How much exercise do you actually do?

[whimsicalname]

That's it really. I think I've got in with the wrong crowd at my running club who all seem to workout 2 or more hours a day. Please tell me I'm not the only one not doing that.

Bluestars, you'd better be really sick, my run was horrible!

MargeSimpson, I find motivation difficult sometimes, but it's about the routine and regularity for me and I do start to miss it when I skip a few days. Well, that and my pelvic problem starts to aggravate me and I feel like my leg might fall off, so I have to get going again. And the hardest part is always going out the door - I may not particularly enjoy the class/run/whatever, but I feel better and am glad I did it when I do. And if the weather or not being able to get out of the house is a problem, something like Jillian Michael's work outs are great and kept me going last winter.

Sleep, I like the idea of doing the "least bad" option, I might try that for the new year.

iammargesimpson- I think part of it is not setting your targets too high to start with.

At this time of year my gym is full of the "New Year resolutionists"- they go hell for leather doing 8 or 9 classes- most of them won't be back after a few weeks.

Setting small targets is easier to achieve in the long term, and after a while the results of exercise become the motivation.
I love feeling fit and strong, wearing a size 10 jeans, having toned abs. Come summer I am always happy to jump into my bikini.

I do Insanity 7 days a week (between 50mins to 75mins a day, depending on whether I am doing the ab workout on top of the normal session). I do it after the kids drop off at school/preschool (3 kids aged 5 and under) but before I go to work (I have flexible hours and can work from home so am very lucky).

When I was on my last maternity leave before going back to work, I was doing P90X for an hour a day, plus a 10km run most days, plus Bikram yoga for 1.5 hours 3 times a week - I was obsessed! (and the fittest I have ever been). Now that I am working again, I can only fit in the Insanity - would really like to start running again though.

My goal for Jan is to work off 4kg by the time I go skiing on the 28th... strict low carbing and Insanity every day!

I've been following this thread with interest. I'm a sporadic exerciser although before Christmas I was managing to do 5k 2x per week plus a beginners ballet class.
Have dug out my weighted hulahoop to do little bursts when I can't do other sessions. I have quite a few DVDs but they bore me and I feel quite self-conscious doing them if DH or the kids are around.

I can no longer run very far or for very long because I have a v weak abdomen from being pregnant. Bootcamps are out for now too. I'm working on the right exercises to strengthen it so I can hopefully run again more in the future. I do miss the convenience, buzz and fresh air kick of running though.

Interesting replies, I like the idea of giving myself a few choices rather than just 'the gym'. No swimming pool near me but yoga/walking/gym/zumba/wii fit would be on my list. I keep asking my gym to start boxercise/kickboxing classes, maybe one day! Determined to follow through as I hate feeling sluggish and like crap!

Regarding motivation I have to agree with PP and that its about getting out there and just doing it. Plan a time that is convenient to exercise and do it then. Think of it like going to work. Get all your stuff ready in advance if you need to. Its much easier getting ready for exercise if it only takes 2 mins to get ready. If your mind starts with I should be exercising, but it will take x amount of time to sort my stuff etc then thats a demotivator and you are looking for excuses. If you have already said I will go for a run (for example) on a certain day and time then that is planned and just think of it as something you were always going to do.

I always use the mantra that I am more likely to regret not doing something than doing it. Someone did say to me one that you will never regret a run. Once I am in my gear I feel more motivated than before. I have had times when I really wasn't in the frame of mind for exercise and just could easily sit down and not bother, but as soon as Im in my gear something shifts that and its away I go.

Another big secret (as has been discussed) is finding something you enjoy. Some people (like me) enjoy running, some people (like my DH) hates it. There is also Swimming, Cycling, walking, rambling. A wide variety of classes such as Pilates and Yoga to Insanity and Kickboxing plus a huge range inbetween. The gym has lots of different things to consider. Treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, rowing machine, free weights, weight machines, kettlebells. Then there is also the vast amount of DVDs like Jillian Michaels or online there are things like insanity. Not forgetting about team/club sports if that is your thing. Netball, football, tennis, I know someone who plays in a female American Football team. Also Roller Derby is getting bigger I believe. Dont get demotivated if you find something difficult or not for you, just try something else.

Also it takes 30 days (I think) to develop a habit so just by starting off small (say 2/3 short sessions a week) and sticking to it for a month then it should get easier to get the motivation and perhaps then if possible make the sessions longer or add more. Although, having saying that, I exercise well for a few weeks then kind of go through periods of being lazy and not bothering.

Sorry for rambling I was on a role thinking about ways to help with the motivational side of exercising.

I also think that exercising with others is very motivating.

For me the worst type of exercise would be a DVD at home alone. I wouldn't last two sessions.
I enjoy the group activity, yoga or Les Mills Type of exercise. I push myself much harder in a class than I do working alone.

I also think of exercise as my time, to have freedom from never ending 'Muuuum!' and other people's needs, some headspace and the knowledge that I am doing something good for myself, that the rest of the family will benefit from too - as a parent I think that's particularly important to have, it so easily gets lost/forgotten about. I guess I could insist on taking time out to go and sit in a coffee shop every day but that would feel like a waste to me and insofar as explaining to DP, sounds a bit rubbish (though I should add that I would actually do this if I felt under the weather and indeed sometimes go for coffee and cake instead of the gym and really enjoy it if I fancy it when struck with pms ).

