Need help getting back on track

[ActiveSFMom]

Hi Cathe (and educated crowd!), I have been a dedicated exerciser for over 20 years. I love all types of workouts, especially my Cathe videos. Unfortunately, I have fallen off the wagon ... and I can't get up! I got a dog a few months ago and he takes up all of my extra time. I try and get my workouts in with him (lots of walking, a little jogging if possible), but it's not the same. My nutrition has gone down hill and that makes me feel even less like working out. I wanted to try to get in at least 3 workouts per week (in addition to my dog walks) but I wasn't able to keep it up. It seems like the only time that I have to myself is after dinner but it's tough to do it after a full day of work/being a mom/etc. etc. Any advice you can offer would be so much appreciated. I just need some tips for getting back on track. Thanks!!

 

[tralaiven]

Your schedule is soooo busy! I understand working full time, being a wife and mother and having a dog too! (which is why I cut back to part time) If you can't cut back work hours, then could you start with just 3 - 45 minute weight work outs per week to supplement your walking? If it were me, that would be the best scenario because weights are so good. Obviously, you have worked out for so long, you would know.

For me, I just have to do it. The nutrition can be tough too...I know what I have to live on when I fall off the wagon.Generally, when I have too many choices, I overeat.

My list makes it simple for me: (if I stick to this, I lose weight)

egg white scrambles w/ bell pepper,spinach, baked potato
oatmeal
chicken breasts
yoplait light & fit
apples
salad bags from Trader Joe's
broccoli, green beans (frozen french from TJ's), baby carrots

BTW---are you in SF? I am in the East Bay area!

Best wishes.

 

[momto4]

I can relate to where your coming from. I have 4 small kids (oldest is 8) and I homeschool them. So, in order to fit my workouts in, I do it before the sun comes up. I usually start around 5 or 5:30 depending on the workout. Nobody bothers me, and it's out of the way. It's tough at first but once you get used to it, it's no big deal. I just decided that it's really important to me to get those workouts in, and I don't have any excuse for not working out at 5am, because there's nothing else to distract me from doing it.

 

[TRSTACIE]

I have a dog, a full time job, and I am a single mom of a very active boy. The only time I have to really workout is either after he goes to sleep at night or before he wakes up in the morning. The gym wasn't an viable option for me either because I would feel horrible picking him up from one daycare just to drop him off at another one. My advice is to make your workout YOUR time. Schedule a time that works for you and then stick to that time unless someone is dying. Sometimes we get so caught up in day to day activities that our needs gets tossed aside.

 

[sunsdaughter]

I can relate to everyone here. It's tough being a working mom (aren't all moms working moms, by definition? ;-), even more so if you're a single mom. Just wanted to offer my emotional support. I don't know if I've hit upon the perfect recipe for balancing all of life's parts, but I basically work out whenever I can find the time. My schedule can be unpredictable and erratic so it's hard for me to work out at the same times every day. There's a saying we had in residency..."eat when u can, sleep when u can, pee when u can..." I add to that, "work out when u can..."

In terms of diet, I find that now that I'm vegan, my energy levels are thru the roof. I eat minimal to no processed foods, a TON of veggies and leafy greens and fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains (not a lot though). Paying close attention to and really, really cleaning up my diet has been key in my success with working out.

Do u have a workout/fitness buddy? That person might help keep u aligned with your goals...just a thought...

Hang in there and know that we support u and understand your struggles!!