Finding Time to Work Out - Ely,IA

I motivate myself to do anything (not just exercise) by telling myself, "ok, I'll just do one thing". On a really bad day it would be "I'll just do one stomach crunch". On a good day, "Ok, I'll just do 10 minutes of Pilates." Once I've done one crunch, I say to myself, "Ok I'll just do one more." Repeat. I have to trick myself into believing I can stop at any time (which I can) and that I only have a minimum requirement of ONE! One crunch, one minute, one mini-routine, whatever. Once I get going, (usually after 5 or so "one more"s,) then I am energized and motivated to KEEP going.

Since it sounds like you feel at 730pm the same way I feel a lot of the time, this approach might work for you at that specific time.

One sort of silly thing that I enjoy is a hula hoop! I got one at Sport Authority for something like $5. It has water in it so it's much easier to keep going than the old or non-water ones, and it's done wonders for my waistline, quads, and other parts you wouldn't expect. And you can do it while watching TV and it's easily stowed under the couch. The kids think it's fun, too (they have kid-sized ones and adult-sized ones; don't try to use a kid's size as it won't work).

I work out at night, too. I bought a used treadmill through the classifieds about 5 years ago and set it up at home with a TV. I'm not very motivated at night, but I can watch something fun while I walk or run for 30 minutes. I started carrying small hand weights, and that adds to the workout benefit. At the same time, I am starting a morning class for moms at Pump It Up in Eden Prairie - yoga and pilates to start, with aerobics and dance coming later - for moms who are in the same boat as you are, but with kids who are a little older. Moms can let their kids play while they work out, without needing the gym membership... hope this helps!

Although I don't work outside the house full time I do have 4 kids at home so I certainly work full time at home:) I can totally appreciate the time commitments of a busy mom. I deal with the same thing: no time/energy to work out. One thing I found that helped was to remain flexible...do you have to work out 3x per week at the exact same time and location? I tend to do one early morning class, one evening class and one short bit of cardio (under 35 minutes) either by putting my children in the gym childcare or grabbing one of them and using the jogging stroller. I am much more able to fit my workouts to my life if I allow for A LOT of wiggle room...'scuse the pun:) I miss a workout session, no big deal, the next day has a couple of windows of opportunity to fit something, even something small, in. For instance, you could do that one morning workout with taking your daughter, try to find the energy after she goes to bed just one time and then do a yoga video or go for a walk around the community with or without your daughter another day. Experts say that varying up your workout routine as much as possible is actually the best way to keep from hitting and staying in plateau's. Don't have a plan for the week other than working out 3x and then watch for ways to make that happen and to fit that in. Of course you'll have to do some planning but if plans change keep an open mind as far as where else you could fit in a half hour of exercise. You'll be surprised.
Plus, at least for me, it keeps me interested. Because life has come along and changed my plans so often it has forced me to try classes and workouts I wouldn't normally have tried if I had been able to stick to my same routine each week. Most of my favorite workouts now are ones I chanced upon b.c life changed my plans for working out that day.
Best of luck...
K. H.

Instead of going to the gym i signed up for taekowndo three days a week. It's a half hour work out. My problem with going to the gym that late at night. I couldn't get to sleep when i got home. Taekowndo is just enough but you can still get to sleep. It also releases all those flustrations. The great thing now my daughter is old enough to join me. Kids can start as early as two years old, three is ideal. But we both enjoy it. Good luck!

I work out in the morning, but there are some days that I work out in the evenings (8:00-ish). I admit that the only things that get me out are my husband's support and somebody to go to the gym with. Find a work out partner. Somebody you know is trustworthy, consistent and who has a lot of will power. I'll bet you could find either another mom who also wants to work out or a mom that is willing to babysit swap so that you can work out with your hubbie.

I bought an elliptical and it sits in my main living room - not attractive, but tough. Anytime I want to watch TV, I have to be on the elliptical. End of story. This forces me to work out and allows me to have down time at the same time. That way, if I turn the news on for 5 minutes in the morning to catch the weather, I get 5 minutes of exercise. If I then turn on the TV to watch a favorite show at night, I get 30 more. No one said that workouts have to be all at one time - I can't fit an hour in, but I can fit 5 -10 minutes several times a day.

