No really, how does one find the time?

[Anonymous]

I am desperately seeking good ideas. I cannot seem to find the time to exercise, and I know I need to. Done having babies, so no more excuses. Here's my deal - baby still isn't sleeping through the night, so I'm a sleep-deprived wreck in the morning. At work all day, then with the kids until they go to bed around 7:30-8:00. I'm wiped out by then; I can barely sit up. During the work day isn't really an option. The morning seems like the most optimal time, but how do I get myself out of bed when I don't spend enough time in bed to begin with? Tips and motivation, please!

[Anonymous]

I think you may just have to suck it up and drag yourself out of bed in the morning to work out. Ideally, you will feel more energized afterward, and you will be able to sleep better at night.

I'm tired a lot, and I drag myself to the gym (or the running trail/track) nearly every single day because it's important to me. And because it's the single greatest mood improver I know. good luck.

[Anonymous]

This is me... 2 babies in 2 years, and my 5 month old is up multiple times a night. I'm exhausted but feel awful about myself. I am also pumping 2x a day at work so don't feel like I can also take the time to during lunch to work out.

I try to do what I can - even if it is doing push ups/crunches for 5 minutes at a time here and there throughout the week. I am also going to start taking my 2 year old out in the jogging stroller on weekend mornings once the weather turns (hopefully soon!). I am also counting calories-- not giving myself leeway to eat whatever I want because I'm breastfeeding. The weight fell off last time, but this time its taking longer, and I figure if I don't have a ton of time to exercise, I might as well clean up my diet.

[Anonymous]

In the afternoon after the kids go to bed, you may be exhausted from a stress point of view, but not from a physical exercise point of view. I would argue you can find the energy to exercise then.

Early in the morning would also work, just set an alarm and do it. I drag myself out of bed 4 days a week early to exercise. You just do it.

[Anonymous]

For the time being, can you try to exercise both days on the weekend and at least once during the week? That should at least get you started, and once you get into a routine, it should be easier to start finding the time.

I usually exercise after the kids go to bed, which sucks, but is my best window. If I can convince myself to change into workout clothes and do at least 15 minutes I usually get energized and find myself working out for much longer. It's really hard for me to wake up early, but maybe if you made a point of going to bed earlier (let other things around the house slide) you could convince yourself to do it. Signing up for a class or making plans with a friend will help keep your motivation up.

FWIW, it took me until my youngest was nearly 2 before I was able to really get back into exercising. I started training for a triathlon then, which was fantastic, since it kept me motivated. My training plan started out with really short (20 min) workout sessions, which I was able to find the time for, and by the time I worked up to longer workouts I had figured out how to work them into my day (and was more energized to make post-bedtime workouts happen).

When I had a toddler and hardly-sleeping baby though, I just couldn't do it. Don't beat yourself up about it if you can't get back into a good cycle until your kids are a bit older (though if you can, I'm sure it will make you feel better!).

[Anonymous]

I struggle with this, too. With my work and family schedule, the only time I could fit in a morning workout (and very quick shower) would mean a 4 a.m. wakeup.

Does anyone else do this? And if so, what time do you go to bed? I fear I'd be going before my kids.

[Anonymous]

I wake up around 5:15AM, make the kids their lunches, then work out. It is tough at first. But you get used to it, and, it becomes routine after awhile. I collapse by 10PM

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids under 5 and work full time. The only real workout time is after they go to bed. I just force myself to get started, with permission to stop after 10 minutes if I really can't hack it that day.

I tried waking up early to do it, but the baby still wakes up at 5am half the time and I want to be around to hear her if she needs me.

[Anonymous]

Can your partner (if you have one) help with the night-time wake ups? Morning is far and away the best time to work out for me (kids are 1 and 3, also work FT, albeit from home two days/week).

I pare down a lot of other things to make time for workouts. We're also pretty diligent about keeping the kids to a 7-7:30 bedtime, which then allows for some downtime with my husband and a relatively early bedtime for me. My second didn't sleep through the night until about 9 months, when we sleep trained him, and I'd been working out since about six weeks postpartum. Part of it is that, for me, I get more out of a workout than an extra hour of sleep, provided I get at least 5-6 hours/night. You don't say how old your baby is, OP, so it may just be a matter of time until STTN occurs. Getting up early sucks, but has been well worth it.

[Anonymous]

Run commute to work - it's "found time" because you're essentially multi-tasking, so you won't have to lose as much sleep.

[Anonymous]

Download the seven minute workout app. Work up to doing it 2-3 times per day and its a great workout. Even once per day will help though.

[Anonymous]

Here's the magic key: go to sleep at the same time as your kids at least once a week, even if that's 8 pm. Wake up at 5 a.m. and go for a 45-minute run. I do this at least twice a week and it works well. Otherwise, I run on my lunch break at work.

[Anonymous]

Sleep is more important...wait until your baby is sleeping through the night. Dont beat yourself up right now. In the meantime, take brisk walks or run on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

I had the same issues as you. Not a morning person, not enough sleep, and too tired by 8. I just started a new routine taking my (5yo) child to the gym for 45min-1hour everyday around 5-7pm before bedtime. It has been very easy. I just had to fine something that worked for me.

[Anonymous]

When my baby was still waking up multiple times a night, I prioritized sleep over exercise. Sleep is incredibly important to your mental and physical well-being - in fact being sleep deprived makes you gain weight. What that meant for me was doing workouts every Saturday and Sunday and any day I teleworked. I also walked about 20 minutes a day as part of my commute. Now that my baby is sleeping better, I am adding weekday workouts.