Exercise! What do you do? How often? And how the b'jesus do you stay motivated??

[shakespeare]

I'm a very non-committed exerciser who would like to be very much more committed. I'm not overweight but I'm not particularly fit. I'm currently doing one yoga class and a cardio class a week (and last week I managed to fit in a lengthy power walk/with buggy/up hills walk as well) The thing is, its always a bleedin' struggle to get out the door. I spend hours debating with myself the 'yes I will go'/'no I won't' and more often than not, the 'no I won't go' will win. Sometimes I feel like it, but still talk myself out of it! I often resent having to do it (even tho I will probably enjoy it once I'm out) when I'd rather be parked on my arse doing a crossword or similar. And resentment does not an exerciser make.

So how do you get your arse out the door when your body is screaming at you to kick off your shoes and sit your arse down on that big nice comfy sofa...??

[Lazysuzanne]

same here, a combination of vanity, health and the feel good factor/physiological effects.
But really being fit, strong, healthy (and mildly obsessive about it) has become part of who I feel I am.

As I got into my mid 40's + it had turned into a kind of quest to see how long I can stay in good shape for
how long can I have a youthful body?
is losing your waistline after menopause inevitable?
Will my strength start to decline even if I keep up with regular heavy lifting?

[Lizzabadger]

I just treat it like a job, i.e. I turn up for my exercise classes without fail whether I feel like it or not.

[missmakesstuff]

I really struggle with this too - I am finding some of these suggestions helpful - but a lot of people replying, not everyone of course, but most - seem to be SAHM with older children or have a flexible day - I find that I am out of the house with DD at 7am, then home at 5pm earliest, 6:30 most nights - once I have done everything I need to do then the most I can manage is a run once a week with a free group, a pilates class (although didn't go tonight) and maybe a run once at the weekend on my own. I have swim membership but haven't been in months, did couch to 5k but struggle tog get out the door most evenings.

I do find the running group helps - it is through sweatshop, they have a free community and you get free stuff after a certain amount of runs and get to know your time every week - which helps. But it is a struggle to keep going to things I find.

Everything just takes so much time, and I am just so tired! I get home and have emails to send, planning to do and marking to do, plus the stuff around the house like washing, cleaning etc- then obviously spending time with DD - then trying to get her to bed and spend time with DH. It is just too much!

Just how do people who work full time and have kids manage to exercise - there is no way I can do 4 exercise classes a week and gym sessions - I can't afford it for starters! Motivation on top of that is the biggest problem - I want to be in bed asleep as I am shattered and up at 6am but I have to sort the washing and get my stuff ready for tomorrow. The thought of doing the shred (another thing I started and didn't finish) just isn't appealing!

[ZingWantsCake]

miss

the only time I can do it is right after school run, with 17 month old DD climbing all over me!

I'm rubbish at getting up, useless in the evening and I am a SAHM but I have 6 kids under 12.5 so quite busy!

does that help?

[MacaYoniandCheese]

Hey miss I wouldn't sweat it (see what I did there? ). For starters, you're probably burning loads of calories because you're constantly in motion. When I worked I used to try to walk for an hour at lunch time...if you're good at multi-tasking you can make phone calls or run errands at the same time. Another thing I did (ok, this is harder), was get up at 4:30 to go for a quick run before everyone else got up. You've got to be disciplined and get yourself to bed a bit earlier to make this work but it's rewarding in that you then feel pretty awesome and virtuous for the rest of the day and will have more energy to get through a long day of work, chores etc. You can always eat/have coffee on the way to work if you commute. Also try to do some family exercise at the weekend? Bike riding, swimming and walking work for all ages or trade-off exercising with DP. If you really can't fit any extra cardio, I'd say at the very least try to do a bit of strength training here and there...reaps massive benefits in very little time.

[BsshBossh]

miss my DH is like you - non-flexible job, on the go all day. But every weekend, without fail, he goes for a 2 hour run first thing Saturday and Sunday then squeezes in 2 weights sessions at his work gym during lunch during the week. I know other FT working parents who work out in the weekends (but early so as not to impact much on family time) then aim for 1 or 2 quick sessions (running, gym, class) during the week... Is this viable for you?

