How Can I Find Time To Stay Fit?

Dear Justine: My question for you is, how am I supposed to stay fit when I work in a cube from 8am-7pm to come home, to a child I don’t get to see enough as it is, to then do the same thing every day, every week, every year….

This has been my struggle, and I know I can workout when my child is sleeping, but, typically, I find myself sleeping as well. I just feel that being a single mom is very difficult to find a balance that works without sacrificing too much of what I NEED…aka sleep…for my sanity. ya know? PLEASE HELP!

Single and Stretched Fat in Sacramento

Dear Single and Stretched,
Every single day, I hear stories from women that have put themselves last. They have put their kids first, their jobs first, their husbands first…. they are always at the BOTTOM of the totem pole. When they first sit down and talk to me, it’s because they have realized something has got to change. They’ve either put on weight or they’re stressed out or their depressed or their pants don’t fit…. whatever the case may be, something has happened for that woman to realize that they have to change something! They’re not happy, so they need to do something to make them feel happy and good about themselves again.

When these women start to put themselves first, literally miracles happen! I think the best thing to do to begin this change is to actually SCHEDULE time for yourself! I know that every single woman, especially moms, have just about every hour of the day scheduled and accounted for. So, break out your planner and find 15 or 30 minutes or even an hour a few times a week where you can schedule some “me” time in! Once you’ve figured out how much time you can set aside for yourself, then figure out what you want to do in those time slots. Do you want to work out? Do you want to go on a walk? Do an exercise DVD? Join a gym? Throw a ball with your kid? Take them with you in a jogging stroller and jog around the block? Do you want to cook your meals for the next few days so you don’t have to worry about it? Do you want to tackle cleaning out that drawer that’s been driving you nuts? Whatever you decide on, make sure you ENJOY what you have planned for yourself and look forward to it – otherwise it won’t stick! After a few weeks, you will notice 1) How it is possible to make time for yourself and your world doesn’t fall apart 2) You feel a heck of a lot better about yourself! 3) You have more energy and sleep better and 4) (probably the most important one ) You feel you can actually take even BETTER care of everyone around you because you feel so much better overall! So, be a little bit selfish – take care of yourself. Schedule yourself in. You’ll be amazed how everything else in your life will seem just a little bit easier when you do.