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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder how you fit in exercise when you work full time and have children?

117 replies

CurtainsForNow · 05/02/2013 21:00

I've recently started a full time job (used to work part time) and realised that time would be tighter but didn't realise how much. I used to exercise regularly - now (other than a run or maybe 2 at the weekend), I can't work out how on earth I'm meant to fit it in.

I'm up at 7 (not a morning person, tried to get up to exercise before work and found it too hard). Get myself and DC ready. Go to work (via school). Work. Get home. Cook tea. Clear up. Supervise/assist with homework, music practice etc. Ferry DC to clubs. Sort washing. Sort shopping. Answer school letters. Read bedtime stories. Don't generally sit down till about 8.30 when I'm shattered. (DH helps with all the above by the way).

I do cycle to work, but it's only 2 miles. And have a quick walk at lunch time (only get half an hour so can't do much). But that doesn't seem like much.

How on earth do other people do it?

OP posts:
WiseKneeHair · 05/02/2013 21:03

Snap. I'm just about to go and do an exercise DVD now. It's the only time I can do it, but now I've it into the routine, I'm really enjoying doing it.

VinegarDrinker · 05/02/2013 21:05

I cycle to work (weather/morning sickness/exhaustion depending) but it's 6 miles each way so a decent amount. Otherwise - exrcise DVDs? I really don't know, I tend to just get fat when not cycling to work

chandellina · 05/02/2013 21:06

I do the Shred dvd while my dc play in the same room. It's only 20 minutes so maybe try to carve out that bit of time?

ChestyLeRoux · 05/02/2013 21:08

I dont drive so am always walking.It keeps you really fit.

BumBiscuits · 05/02/2013 21:08

I just don't. I used to go to the gym every weekday before kids.

Sad
PictureMeInThese · 05/02/2013 21:09

I thought having 2 children and a full time job was excercise! I walked to work, I never sit down at work. I walked everywhere with the kids, one in a pushchair, one strapped on. I played aeroplanes and lifted them up all the time and ran up and down the stairs at least 18 times a day. I was exercising!

Lulabellarama · 05/02/2013 21:10

Sorry to say it, but the only way it works for me is to do it first thing. I either shred or use our rowing machine. Your life sounds very familiar :)

SocialClimber · 05/02/2013 21:10

Your life is my life.

I did a marathon last year and my only training was a run once a week at the weekend. That's not a boast, I was fucked.

I try and go to spinning if DH is back in time, otherwise it's just weekends. :(

hermioneweasley · 05/02/2013 21:13

I get up at 5.30 once a week to go the gym and other times either get up early or do a DVD after work. It's a chore.

creativevoid · 05/02/2013 21:13

I don't. Actually, I cycle to work and go for walks at the weekend with the kids, but that's it. And now that it is winter I don't cycle. Is it ideal? No, but the I have accepted the reality that I cannot do it all. My priorities are seeing the children, spending time with my husband, doing well at work, and getting enough sleep so that I can do the first three things. There isn't time for anything else. I am slowly trying to add stuff in that I enjoy, and only you can decide how far up exercise beyond a couple of runs a week is on your list but the reality is that something has to give when you work full time and have young children. My advice is to be kind to yourself and congratulate yourself for all you are doing and try not to dwell on what you are not doing.

trixymalixy · 05/02/2013 21:13

Personal trainer twice a week. Kids just have to be in bed for 7.30 when she arrives. It's over by 8.30. I would not do it otherwise.

I walk most lunchtimes. I also go to tennis club for an hour on a Sunday night and I'm supposed to do either treadmill/wii Zumba or go to an exercise class one other time a week, but I rarely do as it's hard to find the time.

ceeveebee · 05/02/2013 21:16

I only work 3 days but have 2 x 14.5 mo babies to look after on my days 'off' so not much spare time then. I do an exercise DVD one or two evenings a week, I go to the gym once or twice a week and I run once at the weekend (so try to do 4 times in total)

TheArmadillo · 05/02/2013 21:16

I do weight lifting 3x week. Only takes 30minutes and I do it 8:30-9pm when kids are in bed and I've done everything. I do have to force myself when I am really tired (like tonight) but it is worth it.

At the moment I walk 30minutes each way to work but am moving offices in a week or so and it'll be nearly an hour each way cycling.

