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Original poster

When & how do busy working mums exercise?

72 replies

Jellylove · 08/04/2014 10:57

I am a full time midwife & mother of two who is very (underline) unfit. I need to lose weight.
I honestly don't know when to fit in exercise in to my extremely busy & exhausting life or what exercise to do?
HELP mnetters please

OP posts:
MinesAPintOfTea · 08/04/2014 12:02

Is their father not around? DS sleeping past 6 is sometimes aspirational but DH gives him his breakfast whilst I run.

BornToFolk · 08/04/2014 12:03

I'm trying to do the Cto5k but at best I've averaged 2 runs a week and frequently haven't been able to go for a fortnight. DS is with his dad this weekend so I should be able to fit 2 runs in. You're supposed to leave a rest day but I just need to go when I get the opportunity. I was going when DS had an after school club too but those stopped before Easter. I may try taking DS (6) with me, possibly on his bike. It'll either work really well or be a total disaster!
Last summer I was also swimming when DS had his swimming lesson but I hate swimming in the winter. I may start that up again though.

snowgirl1 · 08/04/2014 12:03

DH does bedtime routine a couple of times a week, so I can go to classes/training sessions. At the weekends I run with DD in the running buggy (you can get ones that take two children). I bought my running buggy on ebay, so it doesn't have to be a huge investment.

If you have a partner, could he not do drop-off or pick-up from the childminder so that you could exercise in the morning or early evening?

sunshinysummer · 08/04/2014 12:04

Link to the 30 day shred dvd. It is a circuit training style dvd.
There are loads of reviews on amazon that give more detail.

www.amazon.co.uk/Jillian-Michaels-Day-Shred-DVD/dp/B002RNOS2Y

I have heard really good things about couch to 5k. I hate running so never really fancied it but if you were thinking of running anyway then it's meant to be a great programme.

Original poster
Jellylove · 08/04/2014 12:08

DH is around but works similar hours and is fully hands on, even with his help there doesn't seem to be time.
It's looking from people's suggestions that between work and CM is best, and maybe couch to 5k is answer, as it's flexible. With my work I have to be flexible and often don't get lunch breaks and work beyond contracted hours due to nature of job. I also need car for my work so I sadly can't leave it at CM or that would have been an inspired suggestion!

OP posts:
TinyTear · 08/04/2014 12:10

i run on saturday mornings... would love to do one day in the week but can't

and run after a toddler in a scooter as well...

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2014 12:15

A lot do Jillian Michaels '30 day shred'. 20 mins intense effort ideally 5-6 days a week, no need to put on special clothes beyond a sports bra and trainers, very little equipment, and no time wasted travelling to a gym.

You can get level 1 on youtube to give you an idea - the DVD is only a fiver from Amazon and elsewhere. If you decide to give it a go, joining the monthly support thread (should be easy to find under the Exercise topic) seems to help people stay motivated and lots of advice.

A lot of mothers find that this is doable - and whatever the pros and cons of different sorts of exercise are, the only sort which is effective is whatever you can actually do.

Someone said 'its depressing to think that i'll have to do this every day for ever' - but as your kids get older (and you get fitter) you may find that you can then move to other things. Being able to do more activities with your kids is so worth getting fit for.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2014 12:20

Jelly - if c25k sounds doable then give it a go! Get decent trainers from a proper shop, a really good sports bra - you need those for most forms of exercise.

Nike has it right 'just do it' Smile

missmapp · 08/04/2014 12:23

I run at 6am at the weekends and after 7pm , when dh comes home, in the evening.

Original poster
Jellylove · 08/04/2014 12:54

Might need a pair of trainers then, what sort should I buy, as I am a 'trainer' virgin

OP posts:
insancerre · 08/04/2014 13:00

I don't drive so walk to and from work every day at 15 mins each way
I also work in a nursery with 2-4 year olds
I don't do anything else exercise wise I'm too bloody knackered Grin

Beastofburden · 08/04/2014 13:03

I wonder if it has to happen in your precious spare time.

Could you incorporate more physical work into your working day? you're a midwife, its not a sedentary job. Can you take the stairs, jog rather than walk, maybe even bring an exercise bike into the staff room?

