How can I become an exercise person again?

[Iamatissuebox]

I used to be a proper exercise person. PT, short runs, yoga, Pilates, classes - all contribute to a good physique and lots of social activities.

Since x2 tough pregnancies with lots of physical issues and the resulting 2 small kids, lockdowns and moving to a different area I have completely lost all motivation. I feel like I’m not even me anymore. I miss it badly.

I know I need to take a small step, don’t think about it just do it etc etc but I’m honestly so tired and overwhelmed with FT work, kids (who are seemingly always ill too) and just life in general I can never get and just do it. It just seems too hard and I don’t know where I would’ ‘steal’ the time from. It’s a vicious cycle as this has a negative impact on my mental health. Then I can’t be arsed even more.

Has anyone felt like this and pulled it back? If so how?

*contributed

I'd start small in your shoes. Start with some youtube pilates or yoga videos that you can do in the evening, so you don't have to tear off to the gym.

Can you get out for a 30 minute walk every day, whatever the weather ? Get a pedometer and do 10,000 a day.

I was a professional athlete in my twenties and was super fit, I let it all go in my thirties and forties having babies and letting their activities be my entire focus. I'm in my fifties now and gave started up with the gym, exercise and fitness. I'm so content, I really feel like the real me again. I've lost weight, although it is a battle and I've spent some time de-frumping. I'm happy but also angry with myself for being to stupid as the let it go in the guest place.

Learn from my mistakes, lol

• sorry about all the typos!

running has the most cardiovascular benefits if
you are short on time

3 times a week mark down when you are going out in a google calendar. On those days wear a sports bra, leggings and a t shirt.

tell your husband/boyfriend you are out for a run

do couch to 5k

you will be out of the house 25 minutes

25 minutes- that’s all.

think of how much time you probably spend watching/scrolling

you can give yourself 25 minutes,
plus a shower. you’re worth that!

Also make sure your partner can view the google calendar so they don’t double book and they know where they should be

Yes, I made several attempts to get back. Always failed after a couple of months.Finally realised its better to have discipline rather than motivation- this means I still exercise even if I’m not feeling it.

start with some exercise videos. Or run. Or find a class that you pay for upfront

Or get so weights to do at home not sure how old you are but weights are v import as you get older

Just keep telling yourself that unless you make a change, nothing will change. You have to take that first step into whatever fitness you choose, don’t think just do.

For me, it was being held accountable until it became habit again. So, I went to PT. If I didn’t go, he didn’t get paid and I’d have let him, and myself down/ that was enough for me.

Then it just becomes a general part of who you are. The children and my husband know I go to the gym/running at these times on these days.

I have 4 children, including a 4 month old, so I know how hard it is. But me being the best version of myself (or, a better version at least!) is important for the whole family! It’s an investment for the greater good!

10-15 minute exercise videos on youtube
Brisk walking leading to C25k
I went to fitness classes on a Saturday morning while DH was in and all was pretty calm and dozy in the house.

My fitness was trashed twice by SPD and tough births but I built it back over the months. Plus both babies were bottle refusers so time away from them was limited. By 5 months, a fitness class was the most productive use of regular time away from them so that was a good motivator.

I think the first thing is to think that you will figure it out so you don’t get too despondent.

The other thing is you want something quite moderate to start, that will renew you mentally as well as physically, otherwise you will exhaust yourself more.

Can you delegate out some childcare? If you have a partner you should be able to.
If you can’t then think of all the things you can do from home (yoga, weights, online classes) pick the most appealing and start with 30 mins the first week. Ideally don’t steal sleep. Could you stick the kids in front of the telly for 30 mins?

After my second baby I felt so unfit- like you 5 years prior I did every gym class, loved being active- throw in a lockdown second baby and it all went to pot.
Last year I had enough, enough of dreading buying clothes, looking at pictures of myself, and reclaimed some me time back. Started gyming 3 days a week- either 6am, my gym is near so I’d be back by 7.30 for kids getting ready etc- or 5pm after wfh is leave husband to do the dinner etc. The odd Saturday morning a quick work out. You know what I kept telling myself, I bloody deserve it!

I WFH and try and squeeze a short workout + quick shower into my lunchbreak a few times a week then eat at my desk afterwards, that works much better for me than trying to squeeze it in first thing in the morning or after DC bedtime. I do an online programme with a PT so all done through an app, workouts are an appropriate length and level to make sure I can fit them in. If you're office-based could you try and work power walking/running/cycling into your commute?

