In a rut...need some encouragement and ideas for fitness

I've found that those early morning workouts can definitely pay off! Eventually, I started looking forward to them! Between a night workout and an early morning, I prefer early morning. I feel more energized, and and at a night workout I feel worn out and unmotivated. You can do it! One thing I love about my gym I use back home on breaks is that they have super early group exercise classes, and they are fun, supportive, and challenging. My university rec has them as well, and I love them! If you have a Wii, even things like Just Dance can give you a workout!

Find a class to go to. I am a very quiet person and really wanted to see what boxing was all about so I went. I love the class and burn up to 1000 calories. I can even see myself getting stronger. Actually pounds are the same but bye bye to extra Inches. You don't have to box - find something you like and start with a couple times a week.

Several years ago I was in a similar rut--major work, family, and volunteer stress and commitments, seemed to take up every bit of energy. I finally decided I had to do something for myself, both to help deal with the stress but to show my daughters (teenage at the time) that the world didn't revolve around them and their needs/wants, and that wives/moms have a right to have time for themselves adn to take care of themselves.

The gym then became my stress reliever and "pampering" habit. I pledged to 3x a week, and had to start out with very low levels of exercise--i was so out of shape. But the reward afterwards was the incentive--at least twice a week I would use the sauna (great stress reducer) for about 15-20 minutes after I exercised, and then wrap up with 15-20 minutes in their amazing whirlpool. That made the gym not just about exercising but about giving myself a treat.

You didn't say how old your child is, but many gyms do have child care, and if s/he is old enough to not need child care, then you have more options.

I am a stay at home mom now, but when I use to work I would walk during my lunch hour. Not sure if you have time for that but maybe if you walk after eating lunch or something like that, it will give you time to yourself, a breather from the stress in your life and your workout all in one. Just a thought! Feel free to add me if you need someone to help motivate you and give you some support

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate already. I would start very small and slowly work your way healthy. Think of one thing you want to improve on and try to make that your first goal. Maybe just try eating something healthy or limiting something that isn't. When you start getting the hang of eating healthier then you can try adding a walk. Eating is 80% of this.

My weight has been up and down all of my life, but in the last few months I have really found my comfort zone as far as exercise goes. I have had gym memberships in the past, but lost interest too...so here is my advice:

Try things that are free and easy! My friend and I take her boys to the park (even now that it is getting chilly we bundle up). While the youngest naps in the stroller, we do circuits of jumping jacks, push-ups, lunges, squats, planks, etc. Her older boy is 2.5 and he plays, or helps us with our workouts by sitting on our backs while we plank or do push-ups! Go for a brisk walk, do a yoga or Zumba DVD, run up and down your stairs...just get moving and mix it up so that you stay interested and challenge your body.

I had a tendancy to look at exercise and eating healthy as obligations that I was too busy or tired for. Now, I look at exercise and healthy eating as essential...I have more energy every day, more patience, more power to concentrate on my work, and a MUCH more positive attitude. You can get there too!

This is a GREAT site. And you will not be alone here. I'm sure most of us have been yo-yoing back and forth most of our lives with weight. I too am a morning person and that IS when I exercise. If I waited till I got home from work it would usually never get done!! Good luck to you! :-)

You can do it. Almost anybody you see out there running, walking, riding a bike, sweating in their living room, or whatever probably felt like you before they started. It's hard work to FORCE yourself to get moving and change the habit of sitting around. The cool part is, once you do start to make the change, you start feeling better after a workout than you did before.

The thing is, you have to know yourself and how you, personally, work the best. I have finally learned this about myself: I don't stick with exercise if it's indoors. I've had gym memberships come and go, and I've never been able to force myself to stick to them, even with the financial incentive. I've had indoor bike trainers and NordicTrack machines gather dust in the basement. The WiiFit (admittedly, more my wife's than mine) sits on a shelf and doesn't get used. However, I've found that every time I go outdoors and ride a bike or walk or run or hike or ski, I feel energized and happy afterward, so that's what I do now -- bike, run, play with the kiddo at the park, whatever, as long as it's outdoors. I've started to use my "go outside and play" time as a relaxer after or during a stressful work day.

So you have a long commute. Sorry to hear it. What about stopping at a park or trail somewhere along the way to take a walk or hike? That might be a nice way to break up the monotony of a long, repetitive drive, and requires nothing you don't already have--clothing and shoes. If you're looking for stuff to do indoors at home, don't forget your local library. Mine has a HUGE selection of tapes and DVD's for home workouts. The best part is, they're free.

Doing anything is better than doing nothing at all. There is healing in exercise, both physical and mental. Anybody can do it, but the first few times are indeed hard.