Hi Becky:
we know exactly how you feel: many of us have been there and some of us, if we have more kids, may well be there again!
First off, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you can do it. It may not be easy, but we are all here as your cyber family, rooting for you and ready to celebrate your successes with you and pump you back up when you feel demotivated! That's a big start!
Next, adjust your mindset. You may be thinking that your daughter's needs come first, or that your DH's need for dinner on the table is priority number one. Not true. If you are a contented, healthy person, you will be a better mother and partner, and all round person. So, now start believing that you are worth spending some time over. You deserve to have some time each day just for you to work out in and make yourself feel good and look better. Once you make that commitment to yourself, moving will come more easily, and you know what? Once you start moving, you will have more energy. You need to expend energy to create energy. Simple formula, but it works.
Set yourself a series of small goals. If you think in terms of one huge goal, the road ahead may seem long and overwhelming. Small goals that you can reach, tick off, then readjust into the next, new goal. That way you will chart progress.
If you have a four year old, think: does she nap? If so, seize the moment! Ignore the piles of laundry clamouring for attention, the need to clean the bath, etc. It will get done at some time. When Jessie naps, prioritize and think number one: YOU!! This is your time, get those tapes, slam one in and get moving. I did this when my little ones napped, and I rarely made it through the hour, I was blessed with kids who needed little sleep! But I did at least half the work out and that was a start.
If she does not nap but goes to a play group or pre-school: then hey!!! This is a fabulous opportunity! Get moving while she's having fun playing witth other kids! If she's not in a play group, then now is the time to start investigating into finding one for her and for you. She can benefit from the socialization and you can benefit from the time alone to regroup your energies.
If Jessie naps and you manage half a video, which is what I used to do: then plan on taking the stroller out at some point in the afternoon, as Anna-Bernard suggested, and she would know!!! This is exactly what I did religiously, even in Winter in Michigan, even in the cold. Except for days when the wind chill factor was prohibitive!
It doesn't matter so much whether you do one hour's exercise all in one go, or whether you break it up into several small sessions. The importamt thing is to get moving, so that you can start to feel better emotionally about yourself. Your spirits will soar once you get moving, I promise!
Then, at weekends, you can enlist the help of your partner and family members to take Jesssie out for a bit while you work out. Jessie and you will both benefit from this!
Good luck Becky, and let us know how you get on!
Clare
DD=Dear Daughter & DH=Dear Hubby, but Darling works too!