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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I don't have time to exercise?

215 replies

puglife15 · 12/08/2017 22:09

I really struggle to see when I'd fit it in. Typical day looks like this:

6.30 wake up
7 DH goes to work
7-8 get DC and myself ready for school/nursery/work
8-9 commute/drop off
9-5 work (30 mins lunchbreak)
Get home by 6
6-7.30 play and do bedtime, DH back from work
7.30-8.30 cook and eat
8.30-10.30 clear up, chores, admin, often extra work etc
11 bed

OP posts:
littlebird7 · 12/08/2017 23:16

I do feel this is not the best place to post to feel better op. You are going to get every fitness freak in town telling you how to do it better. Wake up at 3am. It is all so desperate!

Sorry for you hun. Look after you, focus on your young children they grow so quickly and a lost decade with them will not make up for the washboard stomach. Just chill, have fun, exercise when you can and ignore the rest. If you are happy, you are relaxed and enjoying your life, are reasonably active and are healthy or care...!!!!
LIBERATION!!!!!! The joy of it!!!! have fun and enjoy your life

littlebird7 · 12/08/2017 23:18

or - who

PickAChew · 12/08/2017 23:21

Anyone else able bodied home in the evening and capable of helping to clean up the mess made while you're not even in the house?

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 12/08/2017 23:22

littlebird GrinGrinGrin

WorraLiberty · 12/08/2017 23:23

Sorry for you hun. Look after you, focus on your young children they grow so quickly and a lost decade with them will not make up for the washboard stomach.

Again littlebird, you seem obsessed with the OP's figure Confused

Can you possibly focus your mind on her heart/health etc?

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 12/08/2017 23:25

Hun?? hun? Ugh....

mirime · 12/08/2017 23:25

How on earth do people get up so early? 5.45am? And exercise at that time? I couldn't do that and still function in my job. I couldn't exercise before breakfast either.

Admittedly, I'm a terrible sleeper.

I only fit exercise in because I can walk or cycle to work. The buses are at inconvenient times so I'm slightly forced into it so that works out quite well.

QuirkyGoose · 12/08/2017 23:59

I have a smiliar schedule, although older DC so later bedtimes and extra curricular activities means one child needs to be picked up and driven home at 9pm most nights. I have no free time. I can't face exercising at 5am, and I'm too shattered at 10pm when I stop and go to bed. I can't sleep if i exercise in the evening. I exercise at the weekend but it's not enough. I can't see where I can make time except having even less sleep and that's just going to make me ill.

Badhairday1001 · 13/08/2017 00:00

The only way I can fit it in is to get up half an hour earlier. I get up at 5.45am, do one of the body coaches HIIT workouts for 20 mins and jump in the shower for the other 10 mins. I work out for longer on weekends when I have more time. It actually makes me feel more awake and gives me more energy throughout the day. My job is stressful and I work long hours and I feel I need to look after me to be healthy and happy for my kids. It really does help me sleep better, manage my stress levels and have a positive mindset. I think when you come at it from that angle it's much easier to maintain than focusing on losing weight/ toning up, that for me is just a nice added bonus.

foodiefil · 13/08/2017 00:50

You could probably run 2 miles in about 25 minutes door to door.

Then squats/sit ups/press ups while you watch TV/ wait for tea to cook.

Depends how important it is to you.

Understand you'll be tired and feel like your routine is already jam packed x

SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 13/08/2017 01:08

Being active and generally moving around is very important for heart health, but it won't necessarily make you fit. So depending on how much OP moves around through the working day, there may be enough general movement to have a positive effect on health.

Targeted exercise has the advantage of making us stronger/ fitter/ increased stamina/ improved physical appearance. If that's your priority, it has to be prioritised. When I was working full-time, I'd be up at 6, if it wasn't necessary for marking/ planning it would be for a 30 min run/ DVD. Some weeks the workload was too much to fit midweek exercise in as I'd be working late at night and early in the morning, some weeks it would be easier. I'd go to a class Saturday morning, and a run on Sunday morning before the family really got going for the day.

