Fitness. Need to get some advice if you would be so kind!

[sunnysideup]

OK, used to be school gymnast, very fit and healthy, cycled everywhere etc etc.

Then work/having a child got in the way really...since DS' birth 4 yrs ago I have been diagnosed with underactive thyroid, which is being treated and my excess weight is coming off but SLOWLY.

I just want some lovely expert to tell me what to do to fit some exercise in.

I work 4 days a week; drop ds at school then drive like a maniac to get to my work in time. Finish work just in time to drive like a maniac to pick ds up. Don't get a lunchbreak, do 5 hrs a day to make my 20 hours a week!

On my one day off I clean the house and do the food shopping and I have to say that takes the day up - I'm still rushing to get ds from school!

OK I know I have evenings and weekends to fit some exercise in; NOT the gym, I would rather gnaw my own limbs off, it's so boring. What would you exercise-y expert bods do if your week was/is similar to mine?

How much do I need to do to really get me fit?

TIA!

oh, meant to add there is no way I can build in exercise to my working day; as explained I have to drive in order to get there in time, and during the day I am out on home visits to clients all over the area so can't walk/cycle then either

A few hours a week can help. Some options for you:

1. bike riding. You can do this with your DS on the back, or on a trailer bike. Also, can any part of your commute be replaced by bike?

1. or if your DS rides his own bike, you can run alongside.

1. I don't mind exercise tapes.

Could you get some sort of gadget to use at home? My consultant recommended 10 minutes on a step machine everyday to kickstart fitness.

A friend of mine who has gone from a size 18 to a size 8 swears by home exercise. She is a very busy working mother and does 20 minutes every morning without fail.

Small steps - a little every day and build up.

Your week and circumstances sound very like mine, although I commute by public transport, so can fit in some short bursts of brisk walking.
Would you consider an exercise bike so you can trundle along while you watch TV?

What about getting a skipping rope and doing 15 mins skipping 3 times a week.

Davina McCall's Three 30 Minute Workouts are very easy to fit in. Her Power of 3 is good too. Also like Nell McAndrew's Peak Energy. If you can fit something in three or four times a week you will see no end of improvement and you can do it in the privacy of your own home.

I have the same problem of having no spcae in my day to fit in any exercise, except possibly at home.

I am thinking of buying a rowing machine.

I used to quite like going to the gym after work, it was a good switch off time, but if I went now, it would have to be afetr DS is in bed, and I am too knackered by then.

Problem with "privacy of own home" is in my case it involves dh calling out encouragement from sofa SoH. And making unhelpful remarks about Anthea Turner's patent lunacy.

oo thanks guys! Fast response (but then you're all fit ha ha)

Yes, there's just no way I can exercise in the day as I only just squeak in to work on time if I drive so cycling would not be possible.

It's interesting that you all mention doing stuff at home! i guess that makes a lot of sense - it's time when I'm always in....a friend is getting rid of a rowing machine and I am actually tempted to go for that, would that be as valuable as a stepper or exercise bike or something? llare, I am v impressed with your friend getting down from an 18 to an 8 - wow!

Rowing machines are not great imo. The really really expensive ones are ok, but the technique is difficult, and I think it's relatively easy to injure yourself.

Oh, and also, nobody ever uses home exercise equipment. We have a really good cross trainer that hasn't been used in about a year, I think. (In my defence, it's not mine!)

Yeah, my DH is sometimes 'helpful' about exercise tapes. He spent ages telling me I was doing things 'wrong' before he noticed I was doing everything reversed, as that made more sense to me.

I have the same problem finding time to gte to the gym or classes. So I managed to get an ex bike for a tenner off E-Bay & I'm trying to do 20 mins cycling a day. So far I'm doing ok. Its definately the way forward!

Aah Marina you see I married a qualified personal trainer so more often than not he's out on his bike or running or some such noble pursuit. If he's here, he either takes part (putting my feeble efforts to shame) or goes in the other room to lift heavy things repeatedly.

I could hire him out I suppose. Thinks 5am is the ideal time to get up and do some sort of stretching and jumping activity. I just hope he's this keen when it's the baby waking him at silly o'clock.

And patently, AT is a lunatic. Allegedly, imho, etc

kama, thanks for that, lots of good ideas in your post. The only bit that made me pale beneath the tan (ha!) was the bit about getting up half an hour earlier.....gulp...ds is up between 5 and 6am each morning and that really is early enough for me

however I totally see where you are coming from about the being active as often as possible bit. And you're right, just cos I don't want the gym doesn't mean I couldn't join something...will mull it over. Though I do think I am focusing on stuff at home, because it's practical for every day....

Get a trampolene; they're fun, and show you just how rubbish your pelvic floor is.

yes I don't think I am physically capable of getting up at 4am to exercise!

however, some really good ideas on here. actually, usually I drive to drop ds at school as I am on such a tight time schedule; but I reckon if we leave earlier, walk, and are the first ones in the classroom, I may be able to jog back home THEN drive to work.....that's at least ten to fifteen minutes of brisk walking/jogging a day before I've even thought about it. however I may arrive at work a bit sweaty

thanks everyone though, it has got me thinking.

i so want to feel like I used to, I hate feeling so unfit.

thanks kama.

I love Eye Toy Kinetic on the Playstation 2 - you have a (computer animated) personal trainer and there are loads of different 'games'. Also Yoga DVDs (I use Barbara Currie) are excellent for toning and relaxing to do in the evening.

I like Tae Bo. I do end up shouting swear words at Billy Blanks, but he takes it all so cheerfully.

Actually, I haven't done Tae Bo for ages, but I used to do it first thing in the morning. DS1 used to like watching me do it - one of the videos has a little girl in it.

Brisk walk/jogging in the evenings?