To think you can't fit in exercise around work/children?

[PostmanPatisacrappostman]

If you manage to, how do you do it?

I'm looking for inspiration, I'm working albeit part time and have two young children. Desperately need to do some exercises to tone up.

I've got exercise DVDs but have no motivation to do them. I really want to get out in the fresh air.

Can you part walk/part public transport or drive halfway and walk?

I mean to abd from work.

Get up earlier, work out before DCs wake.

Do you have a DH who could watch the children whilst you go out to exercise, in the evening?

You can if you lower your housework standards and reduce your social life a bit. I'm a total lp and manage a couple of classes a week and the odd parkrun.

I work 3 days a week and have 3 year old twins. Most nights i run or swim. I tag team wih husband, when he gets in at 6 he does bedtime whilst i exercise. We often do yoga together in the evening.

We have it quite easy in terms of small commute and husband runs at lunch time so he can fit it in. However i think what makes the difference is considering exercise not as an extra but an essential. I am no gym bunny, but regular exercise is good for body and soul. You wouldnt say i dont have time to eat (usually). So a change of mindset is what meant i managed it. Hope that makes sense!

6am runs and 11pm gym sessions here. I've just got in from a 12k cycle, I left after DC were asleep.

Get up earlier. I wake up 4am.

Unfortunately I can't work to and from work because there just wouldn't be enough time. I get up at 6, leave house 7.15 to drop kids at 7.30, arrive at work for 8.

I could get out in the evenings, have dh back from 7 but it's so hard to motivate myself by then.

I joined an expensive gym which had childcare, there are cheaper ones like virgin active that have crèche too.

When they were older about 5 ish I did the couche to 5k in a local group. My DC ran along side me, they were faster than me!

I took them swimming and stuck them in a rubber ring and swam with them etc

Got a bike with kids seat and cycled the local canal.

Went horse riding whilst they sat in buggy and now in car etc (obviously old enough to regulate temperature and get out etc)

I started couch to 5k in January. It's 30 minutes start to finish inc warm up and cool down. I'd get up at 6.45 straight into running kit, out of the door by 7. DH does breakfast for kids, I'm back by 7.30 jump in shower, ready by 8 to tag team as DH leaves.

Obviously you might need to get up earlier but it was just so 'doable' and made me feel great for the rest of the day.

Plus I then got the running bug after doing that for a few weeks. Now I love it and it's easy to make room for something you love!!

Look on You Tube for HIIT sessions, plenty of body weight ones or ones using basic home furnishings such as chairs. They take between 10 mins and 30 mins to do. Kayla Itsines, the Body Coach etc.

there is stuff you can do in front of the tv in the evenings, exercise bike? if you can afford the money/ space. If not, there are other exercises with cheaper and smaller equipment

do you walk to work?

Early is fine in summer I am screwed after the clocks change. Feels indulgent / vain to leave do with someone else to exercise as see so little of each other as I work.

Body Coach workouts on YouTube
20 mins per day with no equipment needed. Super easy to follow so you can do them in the park or garden with your phone nearby

And walking. Aim for your 10,000 steps a day (12k is even better) and walk part of your commute to get to your target

How old are your kids? Will they cycle or scoot with you while you run? The good ol' couch to 5k programme is great

Yes, you can.

I swim twice a week and walk the dogs twice a day every day, with the exception of the mornings I swim because DH takes them for a walk then. I swim at 5:30am, as soon as the pool opens.

A lot of people are not morning people so exercising in the afternoon/at night works better for them, but I am a morning person so it suits me well to swim first thing in the morning.

Sorry but that's a bullshit excuse. You can lose weight as a parent you just have to be really organised and fit it into your day to day life. Get a step-counter/fitbit and start by getting your 10k steps per day. Then work on your diet.

Definitely HIIT sessions.

How small are DC? Can they join in with you? Fun circuits and such? Or take them to the park and workout next to the play area if they are old enough to not need constant supervision. If they are small then power walk buggy uphills, get a bike with a kiddy trailer thing and tow them around.

What's your routine on non working days? Could DH pick up the morning stuff then so you can get out?

I used to get up twenty minutes earlier and squeeze a quick workout in.
I loved it. It meant when I got the children up I was fully awake and had had a little time without"Mummy, can you just....."
Also used to make me feel slightly smug that I had already done some exercise and could now not think"I should really do some exercise," for the rest of the day.

Before six would be painful though.

Op i don't think your problem is fitting it in, I think it's a motivation problem

How old are your children & do you have a partner? If you do , then just leave him with the children. If not, do they go to school/nursery? Could you go then? Or fit in with them. I used to swim whilst they had swimming lessons & cycle with one riding & one in the seat on the back. Now, I run whilst they play football & squash.

Cycle to work with youngest on the back of my bike. Park run every week

I suppose non work days I could get up early and run, dh leaves 7.30 but I could do school run in exercise gear.

My eldest could exercise with me but youngest is still a toddler so more tricky.

A lot of it is just excuses/tiredness.

Bestbees I take point of seeing exercise as essential.