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Original poster

How do you fit in exercise?

34 replies

Mackmama · 19/12/2021 18:11

I love exercise, especially classes like metafit, body pump or anything to do with dancing. I manage to attend a class once a week but I know that’s not enough and I’d like to be doing more but I work full time and have child caring responsibilities either end of the day. I was just wondering if anyone provide any inspiration by sharing what works for them?

OP posts:
xsquared · 19/12/2021 20:35

I run 3/4 times a week. Twice a week I get up at 6:20ish in the morning to fit a short run in before work. The other runs are done on Friday and Sunday when I don't have work.

Shopgirl1 · 19/12/2021 20:35

I love running and find it easy to fit in as I just put on my running gear and go from my door. I get up 30 minutes early and just go, or else head out for 30 minutes at lunch time while working from home.

Original poster
Mackmama · 19/12/2021 20:57

I’ve never been much into running, but I appreciate what you’re saying about how accessible it is so maybe I should give it another go. Couch to 5K it is then (again!)

OP posts:
iwanttobeonleave · 19/12/2021 21:00

I feel your pain OP, it's very difficult if you have children and work FT.
My husband works even longer hours than me so it's not possible for me to go before or after work.
The only thing I can do is at lunchtimes from my office job and weekends but that usually involves the children as well (ie long walks).

ChoporNot · 19/12/2021 21:01

I'm with PP. I used to work PT and could fit in a couple of gym classes. Since going FT it has been 6.10am alarms to fit in a 4/5k run 3 or 4 times a week. I hate the getting up/out the house but never regret doing it. I set myself a weekly distance target and whatever I don't during the week I have to do at the weekends so that help motivate me get up M-F 😃

Canofpeas · 19/12/2021 21:02

I get up at 6 and do a YouTube dance workout. I recommend Madfit.

sarah13xx · 19/12/2021 21:03

My baby is only 4 months but the first 3 months I kept saying when I’ve gets to 3 months I’m really going to start the exercising. Over a month has passed and I haven’t done a thing 😂 Now I have a new starting point in my head.. we’re getting a running buggy for Christmas. Here’s hoping that actually forces me to start running again 🙈 It’s so hard! It’s just an additional excuse that you didn’t have pre-kids and you really don’t need excuses when it’s easy enough not to go

CherryRedDMs · 19/12/2021 21:04

Swimming during my daughter’s swimming lessons. There’s also a climbing wall near us that does matching parent and child courses.

pigsinblanketsrule · 19/12/2021 21:04

It is tough OP, the first thing to fall by the wayside. I work FT too, single parent and fitting in time for me amongst all that and ferrying about responsibilities is tough.

I find that booking myself on to a class before work is the only way I get to do it. I'm too tired in the evenings and get up before 6 to do house/life stuff before work. I just start later on my class days.

LaMadrilena · 19/12/2021 21:04

I get up at 6 to get to the gym at 7 and back before DH and DD have woken up! Don't know how I'm going to fit it in when he finishes his paternity leave in 2 weeks (I've been back at work for over a month). Going to be a tricky conversation!

IamChipmunk · 19/12/2021 21:04

I work full time and hav 2dc we have a treadmill in the garage. I aim to run 4 times a week. On a week day at 7pm ish between dc bed times or whilst dh puts smallest one to bed.
In the summer I sometimes go 'out' to run for a change of scene but that can only be done when dh is in obviously as dc to little to leave on their own. They are ok watching tv or on screens if Im in garage running so that works well.
Having a treadmill also means weather isnt an issue.

SheWoreYellow · 19/12/2021 21:05

What is your children’s timetable? In the past I’ve done a hard 25 min workout at home (eg shred) at either
7am when they were toddlers and a bit older and DH was around or I was starting and stopping a bit, delivering toast!
7pm when they were all in bed

Now they are older I tend to do it before dinner.

Manteo · 19/12/2021 21:05

I struggle with this too, DD is too young to be left alone and DH works long hours so I can't go for a run at 6am as he's already gone, can't go after work as he's not back, my lunch breaks are short to make up for getting in late after dropping DD off at school and are usually spent doing life admin. It's so hard.

jclm · 19/12/2021 21:07

I used to run in my lunch hour but since work got busy I've not managed to.

The only other thing I'm thinking is getting a babysitter on a Saturday morning so I can do Parkrun. That's the only way I'm able to do any exercise as I don't want to run when it's dark outside.

TheVolturi · 19/12/2021 21:16

I have three young dc. I run 3x a week, but usually on the treadmill. Usually involves one of them coming and chatting to me if it's the weekend but I don't mind. Running keeps me sane.

Dozer · 19/12/2021 21:18

V hard to do with parenting both ends of day Mon to Fri. Much better to share some of the weekday parenting - unless you’re single of course!

I run, mornings, mainly because it’s the most convenient option.

WakeUpLockie · 19/12/2021 21:19

Kids get up at 6 and we have to leave at 8 so plenty of time for a home workout. Online classes? Not the same vibe as in person though.

ShirleyBadass · 19/12/2021 21:22

Use Apple Fitness at 6am before the kids wake!

Cotswoldmama · 19/12/2021 21:30

I love running but admit I'm a bit of a fair weather runner! I love Chloe Ting workouts on YouTube I try to do about an hour's worth of them twice a week and a run once a week. In the warmer months I run more and homework less.

Original poster
Mackmama · 19/12/2021 21:46

Thanks everyone, some great recommendations for YouTube workouts, might give some of them a go. I have a feeling if I’m in the house, I’ll be trying to do it with a small child attached to each leg so I really should try running again, I’m just not very good at it!

OP posts:
bert3400 · 19/12/2021 21:49

When thi kids were little I would get up at 5am and go to the gym, back home for 7am . House all quiet...it was lovely Did this 3x week, I know you like classes but you may have to sacrifice those for independent training

LittleMissA · 19/12/2021 22:07

I get up and try and do a workout dvd in the morning before work/school run. I go to a gym class one week night and one on fri on my day off. DD is older so we go to parkrun together on a sat. I also sometimes try to do a run while DD is at a club as there's no point going home.
I've really toned up by doing a workout dvd most mornings for the last 6-8weeks!

onedayoranother · 19/12/2021 22:07

Lunch, if you get one. Or if you have a partner get up early and they can start with the kids, or end of the day. Or at weekends your partner could do the kids when you go to the gym. Or if no partner swap with another parent or just get a babysitter.

Juniper68 · 19/12/2021 22:09

@Canofpeas

I get up at 6 and do a YouTube dance workout. I recommend Madfit.
I'm going to check that out. Love dancing and need more exercise.
Original poster
Mackmama · 19/12/2021 22:09

@bert3400 yes, gym is another option, we have one fairly locally I used briefly in the past. I had a membership which I mainly used for classes but independent training would be more flexible so I could give that a go.

OP posts:
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