Full time working parents.

I know what you are up against I'm a single father that works full time. I actually get up at 4 am every morning to get a quick at home work out in. Let's be really if it was easy everyone would do it right.

I hope you find a routine that works with your schedule. When I get home after work if I have the energy to do a work out I usually get my daughter to do it with me. Have her sit on my stomach as I do crunches and on my back for push ups. She is 2 and loves to help.

You don't need to spend hours in the gym especially when you are just starting a solid 10 min hi intensity work out meaning no breaks will give you a good kick start

When my children were young I did my workouts in the kitchen, the 30 day shred, or Fitnessblender. Children would hang around me initially but the novelty wore off quick and they left me alone for that half an hour.
Now they're older I can go outdoors again, but I'd definitely recommend the workouts at home.

My kids are bit older now so can ride bikes so we also bike rides together- they can easily do 3 miles

I hear you. Full time working parents here and it's hard to find the time. Sometimes it comes from doing things in between what you are already doing. Cooking dinner? Lunge your way around the kitchen. Waiting for water to boil? Alternate between jumping jacks and squats until it's ready. Watching Tv? Take the stairs up and down for those two minutes to get away from those annoying and repetitive commercials - (if I see one more person strut around that Ford dealership like a peacock, I am going to lose my mind...who cares about employee pricing and why do you have to walk around like that!?)

I have had to bite the bullet and just get up early. Just started C25K and have not missed a day this week. My entire day is amazing because once that horrid 1/2 hour is over, I am feel so happy anytime I think about it all day. Then when I get home, I have that time for my husband and daughter and I don't feel guilty because I already did my workout for the day!

I am by no means a morning person - I couldn't be less of a morning person but I have realized I don't like working out in the evening because that's time away from my family and I dread it all day knowing I still have to do my workout which really makes my day suck. The am workout is hard but it is so worth it. Try to commit for a week. If you don't like it (other than the wake up part), then don't do it. But once you get past that first 5 minutes of pure regret of getting up and the crisp cool air hits your face as you tie your sneakers and put in your earbuds...it's perfect.

Good luck!

I also think you should give mornings a shot. I personally don't like the idea of working out after work. That's my only time with my kids. And after they go to bed is my time with my husband.

Also to add after reading some other comments -- when at work, could you set a timer for every 50 minutes to get up and go walk the stairs? Even every 90 minutes? Is there a gym at work you could use at lunch?

And I know it sounds tough but you really may want to give mornings a shot.

I hear ya! I try to exercise right after my son goes to bed, so around 8. I too do not want to miss out on seeing him as so much time is already gone while I work.

This worked well in the summer when it stayed light until 9, but now I'm have to adjust my time because I'm a runner and I'm not comfortable running that late in the dark. My husband and I made a deal that I would go run while he gave the bath, and I'd be home for story time. It works pretty well!

I have lifted many a weight at 9 p.m., or have just done bodyweight exercises and plyometrics (jumping squats, jumping lunges, etc.) while watching TV. (I am obviously a confirmed night owl, love working out, and don't have any issues falling asleep after a protein shake and hot bath...but these days I mainly lift over lunch at my workplace gym...you really have to be motivated to lift at 9).

If people won't think you are crazy, you can make your lunch time walk more intensive by throwing in tricep dips on a bench, box jumps or step-ups on a step or bench, squats and lunges, push-ups against a wall or bench, etc. You can also do the same thing at the playground if your little one is old enough (also, climbing monkey bars and rock walls), and/or if still in a stroller, invest in a jogging stroller and combine light jogging and brisk walking, or look into C25K.

My older kids love playing tag with me, or run a "mommy boot camp" in which I have to crawl through tunnels, climb ropes, do winds sprints, push ups or jumping jacks, whatever, at their command. Now THAT is a workout.

A bike trailer is another fantastic option--such an excellent workout, fun for an adult, and sheer joy even when a kid is 5 or 6 years old. I didn't start on MFP till my "baby" was 6 and riding his own bike, and really regret the workout I missed by having my husband tow the kids.

I also do extensive gardening at several sites, so don't forget that there is a lot of functional, useful activity that provides an excellent workout along with, in this case, excellent nutrition.

Ironandwine69 wrote: »

Me and waking up at 4.30am learned to be best friends over time.

Gah. 4:30 is sleeping in for me. 3:30 to get to the gym and get my workout done before I have to be to work at 7:00.

I have an exercise bike and cycle after kiddies are in bed.

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Ironandwine69 wrote: »

Me and waking up at 4.30am learned to be best friends over time.

Gah. 4:30 is sleeping in for me. 3:30 to get to the gym and get my workout done before I have to be to work at 7:00.

Haha. I hear ya. I start work at 8am.

Same here, good ideas from the other parents who posted above.

This is really tough. My wife and I struggle with this a lot. Three kids. One in elementary, one in middle and one in high. So literally dropping kids of starts at 6:50 and goes till 9:15. Then there's work. Ultimately if you have a support network use it. For us that has meant way less time for my wife and I. But this is a short term thing while we are getting our lives where we want it. Taking turns with the kids. Sometimes we are at the gym till 1:00 a.m. Other times it means getting up at 4:00 to get it in. You have to find a way to get it in though.