Do you get up early to exercise? Or after work etc?

Brocksterdanza

I'm a teacher as is my wife. We have a wonderful nearly 5 year old daughter. We both struggle with the excuse of not having time. As a working adult with family, what do you do? Is it mornings every weekday? Some morning some evening? What seems to work for you and why do you think it's been successful? Also, if morning, how long did it take you to get over the waking up much earlier? Thanks for info everyone!

JulieSHelms

I'm an empty-nester, so don't have the constraint of children. But I have learned that I need to literally schedule my time at the gym so that it doesn't get bypassed by the other busy things in life. If it's on my calendar, I will go do it. I belong to a 24-hr place and I'm a night owl so often go late night. It's so quiet then, it's almost like my private gym--but I know that doesn't work for most people. I just do anything to avoid the after-work/dinner time when it gets packed.

thunder1982

My husband and I both work full time and have 3 kids (9,7 & 5). I usually find I can usually squeeze in 3 afternoon sessions a week (2 weekday 1 weekend). ATM extra sleep by sleeping in has been necessary to catch up on sleep too.

I have done the whole 5am, 5 days a week thing. Once I got going (probably week 2) it was ok but interruptions to my week could blow it easily. Once I missed one morning it was easy to continue missing. Also leading up to xmas its more difficult as late nights are more common with events on.

That being said where I live is hotter this time of year and when I do work back up to 5 sessions a week realistically mornings make sense for temp and consistency.

We have found it difficult to both balance exercise/work/family. I am more prone to picking up exercise habits so when my DH starts something I tend to make it a priority (also his exercise is more set classes, I am more a loner for exercise). As kids get older and can look after themselves for brief periods this will probably get easier.

buffalogal42

I am NOT a morning person. I work from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F and rarely take a lunch. My gym is a 15 min drive from my office. What works for me is to head to the bathroom about 4:45 and change into workout clothes at the office and head straight to the gym. If I go home I am NOT leaving the house again. Hubby meets me there and we work out together. We don't have kids which helps but this is the only way I found to stick to a routine. We go M, T, Th and then Sat/Sun.

cbrosh

Ex-non morning person, here. I made the switch as part of a total lifestyle change that involved getting up earlier and leading a more productive day. I've stuck with it for about 90 days now, and I'm on a 40-day streak. It gets easier and then you get to wheree you like it, and you feel like you've got a one-up on all the late snoozers... It will bug you not to get out of bed.

The biggest benefit to me is the consistency and the quality of workouts.

Consistency: I used to go everyday after work (or after class, when I was in school). With my current job, sometimes I have a client who needs a late appointment. Or I might just have other obligations for that evening. Those would always knock the evening workouts off my schedule. However, there is nothing that should ever get in the way of a 5:30 or 6:00 am workout! Or, for example maybe the family all goes to our mom's house on Sunday and she cooks a good meal and we drink some beer... I probably wouldn't feel like exercising after that.

Quality: You would think that you'd be more sluggish early in the morning. But after you get your blood flowing, you will find out you have way more energy. The day hasn't gotten a chance to wear you out yet. Your emails, social medias, and texts aren't going off yet. I eat a small bowl of oatmeal or something before hand, but besides that I'm also not working out on a full stomach!

What worked for me: My apartment is set up so the bathroom is right next to my bedroom, and I'm the only one who lives here. I set an alarm clock up in my bathroom right next to the sink. Next to that, I have my toothbrush, tooth past, and a bottle of water. When that alarm goes off you have to get out of bed to turn it off. You have to make a deal with yourself that, even if you do decide to lay back down, you have to drink the water and then brush your teeth first. By the time you're done, your better judgment usually kicks in. Doing that trick worked for me, as well as a general thought of "ok, am I going to actually do it today or is going to be anothe repeat of the other 1000 times?"

thunder1982

Also given you have 1 and she's not a toddler you could probably look at group classes where kids are welcome to sit/watch/participate. I did bootcamps previously where this was fine (I was only taking older 2 kids with me) they just played in sight while I exercised. Unfortunately with a younger one or when I have all 3 there's too many interruptions due to fighting or younger one just needing more supervision/attention.

hooligan41

I ride my bike at night for exercise

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TavistockToad

I don't have kids, but I work 8-4, so getting up earlier isn't an option so I work out when I get home before I make dinner.

