Question:
For people that have kids, how do you find time to exercise??

I know this sounds like an excuse, but I need some tips! I am a foster parent. Right now I have four foster kids (14 months,4 years,6 years and 8 years), plus I have two kids of my own (9 and 11 years). I leave for work at 5:30am and return home around 5:30 pm. One of my daughters is in drill team and has to be at practice by 6:30pm. So as soon as I get home, I am trying to get six kids fed and to practice in time. Once I drop my daughter off at practice, I come back home where I spend an hour either cleaning the house or doing some laundry. Then I have to go back to practice and pick her up, so I don't get home until 8:30pm. After I take a bath and put on my PJs, it is already 9pm and bedtime!! I do things at work, such as taking 15 minutes and walk up and down the stairs but I don't think this is enough. Any tips on what I could do?? IMOP there is no way I can go to the gym in the evenings! I do exercise on the weekends, but that is only two days a week!    — S A. (posted on July 31, 2003)

July 30, 2003
I saw in your profile that you are married. Can you offload some of your child care responsibilities onto him to give yourself an hour a day? Would you be able to afford a local teenager to come in and do some of your cleaning/cooking for an hour a day? You and your health are very important and you need to make you a priority. You seem to be such a giving, responsible person - now direct some of that energy into yourself. You will actually feel better for it - your energy will soar. Good luck to you.
   — Yolanda J.

July 30, 2003
Get to work a 1/2 hour early. Do rigourous walking in the hallways or around the outside of the building. Take 1/2 of your lunch hour and do more. Do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays and combined with your weekends you have a workout routine 4 days a week.
   — Kimberly L.

July 30, 2003
I get up super early and go walking before my kids get up with a friend of mine 3 times a week. I have 4 sons, 2 in diapers. So it has always been hard for me to find time for me to exercise, but I had to make myself do it. I know this is hard but I would do it at night or very very early in the morning before you go to work.
   — Haziefrog

July 30, 2003
I am a single mom of a VERY ACTIVE 4 year old. I get up for work at 4:30 and we don't get home until 6pm. The only way I have found to get exercise is to try to get her to join in, I bought a mini trampoline and she jumps on that while I am on the treadmill, or when she is really whiny I put on her favorite cartoon in the room where the treadmill is and she watches that while I am on the treadmill and I talk to her about the show ("wasn't that silly, or sponge bob is soo funny", etc.) that way she feels like I am giving her attention. Being a single mom I don't cook a big dinner since I can't eat much. So sometimes I let her eat dinner in front of the T.V. while I am exercising. I don't know if this will help with the crew you've got, but it works for us.
   — blank first name B.

July 31, 2003
are you married? if so, can't your husband do some of the work? like popping a frozen pizza in the oven so you can walk the 22 min. it takes to cook, or take your daughter to drill practice or pick her up? can your daughter carpool with someone? you an also save on house work by having the kids pick up after themselves( even a one year old can pick up their toys). i know they might not do a good job, but it makes cleaning faster for you when all you have to do is tidy up. also you can try putting a load of clothes in the dryer before you go to work.(i always forget this tip myself lol).
   — franbvan

July 31, 2003
I must say that taking care of 6 kids IS exercise. Don't be too hard on yourself if you can't find time right now for traditional workouts. I think your best bet is to add as much walking as you can by parking in the farthest space and always taking the stairs. When time allows, play with the kids, toss a ball around the yard, play tag, wear leg weights while you clean. Any little thing to increase your calories burned will help, but please give yourself a break and don't expect too much.
   — Amber L.

July 31, 2003
I made it a priority for ME, even if it cut into my kid's activities. I go directly to Curves after work before going home. I also go swim laps every night after they are in bed at 8:30. I try to organize carpooling for events that might interfere with my schedule -- I don't know the parents, just see them at practices and ask "does anyone live in XXX" and try to set things up. Mine are old enough to "babysit" each other for an hour after they're in bed while I go swim. Maybe your husband could support you by taking over bedtime duties for the kids. You have to put yourself first for awhile, it was a huge adjustment for me, but I'm finally prioritizing exercise, and amazingly it feels really good!
   — jen41766

July 31, 2003
I wear Cardiostrides by Nikken(The magnet people-so you have to find a consultant to order them for you). They are weighted and balanced workout shoes. Check them out on the Internet. They are wonderful and have really toned my legs and backside. They say all you have to do is wear them for 30 minutes walking at a good pace, 3 times a week. I wear mine at work and have been doing this since Feb. of this year(I am a Nurse and work 20 hrs a week). They even have a video tape that you can watch and work out at home. The only thing is you are not suppose to drive in them. I have even climbed a small mountain in them.
   — Laura F.