I do more on the weekend as well. I tend to do quite a bit of walking. I do the weekly shop on foot -2miles each way with hiking backpack and pushchair. If we go out we walk a lot, it's definitely an advantage of not having a car. faiR try and get out on my bike on the weekend (though I will probably drop that regularly when I'm cycling all week).

You do have to push yourself when your tired and try to prioritise it. Building it up will build up your energy levels. But also make sure you're eating well to fuel your workouts. It will make you feel better overall if you do do it.

catgirl1976 · 05/02/2013 21:17

I don't and I was wondering the same so YANBU

I've bought the shred, and yes, it's only 20 mins, but I need to put sweats on and then lie on the sofa gasping for air for another 30 , so it's more like and hour really

Plus, after a day at work, by the time DS is asleep around 8pm, I am shattered and want wine :(

theoriginalandbestrookie · 05/02/2013 21:17

Look you're doing pretty well to fit in cycling and walking at lunch time with all else that's going on in your life.

I work p/t and have one DC so the way I do it is cycle into work a couple of days a week once I have dropped DS off. Go running when he is at Beavers once a week. Have changed hours but kept him in afterschool club one day a week when I finish at school time ( use this to go to the gym) and have a rota with 2 other mums for a ball class so either go to gym if its not my turn or go for a run when it is. But its a lot easier for me as one child and part time.

I'm too tired to go to the gym in the evenings after food.

Could you maybe run to work a couple of days rather than cycle - that would be 2 miles each way which isn't too shabby.

ceeveebee · 05/02/2013 21:19

Oops forgot to mention my gym trips are at lunchtime - work next door to a gym

motherinferior · 05/02/2013 21:22

I swim two mornings a week from 7 till 8 - DP takes DD2 to school - and once at the weekends.

I think the only way is to skip some of the more tedious house and child related stuff, really. I used to be out through the door as DP came in, to go swimming.

VioletStar · 05/02/2013 21:22

No answers here but interesting to read other responses. I have your life but at 8.30 ish I have school work (marking and planning to do), so just can't find the time. DH works away from home tues-thurs/friday so can't go out early/late cos no-one to look after DC. I'm really impressed Socialclimber. I'm shattered by weekend so to go out running is a real effort. Note to self: Must do better! Good luck OP but as others have said - you already do loads.

motherinferior · 05/02/2013 21:23

Personally I'd say 'kids, work, self - which includes exercise' rather than 'time with my partner'.

ChestyLeRoux · 05/02/2013 21:24

I agree with pictureme

goinnowhere · 05/02/2013 21:25

I don't. I'm out of the house at 7. Work all day in school. Pick up kids. Feed, homework etc. DH in just after 7, more work. By 9.30 I have one hour. No way am I spending it exercising! Something has to give, unless you enjoy it and want to do it.

ivykaty44 · 05/02/2013 21:26

i got a second hand turbo trainer, I bike to work and then put the same bike on a mat on the turbo trainer in front of an old dvd and watch a film or i player with laptop and cycle on it for 45 minutes

mine takes two minutes to set up and I use it in the garage with the lap top on iplayer or youtube for some good tunes

belleat40 · 05/02/2013 21:27

I don't. I've gained three stone in ten years since becoming a mum, getting a car and continuing to work full time. I know I need to change, but like many of you, I'm shattered when I finally finish in the evenings.
I do cycle, swim and walk with the kids at the weekends, but I don't feel it's a real workout as they swim, walk, cycle so slowly!

curryeater · 05/02/2013 21:31

TheArmadillo, how do you learn to do weight lifting at home?

OP - can you run instead of cycle to work? I walk 5 miles a day as part of my commute and when I started I was getting over SPD and it was a decent workout for me. Now it's effortless I am thinking I should pace it up and try running the two 1.5 mile sections (on the flat). Need a decent, tight back pack though (ARGH I don't want to be a backpack person - but it is the only way)

Clary · 05/02/2013 21:36

I don't do a lot by your standards OP but I fit it in around the kids.

For example, I like swimming so I go when DS2 is at his (one-hour) swimming lesson. He is 9 tho so I am OK to leave him. Or I go when he and DD are at gymnastics for an hour. I go for a run for 30 mins between dropping DD at Guides (7.30) and fetching ds2 from Cubs (8pm next door!).

The other thing I do (not lately) is got for a swim before work as my pool opens 7am.