Ot totally sleep- exercise is as much about the mental benefits as the physical ones.
Exercise de-stresses me- I am sweetness and light to my family for the rest of the day after a morning at the gym. Plus I sleep like a log at night.

I definitely agree that you should pick what you prefer and suits your personality. Apart from bikram yoga which I do like (in spite of other people being in the class) for me I enjoy things where no one is anywhere near me - so a country run or walk would be the absolute ideal and wild swimming. - something with no one around at all, same with cycling. Whereas I can see on here some people actually like the fact other people are around them when they exercise! We have some local runners and walkers who seem to go out well before it is light presumably so as not to see anyone. Everyone is different.

Oh and I think the basics of what you need are - get out of breath a few times a week even if just running for a bus; lift something heavy regularly - could be heavy boxes or files or shopping carried home on a long walk from the supermarket or toddlers or weights if you prefer; walk a bit. Those three things - the getting out of breath, the lifting something heavy and the movement are the basics. HIIT is good. I am into eating paleo and it fits well with that - the kind of short burst run or lifting our ancestors did for a million years and is what we need rather than slightly less natural things like very long exercises. I think there is no reason you cannot get enough exercise in a few 20 minute bursts or less rather than hours of it and it is important new mothers know that instead of thinking they have to sign up for hour long classes. If you have time for nothing else walk with the baby in the sling to the shop and carry the heavy shopping home with you. That alone is a good work out and costs zero both in terms of financial cost and in terms of time away from family.

Oh I feel pathetic in comparison ! Currently can't drag myself out of bed in the morning to exercise before work (SAD but AD helping). Arrive at work late everyday because of the school drop off, have to eat at my desk as I need to leave to pick up from after school at 5 and I barely do my hours. Home by 6, finished cooking and eating by 7:30, tgdb disastrous bedtime means still trying to get the 4 year old to sleep last 9 most nights. I go to Pilates once a week but it's not really exercise, just me time. By the time the kids are asleep and the washing is going it's gone 9:30 and I don't like running in the dark and cold. Bed by 10 if possible as I'm knackered.

Where am I going wrong ? Tell me this gets easier ? I used to get to the gym 3 times a week....

didireally- do you work full time?

didireally - when I work full time I get my exercise in by running early before the family is awake, going to 1 or 2 evening classes and either a run or a class on a weekend morning. Getting yourself motivated when you feel run ragged and just want to crash is hard, but the exercise gives me more energy and motivation to get on the rest of the madness.

I was talking to dh about this last night. He was saying how difficult it was for him to exercise mon- thurs. I suggested a few of the things mentioned here. I think you do just need to make it a priority. Went swimming last night and felt just so much better. I am really going to try and enable him to do so.

Didi are you a lp ? Or could your partner help out ?

did: well that would be most full time working parents. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. In a few years children are easier and parents get more time. In fact when the twins (chidlren 4 and 5) were born we were members of a gym. I used to take them on Saturday afternoons. They went into the creche for 2 hours which they adored who wouldn't like 4 teenage creche workers doting over you all afternoon? and I had a quick sauna and then a sleep for about an hour. I think there was nothing better for my health than that - going to the gym to sleep. I always put sleep top of most parents' lists if they are not getting enough.

Yes I work full time (checked both boys into nursery at 3 months) plus travel with work a little. I think you are right, exercise before work is the only option, but last night DS2 woke us at 1am and finally went back to his bed at 3am, and DS1 got into our bed at 6am... This is a regular thing (3-4 nights a week) plus both awake until 10pm. I could try and squeeze another evening class in but what with being away with work two nights this week it doesn't feel fair on DH who finds it harder to get back to sleep than me ! Saturday mornings are taken up with swimming lessons and I'm pretending that Sunday mornings are still for lie-ins.

I know I'd feel less tired if I did some exercise but dark mornings or duvet... ?? No competition

No-one said it was easy!!

I did way less when my kids were little, mostly very long walks with a pushchair as far as I can remember.

Even now I think I would prioritise getting enough sleep over exercise, without proper sleep I find that everything falls apart very quickly.

My life feels like one long self indulgent holiday compared to those dark days of small children!

Sorry - I read back my post and realise I cone across as a bit of a whinner !! Still, just pulled off the M1 and heading straight to bed for 8 hours kip !!! I'm determined to fit some exercise in though - I should find my pedometer again as I used that loads when I was on maternity leave (3 hours walking with a buggy= 10000 steps!)

What motivates me is looking at myself naked in the mirror:)

But I have to be organised or it's very difficult to fit anything in. All sports kit is ready to go, always. And 20 mins of interval running or running up hills is better than 40 mins slow jog for me. A brisk walk is better than an amble. I run upstairs. I low carb, and avoid unhealthy food.

It's a way of life now, and I like it. I can't sit and watch tv if I haven't done my stretching, so I get the mat and do them in front of the tv is it's something I want to watch.

I am with Suzanne on this - if you're not getting enough sleep that should always come first above exercise. There will be plenty of time to exercise once children are sleeping at night. Eventually you get to my stage when it might be 1pm at the weekend and not a single teenager has got out of bed yet.

40 mins 5 times a week. That's all I have time for

I aim to do 3 weights sessions of about an hour each week. Often only manage 2 though but did a hot yoga class for the first time last night so going to add that in too. Need to add in cardio but I hate it so it will have to be HI IT so I can get it over with quickly!