Not enough hours in day! Need to exercise

[Sammie2510]

This isn't a real problem but it's stressing me out! I need to get a habit of exercising everyday, but I need a set structure for me to follow otherwise I find other ways to fill the time. I'm thinking of getting up at 6.30 to start exercising at 7 for 30 mins, then quick shower and then get my son ready for school. This is fine but I'm now overthinking time for myself in evenings, he goes to bed at 9 which is when I usually watch TV, but I will need to go to bed earlier if getting up earlier and then find time to shower to wash hair etc. Like I said bit of a silly problem, but how do people deal with this? TIA

I get up at 5.50am, throw my kit on and exercise for 30 mins (normally running). I'm finished by 6.40am, jump in the shower then I'm ready to deal with work/children from 7am depending on what day of the week it is.

I'm always exhausted so have found getting up earlier doesn't make any difference to that but I feel much better in myself for exercising. It's worth dragging yourself out of bed to do.

Do you find you have any time for yourself in evenings?

I think mornings are better if you can resist the snooze button! Which I often can't.

If I exercise in the evening, too close to bedtime, I find I can't sleep.

You could still have around 2 hours after his bed time he's in bed by 9. Will you need a shower in the evening slot if you're having one after exercise in the morning?
If I were you I'd get to and get straight on with the exercise, rather than get up at 6.e0 to exercise at 7. Put your workout gear ready so you can get up, get dressed, glass of water and straight to exercise. Honestly, it's the best way to get on with it and get it done. Save eating for after.

I’d get up and straight to exercise 😊 I now start work at 4am and have started getting up at 2:45 so I can do a 15 minute weights workout before going out.

When I started work at normal times I used to be out for a run at 6am most mornings 😊

Put your stuff ready get straight out of bed and exercise then shower and eat afterwards. It’ll soon become habit 👍

I couldn't make it work, so now I go to a class at lunchtime. Is that a possibility?

I get up at 5.45 to run; or 6.15 on the days I'm doing a short run and weights instead. It's the only way I fit it in.
I generally put the kids to bed at 8ish and go to bed myself between 10pm and half past.

I book a swim at 7am 2 dats a week, get up at 630 for that, put all my stuff out the night before.

I run after I've dropped the kids off at 815 to 845 home, shower start work by 915 usually.

@Sammie2510

Do you find you have any time for yourself in evenings?

7pm onwards is chill time in our home (except when there are other plans like football training) so that's when I get time to unwind with a brief interlude for washing the dishes, getting everything squared for the morning.

My girls love that they have carte blanche until bedtime to spend the time as they want providing they stick with the basic rule of "leave others to chill" so it doesn't take much enforcing.

Would need to shower again some nights to wash my hair.
I have a habit of over thinking things, and just want to get a set routine to keep myself healthy. Exercise and time for myself (watching TV) I probably could jump in shower to wash hair whilst my son has his screen time before dinner.

Get an exercise bike and cycle as you watch TV? Or a cross trainer? Otherwise it's just down to priorities. I prioritise exercise, so some days I don't cook proper dinner, or I don't get to watch TV. I also leave the car and walk everywhere unless it's over 3 miles or I'm doing my monthly shopping.

You can always find a reason not to do it in the evening, bad day, kids playing up, stressed at work, exercising first thing means the only excuse is the snooze button

I'm in a similar situation - my DC don't go to bed until 8-8.30 - then they faff about until past 9 - meaning if I want to watch anything "adult" (ie stuff I don't want them to walk in on like say Bridgerton, Mare of Easttown etc - ie stuff they are too young to be watching with me) I have to start that after 9
I then get up at 6.30 to be out by 6.45, back by 7.45 latest - but kids are now at least able to get up/dressed by them selves (7 & 10) & DH pulls his weight.

So I would suggest:
Try thinking of the 7-8pm slots as now "me time" - ie after tea but before bed. Obviously doesn't work if there are evening clubs etc - but get your son into the mode of doing something in his room/outside - while you do your thing then.

