What do you think? Do I have time for exercise?

[snipandsave]

Hi Folks!

I am feeling really beat these days and was wondering what you all think? Am I overscheduled and have no time for fitness or am I just making excuses and whining?! I hate exercise but want the benefits. I am often half asleep for the first 10 minutes of my workout. I totally get that sometimes life IS mostly work and little play. I also fit in things like taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator and occasionally take a walk over lunch.

Honesty is appreciated and accepted!

So here is my typical day:

4:55 - Cardio or Weights (30-60min) and typical morning routine...

7 to 8 Bus to work

8 to 4 Work

4 to 5 Bus to home

5 to 6 dinner

6-10 Tidy up, time with kids & hubby (ages 14yrs, 3yrs and 21months), maybe an hour of TV in there with lots of interuptions & bedtime routines

10:30 Sleep (6-6.5hrs)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....sorry fell asleep...so? what do you think?

Snip.

[Lynn49]

You exercise before work, at 5am?!!!
Hon, you're a typical Mom, and nothing's changed since I was one in the 70s...I see our Daughter going through the same thing, and she doesn't exercise in the wee hours of the morning! Does hubby give you any help between 6 and 10? They can come in very handy! I know our SIL is as hands-on as our Daughter when it comes to caring for our Grandson...bless his heart!

You know what my dear hubby used to do for me?

Every Saturday was MY DAY. I showered, kissed everyone bye-bye and left the house. The day was mine, and mine alone. I could stay away as long as I wanted to, and come home for dinner that he'd prepared, or earlier. Most of the time I only needed a few hours of 'me' time, and I was ready to return home refreshed. So no matter how badly my week went (our kids were 19months apart...two in diapers...lol), that was the light at the end of the week. I knew I'd have breathing time...is that something you could work out with your fella? Even for a few hours?

So to answer your question (finally) ... you're a typical Mom these days, and it seems that with all the running around you do, 5am cardio may be something you could set aside for a while...get your sleep!!! THAT'S more important than exercising..you can't function without sleep! Everyone NEEDS 8 hours to hit deep sleep...you're probably not hitting that...

"short sleep duration is linked with:

• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
• Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation
• Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems
• Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse
• Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information

According to researchers Michael H. Bonnet and Donna L. Arand, "There is strong evidence that sufficient shortening or disturbance of the sleep process compromises mood, performance and alertness and can result in injury or death. In this light, the most common-sense 'do no injury' medical advice would be to avoid sleep deprivation." Sleeping too long affects morbidity...

If I were you, I'd look into your need for sleep as one that plays a very big role in your tiredness....
Good luck, Hon...

[VeeVee]

Did I read that right..you work out at 455am?? I have no answers for you since I am not a mom yet but WOW anyone who gets up at 455 to work out is a superstar in my books!

[hollyquaiscer]

I'm looking at your schedule and to me it is very typical of most mom's. That was me, well if you added taking 5 girls and 3 foster children to brownies, girl guides, scouts, dance classes, karate lessons, swimming lessons and snowboard and ski lessons in the winter. I don't know where I ever found the time. Every single weeknight,, someone had some activity so no down time on weeknights. Saturdays for me were consumed with cleaning, taking kids to various activities and friends houses and grocery shopping. Sundays, we all went to church, had family time in the afteroon and I got about 2 hours of me time before making dinner.

Excersise.....I think I got enough without ever lifting a weight or doing a squat, why my stairmaster have 12 steps in total and I was up and down it at least 30 times a day

[marmaduke]

I think 5 times a week might be a bit excessive. I think I would opt for less mornings and then find a "fun" activity 1 evening a week. Maybe something you can do with your 14 year old. (girl - Zumba, boy - jogging). Something that was "me time".
I know if you don't enjoy it that it becomes work and harder and harder to do.

[snipandsave]

You exercise before work, at 5am?!!!
Hon, you're a typical Mom, and nothing's changed since I was one in the 70s...I see our Daughter going through the same thing, and she doesn't exercise in the wee hours of the morning! Does hubby give you any help between 6 and 10? They can come in very handy! I know our SIL is as hands-on as our Daughter when it comes to caring for our Grandson...bless his heart!

You know what my dear hubby used to do for me?

