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.

I run in my lunch hour at work, or after DH is home (at 7). It helps that I have a friend at work I run with, and a friend at home I run with. I also try to run first thing saturday morning, so it's done and you can feel smug for the day.

A couple of years ago I did a run 5k every day in January challenge. It proved to me you can always fit a run in. some days I was doing a full day at work, running at 7 when DH came home, then a committee meeting for a charity I'm on at 8, then not eating till 10.30.

it's always possible.

I find it's easier to fit in exercise now I'm back at work than it was when I was on mat leave. DD is in nursery and I work FT, I do the nursery run/commute by bike and try to squeeze in a lunchtime gym class 3 times a week. It takes a bit of motivation but now it's becoming a habit, and I really enjoy that 45 minutes to just switch off from work and parenting and focus on burning off some energy. Is there a gym or pool near your work, would that be an option for you?

I work 2 days, and (weather depending!) I cycle to work which is around 2.5 miles each way.
I tend to run 4 times a week too, usually in the evening when DH comes back from work (around 6pm ish) so he has some time with the toddler, however recently I've been exhausted at the end of the day so I've started getting up at 5am so I can run in the mornings before DH has to get up and get ready for work. That gives me 2.5hrs to fit a run and shower in before he leaves.

I have to make time otherwise I wouldn't do anything!

I feel your pain re time and motivation. And so not helped by DH not wanting to deal with the DC on his own (he complains that happens enough when I need to work late) and complaining that we never spend time as a couple.

As far as possible I try and walk to get on exercise, even if it makes the journey longer - so today have done 3 miles and about another 4 to go before I can collapse. DC whinge about it something chronic though, especially now they have realised I have a travel card and jumping on public transport would be free and quicker.

It's really difficult, I'm only managing because my office moved and I'm now able to walk or cycle to work.

And yes, as others have suggested I could get up earlier, but I'm exhausted from lack of sleep as I don't sleep well - and exercise doesn't seem to help - so if DS sleeps in until 8am so am I. I have about an hour a day in the week to read/catch up on tv/hobbies/do house work and DH works late at least twice a week and often works weekends.

I'm up around 5am to walk at least 3 miles with one of the dogs. I normally would run but he's gotten a little overweight and he's long haired and I want to ease him into it given that it's 30oc+ here (and not much cooler at 5am) - once he gets his stamina back, we'll be able to get in 4-5mile runs.

At 5am there is nobody else out except me and my boy, the empty road, my music and a beautiful sunrise and it's my one and only opportunity to empty my brain and switch off. It's like a meditation.

We've got a gym at our complex but I much prefer being outdoors than in and we also have a 50 meter pool. I do keep telling myself I'm going to do a 5.30am swim but it's dark then and I get scared in water I can't see the bottom of because of pool sharks. They're real until it gets light...

I know how easy it is to get complacent especially with young kids and a full time job though - the first time you do it is the hardest to get into mentally, but once you've got the second one out the way you come to look forward to it. If you find an exercise you enjoy you can really use it as a way to close off your mind and it becomes time just for you.

Despite the misery of a 4.50am alarm clock, stepping outside and watching the sunrise by the water is one of my greatest pleasures.