I prioritise exercise because I don't want to die prematurely of a heart attack like my dad. I also struggle to sleep if I have a prolonged period of lack of exercise. Then there's the other benefits like feeling fitter/ stronger that make life easier, and yes some vanity. Sometimes its a pleasure to fit in, sometimes it's a chore, but it's always beneficial to put that effort in and never regretted.

ZanyMobster · 13/08/2017 01:12

Sounds like a normal day for most people. Exercise when DH gets home, he can do the clearing up etc. There is time if you want to do it.

Gorgosparta · 13/08/2017 06:48

You could fit in couch to 5k.

You spend 2 hours a day doing house work, admin, work. Fit it in there.

I assume your dh is also spending those 2 houra doing house work and admin.

If you both do housework every night, weekends must have loads of time. So do both days at weekends and on during the week.

Gorgosparta · 13/08/2017 06:51

Women should be free to exercise in any way and in any shape they see fit around their own lives.

The op asked the question. I am definitely not a fitness freak. Theonly person concerned about the ops figure, is you.

shartsi · 13/08/2017 07:03

I run at 5am for 45 minutes every other day.

Cailleach666 · 13/08/2017 07:07

It's all about life balance.
Earning/exercise/time with kids to me are all important.

I jacked in my job when I had kids I stopped exercising completely for 5 years when they were young as had no time.
I work 15 hours a week now and my youngest is 17. I gym most days.
Perfect.

Sirzy · 13/08/2017 07:11

It's all about how much you want it really. If you want to exercise and make the differences then you will make time to do it. Very few people genuinely don't have time.

Chathamhouserules · 13/08/2017 07:14

7.30pm or get up early or go at lunchtime

Therealslimshady1 · 13/08/2017 07:14

Get DH to do dinner twice a week, plus exercise at weekend?

Passthecake30 · 13/08/2017 07:18

My day is set out similar to you, except from 6pm - eat with the children, something light (like boiled eggs on toast), do homework with kids 6.30-7pm (ish), put kids to bed 8pm, go to the gym 8.15-9.15, pop to Asda on way home 9.15-9.30, bath/shower 9.30/10.

I don't dedicate much time to cleaning in the week apart from dishwasher and a load of clothes every day.

LynetteScavo · 13/08/2017 07:19

Several of my colleagues do a workout video 6:30 -7am

You could do Sat, Sun and one night a week where you had a very easy, or preprepared meal.

Chathamhouserules · 13/08/2017 07:19

It is hard to get in the habit, bit just force yourself and if you're like me you will feel for much better for a run at the end of the day you'll keep going. 7.30pm would be my preferred time.

TheBruteSquad · 13/08/2017 07:25

My day looks very very similar to yours. One day a week I do gym class during the 6:00-7:30 bit and DH does DC's tea. A couple of evenings I'll go for an hour 9-10. If DH does bedtime that night I still get chance to do a couple of quick chores before I go and I'll grab a quick shower when I get back and can still have time for a little bit of a chill out before bed.

Alternatively, my DH's schedule is pretty similar and a couple of evenings a week I'll do tea & bedtime while he goes out to play sport.

RockyTop · 13/08/2017 07:27

You can fit it in, if you want to, but it won't necessarily be easy.
I have a similar schedule to you. I fit exercise in by getting up earlier/going to bed later, exercising in my lunchbreak, buggy running, exercises while playing with the kids, and at the weekends sharing house/child responsibilities with DP.
It's all up to you though OP, I have my own reasons why I make sure to fit this stuff in, but we're all different.

Ceto · 13/08/2017 07:28

Why does OP have to make time for exercise? With getting her child sorted out in the mornings, getting to and from work, and cooking and chores in the evenings, she seems to get more exercise than many; and a bit of time to relax is also important.