Stay at home mom trying to find Motivation

TMReiner817_wechanged
TMReiner817_wechanged Posts: 4
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
I have been using the site for about a month now but until now I haven't thought a out really reaching out to the community. I have been finding it harder and harder to keep myself motivated.

In using this site I am just trying to get myself into decent shape so that I can have the energy to continually keep up with my daughter and to prolong my life. Being a stay at home mom that never gets out otherwise, has left me less active and I guess as put me into a rut. Some days I find it impossible to get myself moving to do that little bit extra workout for the day.

If there are other non active and semi isolated mothers out there, how do you get the energy and motivation to make a difference in your health and fitness?

Replies

  • BethlovesRene
    BethlovesRene Posts: 85 Member
    I used to be non-active for about 8 months while I was in school. I don't stay at home, but it was hard to get motivated and find me time. Working less this summer I just decided I didn't want to "let myself go," so I started running in the mornings with a friend. I've been exercising for about a month now and love the energy it gives me- I run 1.5-2 miles every day and alternate with some weight training at the gym. I just recently started the diet thing about 2 weeks ago- I would enjoy a fitness buddy thats a mommy too!
  • Pridgenization
    Pridgenization Posts: 65 Member
    My boys are 6 and 8, so it is easier to find things to do with them. But, even when they were small, I would take them hiking or swimming.

    My next door neighbor bought a jogging stroller when her boys were toddlers. She used to take them for a walk/run every morning at 10. It was great for her and her kids. (I will freely admit that I have never had the discipline for this)

    I don't know if you have access to a gym, but many of them offer child care services. A lot of children think that it is fun and it gives you an hour or so to yourself.
  • Sherry1979
    Sherry1979 Posts: 457 Member
    I too am a stay-at-home mom & the best way for me to get my exercise in is to get up before my daughter and get it done first thing of the morning. My biggest obstacle is about halfway thru the day after I'm pretty much wore out I start just wanting to eat something with sugar to give me that "energy rush" even though I know it's only a temporary "fix". I also don't get out a whole lot and I get depressed sometimes just sitting at home so that doesn't always help with the motivation either. Sorry I'm not much help with advice but just thought I'd reply so you'd know you're not alone!! But we can do this!!! :flowerforyou:
  • sunyg
    sunyg Posts: 229
    Me!!!
    I was laid off in December shortly after having my 4th baby. Here lately most days I only seem to get out of the house to do something for the kids.

    Sometimes I completely lose my motivation to work out. But then I look in the mirror and remind myself that no one is going to give me my body back. I have to take it. I also make myself even if I don't want to. I tell myself that if in 10 or 15 minutes I really don't want too I can quit. Usually by that time though I tell myself ok your almost done, why quit now?

    It's also become surprisingly hard to work out on any type of schedule. So I recently started doing work outs from bodyrock.tv. They are short and I can do them when the chance shows up.
  • Jodi_O
    Jodi_O Posts: 32
    I am a 36 year old stay at home mom of three. My oldest is 3 years old, my middle child is 17 months and my youngest turned 3 months on the 19th. It's hard cooking meals for the kids when I know that I have to control how many calories I eat, so usually I make "a calorie conscious meal" and I make sure that I have an extra side dish for the kids which I know that they will eat. Being home alone with the kids can get...well, for lack of a better explaination...it can be lonely.
  • leilani♥
    leilani♥ Posts: 579
    I'm a stay at home mom myself. I joined this site several months ago but never introduced myself or made an effort to make friends on here. Hence, I only lasted a few days and fell off my wanting to be fit bandwagon. I've been exercising on my own for about a month now and decided to give this site a try again. This time I introduced myself and connected with many men/women to help encourage me through this journey. Watching the feed move as people log their exercises is fuel to get some done for yourself :)

    sending a request your way!!

    I get my motivation from looking at myself in the mirror and not liking what I see. Also, from watching the amount of energy my daughters have and wanting to be just as energetic as them. I want to be able to keep up with em :)
  • SarahofTwins
    SarahofTwins Posts: 1,169 Member
    I too am a stay-at-home mom & the best way for me to get my exercise in is to get up before my daughter and get it done first thing of the morning. My biggest obstacle is about halfway thru the day after I'm pretty much wore out I start just wanting to eat something with sugar to give me that "energy rush" even though I know it's only a temporary "fix". I also don't get out a whole lot and I get depressed sometimes just sitting at home so that doesn't always help with the motivation either. Sorry I'm not much help with advice but just thought I'd reply so you'd know you're not alone!! But we can do this!!! :flowerforyou:

    I'm also the same way with getting up in the mornings to feed my kids and then start my daily routine of exercising.

    I always ask myself how bad did I want this when I first started...but also my motivators were my children, seeing skinny people, buying a pair of jeans that didn't fit yet. It's a daily thing and kept reminding myself everyday made a difference for the next.
  • reddcat
    reddcat Posts: 314 Member
    Yep, me too! I am SAHM to a four year old boy. I hear you. It does get lonely.....but I keep trying to get healthier because I think that one day I will be out of the house. AND, my little man starts pre-school in the fall and I don't want to be the chubby mama. It is rough some days trying to fit in some form of exercise that does not involve whiffle ball/tag/or hide-n-seek. I have gotten him into WII Just Dance and ZUMBA. Otherwise, I put in a DVD for him and use a portable dvd player for my exercise dvds. I honestly stay motivated through my MFP friends. I have some really great ones and that makes all the difference.
  • mbeach1977
    mbeach1977 Posts: 275 Member
    I'm a stay at home mom to 4 (9,7,7,6) and babysit a 2 year old. This summer has been hard to stay motivated to exercise with the kids here all the time. Mine are getting to age now where I can get on the treadmill or go do my p90x and they are generally pretty good about it. Most of the time, though, I get my workout in at night after they go to bed. Definitely NOT a morning person, so getting up before is not an option for me! LOL
  • damcool
    damcool Posts: 97 Member
    Ohhhh, I feel your pain! It is so hard some days to exercise! I absolutely hate exercising, unless it's fun (swimming and yoga are the only two things I really enjoy). I've got 5 children and the last thing I want to do is exercise, especially when I know I'll be interrupted at least twice during my 30-45 min routine. The only thing I can tell you, is you've got to just push through. It sucks, I know, but you'll feel so much better. I'm not one of those people that exercises for hours on end. An hour is the most I dedicate to that, and that's on a good day! Mostly I have about half an hour to 45 minutes before the kids go bonkers on me. It takes 3 weeks to establish a habit, so just try to suffer through those 3 weeks and it'll get easier, I promise!
  • TMReiner817_wechanged
    TMReiner817_wechanged Posts: 4
    I am amazed at the responses that I have received so far already. It is really nice to know that there are so many people feeling the same ways and are willing to help be there for others they don't even know.

    I have a 20 month old daughter who is full of daily tantrums. Trying to work out while she is awake is mostly useless because she isn't old enough to understand or join me. She also doesn't have the longest attention span yet either so trying to preoccupy her with something else only last a few minutes or so. Once she is napping or in bed for the night I do what I can to muster up any kind of energy to do something besides wanting to pass out on the couch or getting the household chores done.

    I must admit that I am on depression medication and medication for my thyroids and I often wonder if those are things that are holding me back in finding that spark.

    Thank you all for support and I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Even if I can't lose any weight, just knowing a little bit can eventually go a long way, can help too.
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