How to stick to a routine

[AlmostLondoner]

Hello ladies. I am writing here because I feel like I need help.

I am a mom of 15 months old son, currently moved back to live with my parents (with my son and my husband), we are looking for a house to buy.

It's been very challenging few months - I had bad covid, family member died due to covid, living with my parents brought up loads of issues and traumas from childhood, 2 miscarriages in a row and my mental health is not the best at the moment.

I tried to do regular exercise but I always lose motivation after few weeks. Can't seem to find any sport for me. There are no classes nearby where I could go (mostly because of covid) and I know exercise would help me with mental health a lot.

I want to establish some routine but it's hard as my son's day naps differ every day and I can't rely on it.

What motivates you to exercise? Is there any sport you enjoy a lot? I feel so lost at the moment, starting psychological therapy soon too. ❤️

walking is what I mostly did when DC were small. All possible errands on foot, me buggy pushing.

Walking with the buggy? It might help to get him to take a nap?
Is there nothing outdoors such as a buggy bootcamp? A lot of classes are back are now with restricted capacity and social distancing etc but there seems to be an increasing amount near me being held in parks and on the beach etc.
Could you do something online when he naps? There's tons of dance type workouts, Les Mills on demand, Joe Wicks HIIT type stuff, yoga, pilates....

I always start something and then quit after few weeks. Yoga, pilates... I just can't find the motivation 🥺

@AlmostLondoner personally I'd say you need to make it a habit rather than look at extra motivation etc. Apparently it takes 21 days to form a habit (from what I have read) you are then more likely to stick with it. I would look at doing something you enjoy and can realistically do ie a quick 20 minute HITT in the morning if you set your alarm earlier than others in the household. If you are target driven have a sheet of paper to keep a log of what you are doing and how you are increasing/improving on it each week. HTH - good luck!

Maybe find some zoom classes, put them in your diary and do them whether you feel like it or not (you can always do them half heartedly which is better than nothing)?

I walk most mornings (early), my dc’s are school age so I walk as soon as they leave for school. If I get bored or if the weathers not great I will go to the local pool for a hour instead. I do get bored at times so will switch between walking, swimming or gym, though since covid I haven’t been back to the gym (I would like too). It’s pretty much my routine now, and doing it early in the morning doesn’t give me the time to talk myself out of doing it.

Thank you. I will try my best.

I agreed with husband that every morning from 7 till 8 is my me time to do exercise or meditation or whatever else I need so I'll try 🤞

I have been a single parent to DS since I was pregnant. Exercise has been such a tonic for me. When on mat leave I would put him in a Creche in the gum for an hour whilst I ran outside and then I would take him swimming so a nice routine for us both.
In the last year I have little time away from him / child care when I'm not working. So I do online training with friends most mornings! It's been amazing! Motivating each other and it's been a good routine. I also walk more as I can't run so much.

Could you sign up to an online course or plan @AlmostLondoner? Might make you feel a bit more accountable/ motivated to keep going and form an exercise habit that way! Lots of them offer a free trial now so you could see which suits you; I know people that like the Body Coach one, Les Mills, Davina OYG etc. Or if you have £££ then Peloton is very popular on here!

Other than that, being as active as possible with your DS is also great, both for you and making good habits for him - walking/ swimming/ park visits etc.

If it's any consolation I'm still looking for my 'lifetime habit' - I'm jealous of those people who say they're passionate about running/ cycling/ yoga etc - why can't I be passionate instead of just viewing it as a means to an end?! I'm planning to get myself a calendar for the school holidays to make sure I stick to my routine whilst the DC are off school, otherwise I probably wouldn't bother