Ideas for when you simply have no time...
 

I really want to start exercising. I have been on a diet for two weeks and know I would be doing so much better.

I have three little boys, the older two have special needs. After school is out of the question. While the older two are at home, I have my two year old. There is no extra money for a babysitter for the baby alone, nor for a gym. I have tried to do a workout video with him and it was a disaster.

DH works long hours and it is too late by the time he gets home to help me.

We live in Phoenix and it is already too hot out to be out walking.

The summer will be even more difficult b/c the older two will be home more.

Very frustrating.

Any ideas?

Raquel

I bet they go to sleep earlier than you and DH do, that might be the right time to have 30 spare minutes to do some strenght/metabolic training, try and google it, it works great for me and I always end up doing it in my room after 10 pm because I just have no time earlier.

When my son was a baby (he is 22 now - time flies) and my daughter was a 2 year old, I would do videos after he went to bed. She would bounce on the mini trampoline (she called it her jump jump) and do her exercises with me. We have lots of pics to look at from those times!
Chrys Dayley

I would do it either before everyone is up (early morning in Phoenix is not too hot to go walking) or after they've gone to bed. I know, you're tired, you had a long day or getting up early will create a long day, but if you want to find the time you will.

that's exactly what my dear friends said to me here a few weeks ago when I found all sorts of excuses. I commute 4 hours a day, already get up at 5, barely have enough time to make dinner and then watch one of my favourite shows, but I changed that... I get up a tad earlier, I'm walking at lunch, doing exercise DVD's at home (my excuse was that my living room was too small and I just don't like those dvd's...), I'm finding the time and then just doing it. I want it. I need it. I'm doing it.

And REALLY so can you!!!

I agree with others who said you may need to squeeze your workout into the evenings after bedtime, or if the two yo naps while the older kids are at school, that may be an option.

Self.com just emailed me two 15 minute workouts to be done on alternating days. I'll post the cardio workout and the other workout is just 6 moves that you do the indicated number of reps and run through the circuit 2xs. You'll need dumbells and a swiss ball, but you can usually pick those up on sale for under $20.

From Self.com
Workout B: Torch calories with cardio

Our lightning-quick drill can pack the same fat-burning punch as does biking or jogging for one hour, a new study from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, finds. Perform four 30-second sprints on your favorite piece of cardio equipment or outside, then do easy movement (a recovery pace) for four minutes between bursts. Push yourself during the speed intervals. You may huff, you may puff—but your new bod will blow them all away. Go easy on the rest portion. Slog (translation: jog slowly), pedal at a snail's pace or walk. Do this workout three days a week and you'll look superfine in 2009.

A cardio exercise I found I really like is jumping jacks on the swiss ball. You sit on the ball, then bounce moving your legs and arms like you would for a standing jumping jack. It really gets your heart rate up, but doesn't stress your knees and ankles.

Good luck!

What time does your husband go to work? My best workouts are before 6 am.