mom and I'm single.
However, I think if we all gave it some thought we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do. I work in extremely stressful job and I work for 10 hour days with an average of 6 to 8 hours of overtime a week. On my three days off I also have to clean my whole apartment, do all my grocery shopping, run all my errands, and I volunteer with a running club for young girls on my days off you encourage positive body image and self-esteem. I also try to have a social life!
But I do make time to go to the gym five days a week and I prep my meals on my last day off so I have a healthy meal on my workdays. If you want to have a healthy active lifestyle you can, but you have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, you're going to make excuses as to why you can't get it. But I think as busy as everyone is they can probably find an hour in their schedule A couple times a week to spend time on fitness. No one is that busy. But again, it has to be something you want and prioritize.
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I might get hate because I'm not a mom and I'm single.
However, I think if we all gave it some thought we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do. I work in extremely stressful job and I work for 10 hour days with an average of 6 to 8 hours of overtime a week. On my three days off I also have to clean my whole apartment, do all my grocery shopping, run all my errands, and I volunteer with a running club for young girls on my days off you encourage positive body image and self-esteem. I also try to have a social life!
But I do make time to go to the gym five days a week and I prep my meals on my last day off so I have a healthy meal on my workdays. If you want to have a healthy active lifestyle you can, but you have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, you're going to make excuses as to why you can't get it. But I think as busy as everyone is they can probably find an hour in their schedule A couple times a week to spend time on fitness. No one is that busy. But again, it has to be something you want and prioritize.
Come back when you have a baby. Please.8 -
Chef_Barbell wrote: »I might get hate because I'm not a mom and I'm single.
However, I think if we all gave it some thought we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do. I work in extremely stressful job and I work for 10 hour days with an average of 6 to 8 hours of overtime a week. On my three days off I also have to clean my whole apartment, do all my grocery shopping, run all my errands, and I volunteer with a running club for young girls on my days off you encourage positive body image and self-esteem. I also try to have a social life!
But I do make time to go to the gym five days a week and I prep my meals on my last day off so I have a healthy meal on my workdays. If you want to have a healthy active lifestyle you can, but you have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, you're going to make excuses as to why you can't get it. But I think as busy as everyone is they can probably find an hour in their schedule A couple times a week to spend time on fitness. No one is that busy. But again, it has to be something you want and prioritize.
Come back when you have a baby. Please.
I expected that, but in my defense I think just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't have a busy life. My life is actually busier than the average person. And from an outside perspective, which is skewed I'll admit, it seems like parents use their kids a lot as an excuse when there are plenty of healthy and fit single parents and married parents.
But if you want to focus on that and ignore everything else I said that's cool too!14 -
I am single mom. I work as a social media manager from home. I always say at home mom life, working mom paycheck. My son has a extremely active dance and theatre life which I too do also. I also am a facepainter on the weekends. I think we 're all on our own journeys. I'd rather cheer someone on than make comparisons. Let's face it some days are better than others no matter who we are.12
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I think it's equally challenging for either stay-at-home-moms or working moms. I've been both. Different challenges, yes, but equally tough.
Ultimately, though, there are 24 hours in a day for each of us to use as we see fit. You make room in your schedule for the things that matter to you.I might get hate because I'm not a mom and I'm single.
However, I think if we all gave it some thought we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do. I work in extremely stressful job and I work for 10 hour days with an average of 6 to 8 hours of overtime a week. On my three days off I also have to clean my whole apartment, do all my grocery shopping, run all my errands, and I volunteer with a running club for young girls on my days off you encourage positive body image and self-esteem. I also try to have a social life!
But I do make time to go to the gym five days a week and I prep my meals on my last day off so I have a healthy meal on my workdays. If you want to have a healthy active lifestyle you can, but you have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, you're going to make excuses as to why you can't get it. But I think as busy as everyone is they can probably find an hour in their schedule A couple times a week to spend time on fitness. No one is that busy. But again, it has to be something you want and prioritize.
I couldn't agree more. I have no idea why you were attacked for sharing this sentiment.
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RunningOnWontons wrote: »I think it's equally challenging for either stay-at-home-moms or working moms. I've been both. Different challenges, yes, but equally tough.
Ultimately, though, there are 24 hours in a day for each of us to use as we see fit. You make room in your schedule for the things that matter to you.I might get hate because I'm not a mom and I'm single.
However, I think if we all gave it some thought we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do. I work in extremely stressful job and I work for 10 hour days with an average of 6 to 8 hours of overtime a week. On my three days off I also have to clean my whole apartment, do all my grocery shopping, run all my errands, and I volunteer with a running club for young girls on my days off you encourage positive body image and self-esteem. I also try to have a social life!
