How do you find time?

Hi! Your life does sound full and chaotic. I have been a morning workout person for 2 years and I love it. My toddler is now in college so I don’t have the time issues you have. I’m up at 4:30am and get to my 5:30 am workout classes. I go 5 days a week. I like getting the workout done so I don’t need to worry about it. It also gives me lots of energy all day. I recommend it. Plus I get in 20 oz of water first thing in the morning. So that’s a bonus.

What is your job like? I work from a desk. I keep weights next to me. I work in 50 minute blocks and take 10 minutes off. Research has proven your mind works better if you focus for 45 to 50 minutes solid then take a mental break. I get water or coffee and do 20 pushups, 15 military presses (one arm) and 15 or so KB swings are Goblet squats 2X a week. I also workout at lunch (I assume you do get a lunch). I used to take a walk at lunch before I worked from home and eat in 10 minutes at the end of the lunch hour. 40 minute walks are wonderful at lunch.

It's always tough to find time to workout. That never ends, even after kids! My kids are grown now but I have three dogs, two cats, a wife with Fibro that can't eat gluten or dairy (I do all the cooking), I have a business that demands 9 hours to 10 hours a day plus now I'm doing Probono work with the local university helping startups ramp up. Oh yeah, I also feed the animals homemade food and help with the house chores. My animals act like todlers! I also do chores to help my wife because she has physical limitations.

Working out doesn't have to be going to the gym or sitting on an elliptical for an hour. I used to play soccer with my son starting at around age 3. It was exercise and fun for us. He ended up getting D-1 schools interested in him after playing for years. Play outside with your kids when they are old enough.

Desk jobs that entail 8 hours of sitting require one hour of movement to stay healthy. You want to stay healthy especially for your young one over the long term.

There's ways you can add exercise in without it being an actual exercise session. Take the stairs at work. Go for a walk at lunchtime, as @MikePfirrman suggested. Park as far away from the shops / workplace as possible to make you walk a bit further. Take a break every hour to walk somewhere; when you go to the loo, if there's a choice of more than one, go to the furthest one away. When you have to talk to someone at work, go and see them face to face instead of sending them an instant message (if you're in that sort of workplace). March in place while watching TV, do jumping jacks during the commercials - your toddler will probably think it's hilariously funny and try to join in. When you go to the loo at home, do lunges all the way to and from instead of just walking there. Do squats while waiting for the kettle to boil, or for something to heat up in the microwave. Do squats while reading MyFitnessPal!

Or alternatively, get up half an hour earlier and do a workout session. I often go out for a run first thing before my body realises what I'm up to, after grabbing a quick glass of squash. You don't actually need to eat before exercise unless you're planning on a really marathon session, and even then you only want something light so that it doesn't sit awkwardly in your stomach. Just go for it.

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I would also suggest to start in small steps. Maybe you can find a way to squeeze in 15 minutes, even a few times a week. Once you adjust to that, you will likely find ways to add a little more. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

I've been biking for 45 mins everyday at my desk..... I do sprints and up the tension... but I've had to rest for 2 days due to I busted up my knee when I got into a disagreement with a sidewalk and parking lot.

So I'm trying REALLY hard to get back into it and NOT loose motivation.... I have to be at my desk for 8 hours every day...so I might as well put that time to use for me

Can you go for a walk with the toddler? Go to the park together?
Dance around the kitchen to music, do a yoga video in the sitting room while they wander around and 'help'?

Do you know any other local mum's that you can swap with? Take it in turns to watch the children while the other goes for a run or whatever.

It doesn't have to be hours at a time to be effective.

In your shoes I’d start with walking as the weather permits. Put the toddler in the stroller and create the habit of a 15-20 minute walk nightly after dinner at first. Add more as you establish the routine. Maybe look for 15-20 minute strength training or yoga videos on YouTube for the mornings before work. I often walk laps around the house indoors in small segments. It all adds up

Hi Momma! Morning exercise is the ONLY time I have to exercise right now. I wake up at 5 a.m. while the rest of the house is asleep (husband and 3YO and 2YO) and get in my run and then start getting ready for the day. my husband gets in the shower so he's done by the time I get home. after my shower and routine, get the kids ready and out the door. I don't have time or inclination to exercise after working all day, cooking, cleaning and putting kids to bed.
Morning is my time. Take what you can, when you can.

I think this is interesting and I have a friend who often asks me how I find the time and motivation to do my workouts and quite frankly.... I don't FIND the time to do them.

I have to make the time to do them... and I had to make a commitment to doing them even when the motivation isn't there. Once my routine was set up that from x time to x time was gym time. I just had to keep showing up even on days I didn't want to...

There's really not a great answer to your question.... Make the time when you can commit to doing it. Whether that's 5 am or 10 pm or on lunch breaks or whenever... you just have to make the time and the commitment to getting it done.

The only support system I have is mfp - it's helped me tremendously. I force myself to log everything.....even the bad days (like yesterday) - had dr appt at lunch so no workout & more stuff after work. Wound up inhaling nachos & 2 big glasses of wine at 9:00. Made me that much more motivated today to be better. I also joined a couple of challenges on here - there's something to having to check in daily that forces me to stay at it.

We either go to they gym or on a walk first thing in the morning. Right now as I’m trying to build up endurance we are doing one or another in the evening as well.

Mom of 2- Same with the schedule, I honestly have no more things I could squeeze into my day.

Yup- 5:30am. But I really like sleep- so right now I just do it 3 days a week. I try to get something else in on Saturday and Sunday so I am still working out 5 days a week.

you find the time where you can, doesnt matter when. before everyone gets up, at lunch, after bedtime, take a walk after dinner with the family (or by yourself). whatever and whenever you can fit it in.

I try to walk 30 to 40 minutes at lunch, weather permitting and as long as am not in an all day meeting. I have options in the building to walk inside if I can't get outside due to weather. At home, I have a CardioSlide (basically a treadmill that is powered by ME) I will do for maybe 10 minutes while watching a tv show. I've also started adding in doing some hand weights for a few reps and have a legmaster machine...also while watching tv.