Can you park a mile away and keep a very cheap bike chained up so you can cycle the last bit?

Adding more stuff to your life sounds harsh.

EauRouge · 08/04/2014 13:29

I get up and go running before everyone else wakes up/before DH goes to work. I started running because it's flexible, so you can fit it in whenever you have a spare 30 mins. If you go to a good specialist running shop then they will help choose the right running shoes for your foot type.

30 DS is good too, it's short enough that you don't get lots of whinging about watching CBeebies instead. My DDs (3 and 5) like to join in.

RoganJosh · 08/04/2014 13:33

I used to eat with children and then do a DVD once they were asleep. Smallest is late to bed atm though so it's not happening.

Artandco · 08/04/2014 13:36

Could you buy a bike? Elder child ride on a bike himself and youngest in seat on back. Maybe not in week but maybe every sat am all of you ( and dh) could go out for an hot or so every sat. If elder can't ride yet its a chance to teach him. That way you can all get fit

Could you also all do a family swim one evening. We go most evenings 6-7pm. Is later in/ bed for kids but they love it. You could meet dh there after picking kids up and take tunes. 30 mins swim each whilst the other plays with kids in shallow end/ helps them swim. Kids go straight into pjs at pool so just feed something simple and bed.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2014 13:42

Jelly - if you're going to run, do find a specialist shop. You may feel like an imposter, but if you explain what your aims are, they should be able to come up with something appropriate. It depends on your gait - whether you over/underpronate (yeah, I was clueless till someone told me that might be one of the reasons running was hurting me), also what sort of surface you expect to be running on. When I got mine, the bloke was only too happy to help a novice.

Debenhams is good for getting the right size of sports bra IME.

Naicecuppatea · 08/04/2014 13:42

I am struggling with this at the moment. DH works really long hours which means mid week runs are impossible. It is 8pm before children are in bed and there is dinner yet to prepare. And I'm pooped before I've even started thinking about exercise.

lotsofcheese · 08/04/2014 13:43

Jelly, I have a similar situation: work in a hospital, need car for commute, DP works long hours & often away overnight during week. My children are 5&1.

The only thing I've found that's realistic for me is an exercise DVD in the evenings - I also do 30 DS & try 3-4 x per week. I walk whenever possible but unfortunately at pre/schooler pace!

Affiliate · 08/04/2014 13:45

I do squats every time I go to the toilet Grin I'm serious. Every time I sneak off for a wee, I steal an extra 20 seconds to do 20 squats. I do lunges every time I have to walk along the landing.

Best way is to incorporate exercise into your regular life, so walk or cycle to work (or some of the way if it's too far) Take the stairs, go for a walk or jog in your lunch break, put the music on loud and do "power housework" (just do it faster and work up a sweat)

Also do more active things as a family, go for a bike ride rather than a bimble round the shops, tend a veg patch instead of DVD afternoon, go swimming rather than cinema...All very simple and straight forward really, you just have to do it (which is the hard part)

If you want to run, take Dc with you on their bikes.

Wishihadabs · 08/04/2014 13:57

I really don't think you need special trainers. I run 20km a week on some I bought for 5.99 in sports direct.

Pootles2010 · 08/04/2014 13:59

No most don't need special trainers. Start with a pair of cheapos, and sure if you're struggling look then, but cheapos are fine for most people, particularly to start with.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2014 14:02

No most don't need special trainers. Start with a pair of cheapos, and sure if you're struggling look then
that's fair enough. Smile

BornToFolk · 08/04/2014 18:19

I've got a pair of £12 trainers from Decathalon. I thought I'd get everything as cheap as possible in case I hated running! So far, so good. If I carry on with it, I'll shell out on a more expensive pair.

Original poster
Jellylove · 08/04/2014 21:13

Is their a diet combined with 30 day shred or is it just exercise?

OP posts:
Mumelie · 08/04/2014 22:25

I work part time and have a 10 year old - I go to the gym 3 times a week for an hour when DH gets in at 6. I miss dinner with them eating later. This is all a new thing but my fitness and weight loss is important to me so missing a few meal times is ok in my book.

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