So disappointed in myself

I don't blame you at all for not wanting to leave your kids in daycare that long! is there any way you can get up just 15 minutes earlier and do a quick exercise DVD before they wake up? take out all that silly commuting to and from the gym? or maybe in the evening walk with them? it's hard to adjust to a new schedule. I gained a ton of weight when i went from staying home with the kids to working full time, finally I got fed up and had to to part time because I just didn't have any time for myself. How old are the kiddos?

Holy packed days for you momma!! if I were you, I would start taking your kids out for nice evening walks! that's what I do! definitely a start!

Don't beat yourself up. You cannot change how you have managed the last couple of months but you can change how you manage today. I totally understand about the gym, who wants to spend even more time away from their kids after working all day. I don't know how old your kids are, but mine love to work out with me. I use the wii and I go for walks and bike rides, which my kids enjoy coming along as well. To keep my walking pace up, I have them ride their bike or scooter while I walk. You could also go outside and play kick ball with the kids, or chase. All activities that keep you moving and the kids would love to do with you. You can do this, don't give up! Remember to eat back the calories you burn.

Don't be disappointed! Everyone falls now and again. Keep brainstorming on ways to get some more exercise in. It doesn't have to be a large chunk, 10 minutes here and there does add up!
Be proud of yourself for caring about your health!!

Many of us have been in your shoes - or similar - when we get really busy & unmotivated & then hard on ourselves for failing. I'm actually in a rut right now that I am desperately trying to work out of. But guess what? You are NOT a failure - you've lost 17 pounds! That is fantastic and you should be PROUD! There is nothing wrong with slowing down your weight loss. Just hang in there, keep making healthy choices & do what you can to find ways to fit in exercise - park farther away in the parking lot so you have to walk a little more, take stairs whenever you can, stand up and walk around when you are on the phone...these little things will add up until you figure out a way to get more exercise in. I don't know how old your children are but you can get them involved - playing the yard or doing a DVD with your kids, Wii, etc., will also burn calories & be fun for them. You're doing great and you will get through this difficult period. Focus on what you've accomplished!

Don't beat yourself up so much. Do what you can. Try some little things like parking your car further out or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If it's possible go walk for 10 or 15 minutes of your lunch. All the little things add up!

It's so hard being a working mom. I'm not sure how old you're kids are but sometimes you have to adjust what you really want to do (going to the gym) for something that fits your current lifestyle. There are great DVDs that you can do before or after work. Some cable channels even offer them for free ON Demand or check out your local library. Walking is a great exercise that you can do with your kids and because you're doing it with them it alleviates the working mom guilts. If there're a little older you can play with them like doing races or basketball. Good luck, been there it does get easier you just have to perservere!

HI there,

So...I don't have kids...but sometimes I feel like my life doesn't get me much work time either....Its hard and it sucks.....and I know how you feel in a different way.

This may not be much help....but when I'm husslin and busslin....I throw my ankle weights on for some extra resistance....helps burn some more calories..

With regards to calories....oh geez....i know how you feel! Try and find some really low cal snacks to fill your void throughout the day....or when you are driving to you work out....celery is very low...I just munch munch munch...or cucumber slices. Believe me....Im not a veggie eater....but with some forcing...I actually have become to enjoy it.

Do not EVER feel like you are failing....because you are not....you are still working out and still trying to do your best....being a single mother of two.....is very hard....there is NO FAIL in that.....

My biggest obstacle is the calories.....you can't change it over night....you just have to pick one habit a day to adjust a little....if ur having something unhealthy for lunch...make sure your dinner is extra healthy....try planning a weekly menu for you and your kids.....kraftcanada.com has great quick and healthy recipes on there.

With a weekly menu your shopping list will help you avoid buying unneeded junk as well. And i will also help you avoid.....that trip to McDonalds or something.

I hope this helps!!

And don't be disappointed in yourself at all!! Im sure that you kids are proud of you for all your hard work

Every day is a new day. Let go of the mistakes you've made and work on getting it right today. That's all you can do!

If your kids are old enough you could try biking or running. When my girls were young I used to run and they'd come along on their bike or rollerblades. It was great. I got a good workout and they got to prattle on without interuption because I was too winded to talk.

Please don't be down on yourself. I tend to hold myself to high expectation so I'm really familiar with disappointment in the whole eating/exercise realm b/c it's SO not a black or white thing...there's a whole lot of grey! The truth is, the way we eat and how we exercise can be influenced by SOooo many different circumstances and people that it is unrealistic to expect to perfectly follow your intended plan all the time. In fact, if you have that expectation, you will most certainly be disappointed in yourself (I have learned this the hard way)! One thing I'm learning is to RELAX A LITTLE. Not meaning you don't show intensity in whatever exercise you do or in your decisions to eat what is best in each situation BUT that your overall mindset is shifted from rigid (I must eat only 1000 cals a day and wkout 5hrs each day otherwise I've failed at my program) to a forgiving & free mindset (I'm going to figure out the best eating and exercise plan for me based on my current circumstances and do my best each day to stick to it knowing that things happen and circumstances change so I forgive myself if I fall short and free myself to alter my plan if I see it's not working or something else may work better for me). This mindset is what's helping me stick with my transformation efforts, I hope it will in some way help you too. In the end, isn't it really about being healthier and living longer so we can be around for the ones we love? Have fun figuring a way to get your kids active and working out with you - working out doesn't always have to be about going to the gym )

Another option might be a family Tae Kwon Do class. If you have a TKD school near you, many of them offer family classes for all ages - and I've seen kids younger than four taking classes at ours. I also see several parents taking the class with their kids. The class I take meets at 7:30pm for 45 minutes, twice a week. Also, you would be able to help each other learn the forms and sparring, and encourage each other as you work your way up to black belt. I find it to be a fantastic workout, and even though my older son and I are in different classes (he does the summer camp at our dojang, and they do the TKD class in the morning), we help each other with our forms. So - great exercise and great family time all rolled into one!

Ultimately, though, anything you can do to get moving is going to help you. I had a gym membership years ago but I canceled it because it ate up too much of my day trying to fight traffic to get there, or getting home really late because I went to the gym after work. Once the weather cools down I plan to start up running again, and cycling. I second the suggestion to go walking in the evenings with your kids - I remember taking walks with my dad when he came over for his weekly visit while I was growing up, and it gave us a chance to catch up with each other.

Good luck!

I work out at home while my children are sleeping. I love the Turbo Fire DVDs.

I firmly believe that 1200 calories is TOO LOW for most people. It IS hard. People don't stick with hard things. Change your weight loss goals to 0.5-1 lbs per week and see what it tells you. I prefer to keep mine at 0.5lbs/ week and eat my exercise calories so that it's easy. Doesn't feel like a "diet" at all.