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

When I'm not on mat leave I wfh most days and take time out of the day or between finishing work and picking up child from nursery. Not sure how you would manage as a teacher - just go hard in the long holidays and eat well?

I think at this phase in your life exercise just isn't on the agenda.... In a few years it will be much easier. Don't put so much pressure on yourself.

Do something on a sat morning you enjoy like zumba or yoga or whatever.

Since going back to work I’ve done a class once a week - I go straight from work and DH sorts DD so I don’t have the dread of having to go out again.

Other than that I have to fit it into my routine. So, cycle to work instead of the bus, run with the buggy at weekends ect.

I struggled when mine were younger to go twice a week. Now they’re both at school I have a good routine. I go Sunday mornings 8:30 class, Monday mornings (my only day off) Wednesday lunchtime (wfh) and Thursday evening. The Thursday evening I do sometimes struggle as it’s late and I’m so tired, but I love the feeling if I do go and really enjoy just chilling when I get back. You have to want to do it and you will make time. It does sound like you have a pretty full on schedule though tbf. Maybe aim for once at the weekend and once it twice in the week.

Sure Jo wicks is doing a free trial for teachers. Initially it will be hard but it will give you more energy to get through that tough schedule

Do you have to do teatime and bath every night?? Can you not have a quick tea later on and attend a class 1 day per week? Exercise 1 day I n a morning on a weekend? Then run home on the day he's working from home?
I work shifts so I'm out the house over 13 hours some days so I have my tea later or at work so my workout days each week.
Sometimes I do a 19:30 class, a class on my day off and sometimes a tea time class.
My husband does a Saturday morning (if I'm off work) sometimes something early morning and one tea time work out.

DH and I alternate nights doing bedtimes and take it in turns to exercise on our nights off. We only eat with DC on weekends though as DH doesn't get home till after 7 most nights and that's too late for them to be eating. If he's out or away for work I do a short workout at home instead (unless I'm knackered!)

A run home once a week is a good start. Could do both weekend days too potentially. Is there a possibility you could skip one bedtime for a gym trip.

I have a 5 month old and I typically train both weekends days. I go to classes 2-3
times a week (can take baby with me) but don’t always get a lot done if he is being clingy. I also have A running buggy which I use once a week. Once baby is less dependent on breast feeding I’ll go more without him.

Yes.
Short but fast walk 15 mins in the morning.
Short walk lunchtime 10-15 mins
Short walk /run evening 15 mins.
Exercise 'snacks' e.g. squats when cleaning teeth
Dumb bells in the kitchen when waiting for kettle to boil.
Press ups x 30 before bed
Vary it so body doesn't get used to the same thing.
Work alternate muscle groups (e.g. if do bicep curls, also do tricep dips).
You basically need to build it into the day. E.g. when waiting in a queue, take the opportunity to stand on one leg, do some ballet moves/do some squats (you have to be prepared to 'look odd', but to me it's worth it, because in the end you are the one who will end up being better able to balance, having stronger leg muscles, etc etc).
Do more when you can, and, importantly don't compare yourself to anyone else. There are bound to be people how have much more leisure time who can exercise whenever they can, and you will do yourself no favours if you do yourself a disservice and compare yourself to them.

@JulianCasa similar position here! Work in education full time and have similar timings with toddler DD except I drop off 8 and pick up 4.45. I also study part time and clean on a weekend for a relative. I am at burning out point.

I am going to have to start waking 5.30/5.45am to do a morning walk or Pilates! No other way as evening time is either sleep/study or socialise!

Could you cycle to school? I'm also a teacher with 2 little DC and that is my only way to squeeze it in

I was going to say I don't think you can! That's way too much going on. But actually when I make time for 5-15 mins of yoga in the morning regularly it makes a big difference. Even just a few runs through of a basic sun salutation. No video or faffing about just do it. Also hand weights, you can fit in a few reps in the morning and evening.

Cycling is great. The other thing is to find a hobby you enjoy, a dance class, aerial hoop, roller skating, climbing walls, bounce fit/ trampolining, pole dancing - there are so many ways to keep fit that are fun so feel like
less of a chore/ easier to make time for.

go at 7pm for an hour start with a walk then buy up with the couch to 5k , it will help you sleep better too. I normally go in the evenings , sometimes not til 8pm but you have to get into the habit I make myself go three times a week. I don’t stick to a schedule it’s whenever I can fit the runs in, be it early morning on weekend or 8pm at night but make sure I do three runs a week.

My commute was my exercise: 6 miles on bike or run (one way). The only time I could do it.

It also saved me loads of money.

Those of you who get up at 4.30/5, what time
do you go to bed? I feel like I want to try something like this but my issue is day is so full I just need me time in eve and struggle to go to bed early.

My advice:

Start with one exercise session - in your position, sometime on the weekend makes more sense than mid week. Really focus on making it stick - ideally a class rather than something solo.

Really get that embedded in your routine. Don't worry about another session, just focus on that for now.

Then try to add something else - could you cycle to work if it's only two miles? You can get a seat for your 1 year old

Exercise is great, but if it is adding stress to your busy life then maybe it isn't the best thing for you right now.
As others have said a walk at weekends will be enough.
I was an avid exerciser before kids, but gave up completely while my kids were toddlers.
As they grew I was able start again.
You may lose some fitness but it is totally recoverable.

When I had very small DCs, my exercise was crawling through the soft play after them and carrying one in a sling in my back whilst pushing the other in a buggy. That felt like exercise enough!

They are 6 & 8yo now. My main 2 sessions come from joining the adult squad of the same sports team as DCs, and we train at the same time as DD1. I also go out alone one eve a week for a short session.
DH is either in the gym, at a spin class, or out on his bike by 6am 5 days a week as that is the easiest way for him to slot it into his schedule.
Friends manage it by going for a run whilst DCs are doing extra curriculars.