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Right, we need something *good* on here. Lone parents keep fit, keep sane thread....

40 replies

Meglet · 19/10/2013 21:58

Seeing as most of us can't just skip off to the gym every evening, or get out for a run most days then maybe we need our own morale boosting exercise thread. And ideas how to keep healthy with little time and money.

I did manage to get out for a 20 min run today while we were at mums house. And I had a sudden burst of energy just now and managed 5 mins of abs work while watching a music video.

Luckily I work p/t and have an old (ie; cheap) gym membership so I do get to use that a couple of times a week. I also have Shred and the 10 Minute Miracle DVD.

Shred tomorrow I think ........

I also have a bonkers plan to make the Kale Crisps from the Gwyneth cook book I borrowed from the library.

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Meglet · 08/01/2014 22:04

chloe I have the 10 Minute Solution Body Blast Collection, 20 x 10 minute workouts. IIRC it was £12. If DD doesn't muck about too much at bedtime I can fit one of them in while my dinner cooks Smile.

I went to advanced pilates yesterday, ouch. Had a rare day off today but will be able to slot some exercise in tomorrow and friday. It's our towns 500th parkrun this weekend, I might see if I can get someone to babysit (9am on a saturday Hmm) so I can get out there.

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RedBushedT · 06/01/2014 14:08

I need this! Can't get out to do exercise most of the week as I'm working but was doing the 30 day shred end of last year. Lasted 4 days Hmm
Will restart that again tonight!

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Noregrets78 · 05/01/2014 23:55

Another demotivated lardarse here can I join? I've just eaten a packet of chocolate digestive cake bars for my dinner, and starting smoking a couple of months ago after years of giving up. I'm unable to get to the gym due to working full-time, and looking after DD. But all is excuses - I have every evening to myself and a range of fitness DVDs! and a perfectly good set of stairs for running up...
But how to get motivated?!

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Chloebw · 05/01/2014 17:37

Ohhhh so glad I found this! I had dc 5 months ago and gained extra rolls. My mum is local though and I do get to the gym! Does anyone know of any good healthy eating cheaply tips! I'm basically living off soup now! And can anyone recommend good exercise DVDs that have those kind 10 minute sections?
Other than soup healthy eating can be expensive I find!

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Meglet · 05/01/2014 17:05

Bumping for the New Year.

I've got three (3!!) gym classes booked as I'm only working 2 days this week.

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Meglet · 11/11/2013 22:08

enviable I get annoyed because Apple are so bloomin' effective at sucking people in and have cornered the market. I'm trying to resist the force.....and failing! And I love my little crackberry with it's tippy-tappy keyboard, but the apps are non existent.

Half term was shite. I didn't get out to the gym or a run because I had time off work to spend time with the kids remind me not to do that again.

warm it's amazing how much better you feel once you've got a few workouts in isn't it.

I managed a run yesterday, spin class today (ouch) and can probably manage a gym session tomorrow while my sister has the dc's for an hour.

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warmleatherette · 10/11/2013 04:29

Actually managed to work out three times last week - amazing! One class at a yoga studio while ex had the kids, and twice I did Nadia Sahwalia`s Fat to Fit workout DVD. This is, no kidding, more than I have done in years. Must keep it up.

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EnviablePins · 07/11/2013 15:37

Meglet How bad was it??! Plus, why is an iPhone the dark side?? Just asking cos my boyfriend works for Apple, and I am interested in people's opinions of them!

I've been slacking off as well this week. My 5 year old son has had pneumonia, so we've been stuck at home apart from doctor's visits. Even the three per day dog walks have turned into two 10 minute laps of the condo grounds. Poor dog is constantly glaring at me reproachfully, but no help for it.

However! They are off to their dad's this weekend, now my boy has recovered, and I finally get some time to myself. Am planning long dog walks, at least 2 long bike rides, and maybe Pilates on Sunday morning. Love Pilates. It aches like buggery for day afterwards, but in that good way, like your muscles are finally waking up!

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Meglet · 04/11/2013 23:27

I'm going to pretend half term never happened and start again this week.

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Meglet · 29/10/2013 20:29

enviable I'm teetering on the brink of going over to the dark side and changing to an iphone so I can get all the running / work out / pedometer apps. I think they'll give me an incentive to push a little harder.

I've just humiliated myself trying to chase 5yo DD up the stairs to put her in time out. My post body pump muscles didn't take kindly to running upstairs or carrying a wriggly child. DD actually started laughing at me Blush.

