How do you fit in exercise?

[JulianCasa]

For context:
I’m a teacher. I get up at 6ish, breastfeed, get ready while my husband sorts out my 1yo who normally comes and sits on my lap while I do my makeup etc and husband gets a shower.
Leave around 7.20 to drop him then get to work for 8.
Work through lunch. Pick 1yo up around 5pm.
Teatime is 5.30pm and then clearing up/playing until bath and bedtime at 7.

I don’t have a break in my day so I am shattered come 7pm and I then just CBA to exercise but I really want to look after myself better. I’m starting to feel uncomfy in everything I wear and just generally feel shit.

When my husband wfh he’s going to drop us both off (only one car) and I might jog home (it’s only 2 miles) but that’s only possible once a week.

Does anyone have any creative ways of fitting in some exercise?

Thank you x

[Soapyspuds]

Ours are a little older now but our routine was something like this

Saturday and Sunday mornings
HB gym at 8-9:30 and I had the little ones
Me gym at 10-11:30 and he had the little ones

Then during the week we would each pick one evening to go out to the gym or for a run [after little ones bedtimes] and the other stayed at home.

Even if I was tired I always find the most effort was in getting my kit ready and getting out of the house. Once I was exercising my tiredness went away.

We are so glad that we did keep the exercise going. The children are a bit older but we have no problems keeping up with them.

[Flittingaboutagain]

I don't. Personally I'm happy with making the time at the weekend rather than putting pressure on myself in the week. My husband could do bedtime but I love my putting my toddler to bed (feeding to sleep) so that's when he can exercise and I have my own free time Saturdays or Sundays.

[towarduntoward]

I have a similar schedule minus the breastfeeding - up at 6 and leave at 7.20 to do a full day on the wards at hospital. Work full time.

I decided I'd have to get up earlier as doing it after work was never going to happen so 3 mornings a week my alarm goes off at 5.15 and I do C25K until 6am and then go about my day as usual.

I thought it would be horrific and I'd never manage it but I actually find it mind numbingly easy to wake up, fall out of bed, throw on my gear and get it done. Rest of the day feels amazing for having done it.

[mamaduckbone]

I'm also a teacher so I know exactly what you mean.
I go for a run with a friend at 8.30 on Saturday morning. It's not enough, but I figure it's better than nothing and there's a bit of social contact in there too which is a bonus.

[Zerobeero]

Can you pick dc up later a couple of times a week and get a run or something in? And a longer workout at the weekend?

Currently on mat leave with baby 2 but before getting pg I was on the exercise bike for 30-60 minutes every weekday evening in front of the tv with DH on the sofa. I hated it, but I did it. Prior to that DC1 went through a phase of waking at 4.30. On my days to get up with them I did a 20 min YouTube workout while they mashed cornflakes/toast into the carpet which made me feel less miserable about the pre-dawn start.

[trilbydoll]

I never did when dc were that small.

I went to a running club on a Monday evening (8pm) and Sat morning (7am) when dd2 was 3yo.

Now I go to the gym on a Friday night after dropping them at drama club and if I have the energy I go at 6am on a Tuesday morning. But it is hard to drag myself out of bed when it is cold and dark!

[Doje]

Can DH do bath / tidy up time a couple of times a week? If you went out at 6.30pm you'd be done by 7pm.

I used to hand the kids over when DH got back at 6.30pm. That way if I didn't go I'd have to help with bedtime, so gave me a reason to get out!! I'd put my running kit on as soon as I got home which made me more likely to go.

[Led9519]

Tbh I do it in evenings. I have to as there’s no time any other time.
I only do 20-25 minutes at home 3 or 4 times a week…. 2 of those might be a weekend morning though. I just tell myself to get on and do a 5 minute warm up and take it from there (I have an exercise machine). By that time I’m okay doing something more intense till I stop- so long as I have my music on.
Dont put too much pressure on yourself. When the little one is older and evenings lighter you might feel okay doing it.

[brokenstone]

I have to get up at 5am to fit it in.

[Milkand2sugarsplease]

I feel like I'm in the same boat.

Daytimes - 2 days at home with a very needy toddler, 3 days in school

Evenings - one of us manages the needy toddler while one cooks a meal. Eat as soon as the toddler is in bed and then don't want to go to the gym on a full tummy. Don't like putting off eating til later as don't like the 10yo eating alone - I'd rather sit down at the table with him. Tried eating earlier with the toddler but he ends up being sick overnight from eating too late so he has tea at 4 and a light supper before bed (or tea at nursery on my 3 work days).

Feel like my gym membership was wasted when I can only seem to get there at weekend.

[Lifeisgood1]

I go 6am 3 mornings a week - only way I can fit it in!

[Moredarkchocolateplease]

I work full time in a school but not a teacher.

I set my alarm for 4.30 six days a week and I am up by five doing either yoga, walking for an hour, or a hiit. Every single day. (DC have Saturday school so no point trying for a lie in).

I have to be getting the DC up by 6am for the school run so this is my only time.

I started exercising very early when DC were tiny and I had to get it done before DH left for work. The habit stuck.

[thirdistheonewiththehairychest]

This was me a couple of years ago. I quit teaching and got a new job that's more compatible with family life and my general wellbeing.

[Avarua2]

Don't put pressure on yourself. You are doing a great job. You're in a particularly hard stage of life. Do what you can. A long walk with the pushchair in the weekend is enough.

[whosaidtha]

You leave your partner to do tea time and/or bedtime. I go to the gym 3-4 times a week. Once on a Sunday and 2-3times in the evening. Usually 5:30-7 on a Monday so I'm back for bedtime and 6:30-8:00 on a Thursday so I've done tea before I leave.

[sociallydistained]

Similar schedule and with the breastfeeding I leave free house at 7.15 and return at 6.30 or 7pm but I just couldn’t do evening workouts with everything that needs prepping for the next day. I used to do early morning workouts as thought there’s no way this is possible but I’ve just had enough of my current overeating and lack of exercise. Decided to give it a go so I get up at 5 do 30 min workout, shower feed my baby and get us ready to leave. I had Wednesdays off. My partner is away with work all week so I’m alone. My son is 13 months now and this is working for us at the moment. He’s up at 6.30.Saturday at some point I do an hour workout whilst my partner has my son. Sundays off. 5am isn’t for everyone it’s awful but I felt tired anyway and now I feel very motivated.

[DragonbornMum]

That's a jam-packed schedule right there! Have you any way of fitting in 10 min in the morning? You can involve your baby in it - my toddler loves watching Daddy do his stretches in the mornings and tries to copy him.

The other obvious answer is 10 min after bedtime, but of course you'd be done in after work and dinner!

[Hubblebubble]

You're doing so much, no wonder you feel burned out. Speaking as an ex teacher myself, leaving teaching and getting a job in educational publishing has meant I can work out during my lunch breaks. I can also exercise before work if I use my flexitime and make up the hours in the evening.

If you want to stay teaching, perhaps you could buy some free weights, then do a short and sweet class using youtube in the evenings. With weights it's less about time spent exercising, more about getting the form right and steadily increasing the weight of your weights. So 30 mins in the eve 5 or 6 eves a week would lead to toning up.