To think it’s impossible to exercise with young children?

[lineandsinker]

As the title says, really.

Mum to 13 month old DS. Prior to having DS, I went to the gym 3-4 times a week. During mat leave, I went out for daily long walks with my LO.
Returned to work 4 days a week in Sept (am a teacher) and I just can’t find the time to exercise.

I leave for work at 7.30am and usually get home at 5.30pm. DH arrives home at 6.30pm. By time DS has been fed, had a bit of time with me, been bathed and put to bed, it’s 8.30pm. Once DH and I have had dinner and cleared away / prepared for next day, it’s 9.30pm. We usually go to bed around 11pm so we’ve had a little bit of time together and also time to sit and watch the TV to relax.

On my day off, DS is an early riser. I’m usually exhausted from the working week and can’t push myself to do much more than a brisk walk outside. DH and I try to do longer walks with DS at the weekend, depending on what else we have planned but doesn’t always work out like that.

Due to COVID, I am a static teacher - have to stay at front of room. Drive 25 mins to and from work. DS is shattered and hungry from nursery so can’t take him for a walk once we get home (have tried this already).

AIBU to think it’s nigh-on impossible to exercise when you have small children? I’m really beating myself up about how little exercise I’m doing, particularly as I’m used to being quite active.

I agree it’s really tough, although not impossible. I also agree you need rest and sleep as well as exercise or else it might do you more harm than good overall.

I think the key times are - when your H is home and he could take over, times when your H could look after LO on your day off and you can get some exercise in then, or exercising with the buggy on your day off - walks or runs with the buggy.

I don’t think you should sacrifice your sleep though or get up at 5 am because I don’t think that’s realistic for many people.

@Dipi79 😊

It’s very difficult. I manage to get to the pool as can take a long lunch a couple of days a week. Could you find a few mins to do something at lunch - even if just a walk?
Failing that, I find dancing- baby wearing and dancing if you can, is great. Pop your favourite soundtrack on and both have a dance together.
It’s getting a bit dark for it now but putting my son on his bike and going out was good - can get a bit of speed up.
Could you do a ‘mummy and me’ type workout where your little one is part of the routine? Yours is a bit young yet, but I have some yoga cards and we sometimes do a few things of those. (Generally ends up with child sitting on my head while a dog licks my face -yuck... but might work for you?)

I think the only way to look at is if it’s that important right now you would prioritise it, eating as family at once to create time in the evening to exercise once LO is in bed. Or go to bed earlier and get up early doors to exercise before the working day. Just so you know I do neither 🤣 I have a 1 year old and 3 year old. Sometimes if I’ve been woken up early I’ll go for a jog, but I’m pretty much tired all the time at the moment that I’m just not motivated enough. One day one day

It depends on how much you want to exercise.
I regularly see a young mum running with baby in buggy and large dog running alongside. She's got slimmer and faster over the past 3 months I've been seeing her.
Even in the pouring rain yesterday she was there running down the muddy trail.

I think your absolute best case scenario would be to buy a skipping rope and do 5-10 minutes of skipping whenever you get a slot, and then try to build in bike rides or long walks at the weekend with the rest of the family. But honestly I think right now you've clearly got a huge amount on, and if you can't find time to work out that doesn't mean that you're failing.

The only thing I got a lot of exercise from was long distance walking with the pram.