First of all, I do not work out at all because I don't have time either. But if you feel strongly about it, which you obviously do... I would consider getting a treadmill at home. Then you can do it while you hang out with your family. And you can go for walks (or runs) with your daughter in the stroller when it's nice outside. That's the only exercise I get. And you can save money by cancelling your gym membership! If you prefer the gym, do they have child care services for your little girl? Maybe she'd like to go with you and and play in the playroom.

R.,

I feel your pain! I have a 13 month old son and it's hard to manage everything! I have one night a week where I go workout. I bring my workout cloths with me to work, but leave them in my car. After work, I just drive to the gym. I workout for an hour and that gets me home in enough time to get my son ready for bed. I usually workout on the weekends for about an hour or so.

Since your daughter goes to bed around 7:30 perhaps you could go after that? However it is much harder to go work out once you are home, but if you have the motivation go for it! :)

Good luck!
M.

R.,

Have you tried yoga or pilates? I've found that even when I'm exhausted, I can do these exercises. (In fact, sometimes they even energize me.) I'd suggest you get a DVD so you do it right at home after she goes to sleep.

Hi, Ricki,

I have almost the exact situation you have...hubby is gone in the am, work full-time and don't get home until 5:30-6:00, daughter is 15 months now, and NEED to work out. Right now while it's still light out, I put my daughter in a jogger stroller and we jog for about 30 minutes every day. It gets her and our chocolate lab outside and gives me a workout. After she goes to bed at 8:30, I'll do leg lifts and sit-ups and other toning exercises on the living room floor so I'm still spending some time with my hubby each night. When it starts getting really cold out and snowy, I guess I'll have to re-think my routine. I do have a treadmill downstairs, so maybe it will be running on the treadmill after I put her to bed? Not sure about that yet. Good luck to you!

Hi,
Yes, it's very tough to find time to work out. I have two boys: 5 years and 6 months. As a family we play in the back yard and then pop the baby in the stroller and the big one on his bike and go for a walk after dinner. I do a 90 minute weight work out after they go to bed. I usually start at 8:30 and try to be done by 10 PM. In my case, not working out is not an option. I had a major surgery and pain is a huge motivator. At the end of the day, I, too, am exhausted, but know there will be an even bigger physical price if I do not do what the doctors tell me. My body has adjusted and I am still able to go to sleep. I wish you luck - I know it's hard to get started. My suggestion is to start in small chunks.

My advice would be to work out after work. I have a 13 month old boy and drop him off at daycare at 7am,.. that gets me to work at 7:30am. Then 2 or 3 times a week I go to the gym after work. I let my husband pick-up the kid and feed him, change him, the usual stuff. I come home and get to play with my kid for a half hour before hes in bed. I miss seeing him but I also enjoy the time to myself. I also figure that nothing should be more important then your health,.. stay healthy for your kid. I also work out on saturday and that seems to help out.
good luck!

I know you said you can't do it in the morning, but are you sure? I have 4 boys, my husband leaves before everyone else gets up, too, but I get up at 5:45 and exercise then; otherwise, it just doesn't get done. good luck!

Don't feel selfish for taking care of yourself! You need to be in tip-top shape in order to take the best care of your daughter! If the only time for your workout is in the evening, but you're too drained to go to the gym, have you considered doing a routine at home? I would suggest yoga. While it initially sounds pretty mellow, some of my toughest workouts have been from yoga. Of course you can do more relaxing routines as well, which would get you ready for bed.

R.-
Your time schedule sounds a lot like mine. I have a 4 and a half year old and a 4 and half month old. What I did with the older was work out on my lunches too. My gym will not take kids in the care area until they are six months old. I am getting prepared to go back to the gym the day my youngest turns six months old. My daycare is only a few blocks from the gym so I will be there by 5:30pm and done by 6:30pm, with the kids in their care. I know it will be giving up some time but I also know that I can't be an effective mom if I am not taking care of myself. Plus, we will get the ride home and while the little one sleeps the older one and I can sing songs or he can tell me about his day, etc. I am a single mom so having a husband at home volunteering to help with dinner would be awesome! Also, if you choose to work out after your daughter has gone to bed, in college I used to work out from 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm. When I got home I would get ready for bed, have a glass of milk, brush my teeth and watch the end of Letterman then go to bed. I never had a problem falling asleep. I hope this helps a little!

