Does anyone else struggle to know where they’d fill a regular exercise programme in?

[colddarkdarkcold]

So I know people will say I’m making excuses and maybe I am but this is my life and I would welcome any suggestions!

I have two children, aged five and two. I am the main carer for them both because DH is away a lot and even when he isn’t doesn’t get back home until gone 7 in the evening.

I would struggle to afford a gym membership at the moment, although this will hopefully change in the future when both children are at school and I can work a bit more.

I work two days a week. I am a teacher so have school holidays off but then I have my older child and mostly my younger one too as one of her nursery days is Monday (the other is Friday!) so bank holidays hit us hard! For example, she won’t go to nursery at all this holiday. Feb half term she has two days she could attend but over Easter Good Friday and Easter Monday mean over the whole two weeks she’ll only attend for two days. Same with may bank holiday week: only one day.

DD (age two) really doesn’t like her pushchair; if she did I’d go on long walks with her during the week. But she just whinges and moans and tries to get out which makes it a miserable experience! We do get out for walks a bit but they are slow toddler pace: good for her development but not great for my fitness!

We are a fair drive from anywhere as well.

So I don’t know - any suggestions? I know there’s home workouts but there’s still the question of when I’d do them as there is always at least one child with me all the time or DH and I am not doing it in front of him!

Help?

I think it’s really hard to do proper high intensity exercise in that situation, but I tried to remember that something was better than nothing!

So we did a lot of toddler yoga (videos on YouTube), swimming, walks. We still do a lot of dance parties in the living room. Once the kids are older it gets easier to do a more structured routine, for the time being you can work around them.

Sometimes I’d walk briskly back and forth beside the big sandpit in the park while the kids were occupied - probably looked like a lunatic but was sick of ambling along at toddler pace.

If you’re ok with them having say 20 minutes of screen time you can dance party with them (tires them out and gives you a warm up) then stick them on a tablet while you do a proper quick workout in the other room, ie weights or intense cardio.

In your situation I'd say that home workouts are probably your best option. I'd set yourself an achievable target (maybe 2 X per week to start) and make sure you find the time to do it. YouTube is really good for workouts, I've used the free Les Mills ones before which are half an hour HIIT type things. You can do that with the kids around and they can even "join" in.
It's hard but it's good for you in so many ways especially if you are not particularly physically active.

Early mornings before your DH leaves for work? That's how I tend to fit it in. I usually run but occasionally go to the gym too, as it's open very early.

Perhaps look at your options for your commute to work as well. When mine were similar ages I'd drop them at nursery/breakfast club and then run or cycle the rest of the way to work. When I worked further away I'd get a train for half of it.

Give the wee one screen time whilst you do a YouTube exercise.
Or first thing before DH leaves or last thing at night?

It is tough OP. Im a single parent to 2 dc and have been since they were babies. Ive just rejoined the gym now theyre 8 and 10!

Home workouts or go the gym early or after work?

it’s hard I know I’ve a 2 & 4 year old and running around like a mad woman dropping them off at Diff locations mornings and evenings

could you afford a cheap gym like gym group or whatever for 20£?

would your 2 year old sit on the back of a bike?

my 18 month and I cycle to work and nursery 30 mins (hour total as we cycle home too)
every day and he loves it

sometimes it’s longer we out on bike as we do school run with 4 year old too and she cycles her bike there

I go out to the gym lunch breaks luckily as my job allows this - but if iM too busy I do a home one or go the gym at night

you could probably pick up weights easy for free on a local group/olio etc

my 4 year old joins in the workouts with me too if im
doing at home

If your husband is back at 1900, he can do bedtime and you can do a 20-30 min workout. There are loads on YouTube.

When I was at this stage I got a second hand x trainer, used it a lot and did workout dvds

Possibly controversial but I gave my toddler a phone to watch (attached the the bumper bar) to enable me to go for a run with him in the running buggy.

I hate to say it, but you have to get up before the children do.

When DC were tiny, I did Jillian Michael's workouts in the kitchen when they were napping or they went in the creche at the gym.

When mine were 2&4 I started running every second morning an hour before my DH had to leave the house and before DC woke up.

As they got older I joined a gym and made sure I was there for opening at 6am and back for uniforms and school runs.

Now I workout in the garage at home with a selection of weights and YouTube workouts. Bodyfit by Amy is my absolute favourite.

