Finding time to exercise???

[em-o-so'smom]

Does anyone else have a terrible time fitting exercise in? After my last baby (now 10 months) I still have not been able to exercise...even after 2 comments from people thinking I'm pregnant ....with 3 small children I feel like I have no time and when I do find 20 minutes I want to take a nap because I get so little sleep. I've bought several exercise things hoping that money spent would motivate me but so far no luck...Maybe I'm just venting...We're going back to wdw in Sept and I want to at least not look pregnant! I'm 5'3 and 152 pounds...my goal is to lose 40 (not all by wdw trip)...Does anyone else have this struggle or any advice???

 

[lustergirl]

Does anyone else have a terrible time fitting exercise in? After my last baby (now 10 months) I still have not been able to exercise...even after 2 comments from people thinking I'm pregnant ....with 3 small children I feel like I have no time and when I do find 20 minutes I want to take a nap because I get so little sleep. I've bought several exercise things hoping that money spent would motivate me but so far no luck...Maybe I'm just venting...We're going back to wdw in Sept and I want to at least not look pregnant! I'm 5'3 and 152 pounds...my goal is to lose 40 (not all by wdw trip)...Does anyone else have this struggle or any advice???

Is there anyone that can help out by watching the kids for a few minutes- your husband, boyfriend, mother, sister, or neighbor, etc.. You have to find time for yourself to do something for yourself.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I hear you. I had a baby 7 months ago and I *just* started working out last week. The key for me was I literally had to have my mother take the baby for a little while and do it. I'm an avid at-home exerciser and use tons of videos so that I don't really have to go out and go to a gym. I have weights and other equipment at home that I can use with the videos.

Believe it or not, a lot my exercise sessions happen at 5am. But at least I get it in.

Can your DH watch the kids for 1 hour while you do your thing?

Here is a GREAT site for workout videos: www.collagevideo.com

 

[timzagain]

I used to push aside my exercise plans all the time 'til I got a long lecture from my doctor at the start of the new year. I had ridiculously high blood pressure and cholesterol. I'd put on too much weight in a really short time, etc, etc. I was "too busy" to look after myself, and was spending all my time chasing around behind the children or the almighty dollar. I wouldn't exercise because it clashed with DH's cycling, the kids' after school activities etc. I started the new year with about 10 days of sick leave.

During that time, I realized that there was no point running around behind children and/ or earning a living if I was too sick or too dead to enjoy either!

Now, I make a point of getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day,
first thing in the morning. Then I look for any and every opportunity to squeeze in exercise during the day, even if it's only 5 minutes at a time. I walk, jog or bike - I've wasted a small fortune over the years with exercise videos and equipment. Now I just stick to the things I know I'll do!

Don't give up! Your family needs you to be strong and healthy!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Well everyone has said it already. There is not time like now, and there is no choice. You've got to start one bit at a time. It is for you or you will not be around for anyone. Don't think about how much you will "like" it. Just put it on the schedule you keep for everyone else that this time is yours to put in some activity for yourself.

You will be there for everyone if you take the time to be there for you.

Good luck with what you choose and please do choose something.

 

[C_leen]

I too have had to change my lifestyle to get exercise in. For me, the answer is to roll out of bed in the morning and get it done. In time, exercise gives you more energy and clears your head for the rest of your day's demands.

You need to value your mental and physical health. If those components in your life don't get 30 minutes a day, other parts of your life are going to go out of whack.

As for covering the kids, my gym has a supervised kid area. You could form a baby sitting coverage with another mom who wants some work out time. You could even meet at a park for a play date and take turns jogging or walking while the other minds the kids. Get up and work out in your house before everyone wakes up. DH and relatives could pitch in too for a little 'you' time. To make it easy on DH, I often go to gym when everyone's still in bed on the weekends. Also on these 'special' days, I get a full hour in at the gym.

 

[believe]

DH and I work opposite shifts. During the week I walk on my lunch break and have started working earlier in order to leave earlier to get another walk in before DDs get home from school. On the weekends I walk at 6am, before the others are awake.

