Those high energy mums. Where do you get your energy from?

[daisymay1020]

Where do you get that 'get up and go' from?

I heard someone say they don't ever sit down, because if they did, they wouldn't get back up again... so that's how they keep on going.

I just want to have more energy for my toddler. I don't right now. I can just about get out of bed, let alone whizz around and go here, there and everywhere.

What gives you enegry?

I had ds in my 40s and was very aware that I would need to keep up, so I focussed on my fitness.

I run 5k on Saturdays and midweek, I do an hour's martial arts on a Sunday (helps with flexibility), and I speed-walk Waterloo to Fleet St and back once a week.

The more I do, the easier it gets. I'm usually asleep by 10.30 though.

Born with it. I'm not high energy but my son sure is! As a baby/toddler rarely made it to 6am, as a child was go go go, now as a 20 year old he's up and off to the gym before work and then kick boxing or a run after. He can't sit still.
A friend of mine has three kids, a full time job, and also doesn't sit still. Her house is immaculate (also her husband does a lot of cleaning as he is the same). They both go to the gym or a run daily and have very active social lives. She's always been that way (I've known her for 35 years). She did have help when the kids were in primary.
I'm sure you can train yourself to an extent, and I was certainly more energetic when younger (I'm 61 now and still have a teenager at home), but now I just wonder how I did it all.

People are different - they’ll be things about you that people wonder how you do.

Focus on your strengths and how to use them to do the things you want. There are lots of ways to be a good parent - and lots to be said for leaving kids to it a bit

Snap. I probably have a late night (after 10pm) about three times a year apart from if on a flight. Try and go to the gym every weekday morning at six. I do feel a bit tired after lunch but I think that’s partly due to working from home and lack of social stimulation . I’m 51, married with one teenage child so no real demand from childcare. I do it because I like it and hate feeling tired or hungover.

I have ADHD so I'm either going 100mph or I'm in a coma. I don't recommend it.

What I mean is I don't choose to sit on my arse and ten minutes outside when you are short on time is better than what a lot of people do. It's better physically and mentally for you than nothing at all.

Anxiety keeps me going!

Sadly I need an off switch, having lots of energy isn’t as amazing as lots of people think it is.

Given the chance I would live like a sloth but I lead a pretty active lifestyle.

I've started walking the kids to school every day instead of driving which totals 18 miles. I had to adjust my working hours so I get less pay but we all gain fresh air and exercise.

I run 3 or 4 times a week and I gym 3 times a week where I just lift weights..

I walk places where possible, time and distance depending.

Today I'm off with a poorly child so I'm just pottering around the house. It's not a scheduled exercise day but because we drove I'm missing the walk and I'm not at work when I would normally be so that's a nearly 6 hour shift on my feet walking around not happening.

I feel very lazy because of it which is one thing I hate. Everytime I sit down even at night I feel like I should be up doing something even though I know I also need to make sure I get downtime.

Exercise, good diet, finding fun in what you're doing with them.

I’m glad you didn’t feel a dip. I don’t think it’s uncommon to feel that though.

Oh I understand now.

I didn't feel a dip, broadly speaking, I felt energised (within the norms of bad sleepless night periods, illness and so on).

I don't think it's unusual to have higher level of tiredness. However, in terms of energy & motivation for activity, I have found a lot of other mothers were the same eg being more efficient & focused at work, now there were children to focus on and so on. Different for everyone but not uncommon.

Sugar.

Following - I used to have so much energy 😕

@Pickingmyselfup you walk 18 Miles school run ?!

A week, not in a day.

Oh yes I see what you mean re efficiency and focus at work. Yes, I was/am like that post children, but it was pretty high pre children too tbh, and I studied all through my three maternity leaves. My third was born in lockdown. There was only a limited amount of activity on offer, and I wouldn’t say that feeling energised by the situation would be the right way to describe it. So I find that a hard one to judge.

@Tinybrother a lockdown pregnancy / birth must have been so hard. I was a shadow of myself during lockdown, no home projects or cosy family time. Work was stressful & busy, I struggled with just me & DC, and I definitely wasn't productive & energised without all the external focus / activities I was used to!

I have ADHD and get stressed sitting for too long, I randomly think of urgent pressing things that must be done NOW

Thank you so much @Hooplahooping will definitely be trying this 😀