35 and lacking all motivation...

spbyjaide · February 2018

Hello! I am a mom of 4 who delivered surrogate twins during the summer. I have a partner, but take care of everything financially on my own as I do not have them living with me, nor am I ready for that step yet. I work full-time (40+ hours per week) and coach gymnastics part time (15+ hours per week). I do not have a day off - ever. My 2 youngest children are with me half time, and with their father half time. I struggle with getting up earlier than I already do to do a morning workout, and feel I am already away from my children too much to work out in the evenings.
As I donate breast milk to a local baby, I take my 20 minute breaks and do some cardio and strength training, but I want more. Obviously I can only do so much before milk starts to slosh out of the bottles! Lying on my back is a no-go as well for bottle reasons. How can I feel rested at night, work out for my health, and utilize my time more wisely? I do not watch tv, let alone have one plugged in. I don't pay for any tv services. I work at a desk over 40 hours a week, and my employer refuses to offer a stand-up option. Besides the workouts while pumping, I also walk through the office areas numerous times daily. When I coach gymnastics, I workout with the kids. I still do not feel that it is adequate enough for what I want.
I walk about 4,000 steps daily due to coaching and my walking at work habits. I don't eat red meat or pork. My day job offers fresh fruit 4 days each week. I drink tea with Keto Kreme. I eat veggies and cheese for my daily lunches. Eggs and fruit for breakfast. I don't typically eat dinner as I get home around 8 or 9 and am exhausted. What time I have in the evenings, I dedicate to continuing the home repairs I have with my home I purchased last spring. It was a foreclosure with a decent amount of damage.
Any ideas would be amazing! I am so tired of being tired!!

OH! I am 35, 5'3", 122 pounds. My BMI is in decent range and I am doing okay for where I am. I just know I can do better.

kommodevaran · February 2018

Maybe you can do better, but should you? Don't you have more than enough on your plate (figuratively, obviously) already?

AlainaKayy · February 2018

I kind of agree with the first poster here, but maybe do some breathing exercises or sitting down routines while at work.

You seem to have almost all your time already dedicated to other things, you still need to be able to get enough rest.

I wish you the best of luck.

Eelkov · February 2018

Harsh truth? Stop doing so many things for others... You need to cut back... My partner is a bit like you... if she had 20 hours of free time each week she would spend 21 of them doing things for other people... Just stop it, wind it back a bit, set yourself a budget for "doing things for others" and stick to it.

mom23mangos · February 2018

First of all, I commend you. You are not lacking motivation. You obviously place yourself on the back burner a lot. You've given so much for other people. To offer your body as a surrogate for twins is a beautiful gift. Donating your breast milk after the fact is wonderfully generous. But you need to take care of yourself too. It sounds like you have too much on your plate right now for much else. You are at a healthy BMI. You get plenty of exercise coaching gymnastics. Take it easy for a bit. Rest and sleep are probably the two best things your can do for your health right now.

The only helpful thing I can suggest is to buy a desktop raiser that convert any regular desk into a standing desk if you feel like that would be helpful. Also, maybe try to incorporate some more active activities with the kids in the evenings. Go for a walk or bike ride after dinner. Take them to a trampoline park or rock climbing on the weekend, etc. Oh, and it sounds like you are not eating enough to keep up your energy. Maybe try adding some lean protein for lunch or fitting some small snacks in.

35 and lacking all motivation...

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