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Parenting

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Original poster

Is it possible to be a full time working mum, have a 1 hour commute to work and still find time to go to the gym !?!

54 replies

mumtosp · 23/10/2013 13:05

That's it really...
I was just talking about this to a colleague at work who has 3 grown children and has time to go to the gym. and she says that the only way she could manage it is because she lived close to work...i.e. you cannot work full time, be a mum and commute and still find time for the gym!

DS is 1 yo and before having him I used to exercise at least 3-4 times a week.... I really miss that and there are days when I am really depressed about the weight I've put on since having DS.
I love DS to bits and would never not want him... but I just wish I could get some exercise :(

It was also easier before as I lived very close to work. But since having DS, we've moved further away for good schools...

Are there any working mums out there who have a small baby and still find time to exercise? I would highly appreciate some tips...

TIA :)

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Ilanthe · 23/10/2013 13:10

No. When I went back to work after mat leave the first thing that got dropped was exercise. I just couldn't fit it in.

If I had a shorter commute I would consider doing a longer day at work and taking some time at lunchtime to go to a class at the leisure centre, but this doesn't work if I want to do enough hours with an hour each way.

willyoulistentome · 23/10/2013 13:11

I haven't managed it so far. However a colleague has just arranged a weekly Body Balance class in an unused part of the office. ( large building)
This will be my first 'organised' exercise in years.

..or perhaps you could join a gym near where you work, and go at lunchtime?

ercoldesk · 23/10/2013 13:13

The only people I know who managed it did a class at lunchtime. You need a gym very close to work though, and a "flexible" approach to lunch hours.

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BeattieBow · 23/10/2013 13:14

I am planning to go at lunchtime for 45 minutes - ie join a gym close to work. i tried running near to home but just couldn't fit it in during the week and wasn't motivated enough to go at weekends.

Having said that, I visited the gym 3 weeks ago and haven't managed to join yet - I will have to block out time in my calendar to actually visit it.

Original poster

mumtosp · 23/10/2013 13:16

hmm... not sure if I can go during lunchtime given that I need to leave work exactly at 5 pm to be able to pick up DS from childminder....
maybe I need to start waking up at 5 am !! :(

OP posts:

iheartdusty · 23/10/2013 13:18

or fit exercise into your commute? cycle part or all of the way, walk, run, etc.

worldgonecrazy · 23/10/2013 13:21

I've not managed the gym but I did find time to exercise at home. I have had to stop for a while for other reasons, but my weekday timetable was this:

5.15 a.m. exercise
6.00 a.m. get ready for work
6.30 a.m. drop child off
8.00 a.m. start work, finish at 5.00 p.m.
6.30 p.m. pick child up, return home
7.00 p.m. dinner
9.00 p.m. bed

So it can be done, you just need to prioritise what is important to you.

evertonmint · 23/10/2013 13:25

DH has a similar commute to you and fits it in by doing 2 big sessions from home - one class in the evening, one long run at weekends and then 2 smaller sessions at work - lunchtimes in the work gym - once to treadmill and once to do weights.

FWIW, it is easier for him to fit in exercise regularly than me as a WAHM - I do an evening class and a weekend run like him, but the rest of the week I am in sole charge of my preschool DD or frantically fitting work in to my 2 childcare days so the most I can do is one run on a childcare day.

It's entirely doable, but it's a priority thing. DH has weeks where he just can't do it at work because he's so busy so maybe ups to 2 runs at the weekend or adds in a late evening swim after the DCs are in bed.

Original poster

mumtosp · 23/10/2013 13:25

worldgonecrazy I'm impressed !!!
May I just ask how old your child is ?

OP posts:

BIWI · 23/10/2013 13:29

I can do it - just - because I don't have to worry about my children in the morning as they can look after themselves.

I see a personal trainer twice a week at 7am - do a mad dash home to shower/wash hair/dry hair/change and get to work. Strictly speaking I should go to the gym at least half an hour earlier, because this gets me into work at 9.30 and technically I'm supposed to be here at 9.00.

If I had to add looking after children into the mix, then it would be much harder - indeed, for me, this was the point at which I gave up regular exercise!

However, I should also point out that exercise is only a small part of losing weight - so if you're gaining weight you should look at your diet as well.

worldgonecrazy · 23/10/2013 13:49

She's 3 and 3/4. I started the regime when I went back to work - it gave me an excuse for early nights. I'm looking forward to the time when I can pick it back up again.

Original poster

mumtosp · 23/10/2013 14:02

BIWI I'm pretty strict with my diet... it's just that I'm only trim when I exercise... otherwise I tend to be a bit buly... I guess it must be my body type...

