Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Before the kid(s) wake up? After the kid(s) go to bed? Just leave the kid(s) with someone during the day?

I thought I would have time to workout after I got off work but before my DH brought them home from daycare, but there are just too many other things to get done. I only fit it in 1-2x a week. I really want to do 3-5x a week.

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I have a 3 year old and workout 6 days a week.

During the week, I either go 4:30-5:20 am (before anyone wakes up) or 3:30-4:30pm (I need to get my DS from Daycare by 5). On the weekends, I go from 7-8:30am.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I’m a single FT working mom for 8 years and find time:

- walk during work even if 10 minute increments help
- I walk my dog 3x a day
- take the stairs
- park far away
- i work 8-4 so I workout anytime 4:30p-7:30p
- let other things go (dishes laundry mess etc). your well being comes first. In 30 years you won’t remember the chores but self care will pay off for you and your family
- use the motto “just do it”
- use HIIT workouts with strength 25-30 minutes is enough
- aim for 5 days but 3 is ok! Don’t beat yourself up
- alternate days so you don’t cram everything into one day. For example I don’t work out and cook dinner on same day. The day I work out is typically a leftover, crockpot or takeout day
- I don’t go to a gym because aside from cost the drive there is a waste of time. I don’t need an hour in the gym either
- play with kids
- all of the above gets me to minimum 15k steps a day

Message edited 1/31/2018 9:45:42 PM.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I workout in the evening...

*sometimes I go to the gym after work for a 30 min cardio (this happens a few times a month) - this is my backup
*bootcamp - it’s a local trainer that charges cheap and I can bring my son. 30 min at 7:30pm (I been trying to go 2-3x a week
*chinese kickboxing.. the classes are late so it’s hard but I try to go 1-2x a week. I can also bring my son with me if need be since it’s held at his kung fu school.

I been trying to workout 4-5x a week but it’s exhausting and successful if I food prep so dinner is done. My gym is planet fitness.

This week I started late, today was my first working out but this is my plan so I get atleast 4 days in:
1. Wednesday Bootcamp
2. Thursday kickboxing at 7:30
3. Friday bootcamp or gym (think I’m doing gym)
4. Saturday bootcamp and kickboxing (aggressive goal) - may do just one

Message edited 1/31/2018 11:19:31 PM.

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I only recently started trying to fit it in. I’m separated and have DS (8 yo) every other week. During the weeks I have him, I get up at 5:15 to do Couch 2 5k on my treadmill. The rest of the day I try to fit in as many steps as possible to get to 10k. Sometimes I get on the treadmill after he goes to bed at 8pm. Oh, I work full time so I’m out of the house from 7am - 6pm. Dishes don’t get done each day and bigger cleaning (laundry, etc) is on the weekends.

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I work out usually at 8:30 p.m. and on the weekends during the day. There are always a million things to do yes but they can wait. The personal happiness and peace of mind for 30 mins or so is worth it. But I know what you mean. As I work out in my basement I see things that need to be cleaned and get distracted but in the end I feel great and am happier I have focused on myself and my health for a little while.

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Thanks for the responses. I know I need to just make the time. I got an indoor bike for Christmas, which I thought would make it easy to fit at least a 30 minute workout. The days when it happens I just go home and do it. It's the days when I run errands or do chores first that I feel like I don't have the time then. I was considering getting up earlier, but I'm not a morning person and I'm barely getting enough sleep already, so I wanted to see what other's do. It sounds like I just need to make it happen in the time I have!

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

For me - it works best when I do it in the morning.

It's a struggle in the beginning (waking up at 4:30am to do it) but, once I do it for a few days - I want to wake up and do it.

The hardest thing is getting started!

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I workout on my lunch hour. I either go to the park and run for 30 minutes or I go home and use my treadmill/elliptical and weights. Fortunately I live close enough to my job to do this.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

For me it would have to be after work.
If I had to do it in the morning it would never get done. Because I can think of 11 million things I'd rather do than work out and sleep is number one on that list, with a root canal being in the running as well....
So sleep would always trump it.


