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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how you fit exercise into your work day?

108 replies

Wannahaveitall · 31/08/2014 19:55

I work fairly standard hours 9 - 6, with an hour's commute each way. I do have the option of flexible hours, starting earlier or later. I need to start exercising for the good of my health, and wondered how other people working full time fit it in? Do you exercise at weekends?

I'm already knackered at the end of the day, shudder at the idea of dragging myself to the gym, but I know it will probably boost energy once I get into it.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
SaltySeaBird · 31/08/2014 21:42

I work 8.30am to 5.30pm with an hour and 15 door to door commute. I rarely get more than a 15 minute lunch break and in the last month maybe left the office once during it.

I thought it was impossible to fit exercise in but started going for a short 6am class (Metafit, so the class is 30 minutes) or a quick run (3.5km circuit which takes me about 21 minutes). It was he'll to start with getting up earlier and feeling tired but now it genuinely energises me and gives me a kick start.

ScarlettlovesRhett · 31/08/2014 21:45

I've recently started going out for bike rides about 5 times a week, I also try to swim a couple of times a week (getting back to fitness following long illness and surgery). I don't go out for hours, just do between 3 & 6 miles, but make sure there's a good mix of inclines and flat for varied energy input.

I used to do bike/x trainer/treadmill in the gym - if you do good quality interval training you only need to do 40 mins including warm up & cool down, also resistance training for toning (you can do that at home with squats, press ups, clam shells etc).

Once it becomes part of your routine, it's easy to maintain - it's the initial start that's the hard part!

Stealthpolarbear · 31/08/2014 21:45

Bloody hell salty my brain inserted the word 'lunch' after 'hour' and changed things entirely. That's a long commute to fit exercise around

Stealthpolarbear · 31/08/2014 21:46

So if I had say a 20 or 40 min cycle to work would I needa shower?

ScarlettlovesRhett · 31/08/2014 21:54

Catgirl, you can get one of those bike seats that goes in front of you for your 3 yr old, and cycle off the road on weekends - cycle to the park or something.

Unfortunately, if 9 at night is when your free time is, then that's when you fit the exercise in; you only need to do a half hour walk/run 4 or 5 times a week - all other stuff can be done in the house.

It is the quality of the exercise rather than the time spent exercising that makes the difference really - people who spend hours at the gym are most likely pratting around for most of it.

FullOfChoc · 31/08/2014 21:54

I currently cycle to work (it's not far though) and walk a bit during my job.

I also like meeting friends to go walking (and talking).

In the past I have got myself out of bed at 6 am to do shred or Davina DVDs, but I'm struggling with that at the moment (although it made me much fitter and energetic).

wobblyweebles · 31/08/2014 21:59

I used to walk 45 mins at lunch on a trail by the office.

Ate lunch at my desk before or after.

ScarlettlovesRhett · 31/08/2014 22:00

SPB, that's the one thing that stops me cycling to work tbh - I can't be arsed with the showering etc.

I don't get sweaty on a 40 min leisurely ride on relatively flat ground, but would need a pre work shower if I pushed my heart rate up on the way.

SpiceAddict · 31/08/2014 22:01

I have started getting up at 6:30am to do an excercise DVD/Youtube video for 30mins. I like the 30 day shred as it is short but feels good!

I have a 2 & 6 year old and we need to leave the house at 8:30 for school/nursery. I then get to work for 9:15 and leave at 5pm. I get home at 5:30
and have tried doing excercise in the evening,it was just too hectic with

Stealthpolarbear · 31/08/2014 22:04

:( oh

I need to work out if I can use the grim work showers then. Urghh

JustALittleBitLost · 31/08/2014 22:06

I cycle to work (c. 25 minutes) and don't shower when I get there. Yes, I am a bit sweaty when I get there, but it dries off quickly and doesn't feel as gross as you might imagine.

PhallicGiraffe · 31/08/2014 22:07

I walk for up to 4 hours each day as part of my job. So they actually pay me to exercise. When I'm done I can eat as much as I want, slob around watching tv, and still have enough time to see friends and go out.

SpiceAddict · 31/08/2014 22:07

stupid phone...

evenings are too busy with dinner, homework, activities etc and by then its too late, I want to wind down after 8 not jump around excercising! So I am finding that getting up earlier is the best way - it is going to be more difficult in winter though, hope I can keep my motivation...

