[runningfromfat]

Multi-tasking. 1 years old is a really hard age because they're getting into everything but are still to young to be left on their own to play much.

One rule that I've had for awhile now is to NEVER clean when DD is sleeping. That's my me time. If the dishes need to be done due them when he's awake. Have you tried using a baby carrier? He can ride around and be right there with you while you're cleaning. You can actually do a lot when he's on the floor playing, things like sweeping, picking up, folding laundry etc.

At that age I also used the jogging stroller to get a run in with DD. Sometimes I'd make sure the half way point was by a playgroup so she could get out a bit and run around before we finished the run. Normally the best time for me to get a workout in was right after she went to bed, I'd pop in the 30 Day Shred DVD so I could get in a quick 20 min workout.

Also, like others said, what you eat is something you can easily change that isn't going to cost you more time. I try to involve DD in the cooking process (or at least let her play with measuring cups) while I'm cooking.

[Munchy]

I'm a single mom to a four year old and I work full time, many hours beyond my coworkers. I will not allow time and how it's dictated to me rule my diet - I create my diet and let time work for me!

This is cross posted:
I make a lot of easy meals to supplement the more time-intensive meals that I freeze into portions on weekends. I cook big batches of tomato sauce, jar them, and freeze to have on hand. I do the same with zucchini turkey meatballs, curries, spicy beans, casseroles, burritos, portions of soup or chili for daily lunch, and all kinds of things that I'd want to eat. I often make instant brown rice to mix with some of the aforementioned meals.

-Make a little chicken when you can - grill, bake, crockpot, whatever. It helps to have it cooked when you're going for quick

-Salads are always easy, and can vary

-Soups with some veggies, broth, maybe pasta, maybe rice, maybe chicken (that you would have already made). All kinds of chili - chili is filling and can be incredibly healthy.

Asian noodle bowls are another variation. I use tofu noodles, but you can use rice noodles or anything around, some sriracha, hoisin, etc, and mix with your veggies and sauce.

-Flatbread pizzas. Take flatbread (I use flatout), bake, cover with toppings of choice, bake. I've made BBQ chicken, Thai chicken, regular pizza varieties, buffalo chicken.

-Tuna cakes - like crab cakes, but with canned tuna

-Roast your veggies. It's simple and tastes delicious with little to no prep

-Quesadillas are easy and delicious - I use Trader Joe's low carb

-Sandwiches and wraps

-I use barley as a "pasta" and mix with veggies and tomato sauce, maybe a little Parmesan.

-I make cheese sauce (for homemade macaroni and cheese) and even cook a little extra pasta to have on hand to make cooking even faster.

-Loaded microwave "baked" potato (roast your broccoli, maybe crisp up a chopped piece of turkey or center cut bacon),

-stir fry over quick cooking brown rice - you can even use the chicken that you've already cooked! Trader Joe's has a nice frozen stir fry mix in which the veggies taste much better than some of the others.

You can do this! You may not have an extra hour everyday to cook, but you can cook three meals in an hour when you DO have the time.

Also, you can incorporate your child into exercise. My daughter and I walk together around a local reservoir with friends and their kids (she can't do the entire four mile walk I use a stroller), we also take a parenting through swimming class together, and a child/parent yoga class. I also hike with friends when I can. I have a gym membership, but I don't always use it since it's more fun to be active out and about than in a gym.

How much time do you spend preparing your meals now? I bet you can use that same exact amount of time to make something similar and even healthier!

[Beach Patrol]

Originally Posted by April Snow

You have to make the time and put your health and fitness as a priority in your day, and yes, that beats a spotless house. There should be enough time to keep things reasonably neat and tidy but still find 15-20 minutes at a time for some activity for your health. You don't have to do 30-60 minutes all at once, the bits and pieces over the day add up too.

^^THIS^^

Also keep in mind that you don't HAVE to "exercise/work out" in order to lose weight. I'm not saying that you shouldn't exercise- because I believe that exercise is good for the body, mind & spirit! But maybe use this as a general guideline... "DIET for weight loss; EXERCISE for fitness"

My suggestion is that the best/easiest/quickest/least expensive exercise you can possibly do is to put your child in a stroller & just walking around your neighborhood. Walking is GREAT exercise. Plus, you get the benefit of being outdoors & with your child at the same time.

[ChickieChicks]

I'm a SAHM of a 3 and 5 year old.

Jogging strollers rock. You can often fidn them on consignment. Even if you do n't jog, i didn't, it gets you out and about. Stroll your neighborhood. Drive to the park and stroll down a path or two.

A 1 year old, most kiddos take 2 naps, which can feel binding, since it's hard to leave the house between 9-11 and 1-3, etc. Take advantage in the morning, if you are early risers.

Can you go to the Y? It will take a few PAINFUL tries to get him used to the childcare, but the more you go, the better it will be! Make going to the Y, or taking a walk, or cruising around the zoo, etc...part of your daily routine. It doesn't always have to be formal excercise..just get moving. Pick up that sweet baby and dance around the house to your favorite music. He'll think your moves rock! :-)

Ditto to the poster who doesn't clean during naptime!!!! That is your time. Relax. Eat lunch alone. Go to the bathroom ALONE. LOL Do a quick worjout video and then take a speedy nap! Enjoy a blissful cup of coffee and read a trashy magazine!

I lost myself in my kiddos and gained all my weight from feeling the need to be Supermom and Superwife. It took me many years to realize they aren't passing out martyr medals for who sacrifices the most and has the cleanest house! LOL I am happier than I have ever been (post kiddos), and that is b/c I am fit, I prioritize my "me time" and I find ways to work out...no matter what.

My 3 year old often gets the dreary task of helping to weigh down my bike so I can get a harder workout. LOL They go to the Y, even on days when they fuss about wanting to stay home. IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THEM!!! Seriously.

The biggest thing is to cut yourself some slack and realize that beig a SAHM can be so tiring, emtionally and phsyically, so don't go crazy. Try to thing of ways to enhance what you are currently doing, without setting yourself up for failure. The kids WILL get sick. You WILL have a bad, stressful, no-good day. Try to be flexible.

[Icey21]

Thanks every one that is a lot of help i am trying my hardest to make time for myself and i have the last 2 days! I feel like my house is a wreck but if feels good to have some time for myself!!! and to answer yall questions i dont have anywhere to walk and i dont go to the gym, i workout at home. See i thought i was doing really good right after i had my son cause within 2 weeks i was back to a smaller size when when i got pregnant so i was so excited i also didnt put on much weight till the end. Then when i went on birth control that is when i put on 20 lbs in less than 4 or 5 months. So i am not trying my hardest to get that back off. I also feel really down about the fact i had to have a C-section so i feel like i may never have a flat stomach again. Has anyone else had a c-section and got there belly tight again? But i am going to work hard for myself! Also the problem i have is working out when my BF is off work cause i wont workout around him for some reason i cant do that abound him!