No time, no motivation I think I need to start again.

It has taken a while to learn this but "no" is a complete sentence. I have learned to set up boundaries or others taken advantage of my "me" time.

You need to learn how to put you first sometimes. It's very sweet of you to help out those around you but if they care about you like you care about them, they will respect the fact that you want and need time for you.

Accountability is very important in attaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So starting today.....be accountable.

i TRY to exercise everyday but sometimes i'm just lazy or i have to cook or clean or i need to go shopping or do errands...BUT what i try and do everyday is a schedule. AS SOON as i come home from work I force myself ot work out right away. that way its out of the way, then set aside the rest of the time for other things but sometimes it doesnt always work but i try to at least get in at least 3 days of exercise a week. just plan your day out as best as you can. work out first, then run errands but you have to put yourself first. just tell the others they can hold off for an hour, if you keep giving other people your time instead of giving it to yourself you'll never accomplish anything YOU want to do!

Sometimes I have to tell myself just give it 5 minutes, before I know it I have done 40-45. Just saying No is not a bad thing and don't feel quilty about it. Being a healthy you is good for your friends and family too.

I schedule a specific time every day (except Sunday) to go to the gym. If anyone NEEDS me then they know where I am, but they all know that I am unavailable for that specific time every day.

Hi. We all have busy lifes, work, kids, family, friends, cook, clean, etc... and the list, as you know, goes on and on.
Excuses not to workout are plentiful. You have to make exercising about YOU! You need it to make you stronger and healthier.

For me, I like doing kickboxing or high intensity cardio classes. I can't just walk on a treadmill or elliptical, I need to be 'entertained and challenged'. My workouts are my daily therapy. I think of nothing else but getting through my workout!
I suggest you find a way to exercise that you really, really enjoy. It will be a form of therapy and you will not want to miss it.

I go to the gym at lunch. Most co-workers go out for lunch, go shopping or bum around on the computer at lunch. I workout.

I had this exact same problem and you know what I did? I made a schedule, I told EVERY single person I know that between this time and this time I will be working out. when that time came around I would put my phone on vibrate and left it where I couldn't see it so if anyone called me I wouldn't pick up. If they came over and knocked I ignored them, if they walked in I continued to do my work out because they had been warned that that was what I was doing.

People will eventually get the hint. If someone calls and asks you to pick something up you can always say, "Yeah no problem but it will be after my work out will that be ok? " If they say no, than tell them they have to find someone else to do it because you are busy.

I used to workout 5-6 days a week. I am on my third rest day. For some reason, I cannot get motivated to get back in the gym. I end up laying on the couch for a nap after work. Fortunately, I am still watching my food intake.

I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I could have written your post myself. I'm getting better at putting me first & making time. You have to decide that fitting exercise into your schedule comes FIRST. Everything else will get done. I find that if I go straight home from work & do a Jillian Micheals video or go for a walk, I have more energy & get more accomplished the rest of the evening as apposed to if I would not have worked out at all.

I plan out my exercises in advance, write it down on my DAILY 'to do' list, right at the top. Followed by laundry, take out garbage, etc. If something comes up, I do it after I work out, or adjust if I have to, but only if it can be justified. Maybe add in something extra the day after, or do something else that doesn't take as much time, etc.

Also planning & prepping meals for a few days or a week has been a huge help to me!!! It takes a big chunk out of my time on Sunday afternoon to plan, shop, prep, etc., but it seriously pays off during the week!! It has really taken some time, trial & error to get good at it, but I think I finally got a grip on the food thing. I'm saving money, too.

And....STOP feeling guilty!!! I know exactly how that feels!!! Trust me, those people you are doing for are not going to be upset with you if you don't bend over backwards for them!!! This is another thing I've struggled with & there is a learning process, adjustment. You just gotta say no. I'm getting much better at this, & guess what, those bad guilty feelings do start to fade. I'm starting to feel so good about putting myself first & in reality, I still am able to do most of the things for my family I did before, I just found a different way to approach things. Me first.

Wow what an amazing forum! I've been on MFP a few weeks but not used the forums other than to say hi. I saw your post Jacqui and came to give some advice but it's all been said above. What a great support network.