Find a class you can train in and take young children to. Plenty where I live (London) and they cater for all sorts of fitness levels.

Honestly I didn’t do very much when my kids were that age as I was exhausted most of the time from commuting and also having a DH going away a lot. I did manage to complete Joe Wicks workouts on YouTube in the evenings for a few months one time he was a away and got surprisingly slim and healthy from that, but honestly I hated it so it wasn’t something I managed to maintain. When the kids were older I rediscovered a fitness hobby I enjoyed and I’ve managed that for the last 2 years but mine are old enough to leave now. I also make sure I get out for a fast paced walk 40 mins every working day (WFH).

So don’t be too hard on yourself I would say, you’re still at a tricky stage with a challenging job. Agree with others something at home is probably best.

My kids are the same age. It is slightly easier for me because I work full time so can work out in lunchtimes, but it’s always a rush and I have to prioritise exercise over many other things like doing the washing, other chores, sitting and relaxing!

I do three home workouts a week of 30 mins each, I follow an online personal trainer but there are lots of videos on YouTube. Does your 2yo still nap? Could you do one on a Saturday morning while your DH is around? I find each week I have to go through my diary and work out where there are exercise opportunities- even 10 mins a day can be helpful, check out Caroline Idiens on Instagram for some strength training 10 mins workouts. You do need 2kg dumbbells but not much else.

Get one of Davina McCall’s exercise whatsits.
They’re bloody excellent.

I used to give dc a snack while we walked with the buggy then chatted to them about what they could see. Or took them at nap time so they just ended up falling asleep but maybe your dc just won’t comply at all.
Then it’s home workouts. 15 mins a day every day can still make a difference. Do squats, marching on the spot, star jumps and planks at specific times like waiting for stuff to heat in the kitchen or watching tv.
Theres also a lot of benefit in active playing with dc. Kick or throw a ball around with them, walk while they scoot in the park, chase them around.

Hi OP it is tough but the key is to make it a habit that you never break.

I would second the suggestion to get a secondhand xtrainer or Peloton or other exercise bike, or treadmill. Then set your alarm for 530 and just do it.

If you have the space, plyo boxes can also be good.

Also, I do yoga every night, and I do mean every night, after the kids are in bed
If you have a nightly routine of some basic core stuff like planks etc this will help.

I am able to get to a gym so I do that 3x a week plus a run but if you cannot gym, I would say the above is next best. Plus your kids will go up seeing their mum fit and active, which is great. DD1 said to me recently "I can't ever imagine you being old because you're so active" which was such a lovely thing to hear.

Go out at 7 on the nights your husband is home, either gym class or gym or swim or just go for an hour walk

If it was a priority for you you’d fit in. I’m not saying this to be unkind… I work out half as much as I use to and accept this to be true myself!

You could do home work outs. My fitness blender has loads of free at home workouts. Joe wicks has loads on you tube.

my DS3 had a balance bike, he’s fair nippy on it. Can go park (0.7 miles) and back which is better than nothing! Hes been riding it to nursery since 2.5 (next to the park)

When mine were that age I and all my friends similar situation did the 30 day shred workouts (Jillian Michaels). We'd message each other when we were starting so kind of like doing it together!

Why can't you do it in front of your DH?

Also 7pm is not late - can't your DH do bedtime while you go to gym?

We have an exercise bike and a yoga mat in the lounge. My alarm is set for 5.30am most days.

Get a child back pack - wear and go walking

He is generally home 730 ish. Then it’s a good half hour to get to the gym. And then it closes at 9. Theoretically possible but I wouldn’t - I know I wouldn’t. And I can’t afford it anyway.

I don’t want to exercise in front of DH. I’d feel an idiot.

She dislikes those backpacks as much as the pushchair otherwise it would be a good shout.

@Givemeausernamepls i know, but I do think it’s equally challenging to fit it into a very busy life. Even going for walks isn’t straightforward because it’s pitch black, no pavements or lighting, very fast cars, where we live! Maybe if I was super passionate about exercise and cared about it above all else it would be different but I’m just not!

You have to be realistic about what you can do and what you will be willing to do on a cold rainy evening! Best way is to try and build lots of activity into your normal life.

Couch to 5k? Leave your house when DH comes home. Run in a loop. Will all be done and dusted by 7.45 if you leave at 7.15