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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Lazysuzanne · 19/10/2013 11:27

Running is great for improving cardio vascular efficiency and reducing body fat.

Then again not everyone is suited to running, women are especially prone to knee injury and tend to be biomecanically less efficient than men due to wider hips.

Lazysuzanne · 19/10/2013 11:28
  • biomechanically
futureforward · 19/10/2013 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oliveoctagon · 19/10/2013 12:41

Thewomantheycalledjayne - It depends how much you do it everything I do has fitness in mind.

LittleBairn · 19/10/2013 13:07

What on earth is a burpee I thought that was what the baby did....

Glittertwins · 19/10/2013 13:17

I used to use the gym creche when DTs where tiny however that also added £10 to every session. Working and fitting around nursery made formal exercise impossible so I used to walk everywhere instead.
I get up early now and swim/gym before they get up for school but this only works if DH is not abroad as I have nobody to babysit either end of the day

overmydeadbody · 19/10/2013 13:20

It's jujst about prioritising.

It doesn't have to be in the morning. Most parents with young childrne can find half an hour in the evening to watch tv, so they should just swap that for some exercise.

Many people do manage it.

overmydeadbody · 19/10/2013 13:24

Good post Drwoning. It really is about intensity.

The less time I have for a run, the faster I make sure I go, so that every minute counts.

Glittertwins · 19/10/2013 13:27

what is an air squat? Next time DH is away and I can't use the gym I am making more of an effort as I do have the time, I am just confined to the house

showtunesgirl · 19/10/2013 13:29

Can I just ask how much of a foodie the very keen on exercise people are? The reason I ask is that all the very fit people I know all seem to be eat to live rather live to eat types of people.

OP posts:
Lazysuzanne · 19/10/2013 13:46

I'm rather fanatical about healthy eating

overmydeadbody · 19/10/2013 13:48

What do you mean by a foodie though?

To me and DP food is very important, and we enjoy good food and sharing our mealtimes as a family.

I have come to accept that what we consider a normal diet is not what most people eat routinely though.

Bulk of what we eat is vegetables, followed by fruit. All rice is brown, we might occasionally eat chicken, sometimes eat fish, not bothered about red meat. We don't use oil or butter in cooking, never put it on sandwiches either. A bolognese or chillie con carne ill be made with loads of veg, red lentils and some quorn mince, cooked in water rather than fried, until water is boiled off then tomatoes added.

I guess what I'm saying is we don't use fat to cook things, we don't eat much fatty foods, our carb intake is very small and we eat a lot of pulses and wholegrains. We have a cooked breakfast every sunday of poached eggs, bacon cooked in the oven in water (best way to crisp it up without drying it out) and no butter on the toast. We've had it like this so long it tastes great to us!

But we tuck into shop bought muffins or doughnuts every now and then and DP loves chocolate.

We like good food but don't over indulge.

Arisbottle · 19/10/2013 13:50

I exercise every day and my day starts at 5am, most of us could do it if we wanted to .

Not meant in a judgemental way, you may not want to , which is your choice

overmydeadbody · 19/10/2013 13:53

DP, DS and I all take a packed luch of salad to work and school. Sometimes just salad and veg, often with a boiled egg, sometimes with chickpeas or other beans, sometimes with cheese or fish or chicken, occasionally with brown rice or some pasta mixed in. Never add mayonaise or oily dressings. Also take fruit as a snack.

Occasionally wrap a load of salad and some protein in a wrap for DP and DS for lunch.

Arisbottle · 19/10/2013 13:54

I am a total foodie

overmydeadbody · 19/10/2013 13:55

I don't judge people who don't want to be fit, but don't moan about your body and how unhappy you are with it if you are not prepared to make the sort of lifestyle changes that would make a change to your body and fitness.

DoBatsEatCats · 19/10/2013 14:04

oliveoctagon, that's rubbish about needing less sleep as you get fitter - different people need different amounts, and you can't suddenly become someone who only needs 5-6 hours a night if you actually need 7-8. I need eight hours a night, and I'm a natural owl who hates getting up early. I'm also very fit, cycling 20 miles a day most days (I commute by bike). I didn't need any more sleep when I was less fit.

GEM33 · 19/10/2013 14:08

She does look amazing. I used to have a great athletic toned body. I lived for exercise in any shape or form. I was very poorly in pregnancy thought I was losing baby and stopped exercising apart from swimming once a week but kept on eating like I was in training and put 5 stone on. I miss exercise so much but have hardly done much since having dd now 22 months. I don't recognise my body now it's lardy.

I tried doing DVD each morning but dd gets in the way and moans screams for attention. I stopped. It's impossible. She still isn't sleeping through and I'm permanently exhausted. I work 30 odd hour shift work a week. I have no family support and a partner who works full time and no spare cash for nanny/ nursery and no crèche at my gym/pool.

I have promised myself as soon as dd is 2.5 and can go to morning play group 9-12 every day I will get back to my old exercise habits. I resent slightly not having any time to myself and yes I'm unhealthy now but I do intend in 6 months to turn things around.

Overmydeadbody your eating habits sound brilliant! I will try the bacon in water thing!

showtunesgirl · 19/10/2013 14:13

Thing is to me, over that doesn't sound much fun. It's a diet maximised for health but it really doesn't sound very appetising. I understand the need for moderation but to me that is a diet designed to prolong your life but what's the point of having a long life if you're not going to enjoy it?

Of course, you could put it the other way round and say what's the point of eating everything if you're going to have bad health but I am talking about moderation from both ends of the spectrum.

Anyway, for me it's been a very stressful few months where exercise has taken the back burner due to housing issues, working overtime and my worst asthma blip in five years but give me a few weeks and I'll be back on the go. Grin

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 19/10/2013 15:00

I do find running highly effective, but I suppose it's not the most time efficient method.

On food, I eat as I enjoy it, but I also happen to enjoy low carb food.

I don't go mad with it because I find it helps control the appetite better than a carb heavy diet.

MarshaBrady · 19/10/2013 15:02

Also back to the op. People shouldn't feel bad if they are getting through the day with young dc and not exercising. It can be very tiring and any break is welcomed for chance to relax.

oliveoctagon · 19/10/2013 15:23

Dobats - Before I had kids used to sleep 10 hours a night now less drinking and more fit I can just get on with it. Even if I go to bed at 1am Im still up at 6am pre kids I wouldnt get up until midday.

Darkesteyes · 19/10/2013 16:57

oliveoctagonSat 19-Oct-13 08:34:22

Darkeyes - Its cheap. Most healthy people already have trainers and suitable trousers as they can be bought very cheap. Anyone can keep fit if they want to, its just some people choose not to which is fair enough.

£80 for a sports bra is NOT cheap. I am currently power walking without one EVERY day for 2 months now.

I wasnt healthy to start with but excsersising has improved that and ive lost 10 and a half pounds to show for it Doing Slimming World has increased my grocery bill.
Fuel is going up. BT line rental is going up by 3.5 % the usage of food banks is on the increase.

In my case i cant afford to pay for healthy food AND a sports bra so i do what i can afford and live within those means as so many right wing MNers are so fond of telling us.

Lazysuzanne · 19/10/2013 17:06

Darkest, walking is still good exercise, especially if you can make it fairly brisk and include a bit of uphill walking :)

CoffeeTea103 · 19/10/2013 17:12

There are so many ways to incorporate good exercises in our lives. There are many home exercises for women. If you really want to do it, it's possible.