Finding Time to Work Out

I have had the same problem trying to find time to work out. (My husband works out of town/state sometimes M-F and I'm on my own most of the time.) But I started "dancing" while I brush my teeth. I will either dance or do standing leg lifts, squats, etc. It has actually worked. My legs, butt & tummy have toned down.

I find that getting up early works for me. I'm an early bird anyway, but I get up at 5am and walk/run on my treadmill or do an exercise DVD while everyone is still sleeping. I can be out of the shower before my husband needs to get in, and then my kids get up after that. I am out of the house everyday by 7:15am to drop off kids at daycare/school. I hope this helps - good for you for wanting to work out! =)

I had the same problem!! I found 2 neighbors willing to drag themselves out of bed at 5:30 in the morining. We get 3 miles in in less than 45 mins and I start my day feeling great. I also do yoga 1 night a week and on the days the weather doesn't cooperate pop in an excercise or yoga video. It stinks to be up that early but It really jump starts my day.

Go to www.mibootcamps.com. I hope this helps. I do this camp three times a week. I have seen great results. I am finishing my third camp. The time is ideal. My schedule is very similar to your schedule. My husband helps get the children ready. When I get home, I get my self clean and clothed, and I am ready for the day. I also find that I have more energy for my busy days!

K.,

I have been there. First let me say something you are going to need to learn to let go of so you can make time.

When I was working full time this is what worked best for me. First we have our Toddler on a schedule that will be good when she starts real school not just pre-school/day care. So she was getting ready for bed by 7:30 on bath nights it was up by 7, I got her ready and my hubby tucked her in. I was down to the basement by 7:45 pm to work out for an hour. Hot bath and then ready for bed.

Then due to some health issues my doctor suggested I work out early in the morning. I was not thrilled as I was already getting up by 6 am, however my work out was important to me and in being a great example to my daughter. So I started gettting up at 5, yes the first few weeks were hard but I got used to it and felt even better doing it in the morning.

Now that I find myself unemployed, I still get up at 6 every weekday and work out. My neighbors think I am crazy but I am just committed, a work out is important for so many reasons, loosing or maintaing a certain weight. Living longer, feeling better throughout your day. The list goes on and on. Keep in mind if you are just getting back into working out well you maybe able to build yourself into it, so get up maybe just a half hour early for now then eventually the hour. Or try the night thing depending on when you get home.

Hope this helps,
R.

I get up 20 minute early and do the elliptical machine at home or a 20 minute video. I walk during my lunch for 1/2 an hour and then as a family we go for a walk in the evening with the jogging stroller. We walk to the high school and my 3 yr old gets to run around the track with I push my 1 yr old in the stroller. That way everyone is getting exercise and fresh air. We do this right after dinner. Cooking dinner in the crockpot while you are at work may be a great way to cut some time out in the evening too.

K., I don't think I have a good answer for you: I just make time, I force myself to do it. I too have a toddler and I work full time. In my case, I am extremely overweight, and part of my motivation for getting started is for my daughter. I want to be healthy so I can be around for a long time for her. So this past January I said, I will make time, and I did. I've lost 60 pounds since then. I admit there are some weeks that it just doesn't happen, but I try to make up for it the next week if I can.
I joined a Ladies Workout Express that also offers childcare, so that helped me in my decision because I could bring my daughter with me. Also, sometimes I have my husband pick up my daughter from daycare, and I go straight from work to working out.
Now, if you're having issues about how much time you spend with your son (because of working full time), keep this in mind: I'm sure part of your motivation to getting healthier is your son too. He's a toddler, how many people remember life when they were 2-3 years old? Just know that in the long run, you will be doing what is best for you and your son by taking time out to work out. Hope this helps. :-)

I either get up early and do something then or I try to get in walk with my Daughter and Husband. I recently joined a site called sparkpeople that have lots of suggestions and support for people with busy lives. Also try to get in "workout" type things while doing your daily chores. If you go to the playground with your son use the steps and climb up and down, do pull ups on the monkey bars. You don;t have to do your whole workout at once do it in 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there. Here is a link to SP if you want to check it out it's free.

<a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/register.asp?referredb...; target="_blank"><img src="http://www.sparkpeople.com/assets/newprofile/stl-btn1.gif...; alt="SparkPeople.com: Get a Free Online Diet" border="0"></a>

One of the best advice that I can give to you is to redelegate responsibilities and time to do different "family related duties" with your husband. Negotiate with your husband who will be responsible for doing particular aspects of the "childrens daily needs" list, so that there is time for you and or the both of you to get in a good work-out at least every other day. It may or may not work for you to also get up a little earlier, work-out, meditate, then start your routine day (which includes the "mommmy chores" for your family and then getting off to work), and end the day with going to bed shortly after the children are put to sleep. Cut the telephone off, stopanswering e-mails at a particular hour....it is family time:)!! Again, renegotiate and or delegate responsibilities with your husband and or your children and update or change as you "both" may need.

