Sort out my intense exercise regime

[ricepolo]

Right. I know I exercise too much (particularly in combination with my activity levels during the day). But I've been doing this for a while now and am struggling to get out of the rut. So please can someone with some exercise knowledge help me work out how I can reduce the time I exercise but still stay toned, slim and feeling good about myself?

Currently I work out six days a week for about an hour: one day is cardio (elliptical), then the next is BodyPump (I use a youtube video and have the equipment at home) / kettlebells etc. Then back to cardio. I also walk a lot (23k steps+/day).

I'm very busy during the day (three kids, p/t job, big volunteering role etc) and am not getting a huge amount of sleep (I get up at 5am to workout before the kids wake up). I was looking through some photos yesterday and realised that I look worse now than I did when DC3 was very small: I look haggard and drained. So essentially something is wrong in my lifestyle.

Any advice? I exercise to stay healthy and fit, but also like being slim (to be brutally honest!) and also need to exercise for my sanity: I feel horrible if I don't exercise - really itchy all day long. I can't switch a workout to yoga or something like that: it'd bore me within minutes....

Help!

[Thefitfatty]

If you're walking that much naturally (not forcing yourself too) ditch the cardio workouts. Focus on the kettle bells and body pump about 3 to 4 times a week for half an hour (no more) and some light stretching.

[cathyandclare]

Why don't you switch to HITT for 20-30 mins with one long low impact session a week and 1-2 rest days? I think high intensity for a shorter time is meant to have more effect. Joe Wicks/Katya Itines and LNDN muscle I think do programmes and there's loads on youtube.

[ivykaty44]

Do you walk alone? Swap to push bike to reduce your time spent walking?