My problem isn't time. I really do have plenty of down time. My problem is hating it. Hating it with such a burning passion that I actually find myself getting depressed that I have to go home and work out. Like it affects my mental health. No joke.
And I've tried all different kinds of working out- from gyms, to home workouts, to yoga, to Pilates, to strength training, to just walking and I can't stick to anything because I hate it all so much. Even if it's a 20 min workout I dread it to the point where I eventually just stop.
It's bad. I will force myself to do it then quit within a week or 2 because I'd rather be happy.
Yeah, it's just bad.

Message edited 2/1/2018 10:43:38 AM.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

When I only had 2 kids and worked FT, I used to generally exercise at night although I liked working out in the morning if I had time. Sometimes the kids would do some of the exercises with me, sometimes I ran with my oldest and other times I either worked out on my own while the kids entertained themselves nearby or I went to the gym.

Now that I have 3, it’s really tough. I had a pretty good routine set up on maternity leave, but have been really struggling to fit in exercise during the week since being back at work. I’m usually way too exhausted in the morning to get up earlier than I do. The evenings are tough too between having to possibly pump if I don’t get to pump as often as I’d like at work, washing bottles, preparing stuff for everyone for the next day, feeding the kids, checking homework, etc. By the time I’m done, the baby is ready to eat again and is usually upset because I haven’t been holding her. If DH is home, we can divide up some of the responsibilities, but he’s out of the house 2-4 nights per week with my oldest for sports practices. We’re also out of the house super early on the weekends for games or practice. I’m trying to make it more of a priority though because I feel better when I exercise and I still have plenty of baby weight to lose.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I bring my double stroller everywhere! Basically the only exercise I’m able to do is walk/jog. Right now my older 2 have indoor practice/clinics so I’m able to walk around with my younger 2.

This summer I plan to join a gym that has stuff for my older 2 and younger 2, but I won’t go in the winter to the gym since I have an auto immune disease, so I get sick very easily.

I wish I was the type of person who worked out at home, I just can’t get into it. I used to love exercising, but since I’m so out of shape after #4, I dread even attempting anything.

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I wake up early and do it - I run at 5 am 4 days a week and go to an Orange Theory class the other 2 days.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I go to 8PM kickboxing classes a couple times a week. Or on Saturday mornings if I can fit it in. It's a fast-paced, full body workout and I have gotten great results!!

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

During my lunch hour. I have no excuse not to go. It's also better for my wallet because I used to shop on my lunch hour.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I just try to be more active, I get off my train 2 stops early which is about .75 mile from work & I walk that distance every morning (as fast as I can), I also do the same walk & then back again (so 1.5 miles) during my lunch hour. I park my car about a 10 minute walk from the subway I take every day, so I do that walk twice a day as well (coming and going-- I usually run it in the evening, because I'm impatient to get home & sometimes in the morning if I'm worried about being late). The activity adds up. I take the stairs as much as possible. On the weekends I don't do all that walking because I'm home with the kids & we're inside because it's winter, but I have a gazelle (LOL) & I use it on Saturday and Sunday nights for about 20-30 minutes after the kids go to sleep, just to break a sweat & burn some calories. I used to go to the gym mostly every day & run a lot & use the weight machines & I was in much better shape, but now with the kids I just don't want to take the time away from them to do that anymore... and I already am sleep deprived, there's no way I'm getting up at 5 am to work out!

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Brought them to the gym with me. My gym has a great day care. One of the reasons I choose it. It was a bit pricier than other gyms but the woman who runs the day care really was great.

Message edited 2/14/2018 4:31:33 PM.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Have you tried working out with a friend? Having someone else to workout with may make it less frustrating!

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Nights and weekends. My gym also has childcare as well.

Re: Parents, when do you fit in working out?

Parents, when do you fit in working out?

I highly recommend doing an at home program like 21 day fix. You can do it first thing in the morning or even while your kids are home. Much cheaper than a gym membership, effective and convenient. Even if you don't follow the program to a T, it's better than nothing and the workouts are great and cover all parts of your body.

I'm lucky enough to work from home so I work out during my lunch break.

Message edited 3/14/2018 11:55:17 AM.