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

[CurtainsForNow]

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?

[Helspopje]

if you do go the direction of turbo training, consider the sufferfest www.thesufferfest.com

excellent workout and v efficient time:effect -wise

[WipsGlitter]

I've tried the c25k but can only really face it in the summer. Some others from work go running at lunchtime when the weather picks up. I might try that but am worried about being a sweaty heap unable to keep up!

[holidaysdistantmemory]

Gym 3 times a week, kids down at 7pm on dot, in gym by 7.15pm, do an hour. Its a mission, but worth it. Dh at home. Yes, always on feet with kids, but exercise makes me feels good, gives me more energy than lying on sofa, and its something for me. Local authority no frills gym, so cheap. Can't do early morning exercise, and like the weekend for rest, and front end it to start of week to get it over with. Also do a quick 20 min power walk I'm my lunch break when I can. I am not a fitness fanatic, I just love to eat and don't want to diet, so prefer to do it this way

[eggsy11]

Dp cycles 7miles to work. I gym at lunch time. Only squeeze in 25mins then have ashower and eat lunch at my desk. Or I go at 9pm and am back for 10!

[holidaysdistantmemory]

Ps, I say to my dh, he can do exercise the other evenings and weekend, so he doesn't feel aggrieved. My dcs are still young tho, when they go to bed later, god knows what I will do.

[fromparistoberlin]

agree mornings, I walk to work and try and garden at weekend

I miss my gym

[chrome100]

I get up at 630 every day, walk to the pool (0.25 miles) and then run to work (another 3 miles). I also walk home from work (3 miles again). Then I try get out on my bike at the weekend, even if just an hour or so.

I also don't have a car so have to walk everywhere and do shopping on foot etc.

[GiveMeSomeSpace]

We build it into our lives and make it a "must do" as opposed to "maybe do". Get out for a run before the children wake up. Cycle or walk to and from work. When in London, walk everywhere as opposed to take the tube. I can easily rack up 10 miles in a day. Use stairs instead of lifts. Go for a walk or run at lunchtime. Joined a running club. Enter races to have something to aim for. Coach or help out at the children's sports clubs.

We make it a central part of family life which makes it a lot easier. Now the children just accept it's part of all our lives and do more as well.

[Xmasbaby11]

you lot are amazing! I feel shamed, but also a bit inspired that I could manage a fraction of that.

[Arcticwaffle]

I cycle to work most days, it's a hilly 10 mile round trip so that's quite energetic. I theoretically go running at the weekend and on days I'm not cycling to work. In reality I often skip that. And we try and go swimming with dc at weekends, or play tennis, or go for bracing hikes, or family cycle rides.

I can't exercise in the evenings, I just flop.

[holidaysdistantmemory]

Don't feel shamed xmas, once you work out your exercise plan, and where you can try and squeeze it somewhere into your life, its almost on auto pilot, and you just do it without thinking. I certainly am not a stereotypical fitness bunny, currently under under a blanket on the sofa watching TV and on phone :) if I can do it, anyone can. . But does need a dh/dp or possibly someone else (parent/friend) to support, so someone is home with kids

[HomeEcoGnomist]

I don't
It's so far down my list of priorities I just don't care

Makes life much simpler

[GiveMeSomeSpace]

Very true holidays - having a supporting DH/W/P is a must. It makes it a lot easier, mentally and physically, if they are doing the same and making exercise a part of their life as well.

[Ivytheterrible]

I use the crèche at my gym and put DD in for an hr at a time twice a week on the days I don't work. It's quite pricey at 3.90 an hr on top of my membership but worth it to me. I then go once at weekend as well when DH is around. Also swim train two Eve's a week when DD in bed but she's only 2 and it will get harder when she wants to do things in the evenings.

I love exercise and it is a real priority for me to fit it in. At one stage I was dropping DD at nursery on foot then running a long way home to then go on to work.

[forevergreek]

If young children get a jogging buggy and run with them, if over around 4 years them on a bike and you running. Or a bike with trailer thing for little ones.

[Ivytheterrible]

No idea what happened there but that jumble of letters should be creche.

[IfNotNowThenWhen]

I don't get it.
When I read the OP I just assumed you were a lone parent, and was thinking, yeah, if I was inclined (as a lp) to go to the gym but worked full time I am not sure I would get the chance to do that more than once a week maybe.
But You have a husband, so can't you bugger off to the gym or play a sport a couple of times a week? (Not that I am suggesting you should-you sound pretty active to me!)
Also holidaysdistantmemory you said that you currently go to the gym, but not sure what will happen when the dc are older and go to bed later. Why? Can't your dh put them to bed?
I am only asking because I have never had a husband and kids at the same time, but I would have thought it wouldn't be that hard to find the time with a partner at home.

[11stone4]

OP. I'm a SAHM with kids in school and have no excuse, weights and dumbells in the garage, treadmill in my spare living room and still I can't get my ass moving. I admire your motivation!

[holidaysdistantmemory]

Good point ifnot. My dh is a teacher, so works every evening setting lessons, marking etc, so I guess I could still go to the gym, but dcs wld need to watch TV or read I guess whilst he works, should do it

[puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE]

I don't drive so I walk everywhere (mostly carrying a 4 y/o!!!) I am now trying to get up to workout before DD has to be up, which means 6.45am starts.

If I don't do it in the morning, then I do it when she is in bed. I appreciate it is easier for me as I only have the one.

[tigerdriverII]

It's really tough and some jobs (mine!) don't lend themselves to exercise. I do pitifully little but what I do does help:

In the week, yoga class, and trying to remember to take phone calls standing up and getting up a lot at work

At weekends, walking as much as possible, eg to village shop, etc. not a lot, maybe three miles in total but better than nothing. Rambling when time permits.

On holidays : swimming, lots of walking either rambles or all day sightseeing. All counts.

I've tried gym membership, swimming clubs etc but I'm often not home or anywhere near a gym until 8 or so, I do want to see DS and DH and doing anything formal later than that is just too late.

[Whoknowswhocares]

Rather than both if you doing the bedtime thing together every night, could you not each have a night (or two) where you do it alone and let the other have some time to exercise/socialise/whatever?

[CointreauVersial]

I'm soooo not a morning person, but I force myself to get up 30 minutes early 2 or 3 times a week and go for a run.

Funnily enough, running half asleep works for me - I'm too groggy to think about aching legs, and I daydream all the way.

I get back before DH leaves for work.

[bonkersLFDT20]

I work 4 days a week and have a 3 and 13 YO.
I am very lucky that I can run during my lunch break at work. I work in an academic environment which is pretty laid back and as long as the hour and work gets done and you're there for all meetings and the core hours then no one is watching over you.
I run twice a week and it's 90 mins from desk back to desk, where I then eat my lunch.
My long run is done at the w/e. I have to be flexible with this, but do always get a 2 or 3hr non-child window to run, even if it's not at the time I'd like.
My 13 YO can watch the 3 YO if I go out for about an hour if DH is away.

The brilliant thing about running is that you can just go when the opportunity arises, no driving anywhere, no equipment needed. It helps that I love running of course!

Having said all that, I took 3 and 2 years off respectively after each child as I was just too knackered (co-sleeping, extended BF).