When do you exercise? Particularly if you have children under 8 who wake early, working and worn out by end of the day

[MrsFunnyFace]

I am getting older, early 40’s. I know I need to do some strengthening exercises or something to keep fitter.
however I have 2 kids 4 and 8 who both wake up at 6am, I work 4 days a week, and I’m so tired by time the kids are in bed by about 8pm (ish).
When do people fit it in ?

Do you have a partner? I get up early on a Saturday or Sunday and go for a run, DH gets the kids up and gets breakfast sorted. I also sometimes go for a run around 6pm when DH gets in from work. I usually have dinner ready and he eats with the kids and when I get back he has already done bedtime, so it gives me a break too.

You could get you and ur children bikes and go cycling with them in the morning?

Your day off for one session?
When mine were that small, I used to take a long lunch once a week, and run. Then one evening when DH did the food.

Now, it's usually DS1 draging me out for a run. It's a good day if I can finish my 4km route before he's done 5.5km!

In the evening when my partner watches the kids. And at the weekend.

I don't make time specifically got exercise but I make it part of my routine - for example, I walk to work which is 3 miles each way. If I'm working from home I walk for one hour during my lunch break. I walk to the shops, to the school, to the dentist etc. At weekends we go out for a hike.

two early mornings a week at the gym while my DH does breakfast and gets them ready. One run on a weekend morning

At the weekend, and in the week while they are at clubs (beavers, cubs).

I don't - just like you OP I just don't have the time or energy week days and weekends

My early riser is 11 now and barely ever slept past 6am so I exercise early morning. I always figure that if I'm going to be up anyway I might as well get something useful done (as I'm useless by 6pm!)

Do you have time do do a home workout for weights/resistance before school/work?

Can anything be made part of the daily routine, eg is there time to do the school run on foot/by bike?

Do you WFH at all so could do a workout in your lunchtime? Or some places do 30 min classes in the middle of the day or you could fit in 30 mins swimming if there's something near your work?

Even if the above aren't feasible, using your three non-working days for good weight/cardio workouts would still be brilliant for you. Don't fight against your natural energy levels, I could never contemplate doing it in the evenings after 11 years of early waking.😁

Do you WFH at all? I work out during my lunch break when I do. Otherwise, I just push through being knackered and do it in the evening. Even if I'm really tired, I tend to feel better once I've done it and I stick to weights based stuff then so I don't get too sweaty and over excited before bed.

Get some weights for home and do a 20/30 minute workout once the kids are up. Give them breakfast and I'm sure they can occupy themselves for half an hour. Mine used to interrupt me lost but then soon got used to me not stopping!

I work full time and have a 7yo

1 day in the week I go to a personal trainer at 1pm- I work from home alot of the time, this is my "lunch"
I'll try and go to the gym another 1-2 days a week again in my lunch or as soon as 5pm hits. DC usually gets home from after school childcare 6/6:30

I then have another PT session on a Saturday morning while DH takes DC to activity

I also walk the dog every evening, while DH tidies up after evening meal

Can you give the kids a quick snack at 6, then exercise from 6.10 to 6.40 while they play?

I don’t work from home unfortunately, I am contemplating getting up at 5.30 or perhaps the 6pm after dinner before bedtime routine kicks in, might work

My DH works away and I work full time (not at home!) so I use my spin bike either once the kids are asleep or when they're watching TV.

I get up 615. Do an hour HIIT, sometimes my soon to be 7y old gets up or wanders down when he wakes. Usually before 7. My teen gets woken after my shower.
I get up this time for office and home days, just for my exercise. I don't need to get up till 720. But I sacrifice a hours sleep.

I don't ever go to the gym. Work out in the kitchen every morning.

The odd time I do it at night. It's done on home working days and straight after I finish.

I go for a run or do a half hour exercise video at lunchtime or before he goes to bed. Manage it about 3 times a week. If I'm very tired, I prioritise sleep.

Various ways... sometimes DH does the bedtime routine and I go for a run. I'm knackered after work but if I dont go then i have to help eith bedtime so there's an extra incentive!

Sometimes I run while the kids are at a club.

Sometimes I run early on a Sunday while everyone else is in PJ's.

Sometimes I book a late swim session after kids are in bed. I book at lunchtime when I'm still keen and enthusiastic so I can't cancel otherwise I'd lose money.

Go out for a walk on my lunch break. I work 4 days a week too so I’m my head I can exercise easily on the other 3 days of the week - run on the treadmill, swimming, gardening, go out for a walk, though doesn’t always happen! Easier in summer when the evenings are lighter.

This confirms why I don't exercise! By 7.25, I am walking out of the door for breakfast club drop off and to get to work. DD finishes ASC by 5, so there is no window (I finish work by 4.45/55 to get her). Lunch is only 40 mins so no time to do anything that requires changing let alone eat. After she goes to bed I start on the rest of my work. Almost makes me wish for a nice office job starting at 9!

I used to go for a swim after I'd fed the baby and before work if DH was at home.
I found swimming lessons for the youngest at a pool where me and the elder two could do lane swimming at the same time. I did dancing classes after work with my mum babysitting if DH was on a late shift, and Sunday drop in classes when zDH was home. I did karate lessons with DS3 for a while. This wasn't all at the same time, but different options over some years.

I used to do an exercise DVD at 6am whilst the children played. That was the theory anyway. Some mornings it worked, some mornings we did it together, some mornings were a complete nightmare!

I have a treadmill in the toyroom.

I swim one evening a week at the local pool while DH puts the children to bed. I do as many lengths as possible in 30 mins then home.

I get up at 5.30 and do 30 minutes. 5 year old DD is sometimes awake but not allowed to leave her room until 6. I'd never do it otherwise as I work 10 to 12 hour days.