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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People who are too busy to do exercise

616 replies

Hollyandivygoout · 27/02/2025 09:43

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.

OP posts:
SoftPillow · 27/02/2025 10:55

Gold medal for you OP. Although, only 4 miles and only 4 times a week. That’s a bit lame isn’t it? Surely you should squeeze in a few extra miles….

Not everyone has the time:

I’m up at 6.15am, we leave the house at 7am. I get home at 6.30pm and then get the kids sorted and do a bit more work. I eat at 8pm. Get the school stuff sorted and the in bed at 10pm after a bit more work.

In my lunch break, when I get it, I like to actually eat lunch.

We live in the countryside, no pavement or streetlights, I can’t run in the dark through muddy fields.

So do fuck off quite frankly.

Notgivenuphope · 27/02/2025 10:56

Praying4Peace · 27/02/2025 10:46

I was referring to parents of children

Show quote history

Obviously
I have to say it does make me laugh when parents say ‘oh I will lose weight running after the baby’. Ermmm Earth calling, a newborn can’t run and very few children can outrun an adult to the point it qualifies as cardio for a very long time.

Arrivals4lucky · 27/02/2025 10:59

Good for you. My lone parent friend doesn’t have that luxury as she’s either working or has her kids. She’d LOVE to have 45 mins or an hour to go off by herself…
I have time now because I can get up early before work and go out as DP is here, and kids are teens so don’t need much help getting up and out anymore. But when they were little - it was a struggle to find the time.

Huckyfell · 27/02/2025 10:59

Our physical health is 100% down to myself. We all have the same hours in a day. We choose whether we want to be healthy or not. (not including illnesses and disease obviously)

ALovelyShadeofMauve · 27/02/2025 11:02

Why do people who are into exercise always want a prize for it? You’re doing it for you, no one else. Can’t you just get on with it without worrying about whether anyone else is doing it?

I8toys · 27/02/2025 11:03

Strange flex - why does it bother you? I have time and I can't be arsed. I find all this fitness one upmanship very dull.

ForeverDelayedEpiphany · 27/02/2025 11:03

Togglebullets · 27/02/2025 09:52

I also find myself wondering who is starting the conversation about you running - if you are sensitive about people's comments about exercise perhaps avoid the subject?

As much as I enjoy running it's a fucking boring subject to talk about anyway.

Absolutely this. My friend is obsessed with sodding running and had been on a mission to do.about 15 marathons before she was 45 or something... great, but being a single person with no kids makes it easier for her. It's only because it's all she has in her life apart from work.

There's nothing wrong with exercise and I used to run lots before I had children and ill health from a head injury. My friend just assumed everyone would love running as much as her, and want to see endless posts about her marathons on Facebook. Well, it's ok sometimes, but not all the time.😕😳

Arrivals4lucky · 27/02/2025 11:03

SoftPillow · 27/02/2025 10:55

Gold medal for you OP. Although, only 4 miles and only 4 times a week. That’s a bit lame isn’t it? Surely you should squeeze in a few extra miles….

Not everyone has the time:

I’m up at 6.15am, we leave the house at 7am. I get home at 6.30pm and then get the kids sorted and do a bit more work. I eat at 8pm. Get the school stuff sorted and the in bed at 10pm after a bit more work.

In my lunch break, when I get it, I like to actually eat lunch.

We live in the countryside, no pavement or streetlights, I can’t run in the dark through muddy fields.

So do fuck off quite frankly.

Please. All I’m hearing is excuses! You can get up at 4.30am and fit some HIIT in, in your living room.
oh, or my SIL once sent me a handy link to a woman who ‘exercises while cleaning the home’ which was fab… all you had to do was pirouette a bit and jump while dusting and run up and down the stairs at lot.
She’s lucky She lives in another country because by the time I’d seen her again I’d lost the urge to punch her patronising little face.

spoodlesee · 27/02/2025 11:03

Also so many people who "prioritise" exercise don't seem to have partners that also have the same amount of time for exercise.

onwardsup4 · 27/02/2025 11:04

Is this for real 😂
Why do you care? Many people do much more exercise than you, do you think they find it sooo annoying that you only have time to run 4 miles ?

FastFood · 27/02/2025 11:04

Oh wow OP you're so much better than us all

CoffeeGood · 27/02/2025 11:04

Nottsandcrosses · 27/02/2025 10:52

I used to be the one that said "im too busy"

I have 3 girls under 11, 2 are in competitive sports training 17 plus hours a week each and one is only 5, I work full time as does husband and the list goes on and on.

For me it was really about being insecure, i used all of these excuses to get out of the real reason which was i was lazy and had zero confidence.

I started training about a year ago, cried walking in, took every ounce of myself to go, but then i loved it and have increased my training to 4 times a week plus running.

I get up at 6am and do it so im back for the kids.

Noone is too busy, but im very empathetic when people say this as i understand the true meaning behind it.

That's absolutely brilliant you managed to get through your insecurity, genuine kudos to you.

