People who are too busy to do exercise

I honestly think that looking at it purely in terms of having enough time to fit in exercise is extremely simplistic. There are many contributing factors aside from how many hours you could carve out of your day.

I prioritise exercise as I love it, its a hobby. So i go in my lunch break 3 days a week and 1 day at the weekend. Other people do not love it and do not want to prioritise it. They may enjoy other things, baking, crochet, reading, etc, and will do that in their free time instead.

She might not be able to do the running but she could do other forms of exercise

It's mostly attitude and priorities

Would the OP be able to do 4 runs a, week for 40 mins each if she was a single parent and her kids weren't old enough to be left alone?

Amazing how being a parent doesn't lead to the exact same circumstances isn't it?

@Hollyandivygoout
Did your DH sort out his ED?

Maybe your out the house too much and he's too knackered?

To other posters that's the Ops only other posts.

I am a doer, a list-maker, an achiever. I work FT, cook a decent meal most nights, have a reasonably clean home and a social life. I also work out with weights for about an hour 5-6 times a week because I am old and was losing muscle mass. I also have an empty nest, and an easy husband. But 10 years ago when my kids were young and in sports, I barely had time to breathe and working out was the last thing on my list. So I dont judge people who dont have time for it. I literally would have cracked from the pressure of another single thing on my plate back then. I am happy I can fit it in now. Stay in your lane.

Did you take your DC with you running when they were toddlers?

You have childcare and a partner.

That is a certain amount of privilege that not everyone has.

I exercise four times a week and I hate it. I'd much rather not exercise but I have to if I want to look how I want to look. I couldn't run four miles in 30 mins - or any miles actually, without two days of horrible knee pain afterwards - anyway. I also walk the dogs every day because I have to, but I actually enjoy that (usually). I struggle to find the time to fit everything in, working full-time and studying, with two kids at secondary school also, and exercise has to be sacrificed if I'm too busy for it. Your post is annoyingly judgy, OP.

I think that a lot of people who say they don't have time don't realise that exercise doesn't have to be going for a run, going to the gym or doing a class. Just move your body more. You can dance while cooking dinner, you can exercise with your children, park right at the back of the car park so you are walking a little bit further.

Little efforts make a difference. One of the best you can do is get your children involved, show them the importance of being fit and healthy. Before bath and bed squeeze 10 minutes of something with them be it a child suitable class, jumping, dancing, stretching.

I do exercise a lot and I have time to but on the days I don't have time I simply try to move more.

I don’t think the OP, after having their arse handed to them, is coming back.

BUT this thread has made me realise that I really should prioritise exercise again - I’ve been swamped at work, busy with kids, yet my screen time (on my phone) shows at a staggering 5 hours a day - what’s up with that?

I 100% know I’ll feel better for it too.

So thanks for the thread @Hollyandivygoout 💪

How judgy. Maybe other people have different priorities to you.
Maybe their child struggles academically and that 30-40 you spend running 4x a week, they spend sitting with their child giving them extra academic support.
Maybe that 30 min is spent ferrying their child to an extracurricular activity that gives them confidence.

Maybe after working full time, cooking meals, taking kids here there and everywhere, cleaning and tidying, commuting, there's only perhaps 30-60 min per day true leisure time and they don't want to spend it on something they don't enjoy!

Not everyone gets the same endorphins from exercise - studies have shown someone people dont get the lovely endorphin boost they just feel a bit crap and tired afterwards. If that was you, you might feel differently

I am active in my daily doings, I’d walked my 10000 steps by 11.30 this morning, so no, I don’t exercise 4 times a week on top lol. I run with a friend once a week for a catch up, that’s all I can be arsed to do. You do you, I do me.

I hate exercising. I know in the long term it would benefit me, my kids and my mental health. But now, when Im in the trenches? Forcing myself to run/exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week on around 4 hours of sleep a night , 37+ hours of work and spending some form of quality time with my kids and husband mean that those minutes will kill whatever sanity I have left.

Are you looking for an answer to your AIBU question, or are you just doing a humblebrag so you can feel all smug and superior? Because it sounds like the latter.

(Not that it’s any of your business, but I run 3 times a week and try to get to the gym twice. I still think you’re being a judgemental bore)

I have two kids at primary school (one with a significant disability so have had to apply for DLA, and EHCP and specialist secondary provision in the past 12 months) and the other in Reception, so little enough to still need a lot of very hands-on parenting. I have a full-time job at Board level, a directorship of a not-for-profit and I'm a school governor. My work often has unpredictable hours and I manage a team of 10 who all do quite complex work that often needs my support. I'm not doing it at the moment, but when I was training with a personal trainer, I trained between 5 and 6am. On those days, I often got to sleep after midnight and was up again around 4.5 hours later. My DH is super supportive, but he can't sleep on my behalf.

We do not all have the same 24 hours as you, especially now that you have secondary-aged children.

I am out of the house at 7am Monday to Friday, home at 6.15pm at the earliest. I'm usually starving when I get home and by the time dinner is all done and dusted it's half 7 (we cook from scratch every night). I'm menopausal, anaemic and exhausted and I just cannot be a**ed to go out for a run, especially in the dark. I am aware it's getting lighter in the evenings but it won't change how exhausted I am.

Weekends are full of washing, cleaning, shopping, grandchildren, winding down etc

Gold star to you though for gloating that you can be bothered and can find the time

I CBA to exercise.
does that offend you?

I go to small group PT, so not a classic gym. there is a max of 16 people in a session.

No i didnt say that, i said my steps reduce so more often than not i wont hit my 8-10k a day when my husband is away, i still do my sessions.

My best friend is a single parent to 3 children, she trains and has a walking pad at home that slides under the couch, she pulls it out and does her steps if shes at home with the kids.

Listen i never said its easy, but when you really want to do something you will find a way!

If you really dont want to do it then THATS ALSO FINE, as tis was me up until a year ago.

The OP did only mention people who say they don’t have time btw.

Some people just don't like exercise. Others prioritise other things. Who are we to judge?

Me, I love exercise and this week I have exercised every day for at least 1 hour. I do it at the expense of other things. It's my hobby. I don't spend much time on my hair, makeup or clothes as I don't have any spare time to do this. I'm not into any other hobby whereas someone else may be.

I've got lots of other things to do that are important but they can wait till I get back from my class/ run/ gym.

OP your post has really pissed me off! Lucky you to get to exercise when you want.

I used to do loads of exercise before having kids and now I’m not able to do any. My eldest is in year 2 at school and my youngest is 3 and doesn’t go to nursery. When/how exactly shall I exercise? Strap my three year old on my back and go for a run??

I’ll take up my hobbies once my little one starts school but until then, yeah I don’t have time. I certainly don’t put it down to being more important than anyone else

Well I am in recovery from Cancer Treatment ATM .Bloody shattering I can tell you! DH is in his 60s still plays Football 5 a side every week.Does not ask other people why they are not doing similar. As my old friend said upon Retiring when everyone asked her what she was going to do .Replied Nothing at all,and Im not starting that until Lunchtime!

Sometimes I have time and sometimes I want to sit on the sofa with cheese and wine!! Stop being so judgmental and get on with what you do!

I used to get 2 hours in the summer, but the afternoon was extended to 6pm.

Now we get 90 minutes it’s perfect for some exercise