Finding time to exercise

hessoftexas
hessoftexas Posts: 32 Member
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
My week days are packed solid with work and family obligations. How do "paycheck moms" get in a sweat-generating work-out without sacrificing your paycheck, family time and sleep?

Replies

  • gagesmom314
    gagesmom314 Posts: 101 Member
    I put it in the schedule. I joined Curves which is only 30 minutes and I am a hot mess when I am done with that. However, my family knows that it is on the schedule and where I will be. For example on Monday's I go right after work before our first family obligation starts at 6. Then on Wednesday's I go while the kids are at church and on Saturday mornings I go before everyone gets up.
  • RDalton84
    RDalton84 Posts: 207
    My kids are generally in bed by 7:30 PM because we have to get up super early every morning to go to nanas house because I work full time. So I generally try to save my work outs for after they are in bed. Try to start around 8 for 30-45 minutes and then I still have to shower and get in bed before it's too late. It works pretty well for my schedule. Or I know a lot of moms on here try to find workouts that they can get their children involved in, mine are a little too young for that.
  • littleworm23
    littleworm23 Posts: 341 Member
    It depends a lot on the hours you work and how old your kids are. I'm lucky enough now to be only working about 25-30 hours a week and all three of my kids are in school for a full day. In the evenings though my kids work out with me (kind of). My youngest has to read to me for school so she reads to me while I ride my exercise bike. We also play wii games that get us moving together in the evening. One of our new favorites is Just Dance. We all have fun together and we get a good work out. :)
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    You probably won't find the time to exercise if you aren't willing to compromise something. You have to find what works for you and your family.
    My husband and I both work 9-5 jobs, so I take the morning workout slot, he gets afternoons. My alarm starts going off at 4am, I usually get up around 4:30. As long as The Kid gets to bed by 9, this works. I am always in bed, eyes closed by 9:30. Usually earlier! I have come to really love working out in the morning, I feel energized and I'm ready to get my day started before anyone else in the house is awake. I usually workout for an hour, or more if time allows - running, biking, videos.
    There wouldn't be enough time for both of us to workout in the evening AND spend quality time with our kid, and eat dinner together etc. I love watching TV and I would love to get 9 hours of sleep each night. I'd also like to win a million dollars. Some stuff just isn't going to happen.
    When the weather is nice and the sun doesn't set at 5pm, we do stuff together as a family in the evenings. The Kid isn't even 2 yet, so we might go for a family walk or bike ride, this is usually on top of our individual workouts.
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    you either "make" time or you dont.
  • Sassy_Cass
    Sassy_Cass Posts: 408 Member
    you either "make" time or you dont.

    Agreed - you can't find time you have have to make it a priority. If you have children try working it in with them. Focus on your efforts they do not have to be at the gym lifting weights to count.

    "It's not about having time. It's about making time."
  • sunnmuun
    sunnmuun Posts: 76 Member
    i have a job with an hour lunch break so i can fit it in then. i know not everyone has that opportunity but if you do it works.
  • lyndseyroseivory
    lyndseyroseivory Posts: 8
    I am finding this very hard too. i work full time and my husband works nights and i also study at night with five children. I just dont know were i am supposed to fit this in. I know i need to excercise though so am thinking of getting a boxing bag and skippng rope for when the kids are in bed.
  • hessoftexas
    hessoftexas Posts: 32 Member
    I'm a morning mover, that's for sure, and my passion is walking. The solution I imagine is having the hubster completely on board with the family's evening routine (kids asleep by 8, and me soon after) so that my morning routine succeeds. If I could find a neighbor to walk with, that would be wonderful. We're new to our area and meeting folks has been pretty slow. But I don't mind walking alone.

    So that settles it. :-)
  • hessoftexas
    hessoftexas Posts: 32 Member
    I lost 35 pounds last year (2011) with MFP, walking 2 miles daily and karate class 2X/week (while working 9-3), but when I took an 8-5 office job in September, my routine got squashed and I gained over 20 pounds!
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