Do you have a husband? Maybe he could do something with them for a while. I don't know how long you plan to exercise but I do remember from health class that you can improve your health even if you only do 15 min of exercise. Of course they do recommend more than that.

Also if you are looking for a hobby find something that you could do with your kids. I know as a child I got forced into a few hobbies because of my mom. And even if I really wasn't wholeheartedly into them I did learn something from them and no harm came to me for being forced into a hobby. I don't know what age your kids are but there are all kinds of crafts for different ages. And some of them can be made from house hold items.

I am married but he is busy with all of his friends and hobbies and going to the gym. My child is 12 and refuses to go to the gym and my "son" is 4 and is a bulldog so I hate leaving him home alone any longer than I have to. I always feel like I am abandoning someone, but my husband is always abandoning me!

well I'm sorry to hear that. Husbands need to get with the times. Care taking isn't solely the woman's responsibility. Honestly he needs to grow up, when you have kids you put them before friends and you also have to limit your hobbies. Goes both ways for women and men.

But I do have to say that 12 years old should be plenty old enough to be left a lone for a few moments. Also can't say about the dog but your son will definitely bond with you if you can find a hobby you can both enjoy. I know how busy you are and how hard it is to have a full time job and a family.

But I still think you might want to considered voicing your frustration to your husband about him not pulling his fair share around the house. I don't want to be too nosy or butt into your marriage but what you told me sounds unfair to me. You may want to think of a clever way to make your point across to him with out being harsh. It's probably a good idea to brain storm with the help of your counselor on this one. I know sometimes counselors don't like to give advice but you really need a healthy way to solve this problem.

Sorry I know I have a lot to say. But I hope you will find more balance and less stress in your life soon.

We need 30 minutes of cardio three times a week (more for weight loss). Research shows that one can exercise for as little as 10 minutes. Do this three times a day and you will have your work out. Jog in place in the living room for a few minutes at a time and then go do something else, attend to the kids, etc.

I found my latest hobby on Amazon. Loom knitting. You do not have to know how to knit, and it is so easy a child can do it. I made 30 sets of beanies and scarfs for Christmas, each one cuter than the last. I love it and it is so relaxing. Just surf around on Amazon until you see something that turns you on.

For exercise I use the Nintendo Wii. You and your child could play together and have fun, and get some exercise. Just Dance is the favorite with us now. Good Luck.

if you can get a friend to join the gym with you, it really does make all the difference. Someone to struggle with at first right along side of you, have some good laughs and motive each other.

if not, I found the music helped me to keep coming back from steps class. it always picked up my spirits.
Yoga is another good one to start off with, you do feel so much calmer afterwards, and you will notice within 2 weeks that your joints, muscles, everything just feel so much better.
Yoga also makes going to the gym not as hard at first because it lossens you up and stretches those tense muscles out and you feel better upstairs if you know what I mean. lol. More focused =)

I like to paint. It keeps my hands busy so that might be something worth trying. get messy with it, use your whole hands instead of a brush, it doesn't have to be a master piece work of art worth thousands of dollars to be good art...it just needs to feel good and be an escape. if it has a meaning to you then that is all that matters. Sometimes it's a good way to get stuff out.
good luck