How I Finally Found Time to Train While Working, Parenting, and Trying to Do It All
- Mai Smith-Trau
- Dec 27, 2025
- 3 min read
“How do you find the time?”
If you’ve ever struggled with weight or tried to build a healthier lifestyle, you’ve probably heard every cliché in the book:
“If it’s important, you’ll make time.”
“Just do it.”
“Stop making excuses.”
People mean well, but comments like that never really help—especially when you’re juggling being a wife, daughter, mother, full-time employee, and everything else life stacks on your plate.
As a woman heading into my 50s, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I’ve tried every diet known to man. I’ve joined gym after gym. I even built a mini-gym in my garage… and then let it sit untouched for almost two years. I’ve had accountability buddies, joined weight-loss groups, and still yo-yo’d my way through adulthood.
Life Happens—and Health Takes a Backseat
Before I had my son, I was at my healthiest weight. I felt strong and confident. Then life shifted. I became a single mom by choice, started a demanding career, worked 12+ hour shifts, and added school on top of it to “work smarter, not harder.” (Spoiler: that’s a whole story of its own.)
Suddenly, my health, exercise routine, and weight loss journey weren’t a priority anymore—they were pushed aside for survival mode.
Trying Again… Then Stopping (Again)
Fast-forward to this year. I wanted to do RunDisney’s Villains Challenge, so I set up a training plan in my garage gym. I did okay—until summer.
Trying to run in a 90-degree garage? Yeah, absolutely not. Excuses started rolling in daily:
“It’s too hot.”
“I need to make dinner.”
“I’ll start tomorrow.”
And the truth is: those excuses were choices. I chose not to train.
Getting Swept at Mile 9 Changed Everything
I ran the Villains Challenge anyway—and I was swept at mile 9.I was mad at myself because there was no one else to blame. I didn’t put in the work, but still thought, “I’ve got this. Who can’t run a 16-minute mile for 13 miles?”
Me.I couldn’t.
Meanwhile, my husband finished the race and earned his Coast to Coast medal… which irritated me even more. 😂
It forced me to reevaluate what he was doing differently—because the answer was simple: He trained. I didn’t.
Changing My Mindset: The Real Turning Point
With only one month before my next RunDisney race, I had to change my mindset—not just my schedule.
I downloaded the Runna app, and it was honestly a game-changer. I synced it with Strava, joined monthly challenges, and found a community of runners who were also juggling life, work, and motivation struggles.
Runna built training plans around my life. It included strength training—which I originally thought wouldn’t matter—but it has almost completely resolved the hip and back pain I’ve dealt with for years.
Finding Time With a 10-Hour Workday
I work 10-hour days, so I assumed I didn’t have time. But the workouts averaged 40–60 minutes. Completely manageable.
On days I didn’t want to train, my husband was my motivator. On days he couldn’t convince me, I remembered the feeling of being pulled off the course at mile 9—and that was enough to get me moving.
And yes—there were still nights when I just couldn’t do it. I’d come home, eat, scroll until bedtime, and skip my workout. But I made myself a promise: no guilt, just make it up on my rest day.
It’s not perfection—it’s commitment.
The Jeans That Changed Everything
While packing for my next race, I found a pair of size 14 jeans from 2009—new, unworn, and saved “just in case.”
I tried them on.
They fit.
They were a little loose.
For the first time in years, I felt proud of myself—not because of a number on a scale, but because I proved to myself that my choices were paying off.
Now, on days I don’t want to train, I remember putting those jeans on. That feeling is enough to get me out the door.
The Truth About Finding Time
RunDisney got me started.
Runna keeps me structured.
Strava keeps me competitive.
My husband keeps me accountable.
But the real change?
ME choosing to shift my mindset.
Training is a choice.
Showing up for myself is a choice.
Changing my life is a choice.
And if you’re reading this wishing you could start too—you can.
It doesn’t matter your age, your weight, how many diets you’ve tried, or how many times you’ve restarted.
Your journey begins the moment you decide you’re worth the effort.
We’ve got this—together.
See you at the next run. 🏃♀️✨🏅
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