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Original poster

mumtosp · 23/10/2013 14:03

I guess I'm also trying to do too much at the same time !
I should start with just 2 days a week and build it up from there :)

OP posts:

Wishihadabs · 23/10/2013 14:05

I think it is possible. Things I have done include running between 630-7am (before DH leaves for work), up at 6. Exercise classes at 7:30pm (so after he's back). I go for 1 run at the weekend, 1 during the week and try and do 1 class.Our gym does do classes that start at 615, not that I've made it yet!

jamaisjedors · 23/10/2013 14:07

When the DS were v. little, I managed an exercise class in the village, and then later, a 5k run (from the house) once or twice a week (more like once - mostly on a weekend).

The run only takes 30 mins so is do-able on a Sunday morning without taking too much time away from your children.

Now I do a pilates class one lunchtime (it's 40 mins) and an evening Zumba class in the village.

ceeveebee · 23/10/2013 14:11

I go to the gym near work at lunchtime 3 times a week. I do either Pilates or powerplate, which can be fitted in within an hour and don't require me to shower afterwards. Run once at weekends while DH gives breakfast to the DCs.
When I was on mat leave I had a personal trainer come to the house while my DCs napped (they are twins so theoretically nap together not), or I did Tracey Anderson DVD either in naptimes or evenings after they were in bed.

cazzyg · 23/10/2013 14:13

I find running the easiest way to fit in exercise. No travel time and it's a case of get child to bed, then go or head out when i get a spare 45 mins. As there's no travel time it doesn't take up too much time

willyoulistentome · 23/10/2013 14:15

Do you have a shower at work. Could you run at lunchtime? I did that for a while BEFORE kids. Too knackered now.

prissyenglisharriviste · 23/10/2013 14:15

I have a friend who gets up at 5 to go the gym, but her kids are much older, so she doesn't have to supervise the whole getting up routine. Lunchtimes are pretty much your only option.
I've been toying with early mornings, but dh leaves the house at 6, so I could only only do something here.
I actually really like my bed though, so the thought of getting up any earlier than the 6.30 I currently have to is not something that is appealing. I thought about lunchtimes, but I'm currently only taking 30 minutes - if I took an hour, I'd have to get home later, etc, etc. dh doesn't get home until 6.30 pm, by which time we are in the throes of extra-curriculars (kids not mine, natch) so that leaves the weekend.
I volunteer most weekends.
I' ve pretty much accepted that exercise isn't a priority right now. I used to run marathons. It's a conundrum.

SleepyFish · 23/10/2013 14:21

Haven't found time to set foot in a gym since having ds 5 years ago and I used to go 5 days a week.
I just incorporate exercise into my daily life now, mainly by getting off the bus 3 stops early and power walking the rest of the way, do it on the way home too.
All in all I manage about 5-6 miles of fast paced walking most days, it does help keep the weight off, I miss my classes though.

matana · 23/10/2013 16:01

I haven't and part of that is because when I come home I want to spend time with 3yo ds, not go to the gym. Dh is very hands on and would gladly take care of things at home, but my time with ds is precious.

JewelFairies · 23/10/2013 16:29

Not a chance. I have a 3 and 6 year old and commute an hour down the motorway. I already get up at 5.50 to get to work early so I can leave early to pick up the girls by 4.30. Then it's dinner, play, bath, homework, bedtime stories etc. Dh gets home around 7 because he does the morning school run. Once they are in bed dh and I eat around 8. By 9 I catch up with work deadlines or chat to dh and we both deal with housework. I try to get to bed for 10.30 because otherwise I get ratty as the week progresses. We have no family to call on and step in to allow us 'me' time. I eat lunch at my desk and don't take a lunch break because I want to leave work as early as I can.
Honestly can't see how I could fit in a visit to the gym, so the muffin top is here to stay.

SquidgersMummy · 23/10/2013 21:25

I have a bad back so Pilates really helps - we have a few classes recorded on the sky box - it's a good tester for your motivation. I have wasted hundreds of pounds over the years on gym memberships for lunchtimes that I never went. Now we have a DC I can't afford to pay out on something I bet I won't do. Depends where you work etc but you could also try a council pool/gym so there's no lost money if you don't go. X

Nevercan · 23/10/2013 21:54

Go for an hour on a sat or sun morning whilst do watches the munchkins. I can't fit it in during the week

Xmasbaby11 · 23/10/2013 23:12

Works out well if you go to the gym after bedtime IMO. I would come home and see DD, give her tea, etc, and go out about 7. DH put her to bed.

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