How Do You Find Time to Exercise?

I'm a mother of 3 . . .21,18 and 2 (soon to be 3--all girls). Imagine the rebound I had to make. I went from a size 10 (which is a pretty decent size saying that I'm an African-American woman)to an 18!!! I know right. But, what I found what truly and sincerely worked for me was to simply MAKE TIME FOR MYSELF! It wasn't easy, but it was that simple. I sat down one day and realized how I was taking care of everyone else except me. No one will take care of you better than you! Grab a hold of that concept and you'll make the time. By the way, I'm a size 14 now with an active membership at Bally's, work a full-time job, have my own at-home business as well, and my 2 year old is as active as she wants to be. So, yeah, I think you can make the time. Hope I motivated ya'! ;)

Exercise and proper nutrition are an absolute priority for me and I have made a lifelong commitment to both. Right now, the best time for me to workout is in the morning, so that means I exercise at work before my work day begins. What I like best about it is that I avoid traffic because I leave so early plus it is 90 minutes that I have all to myself to make me a stronger, healthier, and happier woman - which makes me a better mother! Plus, when I get it all done in the morning that means that I have all the time when I get home from work to spend with my kid and don't have to worry about trying to fit in the workout.

During the summer (I'm a teacher), I get to the gym and fit in my workout before my child wakes up (dad doesn't leave til I get home). If time is tight, I shorten or save my cardio until I get home and chase my kid around the backyard or take him on a power walk or jog.

To me, exercising and eating properly are just as important as getting 8 hours of sleep and breathing. Given the horrible epidemic of obesity and inactivity in this country, I want my child to see someone who models positive, healthy behavior and that really motivates me as well.

I am a morning person as well and the gym opens up at 5am and I do a quick/superset gym routine which also gives me cardio benefits 4-5 times a week. I also have the gear for the baby to be outside everyday-when I am power walking, I am multi tasking-making phone calls, listening to conference calls and just generally using every minute. During the winter months I do more yoga indoors and rebound. You can always find 20 minutes at least 2 to 3 times per day. It is all about planning and not giving excuses!!

Brisk walks in the stroller and their nap time was my exercise time.

Personally, I am a morning person, and the rest of my family is not. During the school year, I need to leave at 7:30 a.m., so I end up getting up between 5 and 5:30 in order to exercise. Luckily, I bought a treadmill many years ago, and it really came in handy when the kids were babies-didn't have to tote them to the gym... just had the baby monitor right next to the treadmill and crossed my fingers I could finish my workout before they woke up!

Although I don't have to get up quite so early in the summer, I try to keep my schedule so that I'm consistent... I also swim occasionally, and the Y near me opens at 5:15am, so I can go and be back before my husband is up, usually.

My kids (5 and 3) sleep at 7:30.. so I work out after they go to bed. I usually run outdoors (my husband's home) or do an exercise video!