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?

[Crowler]

I'm no expert, but I would I would just run around the block for 20 min (repetitively) rather than finding a workout. If you are on your own, you can do this with a baby monitor in hand. Then come home and do some pushups and situps or maybe some squats.

You have to get your heart rate up, and keep it in zone for 20 or 30 minutes. Google this. There's some evidence that "shocking" or confusing your body by mixing it up is good but I wouldn't worry about that now, just get out and run.

[Lavenderhoney]

Lots of people on here use the " shred" as a great workout, 20 mins a day, downloadable onto iPad or buy in shops/ amazon/ eBay. The exercise board is very good, and you could post about sports bras for your size.

Darkest eyes, debenhams and m&s do sports bras. Go in and get a selection of the ones with the biggest cup size, plus a 38 G- try all the styles. Also take in a tight sports top.

Try all the bras on, put the top on. Its supposed to be tight and may seem a bit uncomfortable. Jump up and down ( quietly, or you will get " are you alright in there madam?" Pick the one where your breasts don't appear to move or bounce as little as possible.. I have a large bust and I wear a sports bra and a right top for more support. Any old shorts or trackie bottoms for the other half.

Then either buy it, or write down the name of the brand and size, come home and look on eBay.

[garlicvampire]

I've only read page 1. An annoyingly amazingly perfect friend of mine used to get 1 hour in the daytime, while her twins had their nap. She would put her soap on the telly, get out her step and do 35 mins of stepping while watching the soap. Then she had a shower and ate lunch. What with all the running around, lifting and walking you do with babies as well, she was back in shape very quickly.

There is no way I'd be disciplined enough to do this. But I can't deny it worked.

[comewinewithmoi]

She's got everyone talking and thinking about exercise. Very sad attack on women though.

[PervCat]

Who even is Maria kang?

[comewinewithmoi]

My dh leaves before 7 and gets back at 7. There is no way I would get up before him to exercise. Our evenings are full on with 4 kids, they are not tinies like mk's, so not in bed at 7pm! My eldest is in bed at 9 and there is no way I'm going to exercise then, I suffer from depression and need my evenings for my sanity.

I only have baby son at home during the day in term time so I do need to get out walking more. I am planning to run with him but right now my mountain buggy needs the wheels sorted and a new hood which I can't afford.

[shartsi]

i use my skipping rope for one hour every other night after kids go to bed. I watch the telly while doing this.

[SuiGeneris]

All those who say they just get up earlier: do your kids sleep? Do you work?

Because my 18 months old wakes up every 2 hours (or more often when teething etc) and I work out of the house for about 11.5 hours a day. I do walk and use stairs whenever possible (about 45 minutes a day) but I wake up at 5.30 as it is, I cannot really imagine getting up earlier and keeping my job (which is fairly intellectual, so I need to be on the ball for it)...

[ProfondoRosso]

It can be pretty difficult for non-mothers too, if you work long hours and have a particularly demanding/unpredictable job!

[cleofatra]

I totally get it when people say they can't find the time. Until my youngest went to school, it was impossible for me. Even now he is at school, my mornings wouldnt be the ideal. For one, I live in a small 3 bedroom semi and the sound of the tv and me jumping would wake the kids, and the neighbours. And I must confess, the little one sleeps in with me. I wake early but its to do uniforms, breakfasts, lunches etc anyway.
My time is school time now :)

[cleofatra]

And I should add. I swim for about an hour each week day and I sont look like her.

[Astr0naut]

You can't do it every day if you work. I'm up at 6 every day to get ready for work. I have an hour between tea and putting kids to bed, which is usually filled with little jobs.

I then start work again at 730. I manage 2 or 3 gym sessions a week. I'll never have a tiny waist or a. six pack again, but I've accepted that my life is just too full for the next 18 years. Maybe less if it's different when they're teens.

[AKissIsNotAContract]

Maria Kang annoyed me more with her statement that men are the head of the family unless you're a single mum. I think she should just stand there and look good without speaking

[GrandstandingBlueTit]

It's ridiculous that people feel as if they have to justify themselves.

And I say this as a slim person.

Where is the pressure on fathers - you know, the ones who don't have to go through 9 months of pregnancy, as well as potentially breastfeeding their offspring - to be buff and toned with three young children?

There is no pressure on fathers to be back in shape and looking fit and attractive by X months after their child was born.

Let's take a leaf out of their book and reject insidious people who make others feel like shit about themselves, and instead just do what the fuck we want.

If you want to lose weight, then do it. But don't do it because some random believes you should have the same priorities and support network that she has.

[cleofatra]

Goddam I wish there was a LIKE button

[Lazysuzanne]

IMO MK comes across as smug, self righteous and up her self.
Are we supposed to congratulate her for her vanity?

As for the 'man should be the head of the household' gobshiite!
Arrgghh give me strength

[ben5]

I would love to exercise more but I would have to be so much more organised. Dh is away ( he's navy) there's no family support and I work school hours( which is great but I have no break in these hours so i can do pick up and drop offs!!). I have 30 minutes swimming every week as the boys are in the same time. I tried taekowndo but its evenings and falls on the evenings I often have meetings( I can take the kids with me). Before kids I was a gym junky. Only another 5 years and I should get some kind of life back!!!

[Lazysuzanne]

surely what MK really means is
'dont you all wish you were as hot as me'

only she cant actually say that because she'd be immediately shot down, so she presents herself as praiseworthy and heroic

[Lazysuzanne]

but it seems as if alot of us buy into her message, lots of us have posted explaining why they dont dedicate their lives to the pursuit of the body beautiful.
No one needs to justify or explain having different priorities from MK

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

Her poster doesn't actually state what she's talking about

What's my excuse for not having three boys? Well I managed it but I have a girl too

What's my excuse for having stretch marks? I did try honest, numerous lotions and creams but I still have them all over

What's my excuse for not having narrow hips? The doctor wouldn't shave bone off my hipbones. Most inconsiderate of them

What's my excuse for not having a poster with me on it? My children refused to play ball. Like me they don't like having their photo taken so that I can use the image to belittle others

What's my excuse for not having long brown hair? I keep it shorter because I can only afford one bottle of dye at a time.

What's my excuse for not having shiny white straight teeth? I live in Britain. I can't afford to get the hole fixed in my tooth let alone a brace or whitening treatment

Ok I'm bored now

[bababababoom]

YANBU. I don't have time to brush my hair in the morning let alone work out. I have 3 DC.

What I copuld do is exercise in the evenings. I don't. I'm knackered. Yes, if I was more motivated, I could.

Our swimming pool has a creche and I'd love to go swimming but they won't take school age kids (dc 1 and 2 are Home Educated). I can't go in the evening as I can't drive.

But yes, I'd go for a run or do a dvd in the evening if I really could be bothered wouldn't i!!

[showtunesgirl]

Totally different debate but Crowler are you saying you should leave your kids at home by themselves to go for a run?

[Heartbrokenmum73]

I'm a little bit in love with BlueTit and Jayne after their epic posts!

[FloozeyLoozey]

I do have the time technically but I don't have the mental capacity. I'm a single parent who works over 40 hours a week in a stressful responsible job. It takes all my coping resources just to parent ds and have a clean house. I can't actually cope with any more! Ds' s dad has no involvement.