Every Saturday was MY DAY. I showered, kissed everyone bye-bye and left the house. The day was mine, and mine alone. I could stay away as long as I wanted to, and come home for dinner that he'd prepared, or earlier. Most of the time I only needed a few hours of 'me' time, and I was ready to return home refreshed. So no matter how badly my week went (our kids were 19months apart...two in diapers...lol), that was the light at the end of the week. I knew I'd have breathing time...is that something you could work out with your fella? Even for a few hours?

So to answer your question (finally) ... you're a typical Mom these days, and it seems that with all the running around you do, 5am cardio may be something you could set aside for a while...get your sleep!!! THAT'S more important than exercising..you can't function without sleep! Everyone NEEDS 8 hours to hit deep sleep...you're probably not hitting that...

"short sleep duration is linked with:

• Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
• Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation
• Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems
• Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse
• Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information

According to researchers Michael H. Bonnet and Donna L. Arand, "There is strong evidence that sufficient shortening or disturbance of the sleep process compromises mood, performance and alertness and can result in injury or death. In this light, the most common-sense 'do no injury' medical advice would be to avoid sleep deprivation." Sleeping too long affects morbidity...

If I were you, I'd look into your need for sleep as one that plays a very big role in your tiredness....
Good luck, Hon...

My hubby is awesome and always helpful but he is home with the kids AND working from home monday to friday as it is so we do try and share the rest of the "workload" on evenings ad weekends. I will be going to the spa over the weekend so I do get breaks here and there. I just get this all or nothing mentality sometimes and have trouble finding balance, but hey who do you know with kids who has achieved a balanced lifestyle . Finding 8 hours of sleep (even with the workouts pulled) feels like an imposible feat but I think I could probably get it up to 7 solid if I tweaked my schedule.

Namaste.

Snip.

[snipandsave]

I think 5 times a week might be a bit excessive. I think I would opt for less mornings and then find a "fun" activity 1 evening a week. Maybe something you can do with your 14 year old. (girl - Zumba, boy - jogging). Something that was "me time".
I know if you don't enjoy it that it becomes work and harder and harder to do.

Good idea on the jogging with my son! - Thanks!

Snip.

[snipandsave]

I'm looking at your schedule and to me it is very typical of most mom's. That was me, well if you added taking 5 girls and 3 foster children to brownies, girl guides, scouts, dance classes, karate lessons, swimming lessons and snowboard and ski lessons in the winter. I don't know where I ever found the time. Every single weeknight,, someone had some activity so no down time on weeknights. Saturdays for me were consumed with cleaning, taking kids to various activities and friends houses and grocery shopping. Sundays, we all went to church, had family time in the afteroon and I got about 2 hours of me time before making dinner.

Excersise.....I think I got enough without ever lifting a weight or doing a squat, why my stairmaster have 12 steps in total and I was up and down it at least 30 times a day

I hear you about Saturday's I usually spend mind cleaning as well, still trying to master the clean as you go throughout the week. I was just telling a friend of mine that one day I will create the perfect cleaning upkeep "system" barring a maid , to make every womans life easier. (yeah, it doesn't exsist!)

I forgot to mention additional activities! lol You would think chasing 3 kids around would cut it (and it did alright when i was a stay-at-home mom) but now that I'm back to work and sitting at a desk all day I think I need the extra calorie burn.

Thanks for the reply.

Snip.

[snipandsave]

Awwwe thanks! Too sweet

Snip.

[Lynn49]

My hubby is awesome and always helpful but he is home with the kids AND working from home monday to friday as it is so we do try and share the rest of the "workload" on evenings ad weekends. I will be going to the spa over the weekend so I do get breaks here and there. I just get this all or nothing mentality sometimes and have trouble finding balance, but hey who do you know with kids who has achieved a balanced lifestyle . Finding 8 hours of sleep (even with the workouts pulled) feels like an imposible feat but I think I could probably get it up to 7 solid if I tweaked my schedule.

Namaste.

Snip.

Oh, goodie. Try getting those 7 hours, then...I'm sure you'll feel much less stressed out and hopefully you'll find the balance you're looking for.

[i_forget]

How long would it take you to bicycle or walk to work? If it is do able, you could eliminate the 5am work out and the 2 hours on the bus and get your exercise by riding a bike or walking. This would also save the cost of the bus.

I agree with getting more sleep, 6 hours is not enough.

I would also see the doctor and have blood tests done to make sure that your iron levels and such are normal....these can also cause fatigue.

[ninna]

Wow. 6 hours sleep? *yawns* I don't function with less than 8 hours and after too many nights where I've shortchanged myself on sleep, the wheels grind to a complete and total halt. It is hard balancing family with career and exercise.