gojaqs

snowflake954

I have always been a morning person. I get up and do 45 min of stretching in my livingroom at least 3 times a week. Then I eat a light breakfast and go to the pool or gym. I have OA plus I'm 61, so this works for me. You just have to find what works and then do it--no excuses. However, setting up a lifelong routine of exercise is your friend as you age. I've been doing this for 20 yrs and can't even imagine giving it up. It is a priority. Your child will grow up and things change, but make your health an important part of your life. You will be so grateful at my age--and beyond.

dutchandkiwi

I wake up 6.10 to do a 30 min workout. I leave the house at 7.30 and walk to work (50+ min) and in the evening back (a 9km roundtrip)
Two nights a week I come home and go to the gym (which has a childminder too) All I do at home is get changed and get out straight away.
Normal for us would be a run for my husband on Sunday with me cycling. Due to his injury this is low now. I now have to use that time for study (doing a post grad course).
We walk whenever we can - to the stores and to family visits. I have home gym stuff, which I want to utilise more
On top of this both my husband and I work (him 40 hours, me currently 32), which for both of us includes international travel on a reasonably regular bais. I study (one day a week class, plus a lot of homework).

Where did I find the time? Well by reducing non-purpose downtime and gettibg some help. TV time is no more than 60 minutes a day on average, internet about the same. And with all that I still find time for hobbies (sewing and knitting). It helps that we have a cleaning help and no kids.

LivingtheLeanDream

I started getting up early 4 yrs ago and that habit has stuck best way to start the day

Grey_1

Early am here as well. If I wait longer I might talk myself out of it lol.

Machka9

I incorporate exercise throughout my day.

I walk as part of my commute to and from work.
I walk at lunch.
I walk after work.

I climb flights and flights of stairs at different times during the day at work.

Sometimes I lift weights and/or cycle after work too.

And then I do the bulk of my exercise on weekends.

smile_laughter

Morning from 4-5am. It gets my day going (I have 3 kids). After work, I am typically running the kids to their activities. On those days, I walk while they are practicing.

JustMissTracy

I get up at 5:08 am every morning. But I don't exercise that early..lol..I can barely manage to get dressed!

BeastField

Dad with 6 kids, here. I used to sleep in until 6:30, hop out of bed, get ready for work, take one child to school and go from there. Now, as part of my overall lifestyle change, I get up at 3:30am, get to the gym and start working out by 4. I do about an hour, get home around 5:15am. I prepare my breakfast before I goto bed, so its less in the morning. Eat, drink my coffee, catch up on MFP. During the day, I try to add in exercise. I even stop what I am doing every hour or so and do some pushups! I feel I have more energy, and I feel like I have a jumpstart on the day getting up early. This is just my story. I hope you find what works for you!

stationlouisa

My main exercise is walking, I work split shifts so early morning and evenings at work. I have 3 dogs so do 2 -3 walks with them 1-4km each during the middle of the day. But for my own walks I do them as soon as I finish work before going home. 3-6km. Now that it is daylight savings I also do a short after work walk in the evening, before going home. The trick I find is dont go home first or you risk not doing anything. I could never get the routine of getting up early for exercise, I get up with the bare minimum amount of time to wash dress and leave the house. Perhaps you could pick up your daughter after work/school and head straight of to the nearest park etc and walk or jog with a stroller before heading home. So it becomes a family outing/routine. Do whatever works for you. Good luck.

Brocksterdanza

All great info here folks! You early risers, what time do you get in bed the nights before those 5am (or earlier) wake up calls? Do you ever feel absolutely drained right after lunch when doing this?

JustMissTracy

I need to go to bed by 9:30 at the latest, or I feel horrible the whole next day. Even then, I'm struggling to keep my eyes open after 9..

BeastField

Brocksterdanza wrote: »

All great info here folks! You early risers, what time do you get in bed the nights before those 5am (or earlier) wake up calls? Do you ever feel absolutely drained right after lunch when doing this?

Generally, I am in bed around 9:30-10. I try to spend as much time as I can after work with the family, although there are so many things going on, lol. I try to stick as close to 9:30, even 9 some days.