[Sleepwhenidie]

I would prioritise strength training too Miss, especially if you are generally active and squeeze the odd run in. Just 10-15 mins of push-ups, squats, lunges, tricep dips and planks before you jump in the shower in the morning (possibly again in the evening?) would make a difference.

[Talkinpeace]

Cardio : swimming 5 times a week, between 1/2 and a mile each time
Stretch : Yoga up to 5 times a week
Tone : Pump / weights twice a week
(self employed so work fits round the gym)

[Lazysuzanne]

I am in awe of those who fit exercise into very busy lives.

I'm the first to admit I have it pretty easy, don't have to work around kids or job.

It hasn't always been like that and when I had less freedom I kept the habit going, just at a reduced level.

[ivykaty44]

lizzabadger I would much rather be at the gym and in a class than at my job

[Meglet]

I do anything I can if I can get away from the DC's for an hour. Either the gym / abs / body balance / body pump / swimming or a run. At home I've got Shred and a 10 minute miracle DVD. Ideally I'd work out 6 days a week like I did pre-DC's, but sadly I can only do something 3 times a week these days.

I do it because I don't want to get old and creaky. There are 70yr old women in my body pump class who can lift good weights. I'm going to be like them one day.

[flowersinavase]

If you have the time to watch telly, you have the time to exercise.

If you can't afford the gym or don't want to go to one, buy some fitness videos. Or a fitness magazine/go on a fitness magazine website and learn some exercises from there.

Cardio can be walking. What journeys do you take in the car/bus which you could walk? According to my pedometer (which I wore today out of interest) I walked 6 miles today, just doing errands/school drop and pick off etc. That's a lot of calories/toning. Sure it takes time, but so does waiting for the bus or sitting in a traffic jam.

Try to think of solutions which you can incorporate into your current life, rather than expecting to be able to persuade yourself into mammoth exercise sessions four times a week.

[CressidaMontgomery]

My preference would very much be to lay on the sofa all day eating cake. However to stay the size I am and to increase my strength and fitness I have to exercise

I do Insanity and I run a bit and I hula hoop. I don't enjoy any exercise but those are the ones I hate least. My main motivation is clothes ( I like having a wardrobe full of size 8 and 10 ) and also attempting to stay healthy for as long as possible

[Sleepwhenidie]

Cressida, clothes are a huge motivation for me too! I have spent a fortune on gorgeous clothes since I lost weight after dc3 (last one, hopefully ). It would kill me not to be able to wear any of it! Also I love feeling able to really enjoy great food and too much wine and not worry about it

[Sibble]

Arrange to exercise with somebody else. I play tennis on Friday - I have to confirm that I am playing by Tuesday and find a replacement if I can't go. It's easier to turn up than find a replacement. I also walk with a friend Monday evenings - again can't let her down. I do yoga Saturday morning and go on my own, although I probably enjoy this the most it's the one I most often miss as I have no commitments to anybody else.

Have a goal in mind - we are walking in preparation for a half marathon (we are doing smaller ones on the run up to).

Do something you like - I have run in the past and hate it. Gave up on the running and now walk, usually hill/beach/dune walking and love it.

[drowninginlaundry]

I train 3 times a week (CrossFit), sometimes an extra session if I am working on a skill (handstand walk at the moment)

I was a globo-gym girl for years, endless isolation movements with weights less than my handbag, exercise bike while watching the telly...

Basically, the recipe is simple. Functional movements (they are safe, multi-jointed, build all physical skills: speed, stamina, power, strength, flexibility etc etc) executed at high intensity. Keep workouts varied - run, row, bike, do Olympic lifts, gymnastics movements. Mix these in all combinations across different time domains. Keep workouts short - you get more results with 10 minutes of high intensity work than jogging for an hour at snail's pace.

[CressidaMontgomery]

Sleep - me too. I put on a lot of weight with my youngest 6 years ago and it took me forever to lose. Clothes are highly motivating indeed

[Lavenderhoney]

When I was working, I joined the gym close to work ( 5 mins walk) and could be there in 5 mins, changed and running 30 mins, out, fast shower, hair tied up in a bun, back at work. Not every day! There was also usually a free meeting room I could book for a lunchtime and do yoga. Just lock the door.