J.

i'm a stay-at-home mom but with my husband leaving the house around 7:45 each morning i usually try and hit the gym before he leaves or sometime in the evening. i've gone a couple of times after our children go to bed but by that time i've usually run out of steam for the day (9pm or so) so i've taken to either early morning or right around 6-7pm.

it's hard for me to get myself up in the morning to head out but i've found that if i pop a b-complex vitamin on my way to the gym and make sure i get some protein in before my workout i feel a lot better. i've also noticed that it corresponds to feeling much better during the day when i can get up and at the gym in the morning.

- J.

Hi-
I have found that removing myself from the quiet activities at night- the book reading, dimming the lights, etc. helps me a lot as it doesn't get me all tired. My husband tucks the kids in 3 nights a week so I can have time to myself or work out.

I too work full time and had a similar scheduled life with my husband gone in the mornings and I LOVE the evening routine-and cherish the time with my kids, it just would get me so tired as well (after tucking 3 kids in and saying goodnight to each one I'm more than ready to go to sleep).

Knowing that I get to be a part of it the next night makes it easier for me to leave after jams are put on and teeth are brushed- but if I don't get out before the books are read or lights are dimmed, I found I never get my stuff done.
good luck

Hi,
I mostly want to read what other moms say because I too am unable to motivate at night during the only free time available. I have tried walking at lunch but it seems so unfulfilling. I know when the kids are older it will be easier but I want to be in shape now!! I have pushed my daughter in a stroller to power walk and I hear jogging is a really good work out?
Good luck!

I have this same problem so I am curious to see the responses you get. My husband also leaves for work at 5:30am, I leave a little before 7. So, in the morning is't just me and my daughter (21 months). Because of this and not knowing when she will wake up in the morning I take my showers at night. So, my nights consist of dinner, bath, shower, and then like you I'm completely exhausted come 8pm. It seems that my only option is to work out at home but I don't get the full benefit there as we don't have any equipment, just videos.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I share your pain. :)

Full Time working mom to a 21 month old wonderful little girl and married for 4 1/2 years.

Sounds like I could have written this question 7 months ago! That is about the time I stopped nursing my daughter (now 19 months old) and actually REALLY got back into a work out routine. What works best for me and my family is to go at about 8 p.m. - after the kids have gone to bed and the house is cleaned up for the day. I do my routine, run, weights, etc. for an hour of un-rushed "me" time, come home, stretch, take a shower, and sleep like a baby. On those evenings I don't feel like going (M,W,F) because I'm tired, it's raining, and whatever excuse I seem to find, I just tell myself "It doesn't matter" because this is the ONLY time I have all to myself without interruption and I've come to treasure it! Good luck to you and you'll do fine once you come up with a schedule that works for you and your family.

I feel ya! I finally decided to buy a treadmill since that is a good work out. Obviously I don't have all the benefits of going to the gym, but it really helps. Plus the treadmill tones legs, butt & tummy & maybe even my arms ?? Anyway, I try really hard to get 3 times per week at 30 minutes each. It isn't much, but it really helps keep my body tone & also like you said, I don't feel so lazy! My son just plays while I work out for the 30 minutes. It's really my best bet since I don't want to put him in another daycare at the gym (since my husband works late hours), plus who wants to leave the house after cooking, cleaning, baths, etc....time to relax!

Good luck

ps - i still do have to force myself to go downstairs and work out, but it is so much easyier to force myself to do that rather then go to the gym!

I found that night's after my son was in bed was the perfect time for me to go to the YMCA. My husband would put him down about 8pm, and I'd have two hours at the Y to work out. I always ended my workout with a soak in the hot tub or some time in the steam room. It relaxed me and I was able to go home and get some sleep.
Mornings never worked for us, either, mostly because of scheduling.
The Y is fantastic because they offer childcare during the day, and on weekends I was able to take my son there, let him play, and I could workout. My husband and I also used it as a "date" on Sunday mornings because it gave us some time to ourselves, and our son was in good hands.
I'm pregnant with #2 right now but I plan on continuing this after this babe is born.
Good luck!

go to your local YMCA. They have drop-in child care for a fee so you can work out. It's cheaper if you're a member, but it's reasonable either way. Don't feel like you're being selfish. Moms need time, too.