A ittle about me:

I am a 49 years of age mother of a 2.5 years of age male toddler, happily married, both of us work fulltime outside of the home with varying weekly and monthly schedules, enjoying parenting and life.

Sounds like, during the week, you need to find a way to do it at lunch, even if it's every other day. Good luck!

I am pretty much like you too except I have three kids. when I was pregnant with #3, I'd just get up at 5am and work out on our eliptical (we have a nice Precor one) in the morning. I don't think I could do weights that early. Once you get used to it, it's not that bad (getting up really early). Right now, since I have to pump in the morning, my free time is with that but once I stop I am going to try to get back into my routine.

It has been hard for me to movtivate myself to do it but I feel so good when I am all done. Now I have found a Curves by my work and made some connections there so ppl are looking for me and happy to see me and I am working out at lunch....love it! Anything can come at me in the afternoon and nothing fazes me, makes the job easier. Don't care that I sweat, thank you for powder! I do try to incorporate exercise into our daily stuff I have a huge basket on my bike and we ride our bikes to church or to the local grocery or to the school... teaching the kids exercise and saving on gas. For extra family time....one trip to the grocery store per week for us and all errands are on the weekends. Also plan your meals and make leftovers so everyday you are not trying to figure dinner out...grill 6 chicken breasts in stead of 2 and tomorrow one added to a pasta salad or a big salad w/ chicken makes a quick dinner or throw them in the freezer for next week. I usually make one or two meals ready to go on the weekend so they can just be in the oven. Now that we get to fall it might be soup or chilli but I don't have to think about it. Good luck it won't get easier and there isn't a better time so start now!

Work out on your lunch break. I did it for a while and it kept me from eating bad food on my lunch as well.

Hi K., fitting time in for exercise is very tricky for us working-outside-of-the-home moms. My schedule sounds like yours, only throw three kids with soccer and basketball games during the evenings. Once the house is settled down and the kids are in bed, I am exhausted, but I grab my tennies and head outside for a 30 minute walk. If the weather is bad, then I jump on the treadmill for 30 minutes. It really helps me focus on me since the earlier part of the day really is never about me! Stick with it for a couple days and then you get into the routine. Good luck!

I wore those shoes when my son was a toddler, full time job plus taking classes for a more advanced degree.One of the things that works is to let go of the idea of getting a half-hour or 45 minutes all at once to work out at a gym or in your workout clothes to a home video.....
You can integrate working out into little chunks of time throughout your day. When you spend "quality time" with your toddler, go for a walk, stroller or not. Take the stairs at work, and if you work on the 45th floor somewhere, just get off a few flights before your floor and walk the rest or the way. Start your at-desk lunch, or end it with a five minute walk or stretch. If you have to wait in line at the grocery store or bank, jog in place.( just don't do this at airports, you'll make security nervous... )You only need to find 5 minutes, six times a day to make your half hour. You will not get quite the cardio workout that you do going all out at kickboxing for 1/2 hour, but you will notive the difference.

Good luck, L.

We were just discussing this last night at a church group I belong to. I discovered that most of the ladies thought either I was crazy or I had some serious dedication to working out. They don't know the mental struggle I go through either!! I get up at 4:30 every morning and am at a gym close by my home by 5:00. I do an hour workout and am back home shortly after 6:00. Usually it's 30 minutes of cardio and then 30 minutes of weight training. When I get home it's quick get ready for work, including breakfast for me and my two daughters (they are at home sleeping with dad still home when I'm at the gym). I leave for work by 7:15/7:30 every morning. I think that it helps that the gym is less than 10 minutes away. But there are still some mornings where I want to go back to sleep. Good Luck!!!

K., You've gotten lots of great advice. Working out and staying in shape is good for many reasons. I am a Wellness Educator and in my research I've learned that one of the best ways to be sure that you work out is to schedule it, just like any other appointment. It will become routine in time. I do agree that early is better than later. It sets the tone for the entire day. I also think that you should not eat and stay at your dest the entire lunch. Get that brisk 15 minute walk in. You'll be more productive the rest of the day. And involving the family in the evening will set the habit for your kids as well. Studies suggest that when kids are active early in life, they continue that habit into adulthood. They also build stronger bones when active as children. Exercise is even more important than milk for bone health. Go to www.strongbones.org to learn more.