However, when you say "noone is too busy", what would you have done if you didn't have your husband at home to enable you to get up and out for 6am? Leave three under 11's alone? Get a babysitter? Or would you then become one of the many single mum's that, in those same circumstances that you have described, ARE too busy because they don't have help to facilitate them?

BeesAndCrumpets · 27/02/2025 11:04

Personally, CURRENTLY, I don't have the mental capacity to do it. And I LOVE running. I'm also injured. Shoot me.

Also, what @Brighteningwinter said.

Comedycook · 27/02/2025 11:04

Huckyfell · 27/02/2025 10:59

Our physical health is 100% down to myself. We all have the same hours in a day. We choose whether we want to be healthy or not. (not including illnesses and disease obviously)

But we don't all have the same amount of responsibilities and pressures on our time.

I don't work, I have a dh and my dc are at school....I have far more free time than a single mum who works full time and has multiple pre school dc and an elderly relative to care for for example.

I still don't exercise but that's not my point!

Hdjdb42 · 27/02/2025 11:04

I used to say that all the time too. I genuinely believed it, as I had 2 small children and a husband working rotating shifts. One day a thread appeared on here, a single mum of 3 kids wanting to know how to exercise around them. I was intrigued by some answers and ordered a weighted hula hoop straight away. I now hula hoop for an hour each day and I absolutely love it. I've been doing it for years. My huge tummy has disappeared and i think I look good now. I think exchanging ideas of what people do for exercise is so helpful and encourages some people to go for it. 💪

spoodlesee · 27/02/2025 11:05

I get up at 6am and do it so im back for the kids.

Noone is too busy, but im very empathetic when people say this as i understand the true meaning behind it.

So who looks after the dc when you are out at 6am?

Arrivals4lucky · 27/02/2025 11:05

Hollyandivygoout · 27/02/2025 09:43

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.

What about fatties? Do you find them annoying too? All they have to do is meal plan, meal prep and lower their calories and stay away from junk food.
And of course, prioritise exercising like you do.

MxFlibble · 27/02/2025 11:06

I try and get out for 30 mins a few times a week, or, if the weather has been awful or work has been too busy, then the treadmill - although by the time we get to the evening, too right I'm knackered and can't always persuade myself.

My day already starts at 5:30, and by the time I've done all necessary tasks and work it's generally 17:30 - and I've been at my desk or driving for that entire 12 hours. Then there's all the other tasks that I don't consider necessary (hoovering, folding clothes, fixing the heating, redecorating/diy - just everything else that isn't immediately life-threatening) which I have to do before bed, or at the weekend

So sure, can I find 30 mins sometimes, yes. But sometimes no.

Grammarnut · 27/02/2025 11:06

Notgivenuphope · 27/02/2025 09:44

Yet they have time so slob on the sofa and scroll on their phones.
Fully agree with you OP

What are you doing?

Millyjanice · 27/02/2025 11:06

YABU because you are assuming that everyone is in the exact same position as you are.

Foe example, some people have a long commute and have to leave home at the time you’re enjoying your run. They may work long hours after that commute and get back home late and shattered.
I have been in that position. Left 0545, worked 12.5 hr shift, get back home nearly 9pm.
Not the ideal work life balance but some people don’t have that choice.

Notgivenuphope · 27/02/2025 11:07

Grammarnut · 27/02/2025 11:06

What are you doing?

Show quote history

Right now I am at work, but like OP I run several times a week and do strength training.

sweetpickle2 · 27/02/2025 11:08

Hollyandivygoout · 27/02/2025 09:43

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.

I think only one person is coming off as thinking they're busy and important in this story, and it's not the people who don't exercise.

Brownie258 · 27/02/2025 11:08

But even people with young DC can do exercise in the house? It doesn’t need to be a run. Again, saying this as someone who didn’t really do it, maybe a handful of enthusiastic attempts for a few days at a time here and there.

Acc0untant · 27/02/2025 11:08

It's about priorities. They do have time, they are just choosing to spend that time doing something else. There's nothing wrong with that though, even if that time is being spent scrolling or watching TV because sometimes carving out time to actively do nothing is something in itself.

I might say I don't have time to go for a run but realistically I mean I have something else I'd rather (or have to) do and I don't have time to do both.

I used to be a single parent, working full time and putting myself through my exams. I could spare half an hour a night if I wanted to but I knew that half an hour was better spent studying. I could have exercised but after I'd be thinking "I'd be finished with that next chapter if I'd stayed home."

Huckyfell · 27/02/2025 11:09

Comedycook · 27/02/2025 11:04

But we don't all have the same amount of responsibilities and pressures on our time.

I don't work, I have a dh and my dc are at school....I have far more free time than a single mum who works full time and has multiple pre school dc and an elderly relative to care for for example.

I still don't exercise but that's not my point!

Show quote history

I am aware of that. My blood pressure was up at 170/15 last month. I excercise daily and have for years.
But I cut coffee, tea and alcohol and 1 week later it had dropped to 130/75. So just made me realise that our health is in our own hands.