my husband wakes up every morning at 4:30 to work out... he just runs, and every so often he goes to the gym at his work and lifts weights. he eats lots of fruits and vegetables for lunch and snacks... he brings a big bag of food with him to work everyday. he also drinks lots of water.

he is in great shape, and we have 4 kids!!! he just ran the queen city marathon in regina, saskatchewan in september. 3 years ago, he weighed 270lbs, and couldn't go up a flight of stairs without getting really worked up. he didn't do any 'special' diet, he just started eating more fruits and vegetables, and walking.

heck, if he can go from 270lbs to running a marathon in 2 years with the job he has and 4 kids, i think you can do it!!

if you want, i get him to 'wondermail' you with some advice?? you know, 'dad to dad' kind of thing??

4:30?! Wow, I'm very impressed! Yes, if he's into some offering some advice that would be great. I don't feel like I'm going keel over right at this moment, but I'm thinking a lot about the futrure these days. Thanks!

4:30am is impressive and a little crazy. You have to be really dedicated to your cause. I'm also approaching 40, with a baby and another in kindergarten and I'm lucky if I get a shower every other day! I just started taking a morning class twice a week and it takes me a babysitter for the baby, another mom from the neighbourhood to pick up my daughter at school and it usually takes me until midnight to complete 15 min of homework along with all the other interruptions and tasks at hand. I remember when I was pregnant with the first child and contemplating doing my grad degree while I was on maternity leave!! Boy was I uninformed.

I'm barely in bed at 4:30....

i started swimming laps, only 20 mins 4 times a week. i've fully noticed a difference in my energy levels... better circulation and a decrease in anxieties and such... i fully recommend swimming laps!

Wow, change, do I ever hear you on this one. Full-time work, kids with homework and activities, university courses, volunteer work........it's hard to take care of yourself. Here are some things that have helped me

-I buy lots of frozen fruits and veggies, and bagged salads and stuff. That way I can always have a side of veggies at dinner, and toss the frozen fruit into a smoothie, without having a lot of stuff rotting in my fridge.

-for exercise, I walk, 'cause that way I don't have to get all geared up or drive anywhere, but I use nordic walking poles to increase the workout. I shoot for cumulative minutes per week, and I just stick in a short or longer walk whenever I can. Supposedly lots of shorter bits of exercise have the same long term benefits of fewer, longer workouts....I hope that's true.

I know that's not much, & you've probably already tried it......but when I'm about to go out of my mind, I remind myself how very lucky I am to have a family that loves me and needs me. and useful work to do in the world & the ability to make a difference......and then I don't feel as stressed out anymore.....at least for the next 5 minutes or so! Hope that's a little bit of help - there's sure a lot of us in the same boat!

For me organization and time management are the solution. I'm not a naturally organized person so I have to work hard at it but it pays off. You have to spend time doing things you don't want to do like clean the house, prepare lunches and pencil in 45 minutes for exercise. But staying organized helps you to have more free time. Keep on top of the chores, don't let the wash get out of hand and shop when you have time and buy ahead instead of dashing to the store when you run out of something.

It's little stuff like that. Think of all the time you save if you don't have to go searching for your car keys that are lost under a heap of clutter by the couch. :)

This year I've had to cut back on tv quite a bit too.

I find it's the computer time that really gets me! (Umm....see, like now...I could be out jogging!)

When I read your post I got the impression that you are having a hard time juggling time for yourself, with time for your little guy and all the pressures of work. I understand your dilema completely. While I'm guessing you can't likely take your son to work, I would suggest incorporating him into your leisure and exercise time. Put him in a stroller and go out running/jogging. When he learns to walk you will get lots of exercise chasing him! Kick a ball around the back yard with him, take him to the park, dance with him and enjoy him with 100% of your being because the time goes waaaay too fast. Perhaps you won't get your heart-rate up with cardio exercise this way, but I suspect your heart will be full because of the quality time you spend with him.

You won't find balance, you must create it and it is not easy. When you have too much going on it means removing certain things altogether or cutting back on some things. It may mean deciding that some things can't be compromised, but lowering your standards in other areas and accepting that nobody is perfect all the time. It is worth the effort if you hope to have a long life and a decent quality of life, especially where your family is concerned. The time you have with the kids is so short and you don't want to make it to old age to sit and reflect alone on the opportunities that you missed with the people that mean the most to you. As for physical health, I agree with the recent post, that a great solution is to plan family physical activities like hikes, and bicycle tours ( you can buy bike attachments to pull along the little ones). Just walking somewhere everyday is a great way to get activity and a chance to be alone or with your partner.

Remember, when you take the time to take care of yourself, you are taking care of the people who need you. Good luck!

Pencil exercise in to your day planner
and treat it like you'd treat any other appointment.... Keep it.

Thanks to every one who replied. I am actually quite inspired. I distill your wisdom as:

1) the child comes first, enjoy this time
2) just do it!

Thanks again.