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Original poster

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

52 replies

MrsFunnyFace · 17/04/2023 19:57

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 ?

OP posts:
Reluctantadult · 17/04/2023 21:35

I go for a run 9am Sunday morning and do a pilates class 6pm Monday evening. And walk the dog most lunch times as I work from home.

PinotPony · 17/04/2023 21:41

05.45 gym class for 30 minutes. I'm home by 06.30,

If I go into the office, I go for a run with a colleague in our lunch break.

qpmz · 17/04/2023 21:43

If you wfh, you can get out for a brisk walk, do an online workout or just random lunges and stretches in between calls. If no wfh can you do something in your lunch break?

Or online workouts in the evening while partner puts kids to bed.

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Exercise & fitness
TheNachtzehrer · 17/04/2023 21:43

You could work out in the morning while your DC watch TV for half an hour. A 4yo and an 8yo don't need watched every second. Alternatively, both are old enough to stay in their rooms until 7am.

I get up at 0630 and cycle to work then go to the gym, or else I work out between 5 and 6pm when I WFH. On the weekend I go for a run while the kids are with DH. I work FT and my DC are almost exactly the same age as yours. Morning works better for me because I'm typically an early waker anyway and it's easier to have it out of the way and done. An exercise habit generally makes you less tired overall.

NinetyNineRedBalloonsGoBy · 17/04/2023 21:47

I am 44, work FT with 3 dc. I leave for work at 7.30am and get home at 5pm.

I do:

Yoga at home for 15 minutes every morning at 6am
Gym on a Wednesday evening 8pm
Dance class Friday night at 8pm
Gym Saturday morning 10am
Swimming Sunday evening at 5pm

Each thing is 45 minutes total so it's very doable

HernamewasNOLA · 17/04/2023 21:49

I get up before my children and do yoga, but it means I get up very early. I’ve got used to it now though.

AuntMarch · 17/04/2023 21:59

I've just started trying to get back to a healthier lifestyle so exercise is the next thing to tackle and I have been wondering the same thing.
I'm single, so can't go out without DC, and live on the first floor and very aware of how noisy it can be so I'm conscious of not being an irritating twat for my downstairs neighbour. Other than walking workouts on YouTube which I've not even actually checked out yet, I'm clueless too. Woukd like to find some guidance with weights really. I used to have a PT in my carefree days and wish I could remember anything he taught me🤦‍♀️

DoubleHelix79 · 17/04/2023 22:11

Cycling to the station on days when I commute (20 min each way), otherwise nipping out for a run when things are quiet. Cycle or run on weekends if there is time and we haven't been traipsing around the woods all day. It's always a struggle to stay consistent, I have periods when I'm quite active, but sometimes not doing anything for weeks. DC are 2 and 6, so hopefully things will get easier at some point...

FMW · 17/04/2023 22:16

Running in morning/during day on two days a week other than Wednesdays and Fridays when I do exercise classes that start at 7pm. DH is with DC then.

florenceandthemac · 17/04/2023 22:18

Lunchtime. Both when I'm in the office or WFH

ThreeRingCircus · 17/04/2023 22:18

I go the gym three times per week but never after a working day as I'm so knackered.

On my non working day I go after dinner, and DH does bedtime for DDs. He does the same the next evening.

I go once at the weekend and DH watches the children.... usually early on a Sunday morning when they're just watching cartoons anyway.

Then a third time on one of the days I work from home I go in my lunch break. If I have meetings that overrun so I don't have time for the gym I at least try to fit in a short walk.

ZebraKid71 · 17/04/2023 22:26

Sometimes I run home from the school run (it's less than a mile away but I take the 3 mile option so with that and a quick shower I can still be online by half 9. Sometimes I run during my lunch hour. Sometimes I don't have the energy to do anything. I work part time and have a partner that also works part time so even with 3 young kids I know I can find time if I really want to - it's motivation and energy for me.

I find weights/treadmill at home or running much more time efficient. I'd love to go swimming or the gym but factoring in travel time it is just too much right now.

In general if you don't work from home I think early mornings or after bedtime work best, or try and incorporate the kids into it (I have idyllic visions of my 5 year old cycling next to me whilst I run but it's happened once and he complained the whole way but some people manage it.

Fandabedodgy · 17/04/2023 22:27

630 - body combat online in the living room

FusionChefGeoff · 17/04/2023 22:29

I couldn't do it without DH - I don't have much of a routine but usually manage 4 sessions of something a week.

He sorts kids some mornings and I run. They do breakfast club / before school activities 3 x a week so are dropped off by 8am.

Ran at lunchtime today (very unusual for me but just how it worked out)

I often run whilst DD is in an activity on Sat mornings.

