Any suggestions from women like me..? Married, working, teacher mom of four ages 10, 8, 2 and 8 months. I want to exercise and eat healthy. There is just not enough time in the day. Anything working for someone with a busy life like me?

Besides the obvious "eat healthy" and "portion control" - move more. Park further, take the stairs, hoola-hoop, rollerskate, etc with your oldest 2 - take your youngest 2 to the park and walk around the "play" area with your youngest while keeping an eye on your 2 year old - Heck put in a silly CD or video and DANCE

I agree with Mrs. Smartypants. ANY extra movements burns calories and every calorie burned counts. Do some jumping jacks while you wait for the coffee to brew, march in place while you brush your teeth, etc. Keep a couple of hand weights in the car and do a few arm exercises while you wait at through a red light. Put some ankle weights and do a few leg lifts while you are working at your desk. It all makes a difference.

Other than that, I'll say that I also used to feel as if there just weren't enough hours in the the day (I have three children, 7 yo and 5 yo twins). As I lost weight and became more active I had more energy and extra time seemed to come out of nowhere. As it turned out, I had more time than I thought I did. It was just being spent inactively in front of the TV or computer (because being fat made me so darn tired!). Now, before I sit down to either I ask myself what I could do instead. Also, as my energy levels rose I found it much easier to get up early in the morning and head to the gym before anyone else is even awake. I'm not a morning person but it is a great way to start the day.

Busy moms are usually the first to forget that taking care of themselves is what allows them to take BETTER care of everyone else. At first I felt guilty leaving the kids with DH to go for a walk or to the gym. But, it didn't take long to realize that the hour or so I took for myself improved the quality of the remaining hours I spent with my family. It is a sacrifice worth making.

Finally, I'll add that if you are a perfectionist (and lots of us moms are!) now is a good time to cut yourself a little slack. If a load of clothes has to wait in the dryer while I go to step class, or the dust has to sit on the furniture for an extra day so that I can squeeze in a weight work out then so be it. I'd rather be in shape with a less than perfect house than have an immaculate home and be fat and unfit.

Married, 3 children 9, 6, 2 Teacher Mom. I strap on a pedometer and count my steps. It makes me aware how many times I sit during the day when I don't have to. I walk around the parameter during recess. Another teacher and I go to the gym 2 times a week (that's all we can seem to manage to schedule) directly after school while kids are in daycare still. I park far. Shop for hours on Saturday for groceries. (my personal me time). I bought a kid excercise video to share. Stretch while watching TV. Stand up the whole time while cooking. Pace while waiting. On Sunday, I rest.Make a goal of 10k steps per day. If you find that easy to beat, move up. If not, keep shooting for the 10k. Take kiddies out on the weekend. (hard to do when we work so much, but it does make me feel better as long as it isn't every weekend). In February we were snow tubing. Walk your dog. Walk at the park. Plan a picnic. Take your papers to grade. Walk when the baby gets restless. I don't know what grade you teach but we do a 15 min excercise time a few times a week when my 1st graders get restless. Play dodgeball at recess. That was actually fun! Be easy on yourself if you aren't perfect. I have weeks where it all goes out the window. That's okay. Keep your diet going. Have fun. Learn new tricks of the trade and enjoy life.

Now I have a question for you. I broke 3 toes. I can't do all of that. What can I do?

Does THIS count?

Circling a huge store about 10 times trying to find a lost mother-in-law?

lol

Oh, it counts! And you get a pat on the back for trying to find her too. I know a lot of people who would have at least considered letting their MIL STAY lost!

lol!

I know

I'm one of the few people that actually loves their MIL. How scary is that?