Finding Time to Work Out?

Is it possible for you to squeeze in some time at the college gym in between classes? If so, you could squeeze in 30 minutes on the bike or the eliptical and do some lighter reading while you do it.

Good luck!

M.,

I used to have your problem but I realized if I wanted to be "Super mom" I had to find time during the day. I workout during my lunch hour and I have no excuses because its "My time" and i am held accountable. If you have a lunch break this is your best bet and eat small meals throughout the day. On busy days i eat protien bars, maybe an egg taco on whole wheat tortilla, protien shakes so its easy to drink this after my workout and not skip a meal. THis will help maintain your wieght, get a workout and also help you be more alert for your studies and have more energy to keep up with baby and hubby. God luck the benefits are awesome.

M.,
Make a schedule for yourself. When I was a new mom, going from working full-time (and going to school) to just being at home and going to school full-time, I needed a schedule. And I scheduled play time with baby, cleaning, eating, working out, chores, tv time etc. I still remember that 7 pm on Tuesday nights was my night to watch one of my shows. Another night was X-Files, but I think it came on at 8. I didn't watch tv at any other time. Now I'd have to schedule the internet.....

For keeping up with school I took my syllabus for each class and do all the reading and notes the first week of the semester. It was a hard week for me, but my husband would watch our son and then I'd have THAT much of the school work done for the semester.

Working out I went to a gym that had a sitting service. It was great. Expensive but great.

You will find that the busier your life becomes the better you will become at orgainizing your time. At least that's how it worked for me.

Good luck!

join a gym with childcare. good luck.

You might want to try strollerfit. This is the only thing that works out for me. I go on Saturdays. You bring your baby in the stroller and you exercise utilizing the stroller or without the stroller. I was very sceptical how this would work out but as a matter of fact I find some of the exercises more challenging than an aerobic class or weight training. Also, it is surprisingly easy with the babies. They seem to like it too. I also have all kind of workout DVD's at home, but I never use them.
Good luck.

Hi M.--

Its extremely hard to manage your time when you have alittle one, however you learn to do it well!! I have been managing to sneak in a workout when my18 month old daughter has gone to bed which is typically around 8pm. Typically by the time I get home with her its already 6pm and get dinner cooked and on the table, then get her all cleaned up, then its bath time. I tried working out wiht her however she thinks its play time, so I nixed that idea and switched to after she has gone to bed. I save everything that I do for me after she has gone to bed that way its mytime and I don't have to worry about any interruptions. Also get a workout buddy. One of my friend's who lives in Ft Worth is my workout buddy. We both keep each other accountable.

What I have been doing is trying to work out with my baby. I can put her on my legs and lift her in the air or put her on my stomach and do sit ups and various things like that. She enjoys it and I can use her weight for resistance. There are videos for mommy and baby yoga also, but I have not tried them.

Hi M.! Yes, I know what you mean. I am a SAHM with a daughter 3 1/2 and a 13 month old & a full time college student (FSU online of course). All I did was complain to myself & my husband about not being able to workout. We have a full gym in our house, but I can't let the kids in there, so what I have done is buy P90X (beachbody). It is awesome. I sometimes nap with the kids if they didn't sleep the night before, but if I feel good I workout. They are videos you can do at your house. My husband workouts out everynight & we eat very healthy. I didn't necessarily need to lose a ton of weight- but TONE everything since having kids. I think it is around $100, but I have been doing it for a month & my body already looks a ton different. I feel better too- so much more energy. I do it in the evening, morning or afternoon. It is weights, cardio, yoga, kempo, core, abs, ect... I just don't have time to go to a gym or workout in my own gym at home. My daughter trys to do it with me- it is a hoot!

But if you didn't want to do that, I know there are a couple of gyms that have daycares you can do in the am, to get you doing for the rest of the day! (just make sure it is a good daycare.) Hope this helps- I never took time to myself & this xmas I said I need at least an hour a day to work out, so I can be healthy for me & my family. Take care!

M.,

Hello. Put a 30-45mins "in-home" workout half-way between 6p & 11p. You can afford that. Pilates, yoga, step aerobics are all awesome full body workouts that can be done on your living room floor! It'll be a nice break from the books too, to save from burn-out. Try it! Have fun!

Please feel free to call/contact me with questions.

D. P., LMT, CPT
Licensed Massage Therapist
Certified Personal Trainer
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e-mail: ____@____.com

Hi M.,

I think you have asked the age-old question that all moms ask. You didnt say how old our son is and whether he naps. Also, are you going to school in the mornings, afternoons, etc. As moms, we are all too busy taking care of others and trying to meet their needs and we forget about ours. Unless we begin taking care of ourselves, we will be unable to care for others and it took my long enough to learn that one. I am 48 and started will all sorts of health issues due to neglect and stress. So now I carve out time for myself, even if it is 30 minutes a day. You can put take your son with you and go for walks. As long as you are moving for 30 minutes to get your heart rate up, you will be doing something good for yourself. Play with him at the park, kicking a soccer ball around (if he is old enough) is still a good form of exercise. Another idea is to find the time in the evening-maybe before you study-will give you more energy to focus and concentrate on your studies-again, even if it is only 30 minutes. Find a "buddy" that will keep you motivated-I have my 20 year old daughter who will be my motivation when I say I don't have time. Make that time "me" time and try not to let anything get in the way of that "me" time. Look at your schedule and prioritize your day-just don't forget to make YOU a priority! I'm not sure what college you attend, but most offer the gym to their students for free or for a nominal charge. I know Kingwood College allows their students to use the facilities for free. SO if you have time in between classes, pop in the gym for about 30 to 45 minutes and make use of their treadmills, weights, etc. I used to do that when I was attending classes and I had some time in between. I had the choice of socializing or taking care of "me" and I chose the second option. It's hard to do but take a few minutes and see what is not a priority in your day to day schedule. Try finding time at least 3 times a week and I think you will see and feel a major difference.

Blessings
M.

Good Luck!

Hi, M..

Well I'm not a SAHM. I am a SWOHM (Single Work Outside the Home Mom). I cannot afford a gym, and when I did belong to one years ago I hardly used it. I work in Mesquite, get off between 5pm and 5:20pm, pick up my 9 and 5-year-old daughters at after school care in Rockwall by 6pm and I'm lucky if I get home by 6:15pm. Then I have to cook dinner. I definitely needed a workout schedule to suit my own without taking quality time away from my kids. I purchased a couple of workout videos/DVDs. One is an old Jane Fonda 30 minute low impact aerobic video and the other is a Pilates. I squeeze this in while the girls are eating their dinner. So far I have not had any trouble getting in my workout. I only do it a 5 days a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). Hope this helps.

Hi M.... I am a yoga instructor and would like to offer you private sessions at your location. This eliminates finding time or having to get out of the house to attend a fitness center or gym at a specific time. My sessions are scheduled by appointment, working around my client's schedule! Yoga has so many wonderful benefits (and can help you lose weight and get in shape). Visit my website - www.totalharmonyyoga.com - for more information about me, my classes and how to contact me to set up a session. Hope to see you soon!