What does your average day look like? When do you fit in exercise?!

[Rainydays55]

Just that really… what does your average weekday look like?! All I seem to do is work! What do you do after work? What exercise do you fit in and when?

Full time teacher.

Get up at 4.30. Run from 5-6, straight in shower and then get kids up and dressed for breakfast club at 7.30. DH also a teacher but he does for his runs at 7pm. At weekends we do the same. It works because I’m a lark and he’s an owl. You need to exercise when you’re most alert. Obviously I wouldn’t naturally wake at 4.30 but I start rising by 5.15 so setting my alarm 45 minutes earlier isn’t too big of a deal.

I’m sat here in bed at 06:39 reading this with my first cup of tea knowing for sure that I have no excuse not to get my fat arse out of bed and do something before wfh starts at 9am.

I’m off for a 10k walk in the rain!

@countrytown

Many posters have said their partners exercise a lot less than them which makes sense in terms of fitting stuff in. DH & I would have to compromise as he likes exercise.

Is it something you’re arguing about so doing nothing? Compromise is good.

I also think most people can fit in a quick 15 min workout every day, even listening to one on their phone Ie joe wicks etc and not disturb anyone in the house.

I’m 52 and started exercising at about 38. Before that I simply didn’t wish to. And it’s ok to say I can’t be arsed/don’t want to/don’t like it. To own it.

I started it due to vanity. Now it’s also vanity but health reasons are also a big part of it. Especially with Covid around. Being fit/strong/healthy is really important.

I walk the dog for an hour or two in the morning, then half an hour in the evening. The morning walk is often a hill walk (more so in school term as I have more time)

I'm really struggling to fit exercise in. I'm one of those 6am runners too, in theory, but now that DC2 has started waking up early, there's no time. Except this morning when it's 0730 and everyone else is inexplicably still asleep and I could have gone running three times over but I didn't because I thought they were about to wake up. Grr.

Is it something you’re arguing about so doing nothing? Compromise is good.

No I said upthread I have no problems exercising on my days off I just would struggle to fit it in every day & I guess I would feel unfair if me doing it daily meant DH had less time to do it particularly when he works full time. Plus I like him looking toned! 😆

I also think most people can fit in a quick 15 min workout every day, even listening to one on their phone Ie joe wicks etc and not disturb anyone in the house.

I definitely could do 15 mins but the exercise I enjoy is reformer pilates or barre or zumba which I need more time for.

I’m 52 and started exercising at about 38. Before that I simply didn’t wish to. And it’s ok to say I can’t be arsed/don’t want to/don’t like it. To own it.

I've been very active most of my life & did tons of dance, only really started struggling since having dc2 to fit it in.

I started it due to vanity. Now it’s also vanity but health reasons are also a big part of it. Especially with Covid around. Being fit/strong/healthy is really important.

I agree

I just woke up, I do like my sleep!

I have no car so on the average day I walk DS to school (30 mins) then walk to work (40 mins) and repeat again in the afternoon. That's over 2 hours of walking a day. I can't be arsed to do any other exercise!

@piratehugs just wanted to say solidarity this is me too and it is so frustrating!

Get up 5.45, make coffee. Leave house 6.15, gym 6.30-7.30 (DH looks after DS) four days out of five. Shower, at desk by 8.30 if WFH, or get train at 9am and at desk by 10am in office. The day I don't workout I have DS until 8.30 when the nanny starts.

Work until 6/7, if have time at lunchtime (rare) will go for a walk and listen to podcast. If I am wfh we all eat together about 6, if I'm in office I am usually not back until 8pm so eat leftovers. We have a nanny who cooks since DH also works until 6/7 at least and sometimes logs on in the eve.

I have to be in bed by 9.30 or I don't get enough sleep. So don't usually have any time in the evenings usually to watch TV or anything like that.

To add: DH doesn't exercise as much as me, I wish he did. He sometimes runs at lunchtime. If he wanted more mornings I'd change my gym session to lunchtime some days and then have to log on to work in the evening. Fitness is a priority for me it makes me happier and feel healthier and strong

As someone else said, we make a priority for the things we really want to do. If you really wanted to fit in exercise you’d get up earlier for example. I was one for always making up excuses as to why I couldn’t exercise: didn’t have time (I had plenty after looking at how much I was on phone!)/the weather/didn’t like gym/simply couldn’t be arsed. But then I caught the running bug, started holding myself accountable and finally realised the benefits of strength and conditioning training.

My partner exercise just as much as me, but he isn’t a morning person and will usually do whatever it is he is doing straight after work or about 9pm. Like I say at most for us it’s 30 mins out of our day, not a big deal. Weekends are different.

Well overall an interesting thread on time management 😂 enjoy your day all!

I did take a slight pay cut for a new job that is WFH. Getting up at 0500 for work meant I was too tired to do more than 2 evening classes and a weekend run. I'm an advocate for as much flexibility in working where the job allows. It will improve the nations health. Our schedule is

• Monday evening I do 5k on home treadmill.
• Tuesday do martial arts with 9 year old. DH goes to a class after.