Regarding feeling drained, some days yes. I honestly eat my lunch, then take a quick power nap - 10 to 20 minutes. Keeps me going through the rest of the day. I also pack energy packed foods for my lunch so I get refueled there as well.

sijomial

I don't like early morning exercise - my knees and back take time to "wake up", I perform better later in the day and my best sleep is often early morning.

So I exercise either at lunchtime or in the evening - gym shuts at 10pm and I'm frequently the last one to leave. Even a really intense late workout doesn't interfere with getting to sleep.

When it's cycling season I notice I'm heading out as all the early birds are coming home! When doing an event that starts early my performance and enthusiasm are always low for the first couple of hours.

sbrandt37

Mornings. If I don't do it then, I am less likely to do it at all once the responsibilities of the day start to take hold. An added bonus is that I feel good for the rest of the day, physically and emotionally (hey, I started the day by doing something good for ME). But my kids are older than yours and can get themselves ready for school.

It took me only a few days to get used to the schedule change, because the exercise made me tired enough that I started falling asleep much earlier in the evening! I also started sleeping much better.

aylajane

Work your child into your exercise whenever possible (though harder to make it routine). if you take her to the park, walk laps around while watching her or play with her on the bars and swings etc! Doesnt have to be formal exercise. I would still try to schedule in purposeful exercise (strength, cardio etc) a few days a week, but a lot of chaning your life is changing your mind set and leading a generally more "active" life. If your kid plays any sports, dont just stand on the sidelines, walk around, go for a quick run while they are practicing, etc. Get some other regular parents to join you for a walk, etc.

Take your kid for a walk with you in the evenings - consider it a learning thing, teaching your child that activity is fun and important. Race each other. PLay tag in the kitchen. Think of it as "recess" instead of exercise and get the kid involved!

rainbow198

During the week I usually workout as soon as I wake up (calisthenics, resistance/strength training) and I take a walk after dinner.

I am a morning person, but I started my AM workouts when I was really overweight and I discovered things got in my way from getting in my workout and I'd run out of time or didn't feel like it.

Eventually I forced myself to start working out first thing in the morning to "get it out of the way".

It was tough at first, but planning really helped me. The night before I would lay my clothes out would plan out my workout so I knew exactly what I was going to work on. Once I was consistent things weren't so bad.

After about 2, maybe 3 weeks in I adapted and it was working great for me.

It felt so good to get my workout in before the day get started and it gave me a lot of energy. Plus I found it helped me to make better decisions when it came to my meals.

4 and a half years later I'm completely addicted to my morning workouts and I'm very happy with my routine and my progress.

Good luck finding a routine that works for you and you wife!

Tacklewasher

Used to get up at 6 to be at work for 7. Now its getting up at 5:15 so I can do 25 or 35 mins on the treadmill. Still at work by 7. After work I may put in another treadmill session depending on what's on tv (I walk/jog watching hockey), but the morning routine is working for me.
My eyes are closing by 9 so it's not too often I'm not asleep at 10.

peleroja

I do mornings twice a week, lunch twice a week, and midday on the weekends whenever I have time. It's easier for me to alternate than to get up at 5 every day.

MonkeyMel21

I wake up at 4:30am 4 days a week (week days) to go to the gym before work. I am a morning person so that helps. I have a son and husband who need attention and the only time I see my husband is Monday-Thursday evenings (he works 14 hr shift Friday/Sat/Sun) so working out after work would cut in to our time together (he won't work out with me either, I've tried). My gym does have a daycare so sometimes I'll go on the weekends so I can get more than 30 minutes in, which is all I can manage with already having to wake up at 4:30am. My husband hates that I go to bed so early in the evenings but it's preferable to me anyway and he gets to play his video games all night.

nossmf

With four kids needing lots of help with homework or non-school stuff (scouts, choir, chess club, etc) I normally don't have time after work to workout. The few times I do have time, my wife gives me grief for not spending time with her! lol

That leaves before work. I have to hit the road NLT 0545 to get to work, and my gym opens at 5, so I need to be up at 0445 to hurriedly dress, throw lunch into my lunchbox, and be at the gym when the doors open for a fast 30 minute lifting session. I miss the days I could spend an hour plus lifting, not to mention sleeping in til 7, but this is better than nothing.

AmberSpamber

I work out as soon as I put the kids to bed. It works well for me and is a great way for me to unwind at the end of the day.