Exercising-how to find the time?????

[BookishKitten]

Hi, MN!
I’m really struggling to find the time to get me exercising tbh. The weight has just piled on since I started commuting for work 8 years ago...
I get up 5.45/6 am and walk to the train station, then the commute into work takes 1h30mins and then I walk 15mins to work.I finish work at 3/3.30pm and do the same back. I’m home for 5.30pm to pick up, play, bathe etc my LO. The trade off to leaving work at this hour is a short lunch break (I’ll eat at my desk while emailing etc).
I’m so shattered that I just can’t find the time or crucially the motivation to exercise. I usually clock about 15,000 steps everyday on my FitBit, but I miss the exercise, the getting my heart rate up...I’m seriously unfit and I have a lung problem dating from childhood.

Before anyone asks, I’m keeping my eyes open to job opportunities out there, but I’m in a very specialist job and opportunities are just not coming along that suit our family life. My OH is really hands on in terms of household chores, though cooking isn’t his forte.
WWYD and how?
Thanks!! :)

Treadmill or cross trainer in front of tv after dc in bed

The weekend?

I run 10k at 8am every sunday morning. Otherwise in the evening- could your DH pick up LO once a week ?

Don't be hard on yourself. 15000 steps is a good activity level. Think it would be easier to lose weight by reducing calories. Try MyFitnessPal. Weigh everything. You'd need to be in a calorie deficit with exercise to lose weight anyway. HTH. x

Join a running club, they normally have several sessions a week, see which one suits you.
Park run with a buggy at 9 am every Saturday.
Go with someone at the pool, you can take turns in watching the kids and doing laps.

If you could exercise Saturday and Sunday and one evening, you'd be getting three sessions in a week which may be enough to make you feel better.

Sounds like getting up earlier isn't really an option (which is what I do to fit my exercise in before work). Can you exercise at home via YouTube videos etc after your little one has gone to bed? Is there anything you can do to change your commute to make exercise a bigger part of it? Can you cycle instead? Or cycle part of the way? Or run or walk more? Get off a few stops early and run/walk?

It isn't easy to fit exercise in when you have a long day which is why so many people stop....and then it gets harder to ever get back into it. You have to be really strict with yourself and make the time no matter how hard it is. And keep at it. It will get easier as you get more energy from exercising but the first month or two can be brutal.

Once you get started, you'll find the motivation and chances are you'll be less tired. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but it really does work like that. It's getting started that's the hard bit.

I began by losing weight (using MFP and joining a chat thread on MN) and started exercising several months later.

If you can find 3x 30 mins a week, you can make a huge difference, especially with 10k+ steps on your rest days. Try C25K, if you can get out to run each day at the weekends (it's terrifically good for MH and wider wellbeing) and then either do the 3rd C25K session at home on a treadmill one evening, or do that programme more slowly (2 a week, not 3) and use a video workout one evening instead

Have you ever done workouts before, and which sort did you get on with? We might be able to recommend ones you might like. Also are there any sports or activities you liked in the past?

Thanks, everyone!
It’s really not feasible to include a cycling/running stint into work as I have to carry stuff into work and have a strict starting time (with no leeway for a quick extra shower - I’m so out of shape that I would be sweating like a pig by the time I arrived and I would have to carry even more stuff with me into work - change of clothes, towel etc).
I do think I will have to be super strict and go on weekend days and ask DH to hold the fort one evening on work days.
I have never been a runner because of my weight (always on the heavy side), but especially because of my lung issue. I used to sing to keep my lung function up and I really liked swimming. But now it’s become difficult to fit in a trip to the swimming pool because it’s on the opposite side of town/ commute.
I think I will have to get back into swimming on one of the weekend days, as I’ll have more time.
Do any of you have experience of running carrying extra weight? I know it’s not meant to be great for your joints, but I’d like to try a consistent amount - in the summer I managed to run 30 mins with DH, light run and stopping a couple of times along the way. Should I go to the doctor?

Unfortunately we don’t have space for a treadmill or cross trainer :( but I like the idea of doing some exercise following YouTube videos!
In the past I did some of Davina McCall routines and I didn’t dislike it, but it became repetitive.
Maybe I could try mixing up different types of exercise, any good boxing or weight routines out there? Any suggestions I you may have are most welcome!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! :)

Running 30 mins nonstop is one of the final goals of C25K, after several weeks of build up. As you could do that with only two breaks, you may well be fitter than you think

Yes, you can run, unless you have a specific medical reason not too and being a bit overweight and rather out of condition aren't amongst them.

People of all sizes and shapes go out running. Just start gently (brisk walk with 6x 90sec outbreaks of slow jogging, slower than walking pace if you like). Once you start looking, you'll see lots of people doing this - and there's usually a support thread or two at any time on MN.

Though I did get terrible 'imposter syndrome' first time I ventured out in brand new trainers and running tights, thinking I was conspicuous and 'all the gear but no idea'. And it really, really wasn't

(I don't know much about boxing or weights. I supplement running with yoga and Pilates, and a resistance band general class. I hope someone turns up to help you with ideas for those).

I was heavier when I started running, but developing a running obsession soon sorted that out!

Seems like you have lots of time available IMO. You mention a DH, and you don't work evenings, so presumably you can get out once the DC are in bed? Even a 30 min run/walk is better than nothing, and once you get fitter you could be fitting in 3 to 4 miles a night in a v short space of time.

Commutes, too, are key when you're busy. Once you're a more confident runner, you could start running to the next station along, perhaps? Or cycling of course. I know you have excuses re towel, changing, etc - everyone who run commutes has the same issues/excuses/challenges to start with! - but it's all about getting into a routine. I found it tricky at first, but now I run or cycle to/from work every day and I find it's brilliant for mental and physical health.

Then on Saturdays and Sundays, obviously you have time. I did 13 miles this morning before the rest of the house were even dressed - and that's only because I'm organised and make sure I get out the door while I can.

Yes, you're busy, but not that busy. It's about seizing the opportunities where you have them and making time for yourself. You'll also be much less tired once you're fitter and healthier.

I started running 18 months ago when I was 51 and heavy. Get good trainers and take it slowly. I also do boxing, calisthenics, hit, core, weights and pilates - a mixture of classes and gym floor. I wouldn't run two days consecutively - in your situation, I would maybe aim for a midweek run, a weekend run, and a class of something on the other weekend day if you've got a local leisure centre or gym where you can PAYG. Or if you prefer classes, do two of them and one run. I think having a time to turn up means you do it, but I know some people manage to stick at dvds etc at home.

I think someone already said - weight loss is mostly down to eating less.

With your time table I could squeeze in a half hour swim 2 evenings a week, 8pm-8:30.

In your situation, personally, I would look for something workwise closer to home. It doesn't sound doable to me on the present set up.