I recommend you give up your naps for about 30 days and fill it with exercise. You will find, atleast I did, that I now get up at 6am on the weekends...without an alarm, and I now stay up an hour later than I was able to before. I have more time in my day now with exercise than I did before. Also, get your DH to support you in this. If it wasn't for DH supporting me getting exercise in on the weekends it would never happen. I take shoes and socks with me and will leave an event to get my walking in, while he stays at the event with the kids. We went to the Cleveland DIS meet on Sunday and I left the meet to get my 4 mile walk in. The following day I left his parents house to get my 4 mile walk in, while he again stayed with the kids. A spouse's support is a key to staying motivated.

 

[ekball]

I find that it takes a lot of planning! Talking with DH early in the week to figure out what days he can pick the kids up so I can go home and walk before they get home, figuring out our weekend plans so I can fit in my longer training walks, etc. On the days I work late, I fit in a walk during the workday. Some nights I am on the treadmill at 8:30 to fit it in. Whatever it takes. More than anything, I think you just have to have the right frame of mind. Make it a priority and you will find the time to do it.
On a side note - I am training to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day charity walk this Oct. Having the goal of participating in, and finishing this walk is a HUGE motivator for me. This is the most active, most fit I have been since having my kids. I have made the time to fit in the exercise because I know it's not a choice if I want to be able to complete the walk. Maybe you can find a charity race, walk, etc. to train for?? It's a huge motivator, not to mention a great cause!

 

[poohssmum]

I hear you ... it's HARD to squeeze extra time into the day. My biggest problem was "everybody" says you should exercise first thing in the morning and get it out of the way. Great advice, if you can swing it ... not so much for the chronic night owl that has a tendancy to hit the snooze button as many times as possible in the morning. I'm just NOT a morning person, and that feeling that I HAD to exercise first thing in the morning left me feeling miserable and depressed. Then I really LOOKED at my daily schedule and I realized that the time that would work best for me was right after work. DH and I work opposite shifts, so he's home when the kids get home from school. He gets their homework and snack done for me, and I can pop in a DVD for about an hour while they play in the yard, read their books or even watch a little TV.

Now I find that when I'm really on track with the after-work workouts, on the evenings that we've got committments, it's not so hard to get out of bed an hour early in the morning ... that's because I look forward to my workouts and I don't feel like they are something I HAVE to do, kwim Good luck! I'm sure that you'll figure something out that will work for your life and for your family.

 

[ohMom]

you love those precious babies, right? TAKE CARE OF THEIR MOTHER!

i can only imagine how hard it is for you to find time -- but anything is better than nothing. find something you enjoy -- maybe yoga or pilates -- to get started and as you gradually incorporate exercise into your routine you will realize just how much BETTER you do feel, and in turn you'll sleep better and actually feel less tired. ironic huh?

hang in there -- you can do it!!

 

[em-o-so'smom]

well I've put in an effort...exercising most days and doing better to watch what i eat...My exercise often gets interupted but it's more than not exercising at all...my biggest surprise was losing 3 pounds...I know its not a lot but seeing some difference after 2 weeks makes me feel that it is actually working!!!

 

[kwsoccerkid]

You don't need expensive Exercise equipment to get you motivated.
If you can't get some one to watch your kids.
You said that you get 20 minutes a day.
Take a walk in that time I do that every day for 20 minutes.
(throw on the Ipod and listen to the Dis)
Also space your meals 4 to 5 hours no eating in between meals.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I have two "10 Minute Solution" DVD's. Each has six different 10-minute workouts. It's amazing how just 10 minutes of exercise can boost your energy level. If you have more than 10 minutes to spare you can combine or repeat workouts.

I tend to exercise early in the morning, before DH and DD are awake and before I get in the shower to get ready for work.

 

[~Brandy~]

I have two "10 Minute Solution" DVD's. Each has six different 10-minute workouts. It's amazing how just 10 minutes of exercise can boost your energy level. If you have more than 10 minutes to spare you can combine or repeat workouts.

If you have Netflix, these workout videos are available on the "Watch Now" part of the site!

 

[believe]

well I've put in an effort...exercising most days and doing better to watch what i eat...My exercise often gets interupted but it's more than not exercising at all...my biggest surprise was losing 3 pounds...I know its not a lot but seeing some difference after 2 weeks makes me feel that it is actually working!!!

Congratulations on the 3lbs you have lost. Keep up the effort! Great job!