Also, proper meal planning and use of the crock pot will free up a lot of time. Plan all of your meals on one day and then do the shopping. Make larger portions and use leftovers as the basis for additional meals. I do have recipes and planning suggestions on file and I would be happy to share those with you.

Good luck. D. ###-###-####

I like working out after the day is all done and the kids are snug in their bed. We have an eliptical and a treadmill in the basement. Once our day is finished, I put the kids to bed, and head straight down to the basement to workout. I blast the music and get a really good workout. It is such a good stress reliever too!!

Hi K.,

I am glad you asked this question. It was a motivator for me. I like you work full time, and have to get the kids ready for school. We are our of the house by 6:30 a.m. I am at work by 7:30 a.m. By the time I pick them up, get home, help with homework, do chores, and cook dinner I am exhausted.

So lately, I usually eat 30 min before my set lunch hour at my desk, my boss doesn't mind. Then I use my lunch hour and I walk around my job area. I get an hour so I usually walk for 45 min. I walk different routes so I won't get bored. I also have a dog so if i don't walk at work, I make sure I take her for walks when I get home. Sometimes it may only be around the block once or twice but every little bit helps. Then I find ways to fit a little bit of activity in, I will dance to my favorite songs while folding clothes. I will do squats while on the telephone.

I am still trying to do the early morning thing, but whew it is rough.

Sit down analyze your situation, I thought I didn't have time but I discovered an hour when I sit down to watch my favorite TV show. I since have started DVR'ing them so i can watch them in my spare time. Like one response said "use you crockpot" this is a lifesaver!

Hope this helps!

Hi K.

Your schedule sounds like mine :) :) I will set my alarm for 1/2 hour earlier in the morning and work out before getting ready for work. Or I do something after dinner. I may go for a walk that I take my kids on or have my husband watch them while I go..........I hope you can fit something into your schedule cause it does help you feel better.

Good luck

K.,
I completely understand your situation, as mine is very similar. I drop my 2 kids at daycare by 7am, and I'm at work a few minutes later. I usually work till 5 or 5:30, but since I'm in the office for over 10 hours, I try to take a break at lunchtime to go to the gym. There is one just a few minutes away from my work, and I try to go 3-4 times per week. I try to do 30-40 minutes on the treadmill, and I usually catch up on my reading at the same time. I'm already up by 5:30 in the morning, and not usually in bed till 11pm or midnight, so lunch is really the only time that I've been able to find. I'm also not usually finished with the evening chores and activities till 9:30-10pm, and I'm too tired to work out then as well. Maybe if you get to work just a little bit earlier, you won't feel guilty breaking away to work out at lunch if there's a gym nearby. You'll be making yourself healthier and hopefully your employer will understand and appreciate this. If there's not a gym nearby, try to take a 1/2 hour walk around your building - every little bit helps. Good Luck!

I can totally relate! I work full time and attend graduate school part time (one class per semester) and have a 2 year old daughter. What I've been doing is trying to make it to the gym twice a week after work. I'm able to leave work by 4:30 on those days so that I can go to the gym and I'm home by 6:30. My husband picks our daughter up on those days and gets her dinner. Then when I get home, I spend some time with her and put her to bed. Granted, I don't get nearly as much time with her on my gym days but I feel it's important to get at least 2 really good workouts in per week. I had back surgery (a spinal fusion to stop the effects of scoliosis) when I was 18 so if I am out of shape, my back really starts to hurt and it negatively affects my play time with my daughter. Beyond that, I simply involve my daughter in activities like taking walks. I also try to get in a workout via a video at home on either Saturday or Sunday while she naps. It's a big struggle to fit it in but I make it a priority because if I'm not healthy, I'm not as good for my daughter... I think it's important for parents to set a good example for thier kids early on that physical activity is very important. Even if you can't carve time out to go to a gym, just try to fit small things in here and there. Another poster mentioned trying to get up early and get a work out in the morning - that's a great idea too (it just doesn't work for me because my husband works midnights and so I have to take my daughter to daycare every morning because he doesn't get hom until 8:30 or 9am).