Get your stuff ready so when you get up at 6.30 - your stuff is ready to put on and you can start exercise at 6.40-45 - or if you don't need to be done before 7.30 - get up at 6.45

I get up at 5.30 or 5.45 and exercise before DC get up at 6.15. I rarely have me time and watch about 10 hours of tv a year. I go to bed around 10.30. I don’t exercise in the evening as I’m too tired.

Chocolateteabag that's my issue wanting to watch something adult and not being able to until at least 9ish (or once I actually settle, kitchen tidy etc) but then maybe I should be grateful I get a good hour then. My son is 10, and I think I may actually be more anxious about spending time with him. Between end of school and dinner I could probably do exercise or shower then but worried I'm missing out on time with him, although most of that time is doing homework, wanting to show me minecraft 🙄 or playing. I think I'm struggling that he's starting that transition on not needing me all the time, and me wanting to do stuff for myself because he doesn't need me so much but then feeling guilty cos he might do....does that make sense?

My current routine is this;
-Wake up at 5:45, do a 30/45 minute workout at home (Via youtube,
Get ready for work around 6:45 (I don't let myself get overly sweaty), have a quick wash ect,
have some breakfast around 6:50/7,
Leave at 7:15 to walk the two miles to work.

I'm currently nursing a broken arm so I can't do too much but i wanted to keep my routine because when i'm healed again it'll be ;

Up at 5:30,
Leave the house at 6
Cycle 3 miles to the gym (get there for around 6:30ish)
Early morning Swim/Gym for an hour
7:30/8 I showere and get ready
then cycle to work

Evenings i get home around 5:30ish and I try to go to bed around 9:30 so I feel like i get enough time to chill

You don't have to do such long sessions and you don't have to do it every day.

So you could do 10mins before you get in the bath/shower
Or you could do every other night so still get plenty of time with your DS

@Sammie2510 - yes! I get what you mean. You want to be a "present parent" but they don't really need you to be right next to them

Re the tv - I just end up picking one night to stay up a little later to watch the "adult" stuff

Early evening - try to have a block of time - he gets to minecraft for 1 hour (as if) - you will be exercising
Think of it as you are setting an example of exercise - does he ever show interest in joining you? My two are at early evening clubs most nights so on a Monday I go to a running club - I feel I'm showing them that "mummy has a life too" but not overdoing it

But yes - we are very likely overthinking it

I exercise at lunch. I don't wash my hair every time that would be an ordeal. 🤣

Either do it together with your son or get up early.

At 10 he can really manage half an hour (or more of course) without you. Id do it an hour after you’ve had your tea to let it go down.

If it helps, I've seen kids/young teenagers in the early evening out with their parents running. They either run, bike or scooter along side.

Try a few options out and see what works best.

Is there a reason you can't do mornings or lunch? In my experience, those are much easier to commit to than the evenings, when children/housework/work/tiredness etc always seem to get in the way.

When I've done my run/gym by 7am and still have the rest of the day ahead, it's a much more relaxing day than knowing I have to squeeze it in by negotiating other things later on.

Do you work out of the home?

Pre working from home, I exercised in the mornings. I have also had gym memberships at lunchtime (in various jobs) and also done things like run to and from work in order to exercise.

Now I wfh, I still exercise most mornings. It's the most productive time for me. - I'm up by 6, I'm go for a run and then am back home by 7.30 get the dc up and shower and then all down for breakfast by 8.

(I can now fit in time during the day to exercise, but like you don't really do it in the evening as, by the time dinner is done, I'm too tired).

Can you work out with your son in the afternoon/evenings? Mine is 8 and we run or cycle together, do a Joe Wicks type workout or take turns doing Ring Fit on the Switch. It's not hardcore and might not be enough exercise for you but it's a good way of getting started and getting used to exercising at a certain time of day - then as your son gets older and more independent he might not want to join in every time but you are already in the habit?