How Can I Exercise When My Schedule Is So Hectic?

Dear Justine: I am a stay-at-home mom of four kids. All of my kids are younger than 9 years old. I am always doing something whether its getting the older ones ready for school, to soccer, or learning time with the younger ones. My schedule is very chaotic. I have to have dinner ready for my husband when he gets home, and I try to keep the house tidy. Really, I feel like a hurricane all day. I was reading the post above and it helped me a little bit with my issue. But, my schedule is all over the place with 4 kids and every day is something different. (Should I mention we have 3 cats and 2 dogs, and 1 bunny?) I eat right which is good and feed the kids right. BUT, I truly do not work out. You really gave solid advice with Angela, so I look forward to your response.

Hurricane from Kansas City

Dear Hurricane,
I could literally feel the wind of the hurricane while reading your post! Whew!! 4 kids + 1 husband + 6 pets = you are #12 on the list of priorities right now. With an ever-changing schedule each day, I can see how it would feel at first that setting time aside for yourself is literally “Mission Impossible.” I am here to give you the good news and let you know that it IS POSSIBLE! Granted, each day will vary, but anything is possible. When you put your mind to something, you can do anything! You know this because you’ve currently put your mind to helping, raising, and looking out after 11 other beings in your life and everything seems to flow! Even chaotically!

My suggestion for you is, when you wake up in the morning, look at what you have to do for the day. I can guarantee you that you can find at LEAST 15 minutes that you can do something for yourself. Turn on Fit TV, walk around the block, throw in a DVD, turn on some great music and dance, do some jumping jacks – ANYTHING for 15 solid minutes. Then you know what will happen? Soon enough, that 15 minutes will turn into 16, and 18, and 22…. and 30. Slowly but surely, you’ll realize that you CAN do anything! Even moving yourself up from the #12 position on the ladder! I heard a motivational speaker recently say “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR 15 MINUTES!” And you know what? It’s true!