K.,
This is the HARDEST thing to do. I too have little ones (a three year old and soon to be 1 year old)and work full time. I leave the house at 5:40 am for work and have now resorted to getting up at 4:00am to get 30 mins on the treadmill in everyday. Some days it kills me, but it's the ONLY time I have and it does not disrupt the rest of my family because they are all sleeping. There are places like Lifetime Fitness and Fitness 19 that have child care, but I always feel bad at the thought of having our kids in daycare all day and then sending them off again while I workout for 30-60 mins in the evenings. I have thought of joining somewhere like Curves to run on my lunch for an extra 30 mins a day, but have yet to do that. Like you, I eat at my desk and work everyday. Good luck....it's hard to do, but one day it has to get easier ;)

I joined a gym that is 24 hours and I just found says to squeeze it in....either up earlier or up later usually.

Your time with your son could be a family walk or bike ride.

I'm a mother of 8 children under 11, homeschool, and work part time. Here's what I do. I get up at 5:30, slip on my shoes, and head to Fitness USA (they open at 6). I exercise for 1/2 hour, head back home, and get everyone up and ready. Since you have to leave at 7:15, I would recommend asking your husband to get up and get your son ready for daycare 3 days a week, and explain to him how much it would help you both if you were able to reduce stress and get in shape by exercising. Good Luck.

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I am a member of ClubFYM as well as one of the mummy's on the Fit Yummy Mummy program. The results are AMAZING and Holly is the BEST DARN TRAINER in the WORLD!!! She also hooks us up with other amazing people. We have a seminar coming up with Jennifer Nicole Lee...pudgy mom of 2 turned bikini SUPERmodel! JNL was even interviewed by Oprah ;0) She is pretty inspiring...look her up!

Anyway, I was the 32nd member of ClubFYM last November (07) and now we have over 2mill mommy's getting fit. We are also in the middle of a Transformation Challenge (about 300 of us are involved...free to join it) and there are awesome prizes to the top 3 ladies. It is judged on personal best not on percentages etc... The top 12 are picked by professional judges and the ClubFYM family gets to vote for the top 3 of the 12. It is an amazing group of women...the best fitness program...and my personal lifeline!!! You just HAVE to check it out. Good Luck ;0)

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I ride my bike to work as often as possible and make sure I get a good run in on both Saturday and Sunday.

First, make getting in a workout on Sat and Sun a priority. You have two days down. I work out Sun, Tue, Thur and Sat everyweek. Sat and Sun mornings (my gym has child care and my kids, esp. the 4 year old loves going) I always go. Tues and Thurs I leave work at 3pm. I either go straight to the gym and then pick up the kids, or pick up the kids go home, feed them an early dinner and then head to the gym around 6ish. Occassionaly, I will go to the gym around 6:30 during the week (after feeding my son).

I think you need to limit what you are attempting to do at night. I have a 4.5 year old and a 10 mos old. I work full time and live about 45-60 minutes from my office. We usually get home around 6 or 6:30 and have eaten, clean-up and had bath time and are getting ready for bed by 8pm. Is there a way to speed up your routine? I prep dinners ahead of time and rarely make anything that cannot be ready in 30 minutes.

I also occassionaly get up and got at 5:00 am (I am usually up by 5:30 anyway...).

You really just need to make it a priority and believe that your health is a gift to your child. Experiment with different schedules, even if you go 3 times a week... you only have to go once during the week.

I usually take my son for walks. I either push him in the stroller or walk while he rides his bike. I also rollerblade with my daughter quite often. This way, I'm spending time with them but we're all getting exercise at the same time. A mommy's work is never done. We are considering joing the YMCA and all working out and/or swimming together. Weekends will probably be better for us but maybe some evenings, too. Good luck!

R.

Well, I have a different situation than you do.. I work at home so I can be more flexible with my work hours. I go to the gym Mon, Wed, and Fri between 9 and 11 AM. The gym I go to has day care available only at those times in the morning. I then start work @ 11:30 when my mom watches my daughter until naptime. I work through the nap and then start work again when my daughter goes to bed. For me, I think it helps that my gym only has childcare at certain time so it forces me to put it into my schedule.

I definitely can relate... For me, I have never been a morning person, and getting up even earlier than I already do is just not an option.

I try to do some outdoor activities with my son (bike ride/walk), also meal planning helps. I will sometimes cook a meal that we can have the next day (so that means the next day, I am not stuck in the kitchen for a long time)...or some nights we just have cereal and fruit. That allows for a little more time where I can spend with my family, get some housework done and go to the gym. I tend to make my gym visits either just before or just after my son goes to bed. I keep my visits to the gym short and make the most of my work out.

www.sparkpeople.com is a great site to help track your calories/work outs/meal planning.

Honestly, it's not easy (as you're well aware), but there are little tricks to get a few more minutes from your day by cutting time in other areas. Also, playtime outside with your child, or simply going for a walk, does count!