When do you exercise? What time of day?

[MisterRee]

I always struggle to find the time to exercise with 2 young children, working part time, running a household.
I just wonder when people fit in their exercise?
I think only time I have is the evening after kids in bed but by then I’m sooo tired.

I try in the morning - best first thing as then its done. If I leave it I'm tired.

Agree with @MrsBlondie, I get up 45 minutes or so before everyone else. I’ve been known to get the kids breakfast and do a HIIT session in the kitchen with them whilst they’re eating. I couldn’t do it in the evening either.

Early. Get up before everyone else and do it then. I can’t go out / do it in the evenings, no way.

Early morning if I can. Park run is an easy one on a Saturday morning, gets it out of the way.

And what do you do? The people who do it early? How long ?
My kids are Up so early, I’d have to get up super early so now wondering how long I would exercise for

About 3 times a week I get up 20 mins an earlier before the kids get up and just do 10 minutes on my exercise bike. I get the benefits of the endorphins for at least the morning that way.

Sometimes I squeeze some Pilates in when my youngest naps. That's not sweaty so no need to shower afterwards.

Id love to do more. Like get up an hour earlier and do both but I don't have the motivation or energy at the mo.

Another morning person here. I'm in the pool at 6.30am each day before work. My DC are older and evenings are filled with their sport. A lot of my work colleagues do something at lunchtime, work likes us to take a full hour break so people walk or run or swim or do yoga etc. DH preCovid cycled to work so fitted in his exercise then.

DH and I tagteam for exercise, hobbies, household stuff etc.

And when he's not around... I did stuff the children could join in with.

I also have an early rising child so mornings aren't a great option here. I am basically flexible and fit exercise in when I can - I have lots of little 2-10 minute strength exercises that I can fit in during work breaks e.g. plank while the kettle boils for tea, then squats while it's brewing. I have been known to do some exercise during Teams meetings when I need to listen but not be on screen - I find it's a great way to get my focus back. Lunchtime runs are good as well, even if it means I then have to have lunch at my desk. Making necessary travel part of your exercise helps too - I cycle to do most errands and I'm trying to get set up to do run commuting when I need to go into the office.

I also do quite a bit of exercise while DS is at activities - I do climbing during his climbing class and fit in a run while he's at tennis. I'm even thinking of getting a gym pass so I can fit in 25 mins of weights during his swimming classes.

I think the trick with evening exercise is to make it part of your routine and not make it too intense. I have made 20-30 minutes of Yoga (Adriene videos are great for this) part of my bedtime routine which helps me wind down and sleep. I do running club some nights which gives me a reason to go out, although with the evenings lightening up I'll also go out on my own for an easy run somewhere beautiful - if you don't push too hard it can be a really nice moment of quiet at the end of the day that you'll look forward to rather than struggle to fit in.

When I had young children it was almost entirely just walking (buggy pushing). Everywhere, up to 2 miles away, most weathers.

Also some cycling (with children).

I WFH and go to the gym after work every evening at 5.30pm then Saturday mornings at 9.30am. If I have something on after work then I'll go first thing at 6.30am before starting work at 8am.

Unfortunately this is difficult with small children, mine are teenagers so can be left to sort themselves out. When they were young, I'd tag team with DH in the evenings or do a half hour YouTube HIIT at 6am before they got up.