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

[showtunesgirl]

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?

I put on 4 stone when I was pregnant. I ate good food but way too much - had always been a tiny size 6 and I don't know what came over me! Felt miserable for ages and when he was 2 years 6 months I suddenly thought no more. I had gradually lost 1.5stone after having him but no more. I had been making so many excuses but none really stood up, I just hadn't been emotionally ready to deal with it!

In the last 6 months I have been to the gym at least 3 or 4 times a week and doing the occasional shred at home just substituting the stuff that is bad for my diastasis for Tupper technique exercises. I am now 2.5 stone lighter and much fitter and stronger. I just joined the council gym, started swimming then rowing then weights and now do combination of all three. My oh works late but I have made him promise to come home 2 days a week by 8.15 so I can get an hour and a half in at the gym before they close at 10. Also I go once at the weekend. I am so proud of my arms they are toned and muscly. My stomach is never gonna look the same again but in clothes I look good now and I feel like myself again...I am so happy.

I am now pregnant again and have eased up on weights but keeping everything else the same...I figure being lighter fitter and stronger will help my body with pregnancy and labour. Sorry to sound evangelical but its hard not to when you finally achieve your goals and improve your life and realise you could have done it ages ago. I feel like me again. I wish I hadn't had 2 years of feeling like a stranger.

That's great for you Olive

I should add this isn't to say that other people are making excuses and of course some people are unable physically or financially or practically to do it the way I did. But I wasn't unable in any of those ways and I was just making excuses which didn't stand up. I'm sure some people are in the boat I was in and when they are ready to fit it in and make changes I know they will feel energised.

futureforward - Our whole family gets up at 6am. Me and the kids then walk a mile and a half at 7.15. Then I start work then at night I walk another mile and half with kids. Get back and get kids down. Do fitness blender workouts on youtube, sit ups etc. At weekends we will do swimming, walking miles etc. I was going zumba on top on the occasion dh was here or I could get my friend to babysit one night but now my mum is injured so having a break from that.

I do the workouts at same time as my friend at her place, and we keep in contact via whatsapp so its like we worked out together, and it keeps us motivated/competitive
When on maternity I would go out most days from 9-5 as if I was at work and take kids wherever I could. I didnt own a buggy so thats every day carrying a large weight once they start putting it on.

and I go to bed about 10/11/12 dependant on how Im feeling.

No not really. Im in a similar career to you and do a lot more hours with the children I expect than a teacher, but the more I exercise the less sleep I need as your body just gets fitter. Honestly once you get in to it you will see what I mean.

I get up pretty early (though not to exercise, I'm just an early riser) - my most natural rising time is around 6am and can easily veer towards 5am if I don't force myself back to sleep. But, I am normally asleep by 9.45. I can manage to stay up on weekend nights if I'm out with friends and take a brisk walk around the block.

Running is all but free. If you want to say otherwise, that's just a search for excuses. It's fucking grueling and I don't blame anyone for not wanting to do it, but for the vast majority of people, it is simply a matter of priorities.

I find that if I have zero alcohol, I can get by on at least an hour's less sleep (I go to bed later/wake earlier).

I just got a jawbone and it's a great motivator, by the way.

I do a 40 min work out DVD a day, I have a active 21 month ds and dd 6. has ASD. I don't have a nanny, helper, dh works all day. I fit it around ds nap and when children go to bed. Last year this time, I put a lot of weight on, I was feeling so bad about my body that I wanted to do something about it come The new year. I also had 2,weddings to go to in the summer and wanted to look good in a dress. I have lost 1.5 stone and now 10 stone, clothes fit so much better and I feel really happy. Tat is my motivation

The only way I have time to exercise is to cycle to work. It also saves money and is quicker than public transport (6 miles each way). Otherwise it's hopeless, DH & I basically work whenever the other isn't, so if I am working the day, he'll be working the evening/night & vice versa. The baby cluster feeds in the evening too so no chance for a DVD etc even when the toddler is asleep (it's tricky enough finding time just to cook/eat/tidy/wipe kitchen down).

I also walk a lot with the kids (miles a week) but for me that isn't enough on its own to show any noticeable effect in terms of toning/weight loss.

It is much harder with toddlers. Mine are older and they can be left alone for 30 min at a time. Even so, I'm always up before my husband and kids anyway.

You have to really walk at a ferocious pace to get your heart rate up. Having a heavy stroller helps. When my kids were in the stroller, I was just sweaty and exhausted every time I arrived home from the nursery run with a few groceries tucked underneath.

Yes, I can just about get out of breath going up hill with 2 of them on board the (deliberately lightweight) buggy. But mostly I just cycle everywhere, with them both in the trailer, which is much quicker & also generally better exercise.

Gosh no vinegar with a sall baby you can't really. Ds is 21 months and dd6 which makes it a lot easier.

I think its harder if your an sahm as there seems no point in moving fast. I get out of breath as I have to be at work so early so do the mile and a half with the pair of them in 15-20 mins. It helps I live in an extremely hilly area with no car, so you cant get anywhere without getting out of breath and most mums seem to take bus or car here.

I don't drive so walk everywhere too

I am still not nice and svelte

If only no car = automatically thin and healthy, most Londoners would be a lot skinnier than we are! (Me included!).

It does help though, there is no "temptation" to jump in the car if late/bad weather etc.

I agree. Most Londoners have no car and are not super thin. Outside of Chelsea/Knighsbridge mind you. Everytime I head to the inner sanctum I feel obese.

Unfortunately, it really comes down to what you're eating moreso than how much you're walking around.

Problem is the established assumption that you have to run for an hour three times a week to see any results. Most people are only motivated by results, more specifically results fast, and it's hard to drag yourself out if it makes no sodding difference.

10 minutes a day is plenty if you do it with intensity. The Gillian whatsherface or dvds don't coach training with intensity, and you can't maintain intensity throughout an hour's run either. I coach CrossFit and the transformation we see in ladies in just six months is incredible, they come twice a week, the workout is 12 minutes max. Most of the stuff you can do at home in 10 minutes, but do it against the clock and go fast, all out in that 10 minutes. For example

In 10 minutes do as many rounds as possible of
5 burpees
10 push ups
15 air squats

Or do Tabata intervals with a kettlebell/squats/skipping rope etc, 20 seconds max effort 10 seconds rest, for 8 rounds, total time 4 minutes. You'll be on the floor afterwards totally done, and there is plenty of research backing e.g Tabata intervals as the most effective system for improving metabolic conditioning ('cardio'). You can't find four minutes in a day to exercise? And sure it's not compulsory, but it is the best way to avoid decrepitude, obesity and diabetes as you get older. Your call...

Olive- I'm quite healthy in my lifestyle. I walk or cycle everywhere (sometimes with 4 yr old in trailer dc3has finally got too big) and do the shred sometimes ugh. I don't eat too much and am not overweight
I don't have trainers suitable for running as I tend to wear walking boots or lightweight shoes. I also don't have any track suit bottoms or a sports bra (I lie I bought one then fell pregnant and now it doesn't fit, what a waste of money I can't afford that was) so no running is not free or even cheap. There are significant start up costs.
(I am still unfit though )

Gillian Michaels isn't intense?

Drowninginlaundry - what is an air squat?