Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

I am trying to aim for exercise 4x per week. My main focus is cardio for 45 min and then some light weight training. Here are my problems:

-3 nights a week I do not come home until 8. DS's bedtime is at 8:30, and after not seeing him all day I dont want to miss that precious 30 min! DS gets to school between 9/9:30 on those days, but when I have tried to do the morning and then take a shower after I always tend to run late for work. If I try exercising too late (after DS goes to bed) for some reason I cant sleep.

-I also have to compete for time w/ DH's workout schedule. He works out on my early days after work (when I am home at 6) and on the weekend early in the morning. I usually have to go after him on the weekend, and today my blood sugar got too low (because it was lunch time) and I got nauseous and weak and now, even after eating, I feel low in energy. I dont want the gym to eat up our whole weekend though.

I am getting really frustrated. I am trying to do right by myself but I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. Or am I just making excuses?

Here is my work schedule:
MWF- DS at school 9:9:30, leave house by 11 for work, come home at 8.
TTH-DS at school between 8/8:30am and I go straight to work. No time to shower in the morning because its all on me to get DS and I up and ready. Get home at 6 w/ DS and have dinner. DH goes to the gym at 7:30-9:30.
Sat/Sun- DH goes to the gym at 7:30-10 and I go from 11-12.

Ideas?

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

That's really tough.

The only thing I can think of is joining a gym that is open late at night and going after you child is asleep.

I know how close to impossible that is to A.) leave again once you're settled at home and B.) to have the insomnia thing.

Maybe some of the ladies have some idea of how to remain motivated, and get yourself tired.

What about buying equipment to use at home? (Although I know from personal experience this too can become a waste of $$ ).

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

I am the worst with exercise, and find it really hard to get into a routine, but here are some thoughts:

1. Could you talk to your DH and see if he would be willing to give you one of your early nights to go to the gym? So he could go one night and the other night you could go, but still be home in time to see DS before bed (and it wouldn't be so late as to keep you awake?) Maybe your DH could work one of his workouts in another time (morning, lunch hour) and let you have an early evening slot.

2. I would definitely try to keep going on a weekend morning. Could you eat a later breakfast, assuming you need to go after DH, closer to lunch time? Or would it be possible to go with DH and either take DS with you (I know some gyms have a baby sitting area) or maybe have a grandparent or aunt/uncle who would like to spend time with DS come stay with him for an hour on a weekend morning. That way it doesn't take up as much of the day as you and DH going consecutively?

3. What time does DH leave for work? Would it be possible for you to go to the gym on the mornings you go in later and DS goes to school at 9/9:30. I know you said you are too rushed, but what if you went early, before DS went to school, and then you would still have an hour and a half after you dropped him off and before you needed to leave for work.

4. If you can't make it work to get to the gym, I would just try to do what you can at home -- maybe either invest in a treadmill or elliptical, or even do DVDs or fitness on demand type stuff. Or download a podcast or something. You can buy free weights to use, too. I know it's not ideal, and you'd probably prefer the gym, but it's better than nothing. And even if it's just 30 mins instead of your ideal 45 mins, I would just take what you can get when you can get it!

5. Another thought - maybe you should keep trying to work out after DS is in bed, if that's truly the best time. I don't know if you just tried it a few times, but maybe your body would adapt and eventually falling asleep wouldn't be a problem. I never have trouble falling asleep, though, so I don't know!

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

Do you only work out at the gym? Or can you do something at home too? I think I would try to get up early on 2 of the days DS goes to school at 9:30. Spending time driving to/from the gym is a time killer, so those days I would try to do something from home (maybe a video, or walk/run outside if DH is still home). Then on the weekends, I would alternate with DH so one of you goes early on Saturday, and one of you goes more towards lunchtime, and then switch it for Sundays (unless your gym has babysitting. In that case, I would probably go early with DH and bring DS to gym babysitting).

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

you have to squeeze it in between school drop off and work on MWF mornings.. even if its not the full 45 mins and strength you want. You can do a 20 min HIIT cardio workout and 20 mins strength following, shower and have time to get to work. And then do a longer workout on the weekends.

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

I'm not sure what kind of exercise you are doing, but if it were me I would get up early M/W/F and run outside for 30 min before DS wakes up.

Then I would do strength training at home (hand weights, situps, pushups etc) after DS goes to bed at night.

I would also see if you and DH can switch the early/late sessions at the gym on the weekends. So one weekend you get to go early and then the next weekend he does.

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

Re: Maybe someone can help me figure out a good schedule, because I cant seem to.

Not trying to say you don't have a tight schedule, but as a single Mom who found a way to workout 5 days a week you can make it work! I have to get DD up, dressed and at school by 630 am, and myself to work by 720am.

I moved my wake up time from 530 to 5, and I started doing the Jillian Michaels total shred. It kicks your butt!! On the weekend, I bring her to the daycare and take a class Sat and Sunday, she loves the daycare and I bring her tons of treats.

Hope that helps!!