Don't know if this will help anyone or R. but...here's how I stick to the routine... For me, the first couple of hours at home are crazy but I'm still getting some exercise. I get home by 5:45 from work/picking up my 5 month old son at daycare. Depending on how his afternoon has been, he is either hungry or tired. If he's hungry, i feed him and then he's in his stroller and we speed walk around the neighborhood. If he's tired, I still get him bundled up (it's cold at night now!), put him in the stroller and he usually falls asleep. If not, he naps when we get home. Some nights we only go 15 min. Other nights, 30-40 min. It isn't much but it is part of our routine now and at least I feel like I did something for myself, even if my baby doesn't get a long nap. And I am so wiped out by bedtime, I'm never too wired from exercise to sleep!
A few other things that might help -
*I'm ALWAYS on my computer at night and I leave my silly $10 (from Walmart) Pilates DVD in the computer's disk drive. That reminds me to do that a couple times a week. It is divided into 10 min segments. One for abs, one for butt, etc. I like it because you can just pick one or two. Feels easy but works you pretty good. I hate working out if you can't tell already by what I count as exercise (10 min of pilates and 30 min of walking).
*I get into my workout clothes immediately when i get home. Sports bra and everything. makes me feel like i have to go do something.
*My dog guilts me into going for a walk. he is so used to that routine that I feel terrible for him if we don't go. he sits around the house all day and doesn't get to do anything fun unless I walk him.

I work out at night probably three times a week, and find that I sleep better on those nights. As for finding the energy to haul yourself off the sofa after a long day, I wish I had the miracle answer. It's nothing more than willpower, I'm afraid. It helps to have a gym close by, and I would start off slowly. A half hour of stretching after an exercise drought can feel really good. Don't forget the sauna or hot tub afterwards! Good luck!

R.,

My experience has been that the gym membership is a waste of time and money. It takes at least 30 minutes to get ready, get children ready, drive to gym, drop off children in daycare and start workout. Then it takes at least another 30 minutes to pick up kids, drive home and possibly shower for the second time that day. That's an extra hour not including your workout time. Cheap memberships are at least $20-30 a month, but most people I know spend over $100 a month.

I choose to workout at home. There is an upfront cost of buying workout DVDs ($6-10 on eBay.) You can also record FitTV or download it off the internet for free. Handweights are roughly $1 per pound. I bought "The Firm" step on eBay for less than $40. We picked up a weight bench and weight set at a Boy Scout auction for about $50. Stability ball $3 at auction. We also got a high end eliptical machine for a little over $1000. Even so, we spent less than most do for a year's gym membership and we have that stuff forever. And you don't have to have all that stuff. If you are tight on space, just get some handweights that you can store under the bed.

I workout first thing in the morning before my kids wake up. That may not be your best time slot, but it takes me all of 15 seconds to walk into the basement and I can work out in my pajamas if I want. No transportation time, no daycare issues, and only one shower needed daily.

To get yourself motivated in the evening, maybe you can look at your eating habits. Do you get enough protein or too many simple carbs several hours before that 7:30 crash? Maybe you could just shower once in the evening after your workout and skip the morning shower, letting you sleep in a few minutes?

This really is tough. There probably is no easy answer. Maybe it is just reminding yourself of how crummy you feel when you don't exercise to get you motivated when you feel too tired to do it.

Good luck,
S.

Funny - this is one of the first things that I read this morning and I just "finished" my 45 minutes on the trainer. I have three children (6, 25 months with special needs and 13 months). In order to get "any" time for myself, I get up at 5 a.m. I get one cup of coffee down and hop on the machine directly thereafter. I work out of our home as a PR consultant (more than a full time job with two babies by my side). Needless to say, by 7 p.m., I have had it. Workouts at night would not work for me. Babes in bed by 8 and my husband and I by 9. Exercise has always been a priority of mine, and I stuck to a routine through each of my pregnancies. So, the early morning does not bother me - tune into Discovery Health, watching baby shows, and get the exercise out of the way. I wish you luck. I have found that if I fail to make any "me" time, no one else will.

