Finding time to exercise

Where there is a will, there is a way. Have you tried those really intense 7 minute workouts?

I have the ability to eat lunch at my desk so that when I go to lunch I can use the equipment at work (I walk or use the elliptical). I have been trying to do this 2-3 times a week. I then cook dinner and leave the clean up to my daughter. My husband and son pitch in where needed and I take 30 min to push play on a video. I have had to learn to make the time and not the excuse. Do you have a partner at home that can take over so you can work out? Have you tried to get up 30 minutes sooner to push play? or do whatever type of exercise you like? I have a friend w an 18 month old. She goes to bed when he does and then gets up before him to get her workout in. Have you tried to do a video with them in the room? Maybe some type of zumba or dance themed one that they can try and do with you?

I used to literally lift my children. I don't remember what it was called, but I had a book that had yoga moves for moms and had you lifting children over head, doing push ups with them near by, some moves like airplanes with the kids on your legs. My kids thought it was great! I also used to do things like squats while folding laundry or brushing my teeth, jumping jacks and jump squats in the living room while they played, walking lunges down the hall - just throwing in bodyweight stuff whenever I had a second. Once my kids got old enough to want tv I bought a set of dumbbells and would do some quick lifting while they watched an episode of Daniel Tiger or something. And we had a double stroller so I'd take the kids for looooong walks up as many hills as I could find. Try making a list of exercizes you can do anywhere and keep if with you - then if you find yourself with a couple spare minutes, bang out a set or two of something. It's not ideal, but it's better than doing nothing at all. Although I empathize with energy being more of a challenge than time and opportunity.

@brianpperkins‌ is right. I'll set my running shoes and shorts out the night before I run.
I also run EARLY (predawn); I find the early hours are easiest not to compromise, plus I find it meditative to run without any distractions. As a bonus I get to see the sunrise as I near the finish

QHjr wrote: »

@brianpperkins‌ is right. I'll set my running shoes and shorts out the night before I run.
I also run EARLY (predawn); I find the early hours are easiest not to compromise, plus I find it meditative to run without any distractions. As a bonus I get to see the sunrise as I near the finish

I'm a dawn patrol runner in the summer - sometimes it's a drag getting out of bed so early to run, but trying to beat the heat is my motivator...and the solitude in the cool of the morning, plus that sunrise peeking over the Sierras as I head for home is always always always a great reward.

The only workout I've ever regretted is the one I didn't do....

Get up early and exercise or exercise after they've gone to bed. How old are your kids, what time of day do you work, when do they get up, and when do they go to bed? Are you married or living with a partner? Can s/he take turns watching the kids in the evening so that you can workout then on some days?

People have given some really great tips, so I'll just add a couple things that have worked for me:

1. Make it non-negotiable. It's super important, as important as paying bills and making sure your kids get meals and such. It should never be up for debate in your head, about whether you have the time or energy today. You will end up losing that in the end.

2. Start light to build the habit and the passion. I was really low in January, and had dropped my workout habit in September. I started back with a daily yoga routine (30 days of yoga by Yoga with Adriene on YouTube). Immediately, I was feeling better. It helped me build up the daily habit. And it builds strength, balance, flexibility, but is a bit gentle. Like stretch, find peace, move here, HOLD this strength-building thing hold hold hold, relax, stretch... etc. I went into it with no energy, no willpower, just kind of desperate. I came out of it with a boat load of energy. I've been sleeping better. I've adopted a daily practice. I was inspired to start back up with other kinds of workouts too, bigger challenges.

I don't know if that would work for you as a starter. But if not that, something. It's not all or nothing. Pick something light and restorative, or of moderate intensity, or something fun. Does not have to leave you sweaty and shaking. Just build that daily habit. Practice making the time and showing up to it, and being present for whatever activity you picked. You'll start to feel better, and you'll start to want to expand.

For now I just find ways to make me workout, like getting off one stop before, using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking as much as possible and when playing videogames or watching tv i do push-ups or squats when the game is loading or there is commercials on tv. Other than that is to pretty much schedule it.

Multitask. I used to watch a lot of tv. I still keep up with my favorite shows - by watching them while I'm on the treadmill. Or I'll read/study for a class while on the treadmill. And there is always the idea of working it in to family time. Active play is good for you & them.

jenniferlovesellee wrote: »

hi everyone! I am wondering how everyone finds time to exercise? I have two little ones that require most of my time and working part time. By the end of the day I am left with no energy. How does everyone find the time to squeeze in their workouts?

Are you a single mother? Just curious as it seems like I see a lot of women here who are doing all of the taking care of this and that, cleaning, cooking, kids...doing their husbands laundry, etc and I always wonder what the *kitten* the husband does.

At any-rate my wife and I work as a team...fitness is important to both of us so we make the time (finding time is a passive endeavor...time will never be found...there will always be something else to fill that time) and we just help each other out.

For example, she hits the gym on Monday and Wednesday evening and I pick the kids up from day care and get them home, fed, bathed, etc. Opposite is done on Tuesday and Thursday when I hit the gym and she takes care of the domestics. She's off work on Fridays so she hits the gym then and I hit it again on Saturday mornings. She runs a lot at lunch times and I primarily ride and use my lunch for that. She goes for one long run on Saturday when I get home from the gym so I usually take the kids out to go do something fund...and my long ride is usually Sunday and my wife takes the kids out for mommy and kiddo time.

Sometimes we all go do some fun fitness stuff as a family as well...we enjoy getting out for a family bike ride when the weather is nice.

I plan my workout times and put them in the calendar in my phone and stick to it.

I work early morning till mid afternoon. I usually do my weightlifting at the gym after work and my HIIT workouts in the evening after a short rest.

It's non-negotiable! I will nix errands, social events, etc...to get my workouts in if needed. Before I had a gym w/child care I used to go to bed when the kids did and then workout at 4am so I could be home in time to get them ready for school at 6am. Now I go to the gym and if the kids are with me, they go too. Mommy's not very nice if she skips her workouts.

Like others are saying, you don't find time. You make it.