second thoughts

Depending on your goals for a tri, you can get away with 7 hours or less a week.  If you don't mind being BOP (it's kind of fun back here!), and are going to make your first race or three a sprint, it is very doable.  If you access to a trainer and/or a treadmill, you can get in a lot of training when the kids go to bed. 

Don't stress about the weight.  Look at things like your waist circumference, or dress size; or are your clothes fitting looser than before. 

And there is nothing wrong with a little mid-life crisis.  The whole job of being an adult is to examine your priorities and goals, and ensure that at the end of the day you will feel that you have lived the life you wanted.  If for you that means the house has to be a certain way, then that's what it means for you.  Just keep in mind that if you are doing it for others (e.g. you mom, or your kids), they may not share your priorities, or your standards.  I would bet the kids appreciate the dinner time at least as much as the menu. And the time you spend with them is really what will count down the road.

Totally in the same boat here, trying to balance full time work, young kids, efforts to lose weight, & training.

I've been trying to combine some family time with workout time. For example, I sometimes take my daughter jogging with me in the jogging stroller. Also, I do lap swimming at the deep end of the pool while my son takes his swimming lessons at the shallow end (I can usually get in a good 40-50 laps during his lesson). If I take one of the kids (or train when they are asleep or still at daycare/school), my husband doesn't seem to care and the kids aren't missing time with me.

That being said, I don't train nearly as much as I would like. But have 3 little kids, so like it is what it is, I do the best I can. It may take me twice as long to be ready, but I'm way ahead of those who don't even tri

As far as the weight goes, I also know how you feel. I still need to take off 15lbs & it's been really slow going. But I tell myself that the slower I take it off, the more likely it is to stay off. Better than some crash diet.

Be proud of what you have accomplished. You've got a lot on your plate and you're still doing something for your health. Not easy.

Have a third thought and keep going. You are making awesome choices in trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.  Your kids will benefit from your meal choices and your example. 

Most of your sprint workouts won't even take a full hour so  hopefully you can squeeze it in.  Don't worry about results yet.  Just keep moving. 

As stated before if you went from doing nothing to working out but aren't seeing the weight loss it can A.) take time and B.) change your body make up which is more muscle (weighs more) and less fat.  Use the way your clothes fit as a guide.  I also wanted to mention that most of the info you get on here about nutrition and eating for for people going longer distances.  If you follow their advice on how to eat and refuel you will increase your calorie intake beyond what your burning even if they are healthier choices.  Example..If I'm not working out over an hour I typically don't NEED anything extra to help my body recover.  Your regular diet should suffice.  Just watch what and when your eating the foods you eat.  Ie..if your eating a fruit for a snack make it a banana before a run not a second one because you are getting ready to run.  Same goes for gatorade.  Have a glass of water instead.  Smoothies as a recovery food after a 30 min workout is not going to help you loose weight if added to the diet.  However if you added protein and made it a meal replacement it would be ok.

As for helping with meals with the kiddos.  I hate trying to figure out what to cook and who has time.  I use www.emealz.com and it is a god send for busy people.  I can be dog tired and just look on the fridge and know what to get out and make dinner.  The meals are very easy to make and you can usually make easy subs for items your family might not like.  It does take a little longer to go grocery shopping but I have saved a bunch sticking to the list.

One last thing.  I would recommend you try really hard to use the logs on BT.  They can really help you see your accomplishments when you are feeling bad and give you a shot of motivation when you are slacking and trying to fool yourself.   (been there...)

Good Luck and remember you aren't alone.

In no particular order:

6-7 hours a week is pretty darn good.  Were you exercising an hour at a time last March?  Way to go!  This is plenty of time to train for a sprint (and I'd say an Oly distance also).  The first book I read about triathlon was called "Triathlon Training in 3 hours a Week"

Think about doing your runs/swims/trainer rides/other stuff before your kids get up.  It gets your workout done early so there is no worry about fitting it in later and also doesn't take away any of your facetime.  I used to do workout videos early in the morning or during naps.  That Billy Blanks will put a hurt on you.  Or, let your kids ride bikes (or ride in the stroller) while you chase them.  Workouts for all at the same time plus they will get tired out and might nap later.

When I started training for triathlons and half-marathons (and my one marathon), I lost NOTHING.  Zero pounds.   I did, however, go down several pants sizes.  I actually had to take my pants to get altered.  The scale just shows you a number - if folks are telling you how good you look, then that is all you need.  If your improvement plateaus, you can start thinking about logging your foods or measuring your portions (this is how I lost my postpartum weight both times).

I've developed a higher threshold for mess tolerance.  If it is a nice day outside, I'm going to ride my bike not clean the house.  Luckily, DH and kids agree with this system and they like to bike together.  However, to help with the mess you can either enlist the help of your family to help tidy it up or do it really fast so that it becomes a bonus workout for you.

You are the person who the folks in your office or your family look up to because you are getting out there and doing something cool.  Anybody who says that this is a midlife crisis is either (a) jealous of your strength, tenacity and hotness or (b) wanting you to join them in not making a change.  Keep at it!  You rock!