How do you stay motivated?

onemomsbattle · March 2012

I haven't been on the board for a while-- life has been a bit crazy.

I feel like I've been so entangled in my custody battle for so long that "life" got pushed to the side. My friends have been pushed to the side, exercise...what's that?! and life in general has been on hold. I am so ready to get my life back on track and exercise is a biggie.

Open to suggestions for exercise-- as a single mom, I have a million excuses as to why I don't have time but I need to make time. How do you stay motivated? Any great tips that you could share?

HeavenlyExcitedBride · March 2012

I am in the same boat and trying to be motivated to exercise. I would like to say I do it because I want to be healthy and have energy to keep up with my ds as he grows up. But, if I am being honest, the idea of me starting to be more open to dating, wanting to look good is more of a stronger motivator at this time.

NoWay419 · March 2012

If you can afford it get a personal trainer. My gym does something called Small Group training. They have one trainer and 6 people can sign up. it costs less than the one on one and I like it bc I have met some cool people and knowing they are expecting me keeps me motivated.

The other thing is to have a workout buddy. someone who you can go with

achase123 · March 2012

Well I work out whenever I can. I get a lot of workout ideas from Pinterest and I go to the gym or run whenever I can. I also give myself one or two days off from exercising a week.

I eat very healthy and don't deviate from my diet plan much. This helps tremendously. I feel much better when I don't eat crap, just healthy, whole foods, basically.

I also do Jillian Michael's workout DVD's at home.

pdx18 · March 2012

I don't have kids, but I'm notoriously lazy for not working out. I've found the 30-Day Shred to be really manageable. You can do it at home, it takes under 30 minutes, and I feel like I've gotten a really great workout from it. I think too many times I put too much pressure on myself with exercise goals instead of taking it one small step at a time. Then I burn myself out or fail. I think the best idea is to start small and once you see changes you'll be self-motivated to workout more.

becwheat · March 2012

My daughter is still small enough to push in a stroller if I want to walk or run. Which is nice.

I saw a woman at park/track the other day who was jogging WITH her 6-8 yr old daughter. They would jog at the daughter's pace and speed walk if she needed. I thought it was great! It was helping both parties stay in shape.

I personally can't wait for my daughter to be older so we can play sports together. Soccer, tennis, swimming and others. I feel like as a single mom it is even more important to be healthy and this generation needs to be taught how to be active(with all the electronics) so why not kill 2 birds with one stone?! It is spring now so the time is right!

DakotaDangerDog · March 2012

I just try to do 1 activity every day that would get me some exercise. Even if it's just a 30 minute yoga DVD, I won't burn a ton of calories but at least I'll get moving, and it makes me feel a lot better mentally. I wake up early and get my exercise done before work, if I wait until afterwards I'll never get it done. It kinda sucks cuz I have to get up at 4:45 haha but it makes me feel good so it's worth it to me. Once I get consistent with just doing SOMETHING I'll work toward doing more intense activities, like weight lifting or running, more often.

To motivate myself I just schedule it in and try not to look at it like an option, but also I don't beat myself up about it if I don't get to it. Also if you do something like walk the dog (if you have one) or take your kids on a walk, you get in the exercise AND you are getting your dog/kid exercise and giving them attention. Win/Win!!

+Black Kitty+ · March 2012

I'm a single mom and my son is with me 100% of the time (as of Sept)... I took a while but I found a way that really works for me. I am so impressed by people that can work out at home with a dvd. I tried that for a while and would get 5-10 min into it and shut it off. I just don't have the self discipline! I didn't like the idea of joining a gym because I wanted to be able to work out while my son was sleeping and not have him be in childcare since he already is in school then after school care. It's the only thing that worked though. There is a nice gym near our house with an awesome kids room that he loves. That is key, my last gym he hated the kids room. Plus I got a trainer. Makes all the difference in the world to me bc I cannot quit halfway through! He works me out 100x harder than I ever would myself and is there to cheer me on. Well worth the money if you can afford it. I've heard the same thing about classes... that the instructor can motivate you and I plan to try that also once I get in a little bit better shape (I've only been back in the gym for 2 weeks now - already lost 5 lbs though! yay me!)

starvingscientist · March 2012

I stay motivated by envisioning the look on his face at the court hearing when I strut in 10 lbs lighter, healthier and happier.

Wedding18 · March 2012

beccaga16:
My daughter is still small enough to push in a stroller if I want to walk or run. Which is nice.

I saw a woman at park/track the other day who was jogging WITH her 6-8 yr old daughter. They would jog at the daughter's pace and speed walk if she needed. I thought it was great! It was helping both parties stay in shape.

I personally can't wait for my daughter to be older so we can play sports together. Soccer, tennis, swimming and others. I feel like as a single mom it is even more important to be healthy and this generation needs to be taught how to be active(with all the electronics) so why not kill 2 birds with one stone?! It is spring now so the time is right!

I love this. I am taking DD (who is a bit overweight herself) out this weekend for a jog. She will probably be able to run faster than me. LOL

How do you stay motivated?

Re: How do you stay motivated?

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