Exercising WITH the kids is a great idea. It can sometimes be hard (ie. kids deciding they are too tired to go the rest of the way...or my 6 year old carrying on a lengthy conversation while I'm jogging and it's all I can do not to pass out from exhaustion...let alone answer her endless questions. LOL)...but its great bonding time too. Sometimes my kids will ride their bikes to the library while I jog behind them. It's nice to have their company and it's nice to have them exercise along with me. I hope it sets a precedent for them to make healthy choices in the future for themselves and their own bodies.

[grumpy]

You inspire me. I hadn't exercised for nearly a decade and i'm only in my 30s (!), i did Zumba and Hip HOp in 1 week and wrecked my back... could hardly move... gotta work on that core strength...

[glowworm2k]

I don't have kids yet, but my day looks a lot like yours. Instead of taking the bus, I walk to work on days when I have to work 'on location' instead of at home. That's not an option for most, but you could try to walk a stop or two down the bus route to up your exercise a bit or get off the bus a stop or two earlier. At the end of the day, you might find this gives you a little burst of energy.

The other big difference between my day and yours is that I'm no night owl. I go to bed by 9:30 every night, which makes getting up around 5 not uncomfortable or inconvenient in the slightest. Why not try to get to bed earlier at least 1 or 2 nights a week? This also could be some private down time where you just go to your bedroom, close the door and read at 9pm (or invite your DH to join you ) for some de-stressing time.

Also, try some stretching and meditation exercises while you're at work. I don't know what your job is, but just a 5 minute break to either stand up and stretch (if your job is sedentary), or 5 minutes to sit down if your on your feet, plus a short 5-minute meditation can do wonders for your energy level through the day. I try to do this at least once a day most days and find that I miss my meditation when I can't fit it in. It might not make a big difference, but every little bit helps.

Good luck!

[sunny3]

If you think your energy is lower than normal, see your doctor. It could be a variety of things: hormones, thyroid, iron, B12.

It seems you have chosen 4:55am as a set time. It's important for you to evaluate your needs and your schedule. Not everyone is at peak that early in the day. Evaluate how much sleep you truely need first and then put other things in the schedule after that basic need and healthy eating is put in. Not everyone does well with a big workout all in one chunk, some do better with smaller chunks.

Couple of ways to add exercise without huge amounts of time: getting off the bus a few stops early, taking the stairs at work (or get off 2 floors earlier on the elevator). If you have a 1hr lunch, find out if there's a gym near your work and go there for a bit of a workout and then have lunch after that or just go for a walk on your lunch hour. Do activities with kids: a family martial art class, a family swim, walking with the little one in the stroller, play soccer together, walk the dog (if you have one), bike ride with the kids or the baby... One family exercise twice a week could let you sleep in a couple times a week. Exercise and kid bonding time can be done at the same time (multi-taskign without feeling like it). However, some people find that exercise time is their own private time. Vary your exercises and go with what you like, not just what you think you should do. Normally there's a mix of cardio and also muscle building types of exercises. Don't forget your social needs- sometimes it's more fun doing an exercise with a friend. I previously did evening aquafitness class and loved it- it would start at 8:30pm and finish at 9pm and start with cardio but end with relaxation. I got no tv in but it was a nice mix for fitness and relaxation and i was like a limp noodle by the time i got in the house and just hung my wet clothes and was off to sleep. Right now i swim at 6:30am but I really prefer the night swims. It's really up to you to see what best fits.

If something isn't working for you, try something different and tweak it till you get it just right. I also find it better for me to plan exercise- i don't mean just plunk it into the schedule, I mean if I go early in the am, go to bed earlier the night before and ensure if i have things to do after the exercise, then the day before I will do a few things to make me more efficient- plan the breakfast, pre-cook stuff if i have to, all packed up for exercise and clothes laid out... if it was an evening swim, I'd often have my PJs ready to slip into and all tasks done so that when i get home i can just do minimal stuff to get ready for bed. Some people like to exercise after work so they put something in the crockpot so there's little cooking or they're using something they cooked the night before- roasted chicken the night before, chicken sandwiches and vegetable soup the next dinner...

Let your creativity and problem-solving skills come together, and and you'll surely come up with something that works better for yourself. We're all different so it's up to you to figure it all out. Give yourself a break sometimes- exercise shouldn't be a source of burn out on top of all the other stuff.