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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's hard to fit more exercise in!

27 replies

operaha · 10/10/2017 07:55

Disclaimer - I want to and my weekends are when I go for long walks, swim and play badminton. But week days, urgh.
Out of bed to walk dogs at 6.30, home at 7. Shower, breakfast, housework and out to work at 8.
Get in at anywhere from 5.30 to 7pm. Dogs need walking though have a multitude of teenagers to help but dinner for 6 needs doing. Can often require shopping. My house is frequently a bomb site and there is a fair bit of decorating I want to start.
I need to be in bed asleep by 10.30 to get up by 6.30.
It doesn't leave a lot of time but I miss my old home by 4 job where I could get a swim in most eve or even just enjoy walking the dogs with time to shop etc.
I don't need to lose weight, im happy with my diet, I'd just enjoy the odd night down the gym.

Husband would too but his schedules the same as mine. perhaps we could alternate, just never seems to work out that way.

Where do you all squeeze a bit extra movement in?
I also like unwinding in front of tv even if only half an hour a night!!

OP posts:
hula008 · 10/10/2017 08:05

You could always go to the gym between 9 and 10?

SelmaAndJubjub · 10/10/2017 08:06

Do one of the dog walks as a run?

And why are you the one cooking every night?

ThePeanutGallery · 10/10/2017 08:07

Go to bed earlier and get up earlier?

BlindAssassin1 · 10/10/2017 08:08

Can't on of the teenagers at least start diner or walk the dogs? Also, meal planning might help here.

MojoMoon · 10/10/2017 08:08

Run with the dogs? Steps up, triceps dips, push ups on a park bench while out with the dogs? Buy a stretch resistance band and hook it round a tree i the park for rowing and lat pull exercises?

Can you walk or cycle or run the way or part of the way to or from work? Folding bike so can easily go in train/car for part of the way.

Make the teenagers make dinner sometimes?

flumpybear · 10/10/2017 08:09

Alternate with your husband or get the teen agents to start cooking from time to time Wink

Zaphodsotherhead · 10/10/2017 08:15

I fit it in by running with my dogs, and it's a great way to ensure that the young dog gets enough work (terriers). Would it work for you, OP? You might need to teach them how to keep out of the way, but it doesn't usually take a dog long to get the idea - unless your dog is old and stiff.

Exercising after work isn't always possible if, like me, you have a job where you are on your feet all day - they hurt too much after eight hours standing to want to run!

Maybe an exercise bike that you can jump on during the evening for the odd half hour?

confusedandemployed · 10/10/2017 08:16

Run with the dogs
Cook up a couple of meals at weekend or get a slow cooker
Someone else can do the bloody cooking once in a while!
Fitnessblender / joe wicks / any other HIIT , there's loads to choose from

It can be done, it just takes a bit of planning.

junebirthdaygirl · 10/10/2017 08:22

Get teens or dh to walk dog some mornings and go to the gym in the morning. Cook enough for 2 days as often as possible. Teens organise it while you pop to gym. Think its really about getting out to exercise as its space for yourself.
Dont worry teens will soon be moving on . I have empty house now and can go to gym whenever l like.

Hadenoughtoday01 · 10/10/2017 09:05

Lunchtime - that's when I did mine when I worked away from home. I fitted in a spin class (my office was near a gym) but you could be near a park.
There is a difference between being active with your family - and taking time for yourself to exercise - it's good for the mind as well as the body...

TiredMumToTwo · 10/10/2017 09:08

I run with the dogs & swap exercise time with DH - he runs in the morning whilst I look after the kids, then he cooks tea whilst I run in the evenings. I've also started swimming whilst little one is at her swimming lesson.

Original poster
operaha · 10/10/2017 13:44

Sorry been at work. Knew the consensus would be run with dogs. I can run with one dog, but not both, too strong, one needs to stay on lead. Husband and I walk them together, kids do their bit with them too.

I do not cook every night by a long shot, prob less than husband, tonight's my late night at work so he's cooking for 3rd in a row. I agree with the doubling up amounts and meal planning, we've got good at doing that recently.

I forgot to mention one child is 12 so I do try and do something with him after school so he's not gaming. We walk the dogs or go swimming so after a full day work (yes to poster who said about being on your feet I'm on 9000 steps by lunch) it's not always tempting to run. Also lunch is 30 mins and I rarely get one but that's another post.

