If you work out in the mornings do you think I can do this or will I wimp out?

[letsjog]

NC as my usual topics are much different than this so don't want it associated.

I really want to take up some exercise. We have 2 DCs one will start school in Sept and the other is still at home with me until they can get the free nursery hours which will be next year.
I also WFH PT in the evenings 4/5 days a week usually from 7pm to anything from 10-12.
I tried doing it at home from YouTube at DCs nap time etc but I always find other tasks to do like cleaning etc and it often gets interrupted by something.

DP has known I've been trying to get into something for a while and has offered to get me an great gym membership for my birthday where they do lots of good classes. I love the idea!

Except after sitting down and working it out I could only really do super early morning classes at 6am as I couldn't really work anything else into the schedule.
So if I did that 2 days a week as I wanted to it would mean wake up at 5.15am before the rest of the house to get ready and get to the gym, work out, come home and shower/get ready for the day before DCs are fully awake, get them fed and ready and do school run, look after DC2/do chores/cook/anything else on the list, do school run, play with DCs, feed them, and then me and DP do bath time and bed and then work until I go to bed.

I'm a bit concerned they are long days (5.15am-11pm potentially) and early starts and as time goes on I will loose motivation especially as the dark mornings come and it's freezing or one of the DCs is ill and we've had a bad night. I won't be able to just cancel the membership as its a yearly thing.

Anyone with similar early workouts/routines?
Does it work well or is it too much?

I've been known to do 6.45am classes before work but I'd find it exhausting to do it every day. Why don't you take up running - do a couch to 5k and then you can fit it in whenever it suits you.

Have you tried Yoga with Adriene on YouTube? Really good yoga workouts and can be done at any time. There are sessions that last from 5 to 50 minutes.

I would have found this too tiring with the age of DC you have, but you know yourself better than me! I would think you would be better off going for a run in the morning (so you don't have to get up so super early and don't have money to fork out) or look at a weekend class. Are your working hours flexible? If so, you could, say, go to a 7pm class one day. Or just look for an exercise in local hall type class which will be cheaper and likely Payg.

I work out at home at get up at 5.45. I am always ready to sleep at 10pm if not before.

Could your DP do bathtime and bed alone while you go to the gym?

I do 6.45 three mornings per week. DH helps out though and feeds the baby.
I have a quick shower then I'm ready for the day.
If you have to do all cooking, could you prep in advance on a Sunday?
When you say "get ready" for the gym, could you cut down the time it takes? I have clothes ready night before and just clean my teeth, quickly dress and go. Five mins
I find if I wait until the evening, I am too tired. Go for it!

I’d be concerned at getting less sleep if you work that late most evenings. Might work if you can get to bed earlier the nights before.

Is there a crèche at the gym? Or can DP get home earlier even just one evening so you can go in the evening and then work after?

I do love morning exercise, such efficient use of time and I feel so productive starting the day with a work out. I struggle now I’m a working parent though as it just doesn’t always work time wise.

And my DC are teens who spend alotof time alone in their rooms so on most days I get a quiet half hour to myself.

I have one son (4) and I get up 45 minutes earlier everyday to exercise, I’m also a crap sleeper who is regularly still awake at 1am. On the odd day that I don’t exercise I find I’m not as awake/lively in the morning/early afternoon.

I do this 2 days a week but do a 9 - 5 job, with the usual kid and life work thrown in as well. For me excercise is essential for my mental health. It's my "me" time and I benefit from it physically and mentally, and I definitely feel worse if I miss it for a week due to holidays etc. I make sure my kit is ready the night before so it's a quick teeth clean, get dressed, grab water bottle and out of the door at 5.45am. I come home to shower so I'm out of the house for the least time possible. Could the gym do a 3 month trial for you to give it a go?

I'm doing c25k and as it's the holidays I'm doing it before dh goes to work, so he can watch the kids. I wouldn't be able to do this when I work as I wouldn't be ready for work in time etc. However, I think running is more flexible than a class.

Most flashy gyms have creches, is that an option?

I do this and have done since October last year. 5.15 alarm for a 6 am class Mon Weds and Fri.
Honestly it's fine. Within about 2 weeks I was waking up early naturally on non gym days as my body clock adjusted.
Biggest tip would be to get your kit ready in the bathroom the night before so you don't disturb anyone while you hunt for your sports bra in the dark!
It's the only time I can fit exercise in during the week also with children and work and I would recommend it to anyone. It really sets me up for the day.
Good luck!

I don't work evenings but I go for a 3-4mile run after DC is at nursery, then a short abs session. You could do that and cut out the gym trip. Yes, it means motivating yourself on the dark mornings but it becomes routine - and it's free.

Can you go to the gym after school drop off and put your youngest child in the crèche? Many gyms have a crèche, I used to do that. Also can you go at the weekend?

Why can’t DP get the children ready on those mornings? It’s not really a great gift unless he gives you the time to use it.

Prior to my children starting school I used to go to the gym at 5am 6 days a week for an hour and a half as my husband was still asleep and could sort the children if they woke up. I would lay my clothes out ready the night before, get up at 4:45am, get dressed, tie hair up and go - no shower, no brushing teeth, as I would do that when I got home. It was hard in winter (cold, wet, dark), but I it was easier to get it out of the way in the morning as I was usually exhausted after spending the day running around with twins. Now I workout when they’re at school (or go for coffee and cake instead).

Maybe see if you can get a week trial pass to see if you like going early?

It is definitely possible.

I would say the first month is the hardest but once you get over that initial hurdle you will soon feel guilty when you don't go and by that stage you should start seeing the results of your hard work. Try and make friends in any class you join as they can be invaluable in keeping the motivation on thise mornings you really don't want to get out of bed.

Well done and good luck

Most people who go to the gym early also go to bed early. If you're working until 11pm you're only going to get about 5 hours sleep which isn't enough.
I think it's unrealistic

Sorry I didn't want to make my OP too long.
DP sometimes has time to get them downstairs and get them milk and maybe a slice of toast or some cereal he has to get ready and get to work himself and sets off anywhere from 7.30 - 8am depending on the day and DCs get up around 7.20 am ATM.

I'd be planning on doing it 2 mornings a week so not exactly 6 like PP (well done btw!) and there's no crèche.
I wouldn't do jogging on my own or anything like that as I just do not have the resolve to do it and really push myself. If I'm signed up for a class (you sign up online for each session you attend) and I know there's other people there so I can't slack off then at least it's an incentive for going.