working mom & exercise question

What do you working moms do for exercise.....(with a little bit of jealousy - LOL) I wish I could be like the women on here who have 3 to 4+ hours a day to exercise, but I do not. So, some of you please share with me how and what all yall do? Need helpful hints, and realistically what is enough? I'm 41 years old and about 50-60 pounds overweight.... DeAnna

DeAnna, Let me first tell you the guilt of taking care of ourselves is difficult to overcome. Honestly for the first year after surgery my 11 yr old had no extra curricular activities. I needed to focus on myself and excercise. OHHH that feels aweful to say even today 18 months post op. Now he is in gymnastics 3 days a week and school has just begun and i continue with my regimen. I go to the YMCA, lucky for me they have a child care program for my 4 year old and while my oldest is at gymnastics ( or at the YMCA with us) I put the youngest in child care and do 1.5 hrs of physical activity approx 4 days a week. i also park 1 mile away from my job, so i ensure i get a 2 mile walk a day. In addition, I take my 30 minute lunch break and if motivated enough, walk or use the fitness room i am fortunate to have at work. IF IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH WE MUST MAKE TIME FOR IT!!!! WITHOUT THIS< I WOULDN"T BE HERE FOR MY CHILDREN< THUS I HAVE DECIDED IT IS A PRIORITY!! But yes, i feel the guilt. Peace, MElinda

I do have some time for exercise, just not much, and will find ways to "sneak" in more. I work at home but do have to work 8+ hours (medical transcription), but will be putting 7-year-old in karate at the YMCA (that we are members of), so that is two days a week I can exercise while she is there. They do have child care, and actually work with the children exercising, so will be getting back to 3-4 times a week if possible - so, the two nights of karate, and maybe a saturday or sunday workout. Will put some effort to find time for a mile walk maybe during lunch or something....I know it is possible, just wanted some other opinions and suggestions/examples. Thanks so much for sharing yours. DeAnna

The only time I have to myself is during my workday, so as often as possible, I try walking to/from work instead of taking a subway - its about a mile each way and I know that's not a lot, but its better than nothing. Once I get to my car after work, its picking up the kids, cook dinner, pack bags for tomorrow, make sure I have something to wear tomorrow, kids' bed/bath routine, and crash!! So I do what I can. Sometimes I'll take a walk with the kids after I get home, which is more to destress rather than exercise because its quite leisurely, but its moving, so I count it! LOL

That's cool that you get the walking in...About two years ago, I was able to walk with a friend about 4:30 in the morning for about an hour 5-6 days a week. That was all the exercise I got in, but man did my thighs get skinnier and I was loosing inches like crazy, school started and it seems to have been downhill ever since....So, I know that walking is a wonderful exercise, just got to find it myself again. Am doing the 3-day de-carbing starting today! PS - see you're a New Yorker - I live in little ole' Mississippi, but do medical transcription for your Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.....so cool...D.

DeAnna: Hi !! I get an hour lunch, and work in a clinic with an exercise room. I lift weights 3 x a week, and walk or use eliptical machines the other days. I work two jobs and don't get home in the evenings until after 8 pm. then it's deal with the kids and try to keep up with housework!! If it weren't for lunch hour, exercise wouldn't happen during the week!! I started riding my bike 11 1/2 miles to work about 3 x a week too!! I worry about winter, I won't get out doors like now, will have to really work harder at lunch!! I agree with other posters, you have to MAKE TIME for it!! Good luck!!! DeeAnn

I knew I would probably get some good inspiration from posting this question, and I was right....that's too cool, riding your bike to work! Even though I work at home, I am going to make it a point to take at LEAST 30-40 minutes around lunch time to do some sort of workout. I'm sure sneaking in cruches several times a day right next to my desk would probably help too. Thanks for taking the time to share your workout experience. DeAnna

DeAnna....me too. Exercise is the worst for me. But I did it today....went out and walked for an hour...really walked....you can do it...just go walk. Hang in there..... Hugs Charlie

Yeah, I read a lot of your profile and am pretty impressed with you!! I know I can fit exercise in more, just having a depressing day - feeling "fat", bloated, everything that goes with having a bad carb day.....I do know that walking is a WONDERFUL exercise, and will be going to the gym tomorrow to do just that....Thanks, DeAnna.

You know DeAnna, just because you eat a high carb food doesn't mean you should feel fat and bloated....no way. I think all this stuff we read just re-enforces our deep guilt about eating. We all know we shouldn't eat white carbs....but come on. Its not gonna happen. I know it, so I try to plan for it. I'm not always successful, but I can't beat myself up over it if I 'backslide' a bit. Today I wanted pancakes. I make THE best banana pancakes on the planet. Really light and fluffy and soft and cooked all the way through. Just ask my Dougie....he loooves them. So I planned. I drank my water and had coffee all morning.....at 11am, I started my pancakes. I ate 2 and my 2 had 1/2 a banana sliced and cooked in a little butter, and I used sugar free syrup. I've had to eat light all day, and supplement for my protein, but it was worth it. I really enjoyed those pancakes, and I know I won't have them again for several months. And I'm ok with it. And I don't feel guilty one little bit. I don't buy crackers and cookies and high carb high sugar starchy foods, well, not much anyway. I try not to deprive Doug of some of those things....but he never complains. And when he buys his packs of cheese and peanut butter crackers for golf, I know they are his and I don't touch them. I like sandwiches. I have one for lunch a couple of times a week. I buy the honey wheat light with only 40 calories and toast it. I won't eat a baked potato loaded with stuff...but I will cook a big pot of fresh green beans and add some red new potatos and enjoy the heck out of them. But not a lot, just every now and then. So don't feel it has to be ALL OR NOTHING as so many do. You don't have to go to the gym to walk....I walk outside in the sunshine. Down the sidewalk and back for an hour....I listen to my classic rock and roll...and once I get started, I really enjoy it. (its the getting started part I find incredibly hard)....Oh I don't mind the kind of walking Lynda and I did in Boston...in Filenes and out....in Marshalls and out.....in Macy's and out....in Lord and Taylors....etc etc...LOL. We can all encourage each other to do well.....and not fuss if we fall back a bit....so do what you have to to get back on track....we're all counting on you. Hugs from the beach Charlie