Otherwise I always went for a walk lunchtime. With dc its harder, as you get time when they nap, and you either want to rest or race round tidying.

I slung in the shred and did it- exercise bra and trainers at the ready always.

Babysitters can come during the day though, at weekends, - my dh worked weekends- so I used to get someone every weekend for an hour, which meant I was ready to run out of the house and up the hill!

[maddy68]

The only way I can stay motivated is to book classes at the gym I quite like those and then it's set in stone Go with a friend so you will motivate each other

[ZingWantsCake]

this is an odd one : my cleaner can tell if you even lost a pound - I don't know how!

she's actually more of a friend and although she used to come weekly, her first job has gone crazy so she's not been for a while.
she'll come in a few weeks time and I really really want to "impress" her!

[shakespeare]

Blimey, your all far too motivated, fit and honed to help a slacker like me! . I need advice from some people in between a lard arse no way jose and you guys!

There must be others like me who struggle?? Are there people that get the nagging 'can't be arsed' voice but do it anyway? I'm wondering if just by doing it even when you don't feel like it, does it slowly start making it easier? Or am just destined to fight myself the whole time (exhausting), and well ultimately feel like a bit of a failure really.

[cardamomginger]

This might seem a bit weird, but it really works for me when I don't want to do exercise. I tell myself that it's OK, I don't have to like it, I don't have to want to do it, I just have to DO it. It kind of frees me from the pressure of having to WANT to do it, ENJOY it and be all enthusiastic about it, and I can just sort of get on with actually doing it. I always feel positive afterwards, so that carries me through and focussing on how good I will feel and what a shame it will be to miss out on that feeling can motivate me too.

That said, I always tell myself that if I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY do not want to exercise then I won't force it. But I have to REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY not want to do it. I set the bar for this quite high and have only ever said sod it, I'm not doing it a couple of times.

When I was working (am SAHP now) I'd go to the gym, or dance class, straight from work. Going home first was the kiss of death and made it so much harder. It's harder when you don't have that kind of routine, but making it a normal part of your day and week can still help.

As for the knackered thing, you'll find that exercising regularly will give you more energy. I also find it helps with mental knackeredness, as it's a way for me to get out of my head and focus on myself and what I am doing in a different way.

Well done you! Go for it!!

[cardamomginger]

Allowing yourself a treat if you complete your week's scheduled exercise can help too. After a few months you could allow yourself a bigger treat. Obviusly finances play a part in this, but it can still be smaller more affordable things.

Someone upthread said something about nice exercise clothes and looking good. That can really help. If you feel good about what you're wearing, you'll want to put your exercise clothes on and use them. Treating yourself to a new piece of kit after x number of weeks exercise can be a good motivator.

Don't know if this is the sort of thing that would appeal to you, but I started running using Running Made Easy:
www.amazon.co.uk/Zest-Running-Made-Easy-Magazine/dp/1843404346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380788515&sr=8-1&keywords=running%20made%20easy&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

It's a run/walk programme and it VERY accessible. I remember the first time I ran for 2 minutes non-stop!!! I felt such a sense of achievement! Knowing that I was achieving things I had never done before really motivated me.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

I'm like you and lack motivation. The only thing I've found is do something you genuinely enjoy. I'm learning to play tennis and that is fun and interesting enough to keep me going every week. It's also after school drop off on a day my DS is at nursery so it fits in well with my life. I'm actually disappointed if we get cancelled for rain which is not like me with other exercise

[girliefriend]

Oh God this thread makes me feel more unfit than I do already - which is a lot!!

My motivation for exercise is zero, I never seem to feel fit - just more tired.

I cycle when I can, quite often do a bike ride at the wend with dd. I quite like swimming but the local pool is closed for refurbishment, about two years ago I got some running trainers - they are still in the box
I have got a pilates dvd but again seem to be able to find a lot of excuses not to do it.

Hmm I need an exercise plan!!