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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that not that many mothers have time to 30-60 minute workouts every morning?

208 replies

showtunesgirl · 18/10/2013 15:47

Apparently that's what Maria Kang does.

Now I only have one almost two year old and just can't figure out how you would fit that in with even with one child let alone the three that Maria Kang has.

If anyone out there also does this, can you please let me know your secret?

OP posts:
GaryBuseysTeeth · 18/10/2013 17:49

Jayne, I do mostly inside/fitness video stuff.
If you have sky channel 282 is fitness tv, they also (there's another workout channel around there that isn't so good), they have really good shows (mostly) if you don't know what sort of dvd you want, 2nd hand dvd's are really cheap on eBay.

If you don't want to do dvds, a kettle bell is a fantastic option, and you can pick one up for £7-ish (I read Mens Health for their workout guides and adapt them for my feeble lady strength, usually less reps/weight).
Argos often have their fitness stuff on offer (got a swiss ball for £3 from there last year).

DS2 is 10wks old & my pelvic floor is not what it used to be so I don't go jogging very often Blush

HardFacedCareeristBitchNigel · 18/10/2013 17:50

exercise is mostly done for personal gratification

Keeping healthy is only for personal gratification ?

SkinnybitchWannabe · 18/10/2013 17:52

Ive got 3 children and plenty of time to work out..I just cant be bothered Blush

Lazysuzanne · 18/10/2013 17:54

Hardfaced, I'm pretty sure the amount that she does is well over what's needed just to be healthy!

apparently she has sparked a row, she responded '"I'm sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way,"

'resonated with it'?? Confused

SHarri13 · 18/10/2013 17:59

I go in the evenings when my husband gets home, I'm a night person and really, really not a morning person. I only do 2-3 times a week though.

nothingbyhalves · 18/10/2013 18:01

When dt's were little I ran with them in pushchair. They are almost 4 now and too heavy and refuse to use pram. I'm a stone heavier. But hey hoo! Too tired after work and looking after kids! I just go for walks with kids and dog and figure I'll get more energy and time in due course. Life has changed...... Can't afford gym or nanny .

Meglet · 18/10/2013 18:03

Yes, mine wake up too if I get up early Angry. The downfall of a tiny open plan house with paper walls.

I do work out. But it's generally at the gym. Whenever I do Shred they get right under me and I end up shouting in case I drop a weight on them.

GaryBuseysTeeth · 18/10/2013 18:05

Josh Sundquist (paralympic athlete) & Jesse Levine (body builder) are both one legged & both use similar 'what's your excuse' styles & none have attracted as much controversy as Maria Kang, is it because she's a mother/woman? Or because they've done it in adverse conditions?

Jesse's facebook, have a gander at the banner image

Josh's meme

ErrolTheDragon · 18/10/2013 18:06

'"I'm sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way,"

There's nothing wrong with the image... its the caption 'whats your excuse' which I thought was very Hmm - no understanding of other women's lives.

Lazysuzanne · 18/10/2013 18:16

GaryBusey, good point!
I find Jesse and Josh just as patronizing but it's much harder to stick your neck out and say so because they are seen as heroic, obviously they've both been incredibly tough and determined but that was their choice

To me it would seem ok to say something like 'if I can do it so can you' , but the 'whats your excuse' thing suggests that everyone else ought to have the same goals as they do

DrCoconut · 18/10/2013 18:28

I want to get fit. My ambition is to run a marathon in 2017 to commemorate what would have been my dads 100th birthday. I will be 40. I was not a sporty child, despised PE and don't really do exercise now. I would need someone to do it with me to keep on track. Everyone so far has pretty much laughed and poo pooed the idea of me running to the corner shop let alone a marathon. I am also really tired due to work and a 2 year old who is not a great sleeper and i have diastasis recti that I'm scared of making worse so that's my excuse at the moment. I don't even know where to start to be honest. I can't afford equipment for home in terms of cash or space and have no budget for a personal trainer.

HaPPy8 · 18/10/2013 18:31

I get up at 530. Its hard and i'm ready for bed by 830pm!

YouTheCat · 18/10/2013 18:35

I cannot abide the inability to consider for one minute that other people's lives might not afford the same amount of time to do something.

'If I can do it, so can you' can fuck the fuck off.

Lazysuzanne · 18/10/2013 18:38

DrCoconut, I'd say take care of the diastus recti first, I'm no expert on this but I did look into it a bit and (from what I can see) there's some good info on the net.

Can you tread water now and then make a start on the running project when you've got more time & energy?

Sparklysilversequins · 18/10/2013 18:45

I did when ex still lived here and do still if I am lucky enough to have family staying. Set the Alarm for six - 10 km run. It's the thing I like the most about having family to stay or going to stay with friends or family Blush.

PlatinumStart · 18/10/2013 18:46

I'll be honest, I have the means (pool and gym where I live, a PT from time to time, a DH at home and a nanny to help with the childcare, a car takes me to work and so I can do my makeup on route etc etc)

But I leave the house at 7am and am away 12 hours - when I get home I want to see the kids and then have a glass of wine and watch trash. Whilst I do get up at the moment it's so bloody hard and really not sustainable

Meglet · 18/10/2013 19:09

sparkly me too. I go on holiday with family every year. Within minutes of arriving at the cottage I've got my trainers on and head off for a run. Same if I go to mums house for a meal, I get a run and shower in before food.

Sparklysilversequins · 18/10/2013 19:18

Meglet when I stay with my parents from Friday - Sunday I am like Grin because I will get three runs in before back home and no more runs for ages unless ds will come on his scooter or bike and even then he can't manage more than 4-5km so it's not a real run.

Original poster
showtunesgirl · 18/10/2013 19:38

All these running MNetters. thud

Running is something I don't do due to my flat feet. Pounding the pavements just makes them worse. Even at aerobics I used to have to step out moves like jacks as my feet couldn't take it.

DrCoconut look up MuTu System. I've only been doing it for a while and I've seen good results and the support system is brilliant.

OP posts:
missorinoco · 18/10/2013 19:48

OP, if they were she wouldn't be writing a blog.

Serendipity30 · 18/10/2013 19:52

I dont have a problem with her, as she makes time for exercise because it is important to her and she looks damn good. Im a lardass but tha'ts by choice and lazyness.

SprinkleLiberally · 18/10/2013 19:57

I probably could. But I get to work at 7.30. Work in the evenings til tennish. Have the kids in between work and dh coming in. So yes I could fit it in at 5.30 am I suppose. But life is frankly hard enough and the small amount of free time I do have, I'd rather enjoy.

eggyhead · 18/10/2013 20:03

Is she also the CEO of a FTSE 100?

Yawn...

SecretWitch · 18/10/2013 20:06

I do 45 mins of cardio and 15mins of strength training four times a week. I am a sahm with three children. I go to the gym as soon as I get my youngest daughter off to school. I need to exercise to keep my joints functioning and must keep my weight in check so my prosthetic leg fits well....and well, I like to eat cheeseburgers..

comewinewithmoi · 18/10/2013 20:14

Fit shaming mothers? Angry cowbag