I think it's easy to suggest to people other ways to fit more in, someone suggested bed earlier but it's quite unlikely though I do some nights, I can sleep for England.

I think I just need to jog with husband and dogs a few mornings instead of walk and perhaps alternate that with doing so im evenings. And keep up weekends as I have plenty of free time then.

Thinking I'll crack just dance open again Saturday night with son before we settle down to x factor!

OP posts:
SelmaAndJubjub · 10/10/2017 21:00

TBH, you already sound pretty active. If you can manage a couple of sessions of aerobic exercise at weekends, I'm not sure you need to worry.

formerbabe · 10/10/2017 21:06

I'm a sahm with school age dc, so I'm lucky that I have time to do it then.

I rarely found time to exercise when I worked full time..I was usually exhausted after work plus there's household chores, dinner, bath, maybe a sit down in front of the TV.
When my DC are on school holidays, I always have good intentions to go to the gym once my dh gets home from work but I'm usually shattered by then.

dantdmistedious · 10/10/2017 21:14

I get up at 530 for a 6am class. Only way it works during the week.

I also cook on Sunday for Monday-Wednesday so don’t have to think about that, Thursday is freezer food and Friday we all eat later so I have time to think about it.

Ddog would be a disaster running on the lead and dts aren’t old enough to walk him yet, I look forward to when they are!

formerbabe · 10/10/2017 21:16

I get up at 530 for a 6am class. Only way it works during the week

I'm in awe of people who do this! Can I be nosey and ask what time you go to bed in order to get up so early?

Gudgyx · 10/10/2017 21:27

Can u actually take your lunch break and go to the gym then?

I get an hour and the gym is only across the road, so fit in a 40 minute workout. Only takes a few minutes to shove gym gear on, rest of the hour spent getting a quick shower in my work building and back to my desk. I eat lunch while working!

dantdmistedious · 10/10/2017 21:30

Early @formerbabe! I’m in bed now will be asleep by 10. I’m naturally better at waking up early though rather than staying up late so it works for me.

I have friends who go to the gym at 9pm. I can’t think of anything worse!

sailorcherries · 10/10/2017 21:40

I tended to go to the gym later, around 9pm. However with a 4mo old and 7yo to get to bed that doesn't work now. I either exercise in the gym while DS is at clubs (I have 1 hour exactly) or get up at 5.30am.

I'm on mat leave, don't get to bed until 11ish but prioritise my fitness and know that Mon-Fri will call for an early rise once I'm back at work.

I also want to get a fold away exercise bike to sit on for an hour or so at night while watching tv.

MrsJBaptiste · 10/10/2017 22:53

formerbabe It depends how much sleep you need. I get up at 6am twice a week to go to the gym but don't go to bed any earlier, it's usually around 11.30 when I switch my kindle off.

I also try go in the evenings and get there for 7.30ish. It's always packed at this time and there are still a few people coming in at 9am when I'm just getting ready to leave. Now that is too late for me to just be getting started!

OP What about weekends for the gym? I go on Sat or Sun and get there for when it opens at 8am. I'm then done by 9.30 and sometime home before the kids get out of bed. Now they're older (10 and 12) I leave them in bed when I go which makes things so much easier.

Original poster
operaha · 11/10/2017 07:28

I went for a little run with dogs this morning! Kept one on lead and ran around a field rather than doing a route as such so the other dog could just chase me. Felt good! Might try and walk for 10 mins at lunch!!

OP posts:
sparechange · 11/10/2017 07:47

Have a look at the Cani X (cross country running with dogs) equipment

If you’re going to keep running with the dog, it should be wearing a harness rather than collar, and you get a harness to wear also, which means you can run with both arms (and also get a bit of a tow from the dog!)

Original poster
operaha · 11/10/2017 07:55

The doggies both have harnesses as dh is a massive runner :)

OP posts:
IdaBattersea · 11/10/2017 08:20

OP I run home from work is than an option. It only takes marginally longer than public transport and so is v efficient use of time.

Pippioddstocking · 11/10/2017 08:35

Lots of gyms now do 30 minute supercharged classes in the mornings .

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