Gym whilst DH holds the fort over lunchtime on Sunday.

Loafbeginsat60 · 17/04/2023 22:30

I need to get back into exercise and this has given me the kick to do it.

I get up at 6.30, feed lambs, sort dogs out, shower, get kids organised, hang laundry up and out the door by 7.55. So no time in the morning.

I will have to go on the treadmill in the evening, maybe once dinner is organised but before I eat it? Treadmill is in the garage and dc are old enough to entertain themselves.

And Friday wfh I will drop dd at school and head straight to the gym. I will, I will, I will 😂

spottygymbag · 18/04/2023 05:48

Two dc, 6 and 3. Both early risers (5.30/6ish)
Mondays & Thursdays I wfh so run or gym during the day.
Tuesday early short run, up at 5/5.30 and back by 6.30 latest.
Wednesday run to work
Friday rest
Saturday- DH does groceries and gymnastics with DC and I have a longer run.
Sundays- he does a long bike ride in the morning and I'm with the dc

Lots of meal prep/planning for the whole family and a DH that shares what he can has been essential.

A head torch, an indoor bike trainer, gym membership at a 24hr gym, and an employer that would rather have you late in occasionally but healthy and balanced is the only way I've made it work. Oh and I'm usually found asleep by 9.30 on the couch!

Heading towards my first ultramarathon in a few months after years of putting my needs behind everyone else's!

RayKray · 18/04/2023 05:53

I go during the week after drop off or lunchtime. I get up early so I can do work before the kids are up. Then I go to bed early so I'm not too tired. Weekends I also get up early (6am) and go.

I never thought I would be someone to do this but I found lifting and that makes me feel so good I wake up excited to do it. It is the main thing I do with my spare time.

Paperexcelandpens · 18/04/2023 06:37

Is your 4 yo at school? If not you have a free day there to exercise or you will do very soon.
Could you run, or cycle to work?
My employer has an exercise studio with lunch time classes that we can do.
You could do home workouts while your children are eating breakfast or watching TV in the morning.
Go for a run while dh is doing dinner or the bed time routine.
Go for a run and get the kids to cycle with you.
Loads of options.

notsurewherenotsurewhy · 18/04/2023 06:50

I'm a lone parent (kids now 11 and 5) and work full time, but exercise is really important to me so I've generally found the time.

Now it's easy - I wfh two days a week, so run after dropping them at breakfast club and before logging on, and/or I go to the gym at lunchtime. I also run at the weekend sometimes with them on bikes - obv I can't choose my pace or distance so well but it all helps and it's good for them too.

At various points I've been restricted to home workouts (had a set of great DVDs which each had 5 '10 min workouts' so you could choose one or combine a few - sometimes 10 mins was the max time i was able to carve out for myself and expect children to have the patience for). Ive also been through phases of exercising at/near work during lunch.

Mine have both always been early risers and it never suits me to then exercise late in the evening, I'm knackered! I can park them in front of (separate) screens and work out somewhere though. My flat is quite small so sometimes this is kids on tablet/phone on the sofa while I'm squatting between the sofa and TV - not exactly ideal. But it gets the job done.

The flipside is that this really is my priority outside of work and children, so whilst I do 'get' time to exercise I don't really get time to watch TV or do some bits of housework others might consider necessary (never cleaned my skirting boards!).

Inthebathagain · 18/04/2023 06:52

I've just run 6k. I get up before the little people and go. I can't do it after a full on day at work either.

kegofcoffee · 18/04/2023 06:59

Once a week I exercise in my lunch break and once a week I go at 7pm and DH finishes off bedtime.

Then on Friday my DH works from home so I get the luxury of going before work. Then I'll also do 7/8am on either a Saturday or Sunday.

I find the evening exercise is harder to be motivated to do. Especially in the winter. But once you get in the habit and your energy levels rise, you start to want to do it.

Peapodburgundybouquet · 18/04/2023 07:44

After the toddler is in bed, or while he is with my H at weekends. I make myself do it, even if I’m tired, and I always feel better.

midgemadgemodge · 18/04/2023 07:51

Assuming no partner because then it's obvious

As soon as kids in bed
Or if they will join him with you / get bored and do their own thing sometime before they go yo bed as a family exercise thing

AncientToaster · 18/04/2023 09:00

I worked on two University campus that had extensive grounds, for close to 25 years. I used to take a very brisk 35 minute walk every day Mon to Fri round those lovely grounds. I’m also a mover and shaker dance round the kitchen when I do stuff. I also went to a dance class every week for many years, I walked out the door and it was all down to DH. I admit I had a cleaner for most of those years .