-Wednesday do martial arts with DC.

• Thursday DC does other sports. DH goes to class when we return.
• Friday I do quick run on treadmill if have time or can be bothered.
• Saturday DH does morning class. DC and I practise martial arts
• Sunday I run on home Treadmill, maybe martial arts practise and we all do a yoga session on line in the evening.

I batch cook food at the weekend. And we eat together between classes. Spelling and homework we tend to do in the morning before school. Clean as we go.

However, I spend a large amount of time on my bum working at a desk and am really aware that this is a really bad thing and someone more active during the day is probably better off than me. Need to try and take a lunch break and move.

@Dontwatchfootball

Get up, drop the dog at day care, check on elderly dad, come back and get a quick 10 mins around the block before starting work between 8 - 8.30am. Work til 12, then another quick walk, doing any errands in town, pick up any bits of shopping etc, then home for a quick bite before starting again at 1pm. Work til 6, pick up dog, check on elderly dad, do anything he needs. Take dog straight for a walk and play, then home, eat and unwind. I find doing small bits works better for me, although I do go to yoga one evening a week.

@Dontwatchfootball, do you wfh and still take dog to daycare?

I usually do four sessions a week, two one hour and two two hour. Weekdays after work and one one early on a Sunday morning. If not WFH, then all but one are switched to the morning before work. Timing can be tight but I shower at work and can be at my desk by 8:30.

I have home gym but don’t use it. I prefer being told what to do and pushed really hard. Also, pre-booking a slot means it’s more difficult not to go. If I miss a gym session or want to do extra, I’ll do a run. At least 5K.

The people who do 5 plus sessions a wk does your partner do the same?

No. He will happily chat to the trainers and other people at my gym, but they have never managed to persuaded him to join.

I said I was off for a 10k walk, I meant 10k steps. I managed neither, but did do 4.3 miles (8,700 steps). TBH I can’t say I enjoyed it in particular, I did it because I “should” and not because I wanted to. That’s the problem with me. I hate doing the things I “should” do and I’m naturally lazy which I indulge more now that I’m older and menopausal.

I don’t have any problem waking early (thanks to Dcat who starts gently stroking my hair with his paw anytime between 5:30am to 6am (followed by head bumps and grooming my thick eyebrows if the paw doesn’t work).

I used to be a super fit size 8 up to my 30’s and have gradually got to an out of shape size 14. I found it a lot easier to go to the gym when I worked right next door to one, now my nearest gym is a bus ride away.

Excuses… excuses…

All you early riser runners
Where are you??!

I run 5x a week at 6.30am
And honestly… most of the time I pass no one (bliss)

@Marni83

All you early riser runners Where are you??!

I run 5x a week at 6.30am
And honestly… most of the time I pass no one (bliss)

Why I enjoy my 5am runs. I see the regular runners (five each other ‘the nod’) and a few dog walkers.

Best time of the day!

*give

@TheLovelinessOfDemons

At the moment, my day looks like:

6.30 Get up, get dressed etc, have coffee

8.00 Wake DS2 up, he gets dressed etc, has breakfast, does a page of homework

9.00 Take DS2 to summer school

9.20 Have breakfast in the Sainsbury's café, do shopping, back home

12.15 Make lunch for DD2

13.40 Pick DS2 up

Supervising DS2 who has ADHD

17.10 Make dinner

Supervising DS2 until bed at 9.15

Do washing, make packed lunch

DD2 sets her own bedtime, usually around 12 in the holidays, then I go to bed

Exercise is walking around Sainsbury's and to and from school. I average 10,000 steps.

If you wanted to do formal exercise, surely lots of opportunity?

* Why I enjoy my 5am runs. I see the regular runners (five each other ‘the nod’) and a few dog walkers. *

Oh I love the nod from other early morning runners if ever I do pass!

marni83
Well, I got up at 6. Faffed for half an hour. Got ready. Had an espresso. Put the bins out. Chatted to ds about why being popular isn't all that. Flea combed the cat. Looked out the window a bit. Couldn't find my headphones.
Found my headphones.
Complained about how much I prevaricate.
Went for a run at 720. Saw 3 cyclists and 1 runner.

Early morning runners…. I run with no music / podcast

Can’t recommend it more highly

It’s so peaceful. Blissfully quiet and a real break from tech

WFH - I start work at 9am, book a gym class for 12.15. Leave for gym at 11:40 and get back around 1:40. Then work until 6.30/7. I only do this 2 days a week and then third class on Saturday.

Normal life working in office, usually gym after work - leaving work at 5 on the dot and get home at around 7.

Don’t know how I would do the above with kids! I think negotiate stretch lunches and do gym at work at lunch. I see they’re building a gym next door to my work which is great news as will cut out travel time.

On busy days, I have a 20kg bar, 12kg kettle bell and two lighter weights and I have an app on my phone so I can squeeze in work outs at home (I think this would be what I do when I have kids, and maybe do a gym class on a Saturday only).

My headphones died with 1km to go this morning. It is a different experience without music, but I like being immersed in a cocoon. Even better when I can wear sunglasses.