Hi R.,
I am also 33 and have a 2 year old and a 2 month old. Before I had kids, I worked out twice a day, every day so needless to say I had to cut back when my first child was born. I feel for you b/c I am in that position in a daily basis. I never feel good if I don't get exercise in during the week and I know how exhausted you must be. I am working out later in order to spend time with my husband my boys. I used to belong to a gym before my children were born, but I could never find time to go. So what I did was create my own home gym. we have a treadmill and I bought dvds for step, kickboxing, and weight training. I workout around 7:30 after nursing my youngest child and getting him to bed. It's not easy and there are days I am dragging myself to take out the equipment to start, but I once I get started I feel soooooo much better. I usually conk out or feel tired by 10:00 or 11:00. The advantage of working out at home is that there is no travel time that needs to be built in to going to the gym and you can hop into your own shower. It took me awhile to accept that I can't work out as I used to and you shouldn't feel bad if you can't do it every day. Start with 3 days a week and then go from there. Take advantage of the weekends when you have more time with your daughter and won't feel so guilty sneaking away for an hour to workout. You aren't being selfish b/c you are taking care of your body and yourself. I don't know how I'd handle my 2 year old if I didn't work out! I know it's hard, but you sound committed and I think you'll feel a lot better. I don't like working out so late, but I have gotten used to it. Good luck!

I workout at home. I have an eliptical machine and some weights. I also have videos. I get up at 5am, go in the basement and workout. Then get ready for work, get the kids up (they're 4 year and 19 months) and get out the door. If for some reason I don't get a chance in the morning I do it when they are either awake and playing downstairs or after they both go to bed (usually 9pm). So maybe you can compromise on your workout. Workout at home most days and maybe go to the gym 2-3 times a week after your daughter goes to bed.

I finally decided I would have to do something with my kids or would never exercise. I got Dance Dance Revolution for Playstation2. They have double pads or they have these games with pads for kids (educational). I use the pad from the kids game, not plugged in, for my daughter, who then dances next to me. I didn't realize until I started that it's the equivalent to running 2 miles when I do the workout mode (it calculates all this for you). That, plus rollerblading with the stroller, or biking with a trailer, etc. helps me fit in the exercise. You can also fit it in in chunks. I try to walk 10 minutes at work, if only lapping the building a couple times as well.

Good luck! I hear ya on not being able to fit it all in!

R.,
This IS such a hard thing when you're working full time, and I totally hear ya about being wiped out at 7:30. I couldn't even begin to imagine working out that late! Is your gym located near your work? Can your husband pick your daughter up from day care? If so, maybe you could squeeze in an hour's workout just two evenings during the week, then go again on the weekend while your daughter's napping (if your husband's home). If your husband can't pick her up, then at least you'll have the time with her in the car, then run to the gym for an hour or 45 minutes and come back home before bedtime. Yes, it's taking away from that precious time, but our health and our bodies are important too! It would just be two hours out of your week, and I bet you and your daughter would get used to the adjustment in no time.
Best of luck to you,
Amy K

You're not selfish, because I think taking care of yourself helps you be a better mom in the ways that you've mentioned. I've worked out at night, also dead tired, and what I do is sort of trick myself. I say I'll just do 20 minutes, and after that it's okay to quit (because 20 minutes is better than none, right?). Usually, I end up finishing my workout because by that time I'm awake enough and energized enough to want to. And if I don't want to keep going, I give myself a break, because it doesn't happen that often.

As for the time, the exercise usually wakes me up enough to finish tasks for the next day -- lunches ready, etc.; but I usually fall asleep just fine.

Good luck:) Sometimes it feels like being a mom is not compatable with getting exercise!

I think you have gotten some good advice already. You say you are not a morning workout person but it doesn't seem like you are an evening person either - trust me I am the same way. No matter which end of the day you choose to workout on it is initially going to be hard - but once you have established the routine of doing it it does become easier.

I opted for the morning workout for a couple of reasons - You get it over with - otherwise I felt like exercise was hanging over my head all day, I did see my energy level increase vs when I workout at night then I had a harder time calming down and in the end stayed up later and got less sleep! Plus for me mornings was my time to organize my thoughts and focus my day and let me put work into prespective.

I agree with the person who said - skip the gym - I would consider working out at home a couple mornings a week and then hitting the gym on the weekends to mix up the routine. It allows you to sleep in a little vs going to the gym and it doesn't upset your daughters schedule in anyway. See if your husband is willing/could go in later to work a couple of days a week to help support your exercise plan. A healthier you is a happier you and he definately benefits from that!

