SAHM's with no little kids running around all day - LOOK HERE

[neenee]

Okay, so my youngest DD is 13yo and is gone everyday from 7:20 am to 4:15 pm so there is no "tending" to her that needs to be done during the day. And even when she is around she is at an age where she is very self sufficient. So, my days consist of just me, doing my few daily chores, scrapping a bit and watching movies (I'm a HUGE movie buff), oh and a workout or two.

I keep my house tidy and organized. However, I am not a clean freak. I know I don't sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, etc. as often as I should but hey, it's not disgusting either. We are very neat people for the most part.

So, what I am struggling with is how in the world you can up your calorie burn as a SAHM in my situation. I would never be happy cleaning my house top to bottom each day. I am not able to workout more than 2 hours a day because I get very bored. Honestly, sometimes I long for little children so that I would be more active during the day. Even when my little Ben comes for the weekend, I usually lose a pound or two cuz I burn so many calories playing with him, packing him around, etc.

So, what do you girls in similar situations do to fill your time during the day that is fun and still burns some calories? I know if I worked outside the home I would burn much more than I am burning now but, forget me working....it's out of the question.

Here is my typical day:
7:00 - wake up and do a few chores
7:45 - check in at forums, scrap a layout
10 - workout for 45 to 50 mins
11 - watch TV
break somewhere in here for a few chores
maybe scrap another page
4 - start dinner and do the last of my chores while it's cooking
5:30 - 6 - eat dinner
Cleanup
7 - workout for 45 to 50 mins
8 - watch TV
9 to 9:15 bedtime

Clearly I sit alot of my day. Actually about 6 to 6 1/2 hours of my day is sitting. I think I need a garden maybe to get me off the couch and active doing something that is fun and won't have me watching the clock waiting for it to be over. Any other suggestions?

P.S. Sorry I rambled.....

[KristinCB]

start a daycare? hehe :P

[jessica31876]

Have you thought about volunteering somewhere? Maybe helping at a daycare or at the hospital? Or even organizing some sort of thing yourself which would take some of your time and energy?

[rach3975]

If you like dogs, getting a pet could make being active more fun.

[neenee]

Originally Posted by KristinCB

start a daycare? hehe :P

I had to get up off the floor from the rolling around laughing I was doing down there. Now my tummy hurts from laughing so hard.

[KristinCB]

Originally Posted by neenee

I had to get up off the floor from the rolling around laughing I was doing down there. Now my tummy hurts from laughing so hard.

well you probably burned some calories LOL!

[Tracyfish]

I'm kinda in the same situation so I have no advice. I workout for 1-1/2 to 2 hours most mornings, but after that most of my day is sitting while L.J. is in school. I know once summer comes and he's home all day it will be different.

[Stacey42]

I work out an hour or so most days, either at the gym or at home. Now that it is nicer out I do more yard work, trim the trees, rake out the dead stuff, mulch it other places. That seems to help.

I also clean inefficiently now. Instead of filling a basket with stuff that belongs elsewhere while cleaning a room & then taking the basket & replacing things, I replace each item individually as I come across it, running all over the house, back & forth many times as I clean. I don't keep a phone by my desk, so I have to get up and walk to another room, quickly, to answer it. Anything to get me moving more