Overwhelmed with when to exercise

[Winter20245]

Hi.
Started a new job 2 months ago, working a lot more hours and am single parent to 10yr old so not much free time.
My previous job I was very active always doing 12,000 steps a day or more. Now I am doing about 10,000 steps a day.
I used to exercise by running or going to the gym.

Now I just feel stuck. I have no motivation to exercise but want to. I enjoy walking and can walk 10k in about an hour and 40 mins, burn 600 cals but this takes time. I can run 5-6k but again just making myself do it.

Does anyone have any tips to help me start working out again please?

If you have an iPhone/ watch I highly recommend the Gentler Streak app it suggests the right level of workout based on your body and past really good and also loloks at your sleep

I work with someone who busts out a 5k during their lunch break.

Set a challenge if your motivated by numbers/goals? Enter a race and make yourself train for it or set a specific time or beat your 5k time

Thank you!

I have a 30 min lunch break so not sure that would work.

I could run tues and thurs unless i get up super early and run....

Can you build it into your current routine, eg I drop ds to football, run for 30 mins in a loop back to the pitch and then pick him up when he's done? Other activities are available

A 30minute lunch break isn't long enough for exercise other than a short walk if you need to eat as well.
How responsible is your 10 year old? Could you get up early and go for a run and time it so you should be back before they get up but you know they'd be ok for 5-10minutes if you weren't?
Get up earlier and do an online workout.
Or do they go to any activities and you could exercise while they're there?
You could go to parkrun together. The 10yr old will have to run with you until they turn 11 but you'd both get 5k of running or walking done.
Walk or run to/from work if that fits in with school drop off / pick up.
Go swimming together - take a friend for the child and get some lengths in while they play.
Some local leisure centres run family bootcamp type classes.

I'd try for parkrun too. At that age mine would either run it or sit in the park and watch. Although if you aren't far from home and they're sensible you're within touching distance of being able to leave them at home.
TBH anything you can cobble together for now will keep you ticking over until your child can be a bit more independent.

If you work away from home, can you factor a run into part or all of your commute? Do a really long sesh at the weekend? Beyond that then I'm afraid yes early mornings are my only other suggestion

What about weights at home? I do a 30 minute caroline girvan iron workout 5 days a week which is great for building muscle and strength and has made a massive difference to how many calories I can consume in a day.

Ooh I love a bit of Caroline girvan too! The amount of workouts available online since the pandemic has really been a game changer!