Fit parents with kids - when do you find time to work out?

[Anonymous]

We have a toddler and we both work full-time. I’m finding it very hard to carve out time to workout.

Toddler is up by 630am, we are starting work at 8am.
Done with work at 5, dinner at 615, bedtime routine, kid down by 730pm.

I can’t workout after eating a meal. So basically my night is shot because we eat dinner at 615-630pm. Are you skipping dinner and eating later after you work out?

Please let me know how you fit it into the day! Are you getting up at 5am? If so, what time do you go to bed?

[Anonymous]

My kids are teens, but when the oldest (a rising HS senior) was an infant we bought a jogging stroller at REI that came with an infant headrest and a cover that folded down to block out sun and wind.

Looking back, that jogger was THE BEST PURCHASE we made, IMO. It bought me freedom to get out of the house with a baby and exercise like I always had. I was able to get back into shape a lot more quickly. Just being able to get out of the house was so uplifting! My kids looked forward to their "jogger ride" while I ran.

We used it for years, with multiple children. Best money we spent. Joggers are even better designed (lighter) now. I highly recommend a jogger if you are a runner or a walker.

[Anonymous]

Previous poster, forgot to add: you leave at 5 for your jogger workout, dinner should be easy on the weeknights. Something that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. If you kids end up in bed 20 minutes later, that's fine. You got your work out in, and your kid probably fell asleep in the jogger during your walk, anyway.

5 to 6 is workout time at least every other day. It is non-negotiable. You have to make it top priority.

[Anonymous]

Honestly it’s mostly diet. But we did buy a treadmill and we both wear fitbits and do whatever it takes to get at least 10k steps a day.

[Anonymous]

5:30/6am and +1 to pp who mentioned diet.

[Anonymous]

When kids were that age, yep up at 5 am

[Anonymous]

How old is the toddler? With both kids, I worked out with them near me at home. When they were very young, that might have included having them in a playard. But as they got older, they liked having their own yoga mat and 1lb weights.

Jogging stroller when they are small enough also works, but weather means it's not as reliable of a workout plan.

[Anonymous]

Had 2 under 2, now 3 and 18 months. I work out over lunch or take the kids in their bikes on long walks on weeknights or weekends. I wish I could do more but otherwise I’m literally free from 6:30-7 am to chug coffee and then 8:30-9 pm to get ready for bed.

[Anonymous]

I work out on my lunch hour. Especially working from home, it's so easy. I work out for 45 minutes, then hop in the shower, then eat lunch.

[Anonymous]

I'm not really "fit" but I'll answer. I jog before work and before the kids get up. I take the kids on jogs. When they're riding bikes, I'm jogging with them. When they're at the playground, I'll jog laps. Basically whenever I can fit in a quick 5-10 minute jog I'm going to. But its not really the jogging that does it for me (I don't think), its the fact that after a good jog I felt like I've done something good for my body and as good as something like some french fries would taste, they would cancel out the good work I just did.

[Anonymous]

Morning. Be done and showered by the time they are awake. Yes it is early and no fun, but it is what I do to ensure I get a good workout plus shower daily. 5am-6am is my usual workout time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work out on my lunch hour. Especially working from home, it's so easy. I work out for 45 minutes, then hop in the shower, then eat lunch.

That turns out to be a really long lunch break; between changing, working out 45 min, showering and getting dressed again, then making and eating lunch. Plus does this mean you aren’t showering when you wake up before working?

[Anonymous]

If I'm not exercising by 5am, it's not happening

[Anonymous]

I'm in sales and work from home. Single parent of three. I love summer as there is no early middle school to mess up my morning workout. I do core power daily, 5:45 is my pefeence. During the year I go at noon, and supplement with Orange theory twice a week as they have a 5 am class, that still works with getting my kids to school on time.

When they were young it was 100% about a gym with excellent kids options (lifetime type) and a jogging stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work out on my lunch hour. Especially working from home, it's so easy. I work out for 45 minutes, then hop in the shower, then eat lunch.

That turns out to be a really long lunch break; between changing, working out 45 min, showering and getting dressed again, then making and eating lunch. Plus does this mean you aren’t showering when you wake up before working?

I just change after my shower, which is after my workout. What are you talking about? I eat lunch while I’m working- lunch is made the night before or I’m heating something up or DH does it for me - it takes less than five minutes. Im working from home. Nobody is watching the clock. You just have to get your work done.