Single mum to 2 1/2 year old, work full time... need to exercise

[5hrssleepaverage]

I really, really need to start exercising. If I look at my working week I can definitely afford to work out for 1/2-45mins a day. The trouble is my toddler still doesn't sleep and I average about 4-5hrs (6 if I'm lucky). I'm exhausted. I'm happy with my figure BUT want to get those endorphins going for my mental health. Can anyone suggest any good ways of getting fit with limited time or money. In a previous life I would pay a personal trainer to get me into shape, but I just can't afford it. I also hate at home work out classes, I just give up at the hard bits. Also, I would go for a walk but I literally live in the middle of nowhere with no footpaths nearby.

You sound like me. By the time ds was three I was climbing the walls.

Finally I would get up 45 mins before ds was awake in the morning, open a window so I'd be able to hear a smoke alarm if it went off, and I'd run on the road outside our house. We live on a hill so I'd walk up and down, always staying within sight of the front gate (about 80m), then I'd jog it, then run, working up to an 80m sprint up hill.

God knows what the neighbours thought 😄 but it was enough. Then I persuaded my boss to install a shower at our new office, and I'd run at lunchtimes, for 45 mins.

Also, can you check an ordinance survey map of your area. You'll be surprised where there are rights of way. My ds is 15 now, We live rurally too and I run a lot, there are (badly marked) paths through the local fields and woods that I use all the time.

Single mum to two DC here. It's early, I'm up, doing a home workout in a mo while DC sleep. It's the only time I can get a workout in and I resent it but I need it because I like staying in shape.

DC are 4 and 5 though and good sleepers.

If it's just for mental health improvement, you could do;

Evening stroll with your toddler? Good endorphins for you both then?

Yoga also makes me feel amazing in the evenings. I've noticed a massive improvement in my mental health since I've ditched my phone an hour before bed time and. Enjoy a herbal tea and do a 15 minutes yoga session following YouTube.

You could also start the day by doing a Plank and some holding squats. I find that a great way to start my head as I've done something already. It's surprising how quick you can improve your Plank hold.

Pick up a secondhand off road buggy on marketplace cheap and take DC out for evening walks/runs (you could do couch to 5k if a stiff walk is working well for example). The late afternoon sunshine will help with melatonin production for DC. Check an OS map for footpaths or throw on a high vis (you and the buggy) and go up the road (which is presumably quite quiet if in the middle of nowhere and not near footpaths). Even if you have to go up and down the same short stretch.

Do you have a bike? Could you start cycling to work/nursery drop off/the shops?

You could pick up a secondhand small treadmill or exercise bike (or even better, a turbo trainer) fairly cheap and use them inside whilst DC is watching TV or asleep?

Get some weights or kettlebells and just start lifting? The Nobs app is great for home work out ideas including using things like a rucksack and tins if you don’t want to buy anything yet. The great thing about strength training is you don’t necessarily need to be out of breath or doing anything intense to see improvements and get the endorphins going, so you’re much less likely to give up!

But also be really kind to yourself and remember that the sleeplessness will pass and you’ll be able to do more in the future! 5 minute bursts here and there might be enough for you now and that’s fine!

I would suggest giving home workouts another try. I had a bit of a revalation with them, which was that out of a 30 min work out even if I sat out the odd exercise I hated or when it was too hard to have a breather, it was still a valid workout! Im training g for health and endorphins and not the olympics so it doesn’t have to be perfect!

The body coach app is really good for this, 30 minute fitness videos and a food plan too. The Facebook community group is really supportive and motivating too

Caroline Girvan on you tube is really good. When I started exercising I used to do her videos which are generally around 30 mins. I saw changes in my body quite quickly.

I would give toddler snack bag and peppa pig on your phone and jog for 30 minutes pushing their buggy. It's a great workout!

Do you get a long enough lunch break to run/walk then?
Do you have enough time after work to do something between work/nursery pick up?

Try footpathmap.co.uk to find paths near you. I'd be amazed if there isn't anything.

Try a skipping rope. Or even a trampoline in the garden.

Could you push your lunch break to longer/start/finish later for example?

You may find you could find extra time there to do something. Does your child go to nursery? Taking a longer lunch break and collecting slightly later might just give you the amount of time you need to fit in something if you do live by a gym for example.

Its hard shifting time around but if you do use nursery id be looking at this to help me find time!

Caroline Girvan and dancing in your kitchen for 30 mins to something really bouncy. (So you have to pogo) you may need to buy some cheap weights though.

Or / and

Skipping is PHENOMENALLY hard work and when I did it years ago I found I could only do a few mins at first. Gradually worked up to 15 mins (or rather counted sets of 20 to count to several sets of 100.)

you do more in a shorter amount of time than running. Just need a small back yard space.

Works your arms too when you get good at it. There's a reason boxers do it!

Following too for helpful suggestions!