Eeyore86 · 31/08/2014 22:09

It'll start by saying I don't have children so that may give me more time (you don't say if you have DC or not op)

I either train on a morning before work (I work 9:30-5pm with a hour and a half drive each way) or after work 4 days a week and then 10-12 on a weekend, I'm part of a rowing club so have detailed training plans I have to do though coming up to a competition I have to up my training to two sessions a day.

It can be really hard to have the motivation to go and exercise after a stressful day but I always find I feel better after doing something, as others have said could you start by doing something at lunch?

I get better results in the morning sessions, if you have flexible working would you be happy to start a bit later and head to the gym first?

Eeyore86 · 31/08/2014 22:11

Sorry op missed your update ignore the bit about lunchtime

ScarlettlovesRhett · 31/08/2014 22:14

I am perpetually running late for work so I would need to bomb it on my bike, this would mean me being a red-faced sweaty mess - if I was more time aware in the mornings I could have a sedate cycle in and not need a wash, it is wholly my own fault that I cannot bike in!

(If I get up at 6am or 7am, I will still be frantically rushing out the door at twenty to eight, late as usual).

SaltySeaBird · 31/08/2014 22:14

Stealthpolarbear it took me a long time before I tried to add exercise into my work days (I work three days a week) but I honestly feel much better for it. How easy it is with dark mornings / evenings remains to be seen as I only started it when the clocks changed.

SaltySeaBird · 31/08/2014 22:15

I also can't exercise in the evenings, I'm too wiped out and straight into toddler bedtime routine. Getting up early is my only option.

travailtotravel · 31/08/2014 22:15

I go after work - if I work from home sometimes during the day. After work you have to be motivated and almost go straight back out again, not faff about otherwise you lose the motivation.

What you will find is that when you start you do feel like you have more energy so it is worth persisting - even once will make a difference, and if you skip one, don't beat yourself up - just pick up again and carry on.

I am also half seriously considering a piece of that outdoor gym kit for the garden. I seriously think this might be the way forward for lots of us who have childcare/time etc issues. I see it in the park, but can't get to the park .. I bet it is expensive but so is gym membership.

FamiliesShareGerms · 31/08/2014 22:16

I'm looking for tips on this too - is Insanity really worth the money?

kansasmum · 31/08/2014 22:19

I go to the gym at 6.30am 3 mornings a week and then try and go on a Saturday too. I am lucky that Dh works from home and I can be at the gym for 6.30 workout for 45 mins and be home by 7.30 so ds is usually just getting up.
However over the summer hols I've really slacked off but will get back into it now he's going back to school!
It's hard getting up at 6.00 to go to the gym ( and am dreading cold dark winter mornings!) but I'm really fat and unfit and need to lose weight for dd's wedding next May so I do it.
I can't face going in the evening, it's always really busy and I end up not being able to sleep well afterwards.

Egghead68 · 31/08/2014 22:25

I work 8:30ish till 6ish with one and three quarter hours commute each way. I do group exercise in the park on Saturday mornings 8:30-9:30, occasionally swim Sunday mornings and do exercise classes Monday and Tuesday evenings. I also try to walk briskly, use the stairs and run up escalators.

Beastofburden · 01/09/2014 07:32

OP- On the lunchtime thing.. A brisk 30 minute walk round a local park (if you have one) is good for relaxing and zoning out, and leaves you time to eat. No need to shower afterwards. It also means, as winter approaches, that you do get outdoors during daylight, which with your commute you won't do otherwise.

MrsMook · 01/09/2014 07:52

I work pt and have 2 young DCs. Running late at 10pm works best at present. I do my longer run on a Sunday and a class on Sat am when the rest of the household is dossing around. I go to buggy fit on my day off too. Having the two oldest DCs presents more of a workout!

DS2 still BFs and is unpredictable on feeds between 5am and 7am so that rules out pre-work. I can't transport two to nursery without driving (and although the distance is viable, the road.is horrible for cycling). My lunch is a strict 30mins and break 15 so no time in the working day. I work as late as I can before nursery pick-up, then it's dinner and bedtimes. By then it's 9pm and I need a rest, so running at 10 it is!

flipchart · 01/09/2014 08:03

The days of slogging for hours in the gym have gone.

High Intensity classes get the job done in the shortest time so classes like metafit or DVDs such s the shred are great for people who are time short.

Sometimes I run or cycle to work but by increasing my intensity and then reducing it. Eg run as fast as I can to a lamp post, jog to next walk to the next or cycle fast for 3 lamp posts etc.