People who are too busy to do exercise

[Hollyandivygoout]

I run about 4 miles, 4 times a week. I’m in a routine and force myself to do it even when I can’t be arsed. It takes me about 30-40 minutes each time I go for a run and I squeeze it in early morning, before dinner, just whenever I can really. I work full time and have 2DC who are admittedly at secondary school now, but this is something I’ve always done.
My AIBU is finding it annoying when people tell me they don’t have time to do any exercise. It’s like they’re so busy and important and I’ve got all the time in the world. I honestly don’t believe that the vast majority of people can’t squeeze in half an hour a few times a week.

This post is ridiculous and smacks of privilege. People are single parents, with young children or babies, with additional caring responsibilities for their adult parents or disabled relatives, with busy demanding jobs (sometimes more than one) as well as trying to complete all the necessary life admin that comes with all of the above.

Even if there is physical time, sometimes the energy depletion is a factor. Out of touch with reality I'm afraid.

On paper, I have lots of time. I don't work, so I should have no excuse. I am also ND, and have executive function issues. If it does not give me a dopamine hit, I struggle to do it.
I am amazing at planning to do it all, and get all of the equipment. It ends up in a cupboard of shame.

Up at 6, kids time until they are delivered to school then work flat out until 6, pick up, feed and wash them and spend time with them, after bedtime another three hours to finish around midnight. Try to keep on top of school governor role, check in on lonely mother a couple of times a week and add in a 4 journey round commute twice a week. I do try to do my Les mills a couple of times a week but it’s extremely hard.

So…. When I go out for a run, or to the gym etc what shall I do with my two small children?? My mum helps but she also works and looks after my grandmother so to ask her whilst I exercise seems unfair. Infact asking anyone to have them so I can have some time to myself to exercise seems unfair. Shocking that people have different lives isn’t it

Yes. You must do a lot of steps per day. It's sedentary workers (like me) who need exercise the most.

My mum is 97. She's never been for a run in her life. She would probably be baffled by your running schedule and think it a waste of time. But until recently she did a cryptic crossword every day and she pottered in the house and the garden. Some people like to exercise hard and some prefer to potter. Horses for courses.

Because I’m out of the house from 6.30am to work in a mental health setting. I finish around 4pm and go straight to pick up DCs and drive home. I then supervise homework and various teen needs, including taxiing to activities, during which time I cook from scratch. After supper I prioritise studying for a big qualification and talking to my DCs while DH returns at 8pm to take over chores. I have a shower and am in bed by 9.30/10am to read and sleep. Five days a week. That’s also provided I’m not on call.
Weekends I try to fit in a walk or quick work out session, but I’m more unfit than I’d like to be and so give extra focus to eating well. I’d like to do more exercise, but haven’t exactly managed to find time in such a packed schedule.
Perhaps you don’t work hard enough, OP?

That's very harsh. Exercise is very important for body and mind, there's no need to ridicule the op for prioritising her health.

Are you a single parent?
Do you have children under 12?
Do any of your children need extra support?
Do you have caring responsibilities?
Do you work shifts?
Does your partner work away from the home?
Do you have a chronic illness resulting in fatigue?

You have no idea what other people’s 24 hours look like so how about instead of questioning other people’s time you count your own blessings that you are privileged enough to have the time, energy, space, money and motivation to pursue regular exercise.

I would have to run at 3am to beat my early riser toddlers! But it still wouldn’t even mean I had time to run for hours 😂

Not really your business what other people do @Hollyandivygoout .

I have plenty of time to run four miles 4 or 5 times a week, but I CBA.

Too busy watching Netflix marathons, and stuffing my face with sausages, and Cadburys creme eggs.

It’s very difficult in my experience. I have a full time professional job and a 3 year old who doesn’t sleep well and is up all evening. I am actively engaged in either working or looking after DS from 6am until 930pm every day. I have to catch up on housework, actual work and with my elderly parents on weekends. I’m not sure when in the relentless slog of commuting, working and parenting I’m supposed to find multiple hours a week to exercise to be honest. It’s pretty depressing. It’s not because I don’t prioritise exercise or my health. It’s because I have no other help or choice. I suppose I could get up at 5am to
exercise in the house but I’m exhausted and can’t face it.

I mean to be fair you don’t want to and that’s fine but it’s not quite the same as not actually having time.
If your kids are teens you could go for a run or do a home workout at any time before your DH gets home, and after he gets home there’s still 2 hours before you like to get into bed.
Its not the same level of “not having time” as actually caring for young children who need constant supervision. You do have the ability, you just choose not to.

I've found this about people forever but not necessarily exercise. I've heard numerous people say they don't have time to read but they watch all the soaps. People say this about things when what they mean is "it's not a priority" as they find time for other things.

Other exercises are available

I have a full time job with management responsibilities across 4 time zones. I have a second job as a councillor. I have a child still at home who needs parenting. I have an elderly parent who needs additional support after some recent health issues and losing their spouse. Not to mention that sometimes I also want to spend time with my husband.
I love exercise. But you know what, sometimes I am tired. Too tired. And no longer willing to use exercise as mental health crutch.

Judgy as it may be, this post inspired me to get up and move a bit. I have zero motivation and use full time work and two children as reasons not to exercise. I’ve just jogged a few laps of the kitchen whilst doing the dishes instead of running the dishwasher. It’s not much but it’s 3000 more steps than I was going to do today.
It looked silly but I feel better for it!

Until your kids are old enough t to be self sufficient and/or left alone it is so hard to fit it in. I work in office 5 days a week and have an hour commute each way, DH leaves for work super early. The only time I can exercise is 5:30am and this is only possible now my kids are teens and can be left alone and don’t need me to do anything in the morning for them. It is so hard with little kids and the guilt of trying to prioritize yourself over spending time with your kids even if it is just a couple of hours a week is hard to overcome especially if you also work full time

I feel seen!

You don't believe I can't fit in a half hour a few times a week? Well lucky you. I work FT, including some evenings , am a single mum of two autistic young DC, have two elderly parents who rely on me almost daily and pets to take care of. Go fuck yourself. Your ignorance is incredible.

Oh, and yes I am scrolling on my phone right now, whilst curled up in my autistic child's bed, as she will only fall asleep with me next to her. I've read some ignorant, privileged , nasty bullshit on this site over the years, but this OP is the worst of the lot.

I can't believe people are still replying to this wind up merchant

Right 😆

@Eldermilleniallyogii aha yes it is very wrong of me to prioritise my child’s needs over exercise. That must be where I am going wrong! It might be true for some people but for me it’s not about prioritising my hobbies because I don’t have time for anything for myself right now. I know it will pass as DS grows up but the insinuation that all busy mums are making poor choices is insulting.

I struggle to get out for a run because I can't leave young kids alone and I'm not crazy about running alone as there are very few routes that aren't a bit lonely or dodgy in the dark.

I also struggle to exercise soon after food as I feel sick which makes fitting in exercise quite complicated as once the kids are in bed and dinner has gone down I'm about ready to collapse in a heap.

I could do other exercise in the house as I have space but I'd not want to do cardio/jumping next door to a lightly sleeping child or in a flat with downstairs neighbours so the types of exercise that work when kids are young and you have limited childcare can be pretty restrictive.

Having the space to exercise at home is a privilege, so I can quite easily see that someone in a crowded house might well struggle to find time to exercise without disturbing sleeping children and it probably requires co-operation from a partner...