Good luck and realize you are not alone in trying to do it all but it is important not to lose yourself in the process.

I like a lot of the advice you already have gotten. One thing I may add though, is you really need to think about yourself. You started your question with feeling selfish. You need to change that thought process and consider yourself. It is hard as a mom to do that and I still struggle with it, but once I realized that I have to take care of myself in order to care for anyone else life got a little easier actually! My daughter is almost ten, and I have learned that she does not really mind if I am gone for an hour. One other thing to consider is that by taking the time to keep yourself healthy, you will instill that in your daughter and make her life easier in the long run too! She will automatically know that you take care of yourself and take time to exercise and be healthy.

Hi R.. One of the benefits of exercising is that it energizes me. So I do it first thing in the morning when I wake up. Yes, sometimes I'm in sleep mode, but after awhile, trust me, I wake up! If I do it at nite, I'm unable to relax and fall asleep. When my children were younger, I did it during nap times and/or when they were in school. Now when I do have to go to work (for a temp agency), I get up earlier and do it (yes, oftentimes at 5 a.m.).

I cherish my time and money, so altho it works for some people, I do not go to a gym. I have dvd's and I also will walk our gravel roads and mow our nearly an acre lawn with a push mower. An hour a day over several days usually gets the job done and also covers my daily workouts - we live in the country and the lawn is not smooth!

You are not selfish for wanting to get in shape and have a little time to yourself. It sounds like you already know the benefits of exercising. From reading your situation, I would say quit the gym, wake up earlier and do it in the mornings whether it be a dvd or a treadmill, or a brisk walk if it's safe in your neighborhood in the dark.

I am in touch with quite a few moms who are in your position and make it work. It's individual and you just have to MAKE the time...even if it can only be 10 or 20 minutes here and there thru out the day. I'm a fitness coach and if you need more help or info, check out this link - I'd be happy to help you further.

www.beachbodycoach.com/Wanaka

Good luck!
W.*

Have you thought about a Mommy and Me work out during the mornings? I know you say mornings are not the best time and you don't want to give up that time being with your daughter...but there are some really great programs out there for mother/child work outs...or you could come up with your own. Laying down and bench pressing the little one with little "zurbers" on the tummy on the way down. This could also teach your child about being healthy and create a whole new bond between you. On some days your husband could even join you. Good Luck!

Hi R.,
I have the same struggle as you. What has worked for me is I set up a plan with my husband that I would meet my friend every Tuesday night at the gym at 7pm, and workout. Tuesday nights are his to do dinner, bath, bed for our son. I come home from work on Tuesdays - eat dinner before 6 and go to the gym at 7. One night at the gym may not be much, but it is better than not working out at all! On the other nights during the week I try my best to pop in a 20 minute workout DVD after my son's bedtime. Then I still have a few hours to myself after that. Working out from 7-8, I have found is not bad. I do need about an hour to wind down afterward, but I find I actually sleep better on those nights . I know that it isn't the ideal (which would be everyday at the gym), but I have found it to work for me. Good luck!

Hi. I am in a similar situation except my husband stays at home during the day so I feel bad when I come home leaving again to work out. My daughter goes to sleep at 7 or 7:30 and I am so wiped out by that time I don't feel like going to workout or even jumping on the treadmill. I started working from home on Tuesdays to make it to my morning kickbox class and then I go to morning kickbox classes on Sat and Sunday for an hour. Sometimes I go in late on Thursdays to get to that morning session. If you have any kind of flexibility with work I highly suggest you try to use that to your advantage. Otherwise, take her to the mall a day a week and walk around the mall at least.

How about working your daughter into your routine? You can lift her in different ways to work your muscles, or just take her with as you climb up and down the stairs (my 13 mo. daughter loves this). I make it into a game by making silly noises as we go up and down. Also, getting down on the floor and chasing her around for a while counts for something, and it will help her get some exercise, too. She will think it is fun that Mommy is on her level chasing her around. I know it is not the same as having time to do a serious workout, but maybe it will give you something until you can fit it back in your routine, and who knows maybe it will boost your energy so you feel like working out after she goes to bed.