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farrowandbawl · 29/10/2013 11:14

Nonickname I haven't been to a gym that does table tennis..maybe have a look at your local leisure centre? If anyone will have table tennis it will be them.

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Meglet · 29/10/2013 10:16

I went to Body Pump yesterday. I still have some movement in my lower body but I expect I'll be hobbling along by this afternoon .

10 mins abs tonight I hope.

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EnviablePins · 28/10/2013 05:37

True, green tea does have caffeine, but probably not as much as strong coffee, and it also has proven ace health benefits. In addition, it tastes absolutely disgusting, so I choke down one or two for the antioxidants and stuff, but aren't tempted to cane it like I did with coffee!

The ex dropped the boys off at school this morning, plus the family that I work for (am a nanny) are on holiday so I have a nice free day! I walked the dog for 30 minutes, then went for a bike ride for around 90 minutes. It was tiring but really good fun, to just get my music on and go as fast as I could.

Now am trying to summon the energy to haul my arse off the sofa and do some housework so it's tidy when they get home in a few hours. I miss them so much when they're gone, even while appreciating the peace!

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noNicknameAnymore · 27/10/2013 18:46

Right I've never been in gym I know how funny is that

Can anyone tell me what is like going there
Do they have have for example table tennis?

Sorry you can laugh I don't care

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ProtectiveMother · 27/10/2013 17:38

Well green tea has caffeine in it ...

I really do need to cut down on caffeine. 2 or 3 really strong coffees a day. Don't drink enough water either!

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EnviablePins · 27/10/2013 06:30

Good thread!

My two boys are staying with their father this weekend, and there is a yoga/exercise studio in the building where we live, so I have been making the most of that! Yesterday I did a 'bellydance' class, and this morning I did Pilates. I also do yoga once a week.

I also walk my dog 3 times a day, as well as to the shops, to collect my son from school, which all adds up. Maybe I should get a pedometer to find out how far I actually walk.

I used the 5:2 diet until I got to my desired weight and it worked amazingly well. Now I just do it once a week for the health benefits. My diet is pretty good though. Don't like junk food or processed stuff. I started having an omelette for breakfast, which is fab for keeping you full until lunch.

I have an issue with adult acne but I drastically cut down my caffeine intake recently and have noticed a big difference in my skin, as well as an improvement in my cellulite, AND I don't bloat so much (as this was a real problem for me.) I went from four strong coffees and a few teas per day, to one coffee, one tea, one decaff coffee, one or two green teas, and as much herbal tea as I like.

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Meglet · 24/10/2013 22:08

protectivemother I've had to give up my rare tiny glasses of wine as my tolerance has sunk to zero. Even a mouthful of wine after a big meal makes me feel wasted and sick. obviously I've convinced myself I have a weird disease and my liver is packing up

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ProtectiveMother · 24/10/2013 20:39

I'm really healthy actually. Quite fit. Lost lots of weight due to stress (not good.) For some reason, reading this thread is giving me a taste for taking up drinking red wine by myself in the evenings. It's not the desired effect of the thread!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

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Meglet · 24/10/2013 15:38

farrow that's what I try and aim for. I sometimes try for 200 crunches, mixed up between sides crunches / bicycle legs etc.

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farrowandbawl · 23/10/2013 16:49

Use the stairs for tricep dips too!

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farrowandbawl · 23/10/2013 16:49

25 squats
5 runs up the stairs
25 crunches
25 press ups (use the stairs if that's easier)

All this can be done at home in a short space of time if you feel rushed or don't have enough time for a proper workout.

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Meglet · 23/10/2013 16:37

I'm not sure what I'm up to today. Depends on whether the kids want me or grandma to go to their after school activities with them.

But I will do something

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Meglet · 22/10/2013 12:39

I think I can fit in a 30 min gym session later. At work today and the kids have after school activites so Tuesdays are a PITA for my exercise regime.

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farrowandbawl · 21/10/2013 20:38

Oooh, thanks for this thread.

I manage to go to the gym on a regular basis but I feel as though I could do more at home...my diet, although it's ok can be improved.

There's a fitness channel on sky somewhere that may help those, there's a yoga thing on it right now so that's good to try to put into your bedtime routine.

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Meglet · 21/10/2013 19:53

This is your end of day, you've still hopefully got a few minutes to squeeze in a 10 minute work out klaxon.

I'm doing 10 minute solution abs while my risotto cooks and DD runs riot.

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