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.

Only read the OP.
I had time, but I didn't have someone to mind young DS (lone parent), or I didn't want to use even more childcare than I was already.

In desperation I did ask favours from friends now and again.

These days, he's nearly 16 and I am pretty much able to exercise as I wish. Mine is easy to organise - running, cycling ie straight out the back door.

For me exercise is a part of my lifestyle, along with cooking meals, housework, going to work and yes I do think that many people find excuses and reason why they can't exercise, when the real reason is that they don't want to. Fair enough, but don't make out that I'm a lady of leisure, wafting about filling my days with exercise - I choose to spend some of my down time exercising, it's my social life as well.

I'd say people are all different and focus on yourself.

I've always been active, but the amount and type of exercise and time of day has changed and adapted over time.

I switched from gym classes to running when I had young kids as I kept getting fines for cancelling late due to child related stuff. All of that was possible because I had a willing DH at home, was in good health and had a 35 hour none stressful full time job for example.

People's situations are so varying and we are all just trying to get by.

I mean, exhaustion after working, looking after tiny kids, cleaning, cooking - sometimes you have energy to use your thumb and scroll rather than your whole body which is exhausted.. soo…

I find it more remarkable that people are actually giving you excuses about why they're not exercising rather than telling you that what they do with their lives is none of your business.

I have a demanding FT job, 2 kids, I coach a sport, I run 10 miles x10 a week. Do yoga every day, swim thrice a week, and have recently taken up cage-fighting. Highly recommend it. Very empowering. My house is immaculate, although having a housekeeper helps.
Do I win OP?
why don’t you pop over to Strava, you’ll find plenty of people on there to make you feel better about/worse about yourself…

All these people with different lives and different priorities @Hollyandivygoout, why can't they just follow your rules for living?

Some people have more energy that others, job is more stressful, less help at home, etc.
i go out for a run much more often in the late spring and summer, don’t like going out in the dark.

today, on my way back from my run, a teenage girl wearing school uniform walk passed. She was obese! I really do judge those parents, fine if you don’t have time for much, but at least prioritise the health of your children! No time for cooking? No excuse for that

Why do you care?

Some people work super long hours and have childcare.

After that’s done they want to collapse into bed.

But even if they don’t manage their time well - why do you care?

There are loads of reasons why people don't exercise - they may have injuries or illnesses (like me), family or work issues or they maybe don't like taking exercise.

I grew up in the 70s and nobody I knew exercised. There were no gyms and nobody went for walks or ran yet my parents and their friends all lived to a ripe old age.

Who are these people saying that? It must be in response to you stating your routine so just don’t. A lot of people are saying it because they feel there’s an invisible judgment, but like my mil who was overweight but would say apropos of nothing I never eat chocolates ( the box of Maltesers by her chair would say otherwise) . Just change the subject if you get asked or be vague yes I do a bit of running.

Well it's not half an hour is it. By your own account it's 40 mins running plus getting ready and a shower afterwards. So an hour. You have kids you can leave in the house, a lot of people have younger kids. You do you (but try to be a little less preachy).

There we are then.

But that’s not what OP is talking about. Yes, there are lots of reasons people don’t exercise, but OP is specifically talking about those who say they don’t have TIME to exercise.

Why are other people's exercise habits so important to you? What does it matter to you how other people spend their time?

Other people's exercise regimes are the most boring thing in the world. I don't have time to listen to every bore who wants to share theirs, especially when they come with a big side of smug self-satisfaction.

I guess this is just that most people don’t interrogate their use of language to the extent people here are and it’s just something they say.

it is quite an anxious state to be in to be ruminating on other peoples language to this extent

Having time to exercise is subjective, maybe not everyone wants to be a hampster in wheel spending every minute doing something. People have different energy levels and priorities and some people need downtime too which op does not seem to need.

This post is really quite smug. I'm not sure if this is what you intended but it doesn't come across all that well.

Part of the problem can sometimes be getting started. When you start from nothing it can be really daunting.

I also don't have anyone to look after my children whilst I just pop out for an extra 3 hours per week.

Also, when you first start something like running, the pace tends to be slower so it takes a long time! Plus it can be quite demotivating especially when you read posts like this.

I assume after all this time you must be closer to the 30 minute mark for 4 miles which of course shaves an hour of your total exercising time ...
I'm just getting back into fitness now with a 3 & 6 year old having come through some difficult issues so have headspace for exercise now even if I don't have someone to babysit during the week.

Perhaps focus on challenging yourself through your own running habits instead of judging other people.

Just because you are fortunate to have had someone to watch your kids while you go running 4x a week doesn't mean everyone else does.

Lots of people work opposite shifts to keep childcare cost low.
Or they have a partner who travels.
Au pairs and Nannies aren't for the average household.

I was trying to say that exercise isn't the be all and end all. It's obviously very important to the OP and my understanding was that she thinks everybody should exercise like her.

Remember cleaning the loo, hoovering the stairs is still exercise

Agreed!
I've managed to get myself into a weekly routine of PT session 1x a week, solo gym session 2x a week, body balance class 1x a week and running 2-3 times a week.
I also work full time (Monday-Friday 8.30-4.30) and have a DD. I can only fit in what I do because ex and I have a shared care arrangement meaning, I have 2.5 days to myself where I can fit in some of this exercise. I also live with my mum who can look after DD while I go out for a run/PT/gym session while DD is in my care.
I'm aware I'm VERY fortunate to be in this position and know there are people out there who just can't do these things as well.
OP, your post is, as others have said, VERY judgemental.

OP I work 35 hours per week nightshift, have 4 DC under 7, run 2-3 times per week, swim 1-2 times per week and do 1 x PT session (would do more if I could afford it. People will make excuses for what they don't want to do, even when I can't be arsed I force myself as it's better for my mental health, that's what non exercisers don't understand.

I always find it strange how exercise is seen as such a virtuous activity... people don't generally tend to criticise others for not engaging in creative pursuits or reading for example.