I started the gym....only to be called by the nursery to come pick up my baby. I have no family and my husband works nights when I need to go....so I cancelled the gym membership.

I bought excersice video's, but with my attempts for my children to "join in" they only ran in to me, cried for help, or crawled over me. So there are some more defeated exercises.

When going for a walk, one of children will constantly cry. I just feel very stressed with the above 3 exercise items that I've tried. Unfortunately, I have no one that can watch my babies, while I'm gone. They are just too much for anyone to handle.

I really need help because, although I do not like to exercise, I know that I need to and I've topped 190 pounds and can't imagine if I gained more. I feel very defeated and am hoping that you can give me some ideas.

Thanks,

Andrea

Hi Andrea, 

Thanks for writing and welcome to the alli fitness forum!  Finding time to exercise with all the demands of a family is very challenging for sure.  You should be proud that you're really trying to incorporate exercise into your week, as it is very important. 

First, I would encourage you to try to get up before the children are awake to get in your exercise.  Even if that means you get up 30 minutes to 1 hour earlier that you're used to, the results will be well worth it!  Pop in one of your exercise DVD's and get it done early! It is a great start to your day and you'll feel like you accomplished something good for you!  I would also recommend that you have a few inexpensive exercise tools, such as a FitBall, light-moderately heavy dumbbells, and exercise bands around the house.  You can sit on the ball while working on the computer, watching TV, etc. and work your core muscles.  You can also perform strength training exercises while on the ball, even if it is just getting in a few reps in-between laundry!

Another idea for you would be to swap babysitting with a friend or neighbor.  Make a plan to take a walk or do your DVD's while he/she watches your kids, and then you do the same favor for her!  If your children are young enough, put them in strollers, meet a friend and head to the mall for a cool, brisk mall-walk.  Lastly, just daily lifestyle activities such as taking the kids to the park, going for a bike ride around the neighborhood or playing kickball in the yard will burn some serious calories and provide lots of fun!

Stay positive and continue to work hard!  With the help of alli, a healthy, low-fat diet and moderate exercise, you should see wonderful results!  I would encourage you to continue to post messages and stay connected to the alli family for support, encouragement and guidance! 

Best in health, 

Kelli

Andrea,

I feel your frustration. My daughter is 15 months old and it seems like if I try to work out during her nap I get started just about the time she wakes up, etc. I have tried the getting them involved attempt too and thats just a mess with a toddler. I also have the same problem as you that her father works the opposite schedule I do (except he works Friday, Saturday, Sunday opposed to my normal M-F) which is great that he is home while I'm at work but he's ready for his alone time when I get there to pick her up.

I would love to know what ideas everyone has too. I try to do pilates at least a couple times a week. I'm not always successful. By the time Riley goes to sleep, I'm about ready to go to bed myself much less exercise and fold clothes. Riley and I dance while we watch her favorite movies. She loves music and we love to just be dance and be silly. 

You said there is no one to leave your children with because all three of them are just too much to handle. Is there one of your friends that might try to walk with you to make all three of them more manageable? One of my best friends has a younger baby than Riley and we try to walk together on the weekends. There is a shaded path around my apartment complex so we stop for breaks if one of the kids gets fussy. We also have a pond with geese and a dog park and Riley loves to see the animals.

I hope we get some good ideas!

Erica

Hi cosminsky, 

Thanks for sharing with Andrea and the other alli customers!  That is what the alli message boards are all about.... a place to support, share, encourage and also exchange experiences and good tips and advice!

Do your best to get in exercise whenever you can.  I shared some ideas on my reply to Andrea that may be beneficial for you, too!

Stay positive!

Kelli

 A friend tells me her kids like Richard Simmon's fitness videos. It might be worth trying a silly exercise host.  

 Hi wg6530,

Great suggestion.  The fact is, any exercise that gets you moving and gets your heart rate up there for a sustained period will be effective.  So, if Richard Simmons will do it - why not?

Also, if there are stairs in the house, they can be a very effective cardio tool - after a couple of reps up and down, you'll realize just how hard you're working, and you can have the children playing at the bottom, cheering you on!

Thanks for contributing.

Good Luck,

Paul

 I am in the same boat....I have a 3 & 4 year old and I'm a single, 24/7 mom...it's very hard to get excercise in!  My only means of excercise is going to the gym for 45 mins. over my lunch break everyday...it's right next door and I have a membership through the company I work for.  Otherwise, at home, I do circuit training (with the stablity ball) at night after they go to bed...but I'm looking at working out around 9-10pm at night...and sometimes that keeps me awake, but for now it is working!

 Hi Jamie,

I just wanted to say good for you!  Although your schedule isn't the best, you are making the most of your time and making sure you get in your workouts, and that's going to make the big difference in how quickly you achieve your weight loss goals. 

It's no wonder you are staying awake at night, because you really need several hours to unwind after a workout which you obviously do not have.  Can tou try fitting in your at-home workouts in the morning, befiore the kids are awake as an alternative?  Although you'll have to get up earlier, it may be better than tossing and turning at night with extra energy, and it will give you a great jump-start on your metabolism and day. 

Keep up the great work and commitment.

Good Luck,

Paul

 Working out in the morning would be a good idea, it's my own fault that I don't...I'm not a morning person and savor every minute of sleep I can get before getting up, getting myself ready, getting my kids ready, getting lunches ready and then making it out the door.  That is probably one of my biggest problems I have with losing the potential weight I could be losing...is not getting enough sleep....I go on 5-6 hours a night, which I know is not a healthy amount of sleep.  I've had insomnia since I was a teenager and it seems to still stick with me now...I know the working out at night probably doesn't help that....I've considered giving up the working out at night up all together, but I guess I really only spend about 20 minutes doing 3 rounds of circuit training that they taught me at the gym, so I would feel guilty giving that up I guess :)  I love to savor my "mom-break" as long as I can after the kids go to sleep....but I really need to get to bed earlier!!

Hi jamieyoder, 

Thanks for your comments.  It is true that working out in the morning has many benefits!  However, I also believe that it is very important that you exercise when it is the best time for you.  Because you know that you're not a morning person, working out later in the day is not a bad idea, and certainly should not make you feel guilty!  Working out at night is better than not getting it in at all, for sure, so stay the course and do what you can do!  

It is true that getting adequate sleep is crucial for weight loss and for other healthy benefits.  Do your best to get at least 6-7 hours per night in order to maximize your fat-burning/calorie-burning potential.  One idea that may be attainable for you is to get up just 15 minutes earlier and get in a quick energizing walk, stretch or some other form of exercise.  Then, later on in the day, get in another 15-30 minute session of exercise to accumulate a very effective workout!  By breaking up your workouts into 2 or even 3 separate sessions, you'll still enjoy the heart healthy benefits just as if you had performed one longer, continuous bout!

Do your best to keep a very consistent sleeping pattern, even on the days that you do not work to keep your body's circadian rhythm in sync and for your best health.  

Best of luck and stay committed!

Your friend in fitness, 

Kelli