But I do make time to go to the gym five days a week and I prep my meals on my last day off so I have a healthy meal on my workdays. If you want to have a healthy active lifestyle you can, but you have to want it. If you don't want it bad enough, you're going to make excuses as to why you can't get it. But I think as busy as everyone is they can probably find an hour in their schedule A couple times a week to spend time on fitness. No one is that busy. But again, it has to be something you want and prioritize.
I couldn't agree more. I have no idea why you were attacked for sharing this sentiment.
Thank you
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And just to add...the busiest person I know is a lady in my neighborhood around my same age. She has six kids and works as a nurse. On her days off, WITHOUT FAIL, she walks around our neighborhood with her two youngest in a double stroller. I have watched her transform herself into an incredibly fit woman by doing this humble routine so determinedly. She inspires me.
I'm not about to say that it's easy for anyone, but it just doesn't take much in the way of excess time or money for any of us, moms or not, SAHM or not, to lose weight and to become fit. Just PLENTY of determination.7 -
...I answered that it wasn't about stay at home or not, it was about making fitness and eating habits a priority or not. I personally think that all of us have life circumstances that can make it challenging to get in the workout that day, or harder to eat like we know we should and maintain a calorie deficit if your goal is lose....Regardless of circumstances you either are going to make it happen or you are not, it all comes down to choices and priorities...
I completely agree. It's not a competition to see who works the hardest or suffers the most. We all have challenges in our lives, and we all have to set our own priorities. You either set, pursue, and achieve your goals or you don't. Good luck to all!
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Everyone has challenges. Students, married people, people with kids, single people dating, people with health conditions, working people, poor people, vacationing people, etc. We are not as unique as we think we are. CICO for everyone to manage weight.
I am a SAHM and homeschool my teenager. I think in some ways it is easier for weight loss and others it is harder than if I was working outside the home. I don't really feel it has been that difficult though for me.
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I think this.we all have busy lives and circumstances we could use that as an excuse to not do things we don't want to do.
Watch some episodes of "Supersize vs Superskinny" (youtube). You will meet overweight and underweight people of all categories - married women and men, single parents, bachelors, hard working and hardly working, can't cook or love to cook - all of them find their particular life and circumstances a hurdle to eat "enough, but not too much" and move, or not move too much.3 -
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No matter what your "situation" or occupation; a calorie deficit is a calorie deficit and you need self control.3
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^^^Thistheskinnyonme wrote: »I am single mom. I work as a social media manager from home. I always say at home mom life, working mom paycheck. My son has a extremely active dance and theatre life which I too do also. I also am a facepainter on the weekends. I think we 're all on our own journeys. I'd rather cheer someone on than make comparisons. Let's face it some days are better than others no matter who we are.
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I have done both. I was a SAHM for 3 years when my boys were younger and now I am working (they are 8 & 6, plus I have an 18 year old daughter) Both have pros and cons.
As a SAHM I found I could spread it out more, I could spend more time working on foods and prepping my food and every 90 minutes I had a timer on my phone that would remind me to get up and spend 5 minutes doing something more active. I would do things like leg lifts, jump rope, jumping jacks, etc. I also walked my boys all over the place since we only had one car. I would also spend nap time doing a workout video.
Now, I am in an office job but luckily it is really flexible and I have a standing desk. Now I have a reminder for every 45 minutes to either us the standing desk or go walk the floor I am on one time. I really should add stairs to that. I either workout in the early morning (5am- ish) or I use my lunch break for workouts.
As both it comes down to me needing to watch what I eat. And it comes to me prioritizing my health and how I feel.2 -
Weight loss can be challenging for anybody. I see nothing wrong with seeking suggestions from others who have similar circumstances. People in college or who have been in college may have suggestions as to possible resources available to other people in college. SAHMs may have suggestions for groups that other SAHMs can look up. Etc. This thread comes off as "I'm busier than you so you shouldn't ask for advice from your peers."4
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I think it sounds like the opposite, actually -- OP said it can be hard for everyone.
It kind of sounded like the thread OP was reacting to was that, that she was told that it was far, far more difficult as a SAHM than for anyone else, and that no one else could possibly understand the overwhelming difficulties (and of course not everyone has the same SAHM experience, as it's going to differ based on the age of the kids, whether they go to school or other activities, etc.).
Personally, I've always found it easy not to overeat when at home, and harder not to overeat at work, but people are different, and I am not home all day with kids either.2
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