When do working moms find time to work out?

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Like most women, the upcoming swimsuit season is giving me heart palpitations. Like most women who are juggling full-time work and full-time parenthood, I can't imagine when I'll find the time to get in shape.

I used to be fantastically fit. But that was, like, a lifetime ago. Right now, I am a slug. Or, at least, I feel like I am a slug. Aside from bench-pressing about 20 percent of my body weight in toddler, I don't get much exercise.

I want to -- I really want to. According to William J. Evans, director of the Nutrition, Metabolism, and Exercise Laboratory at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, "Regular aerobic exercise increases life expectancy by decreasing the risk of a host of chronic diseases." And I know I need to -- I'm in my mid-30s, those last few pounds of baby weight aren't going to melt off by themselves. I just can't figure out how to squeeze a work out into my already over-scheduled schedule.

I commute 40 miles each way to my office, a trip that can take 45 minutes or nearly two hours, depending on traffic, the weather, and the time of day. Most of the fitness and exercise classes that are offered by my town's community center start by 6 p.m. -- there's no way for me to make it back there on time.

Work out at home? It's a great idea, in theory. In practice, though? I never do it. If I'm home, I'm doing laundry, or cooking, or cleaning, or doing freelance work, or wrangling our youngest kids, and if I'm not doing any of those things, then I'm probably asleep -- or longing to be. After getting up with the kids durng the night -- and it seems like someone or another is always up at night -- the idea of getting up even earlier just so I can sweat seems torturous. Work out after the kids are in bed? That's when I catch up on my freelance work.

What's stopping me from joining a gym? Myself, I guess. And time. I don't know when I'd go, even if I really wanted to sweat in public. (Yeah, I don't have a good answer for this one. Especially since some experts say that three 10-minute workouts can be as good for you as a single 30-minute session.) Compounding the problem is the guilt. I already spend so much time away from my kids; how can I justify taking more time for myself?

People do it all the time, though, so there's got to be a way for me to get fit. Let's take a look at how other working moms work in a work out:

1.) They make time. Some women wake up extra early carve an extra hour or two out of their days; others swear by walking more often, even while at work (a pedometer can provide incentive to take the extra steps).

2.) They pencil it in. Scheduling your work out, just as you would any other important activity, can often help you reach your fitness goals. Don't think exercise is as important as your job? Then make it your job by becoming an instructor.

3.) They stay positive. It's not enough to think, "I need to fit into that swimsuit"; you have to want to do it. Focus on the positive thoughts associated with your goal, and eliminate the negative ones.

4.) They exercise with their kids. If your child is taking swimming lessons, do laps while you wait. Watching soccer practice? Walk around the perimeter of the field.

5.) They get creative. If you can multitask -- and what working mother can't? -- then you can make your everyday activities burn a few extra calories. Park far away from office door, and walk a little. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Do push-ups against the kitchen counter, hold in your stomach while you're sitting at your desk... there are more opportunities than you think!


How do you find time to exercise?


Lylah is a full-time editor, a freelance writer, and mom and step mom to five kids. She writes about juggling career and parenthood at The 36-Hour Day on Work It, Mom!, where she is also the Managing Editor, and she blogs about writing at Write. Edit. Repeat.