This is kind of self-pity ramble, so sorry...

I have so much do to, every day, all the time.
- Run my business
- Help my husband with his business
- Going to school online
- 2 dogs
- House to clean
- Oh yeah, did I mention my three small children??!!

What am I going to do? Whenever I get any down time, I just collapse. I don't have the energy or motivation to exercise. I feel so overwhelmed, and depressed and just...blah...

I'll have it together for a week or two, cut back 5 or 6 cigarettes on my smoking, and then I won't see any change on the scale or in my clothes. I get so depressed and upset at myself (you could have done THIS better, did you really have to eat THAT) that I just shut down and give up.

Altari, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so overwhelmed with all the stuff going on in your life right now. I know it can be tough and I'm sure everyone here can relate on some level!!

The one piece of advice I have from my own experience is to EXERCISE, even when you're so tired you feel like you can't move! It truly does give you such a boost, both physically and mentally. It gives you a boost that same day and when you're exercising regularly it'll give you more energy every day in general. I work 10 hour days on my feet the entire time. I used to feel so exhausted by the time I came home I could hardly move! Now that I'm exercising regularly (I fit in about 4 times a week) I have more energy throughout the day and I feel good when I get home...not tired and cranky. I never thought it would have made such a difference in how I feel and I'm still totally amazed, even though I've been doing it for a while now. So get out there and get your heart pumping! Even if you can only do 20 minutes

Hey Altari,

Wow--that's a lot to take care of! No wonder you feel tired. But it also sounds like you're pretty hard on yourself.

When life seems overwhelming, adding one or two more things to it, like exercise and losing weight, seems impossible. It's just one more "to do" on the list! In fact, soon everything in life seems like just another task that has to be accomplished without enough time or energy. Even a picnic or a day trip seems like just more work. That's been my experience.

Start with something manageable. Can you go for a walk in the morning or afternoon? For just 15 minutes, taking your kids along? Or can you watch a 20 minute exercise video--an easy workout version? The point is to make time for you to get some activity. It doesn't have to be a big commitment to start--a little commitment will do fine in the beginning.

And here's an idea that is hard--how clean does your house really need to be? I ask this because I have friends who seem to put cleaning the house above just about everything else. You can put it on their headstones: "Worked like a dog but always kept the house clean." I try to keep my house clean and relatively straightened up, but if the choice comes down to, Do I take my walk, or do I wipe down all the counters? Well, the counters can wait. That's called having a priority!

Try with just some small things--and don't worry about doing them perfectly! You can do this if you keep on trying.

Jay

I agree on the exercise. I am a single Mom - self employed - work six days a week. I do my 45 - 60 minutes on the treadmill everyday. My son knows it's MY TIME. Yes - there are days when there is cleaning or other things that should get done - and obviously I would never neglect my son - but my health is paramount to his future and mine. FIND THE TIME. Include your children - I just added 30 minutes riding a bicycle outside and my son goes with me. He is THRILLED. I think woman feel that making time for themselves is selfish and generally put themselves last. Don't get overwhelmed - one thing at a time and set aside a little time for exercise everyday.

I know everyone is suggesting exercise, which is great, but sounds like you need to simplify your life. Can you hire a weekly house keeper, someone to help out with running your business and your husband's, maybe a teenager to help babysit a few days a week or cut back on your school. Sometimes you just can't do it all and your body takes a beating from the stress. Lay it all out, cut what you really don't need keep what you do and get help where you can! Good Luck!

Hi Altari ~

Wow, you sure are super-busy No wonder you feel stressed out and like collapsing. Putting your activities together, you're doing 2 or 3 full time jobs at once!

Funny as it sounds, regular exercise has unleashed energy I didn't know I had untapped. A brisk 20 - 30 minute walk four times a week has lifted my spirits, improved my outlook to a much more positive one, and made me feel so much more energetic. Seems weird, when you're already feeling tired and rundown to exercise ... but try it!

With your hectic life I agree it would be great if you could simplify or get extra help around the house.

And reading your first post I also thought "wow, she sure is hard on herself!". I don't know of anyone who could try to do all you do and not be overwhelmed and frustrated. Can you lessen any of the commitments to where you can feel less pressured?

We all need "me" time, in addition to the exercise time, I think!! And the busier a woman is, the more she needs the extra "me" time. Maybe your DH could take charge of the kids and dogs on a regular weekly basis and leave you to do whatever you want.

Good luck!!