If you need to start really tiny, do. Start with doing 20-30 squats while you brush your teeth twice a day, 20-40 high knees or opposite knee to elbow while the kettle boild or microwave pings.
Take DC out to the park every day to run around and run with them. Take a frisbee, a football, play chase, pull them on sledges if it's snowy or deep frost. Always walk to school or nursery to drop off and collect them, don't take the car (unless you live far away).
BVuy a kettle bell and do a quick set like Kettlebells with Amy Full Body Express Workout (10 mins) 3 times a week. Find some 5 min yoga with Adrienne and do those too. Once you have woken up your muscles and feel a bit bendier and stronger, then you can start to increase it. And definitely get your DP to do his share with the children while you do for a run, swim, class or gym session 2-3 times a week.

Have you got a local parkrun? It's a 5K run/jog/walk every Saturday morning at 9am. Do it in whatever time you like. No pressure, no expection just lots of friendly affirmation.

You get given a bar code and are emailed and texted your time so you can see how you do each week - with a "PB - well done!" message" when you get a bit quicker week by week .

Lots of lovely, encouraging normal people of all - literally all - ages. We've made some great friends and Saturday wouldn't be the same without it. Social, chat, coffee, cake (!) afterwards. I can't recommend parkrun highly enough!

I was in your exact situation this time last year. I used to be a regular runner and used to do yoga and HIIT workouts a few years ago so was in decent shape and super fit. Then had 2 DC but also 3 miscarriages so 5 pregnancies, breastfed for almost 4 years in total and I was depressed and fat so totally had no motivation.

I started with couch to 5k. I’d read about it on here but didn’t think I’d stick to it. Started around this time last year actually and by the end of March I was running 5k 3 times a week and had lost around 2.5 stone by they point. Lost the other 2 stone I needed to and kept at the running, I now run 10k regularly and lift weights and do HIIT workouts. I actually can’t not exercise now, I get really depressed if I don’t.

Highly recommend the c25k app, worked for me anyway. Good luck!

I have tried that and it's actually really difficult to fit in when you are working from home and are a parent to two small children. I can do it in the summer when I walk both school runs (going round the long way on the way back), get out for a half an hour walk at lunchtime (realistically that's all I can fit in and sometimes that's a stretch) and then get out in the evening to get myself up to target. I found it leaves me little time do anything else for myself, and in the winter it's practically impossible because it's not really safe walking the streets round here after dark.

More intensive, shorter bursts of exercise definitely work better for me. A quick 20 work-out following a youtube video, or nipping up to the gym to use the cross-trainer. Build them into your weekly routine and make them non-negotiable (no I will not take this call/nip to the shops etc because this is my time to exercise). If I was able to run I'd definitely get into that but can't unfortunately due to pelvic floor issues. Also be gentle on yourself - my youngest was 5 before I really felt able to make the time to do those short bursts on a regular basis!

Aim for once a week. Probably weekend since work. Presumi g you have a partner who to look after kids then book a class or something that you have to go on a weekend. Start from there

I joined a beginner's running group. It meant I got out of the house twice a week (DH was obviously on board with this) and got a proper break. I got to meet some other people and, because it was a beginners' group it felt "easy".

It worked because it was a defined time out every week. If I'd tried to workout at home/go for a run by myself, it would just never have happened.

I agree with @Myeyeballsareonfire. Getting a PT and the accountability that comes with it helped me start again. If I don’t turn up he gets paid and I have wasted money. My PT also helped me find a programme I enjoy and found confidence in.

Good luck.

I could have written your post OP. I can't believe sometimes that I'm the same person. I've signed up to a weekly yoga class very close to my house so starting next week. I hope it's the first step to getting back to enjoying and wanting to exercise

Try Betty Rockers 30 day challenge. It’s 15 mins to 20 mins a day and it’s free. It kickstarted me back into exercise when I was in a similar place to you.

Betty’s great!

I was never as active as you but used to swim and play tennis, let it all go with shift work and then children.
move had dots and bursts of really trying but time just gets in my way.
I’ve recently bought a treadmill and it’s amazing. I can walk/run anytime and the weather doesn’t put me off. I save time driving to and from the gym and don’t have to pack a bag and towel and clothes to shower at the gym. It’s a game changer. It’s only a small one and if I stay dedicated to it I might upgrade myself to one that does a bit more.