I understand what your saying about work and kids and trying to fit exercise in.  I use to find it easy to exercise but, as my kids got older and didn't want to hang out with me well, I became seditary so I am trying to get active again.  Once I get into the routine I am fine but right now I am just starting out again and I have trouble getting motivated again.  I would much rather be outside walking but, its hunting season here and if I can't take my dogs I feel bad for them and right now its just not a safe time to go walking through the woods.  I am getting up at 5:00am and going to the gym 3 days a week.  Then I am also walking 4 miles the other days with Leslie Sanone at home.  I also am doing the wii fit for 20 minutes every day that I get myself motivated.  The more I exercise the less I will eat is the way I am looking at it.  I am trying to lose the weight before I go back to work in April.  I know once the end of this month comes I will be able to take the dogs walking out in the woods more and I will get more exercise in than what I am doing right now.  My daughter is all grown up and gets her self off to school she will be graduating in June so after that my life is my own because she will only need financial support and maybe some advice once in a while but, that is what it means to becoming an adult and on her own.  I hope I encouraged you because it sounds like your busy and you accomplish a lot its just a matter of maybe doing 15 to 20 minutes of exercise a day.  I wouldn't try and do more until you think you have more time for it.  Teri

I think your advice is fantastic! I just wish I could get up early enough to exercise before my life begins...

Any advice for me?  I have a 10-year-old that I need to get up, dressed, fed, etc. for school.  For the first two months, we'd walk to school and then I'd take a longer walk back - but it's getting really cold out and it's hard to get her walking.  As soon as I get back to the house, I need to get ready for work.  Sometimes I'll be in the office until 6/7pm.  By the time I get home - I have to make dinner, feed everyone, spend family time, etc.  When all is said and done - and my daughter is in bed - it's about 9:30pm.  I am too tired to workout then - and I just begin winding down.  I usually get to bed around 11am.  Getting up early is so hard when I'm running on such little sleep.  Any tips on where I can fit some "me" workout time in?

Today I snuck in a 30-minute STEP workout after I took my daughter to school.  But it's almost 10am now and I'm not even showered for work.  My day is so screwy.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Bre,

I would also suggest little things like taking the stairs, or parking further away when I go to the store.  There are some great workout videos on youtube.  Some of the videos are about 10-15 minutes long and I will do between studying.  I also find it helpful to take my notes with me to the gym and study while walking, biking, or on the eliptical.  Often we tell ourselves that we don't have time to work out...I did for years.  Now though it's the first thing I do when I wake up, and I still feel like I get everything done that I did before.  You won't even miss that hour a sleep after a while, because you will feel so energized! 

Ashley

walking is a great exercise, especially if you can build it into your normal routine (if you live close enough to your work to walk there and such). but as far as fitting exercise into a busy schedule, do it first thing in the morning when you wake up, even if you have to wake up an hour earlier. that way you get it done and out of the way before you get too busy. it's a real pain at first but pretty soon you get so used to it that its harder to wake up in the mornings without exercising. and abdominal workouts are great but unless you're doing cardio you're just gonna build up a sixpack thats kept unsulated, trust me, I've got ab muscles to die for but you'd never know cause I keep them under a nice thick belt of fat.

participating in a sport would be helpful, joining a gym is great as well. the thing is, the same exercises wont work for everybody, you need to find what works for you, trying a bunch of different things until you find something you enjoy that is also effective. try to work 45 minutes of exercise in every day, if you think about it thats less time than it takes to watch an episode of  "House" or whatever shows you like to watch.

I don't let myself go home after work until I hit the gym. it is a rule, no sweat, no sleep. its not even an option. thats what works for me.

i am new to this weight loss thing and i think i could really lose the weight  if i just plan my meals and eat better but the trouble i am having is exerciseing with my busy schedule i work and go to school i considered walking but will that help with my weight loss journey or do i need to do more abdomial workouts??? anything at this point will help because i am really trying to stay dedicated to loseing weight...plz any tips?