Please HELP me to get started with exercise again. Feeling glum.

If you really used to love running, I'd try and run, even if that have means going out in the dark. I've got a treadmill, and a peloton bike, and its better than nothing, but honestly, its not running. I also never really get uninterrupted sessions at home, someone invariably wakes up for water/a snack/had a nightmare etc. Physically leaving the building is the only thing that gets me uninterrupted time.

I live in a really rural area, no footpaths at all, and I think I'm actually safer in the dark as I can see cars coming a long way off around the windy roads, and with my flashing lights they can see me more easily too.

I also surprised myself by really enjoying running with a headtorch on, its somehow more meditative than daylight running. The first time I tried it for about 200 metres I thought, i'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this, and then promptly forgot and had a really enjoyable run!

I'd get a Petzl headtorch with a core rechargeable battery (worth spending money on this), a high viz vest and one of those elasticated bibs with front and back flashing lights, and have a go. Because I'm in the arse end of nowhere I also always take my phone, a whistle, a foil blanket and a spare cheapie aldi headtorch in a little pack in my pocket, just in case. I've never needed them but I figure the one day I forget them I'd rue the day)

Your 'd'h won't get up early 3 times a week so you can run, won't pay for gym or crèche, and makes unpleasant comments about fat women on TV?

I know one way to get rid of a load of unnecessary weight....

In the meantime, I got a second hand out'n'about nipper 360 and used to drop my eldest at school and then go to the park and let my middle child zoom around the paths on his scooter while j jogged after with the buggy. Not a long run and sometimes a bit stop start but better than nothing, and on a really keen day I might do things like squats holding my baby if he stopped to look at an interesting branch. Once he was a bit older and at nursery I did a proper jog with the buggy before coming back home or going to a playgroup etc. On rainy days I'd put on the GoNoodle website and we'd learn dances or do running activities together.

Was fitter on my maternity leaves than I have been since going back to work, unfortunately!

It sounds like you need to post about your dh on the relationships board.

I think you should have that conversation......you are dead right that your health is worth investing in, and I would go for it - whatever will work best for you.

On a more practical note, I second the Les Mills recommendation. They do a free trial, and it is brilliant value with loads of classes. I used it throughout the lockdowns. They have bike classes, dance, combat, core, lots of hiit, barre, balance, pump...many needing no kit.....so if you wanted to go for a cheaper bike you could use it with the LM app instead. I've got friends who love their peleton too though!

buy the treadmill OP - go for it ! don't get into heated discussions with DH - just buy a bike or treadmill and go for it and i would put them in front of an iPad - while you exercise for an hour . it won't kill them and i did it with 3 DC under the age of 4 who are now healthy teenagers and great students

Def get a running machine- it’s a game changer. We also live rurally. I go out in the dark. And you DH needs to step up.

Courtney Black is the answer! She is on insta and has a brilliant app with loads of workouts you can do at home. Life changing.

You could also do some virtual skipping, where you skip without the rope!

I think fitting things in with your lifestyle helps too, so walking lunges around the dining table, keep a resistance band over the door and do some arm exercises while the kettle is boiling.

Buy yourself a cheap fitness watch and track your progress too.

Get a kettlebell ! You can do strength and cardio, which can be as beneficial as a run - loads of videos online.

You can do a full body workout but you must study the proper form or you injure yourself.

Good luck!

If you have a Vitality Health life or health insurance you can get up to 40% cashback on a bike or tread and if you want a referral code for 100 pounds off let me know 👍

I'm derailing the original question now but are you accessing the free preschool hours at least? Exercising with a baby is doable... like you said its harder with a 3 year old too!

If you love running I'd get the tread, but if you don't mind either way the bike might be more versatile as variety.

I hope you get the set up you want to, and I think 3 kids is harder than full time work... I admire you as I could not do it!

I've just got a peloton bike and love it
I have a 60 day free app trial if you want the code (it asks for card details but you can cancel before paying!)

Now I use both very effectively for cross training and the bike has saved me many times when running niggles hit.

I wanted the peloton tread, but they weren't delivering it during lockdown so I got a Nordic track instead and just do the classes on that

Also, Peloton comes with strength work classes, pilates, yoga, mediation, outdoor classes, hiking, running and even foam rolling. It also has proper programs to follow if you like structure.

It also has Family classes and the DC join me for Disney yoga classes and some dance cardio.

The online communities are super varied and motivating too.

I also found that I can do a lot of the classes with children around, which really helps.

I know I sound evangelical about it but it changed my life.

*wider

Is there a eider SAHM issue? Money issue?
I don't want to make rude comments as I don't know your set up but I'd be really upset being the main parent for 3 kids and not even getting a run a few times a week

If there's a big hill near you walk it at pace while pushing the pram. Worked well for me as there was a baby and toddler group I liked at the top of the hill about a 30-49 min walk away. I was always late so rushing it but never sliced and took the bus (and no parking up there) and this kept me pretty fit

Get your husband to pay the creche fee if your gym has one.

I feel for you as you are not asking for the world... i'd just get up and go honestly. Or let him do the morning routines and go at a convenient time for his lazy morning behaviour!

Childcare is the best option with two of them. Have you got anyone near you who could babysit for an hour three times a week? A local au pair or student? Appreciate you live rurally.

Alternatively you could put your gym gear on every morning and hope that you can get them both asleep at the same time at some point so you can do a quick home workout!

See if any of the gyms have a crèche service.

Look into Les Mills On Demand (I think it’s Les Mills + now). They offer a really good free trial and absolutely loads of workouts. Some require equipment but loads don’t. You can gradually add equipment if you want to broaden your range - bearing in mind that you don’t usually need to buy the branded Les Mills equipment.

If you don’t want to pay, there’s loads of free workouts on YouTube but personally I don’t think they’re as good as LM and there’s something about having paid for the service that makes you use it. (This is a proven psychological phenomenon, I understand).