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 !?!

[mumtosp]

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 :)

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Hi OP. My DC are a little older than yours, but I think the key things are

• prioritising exercise over other things like sleep or the good opinion of your colleagues
• doing lots of different exercise types at different times of day e.g. being flexible (no pun intended!)
• accepting that you can't do it all but you can do what you can

I do one early morning at home, 2 lunchtime sessions at the gym and one evening yoga class at least that is the theory and then we try to do at least one active family activity at the weekend like swimming, rollerblading, long walk etc. I have never been much of one for exercise but this appears to be working.

[rhetorician]

If you have a one hour commute can you do some or all of it running? I have used the run-commute a fair bit since having dcs. It takes me 35 mins to cycle, and about an hour to run the shortest route. Bus takes minimum of 45 mins, so it's using time that is committed already IYSWIM. My eldest now does swimming lessons on a Friday at the gym where I am a member so I run while she swims. The time-efficiency of this gives me an insane amount of pleasure...

[BigPawsBrown]

Don't think lunchtimes are your only option!! Can't you go swimming or for a run at 8/9pm ish while your DH is in?

[Fruli]

Only on the days when DH does the nursery run or I happen to be off and DD is in nursery (shift work has some advantages).