Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 17:43     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:I'd consider myself very fit. My kids are 7, 5, and 3, and the only time I haven't worked out in many years are injury, the first trimester and then ~5 weeks after each pregnancy.

I prioritize the hell out of it. It's almost always first thing in the morning, either a class or home workout (we have a Peloton). Since having kids, I've used some combination of jogging stroller, gym with childcare, home workouts, and early morning workouts before kids wake up. I'm rigid about working out and more flexible about what exactly I do.

I work FT (40 hours/week) in a flexible job that allows for WAH 1-2 days/week. My commute is not long. I do most of the cooking, but eat out once or twice a week for dinner. I go to bed by 10pm almost every night, and usually earlier. I've been an athlete for most of my life, so I had many years of this habit before having kids, and that's been essential to maintaining it. Daily exercise is as much part of my life as sleeping or eating. I wouldn't take a job or choose a commute that didn't afford me time to work out. It's not worth it to me.


I’m an earlier poster echoing a lot of this. I like others in this thread was an athlete when I was younger - it is very hard to commit to exercise as an adult if it has never really been a part of your life – And would simply not take a job where I could not fit it in. It is that important to me.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 17:34     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


Home workouts with streaming video
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 17:28     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Np here. I’m both here for answers and I suppose I could provide a couple of tips too. I’m halfway fit (with kids), and I’m quickly progressing. I think you have many good answers above.

It’s hitting me hard how much getting up early is key. ...

My biggest obstacle is days I can’t do that (or days I can’t otherwise make up for it later in the day). But as for mornings...I’m having difficulty getting 8 hours of sleep. *my kids are not going to bed on time. So if I wake up early enough, I’m not getting enough sleep*. It’s like I can’t get sleep + alone time + workout all together. (Id need 8hr including falling sleep + 40m to do a 30m exercise + about 20m of quiet parent time).
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 17:20     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Can anyone recommend a gym with nice childcare. Most we have seen plop them in front of a video for an hour.

Would love a Gymboree type place with an adult gym collocated
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 17:00     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
I'd consider myself very fit. My kids are 7, 5, and 3, and the only time I haven't worked out in many years are injury, the first trimester and then ~5 weeks after each pregnancy.

I prioritize the hell out of it. It's almost always first thing in the morning, either a class or home workout (we have a Peloton). Since having kids, I've used some combination of jogging stroller, gym with childcare, home workouts, and early morning workouts before kids wake up. I'm rigid about working out and more flexible about what exactly I do.

I work FT (40 hours/week) in a flexible job that allows for WAH 1-2 days/week. My commute is not long. I do most of the cooking, but eat out once or twice a week for dinner. I go to bed by 10pm almost every night, and usually earlier. I've been an athlete for most of my life, so I had many years of this habit before having kids, and that's been essential to maintaining it. Daily exercise is as much part of my life as sleeping or eating. I wouldn't take a job or choose a commute that didn't afford me time to work out. It's not worth it to me.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:52     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


The only way to do it would be to really prioritize it. Force some room in your work schedule (9-5:30 with no breaks at all is a lot) or work out after 7 pm (DH can take care of bedtime a couple times a week, no?). You don't mention the weekends, but those are good options too - find a gym with childcare or set up playdates for the kids if DH can't help for some reason. Not that you are required to do this, mind you. But I think that's what you would have to do *IF* you really wanted to squeeze in some time for a workout. And you might want to if you want to be around to enjoy your children and potential future grandchildren in 30 years.


9-530 With a 30 minute break for lunch is the standard. In 30 minutes really isn’t enough time to fit in a workout, maybe you can go for a walk but if you get sweaty you won’t have time to change.
For us we have meetings scheduled all the time, so you might get 30 minutes of break throughout the day, but you won’t get a solid chunk. Just chipto grab a sandwich to take to your next meeting.

I do work out on the weekends, Working out at 5 AM is an option, but we have a small house so running on a treadmill or something will wake the kids (If we even had a treadmill


That's tough - my sympathies But maybe some little things that add up. Take the stairs at work when you can, standing desk, quick stretch breaks and quiet yoga videos on the days you can get up and the kids are still sleeping (?) Building in exercise time with your kids too maybe? Riding bikes/walk around the block/Dance parties?


I do all those small things and some am light exercises but doc says I need intensity
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:50     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


Why don’t you have a lunch break?


Because of everyone’s flex schedule our meetings are packed 9-4pm, then I wrap up actual work before leaving.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:49     Subject: Re:Those who are fit with kids
I get up early to go to an early morning boot camp class that starts at 5:45. It is M-F for an hour. I'm home by 7:00. I work full time at home so I shower and the nanny comes at 8:00. After my shower I play with my son until the nanny gets here. I don't do my hair or put on makeup unless I have to be out and about so I'm quick with that part of the day.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:47     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:I do Orangetheory every morning at 5am. I’m back home by 6:15. House starts moving around 6:30.

I cook dinner most nights. Heavy on protein and low carb vegetables. I’ll make a starch as a side dish. I make lunches for everyone as well

I work outside the home.


What time do you go to bed to make the 5 am class?
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:44     Subject: Re:Those who are fit with kids
With the 2-3 hours after kids go to sleep, we each have the opportunity to exercise in the evening, generally 20-40 minutes; either a run outside, inside on treadmill, or dumbbell weights/calisthenics at home. Longer runs on the weekends, often in the morning.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:44     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


Why don’t you have a lunch break?
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:41     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


The only way to do it would be to really prioritize it. Force some room in your work schedule (9-5:30 with no breaks at all is a lot) or work out after 7 pm (DH can take care of bedtime a couple times a week, no?). You don't mention the weekends, but those are good options too - find a gym with childcare or set up playdates for the kids if DH can't help for some reason. Not that you are required to do this, mind you. But I think that's what you would have to do *IF* you really wanted to squeeze in some time for a workout. And you might want to if you want to be around to enjoy your children and potential future grandchildren in 30 years.


9-530 With a 30 minute break for lunch is the standard. In 30 minutes really isn’t enough time to fit in a workout, maybe you can go for a walk but if you get sweaty you won’t have time to change.
For us we have meetings scheduled all the time, so you might get 30 minutes of break throughout the day, but you won’t get a solid chunk. Just chipto grab a sandwich to take to your next meeting.

I do work out on the weekends, Working out at 5 AM is an option, but we have a small house so running on a treadmill or something will wake the kids (If we even had a treadmill


That's tough - my sympathies But maybe some little things that add up. Take the stairs at work when you can, standing desk, quick stretch breaks and quiet yoga videos on the days you can get up and the kids are still sleeping (?) Building in exercise time with your kids too maybe? Riding bikes/walk around the block/Dance parties?
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:34     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


The only way to do it would be to really prioritize it. Force some room in your work schedule (9-5:30 with no breaks at all is a lot) or work out after 7 pm (DH can take care of bedtime a couple times a week, no?). You don't mention the weekends, but those are good options too - find a gym with childcare or set up playdates for the kids if DH can't help for some reason. Not that you are required to do this, mind you. But I think that's what you would have to do *IF* you really wanted to squeeze in some time for a workout. And you might want to if you want to be around to enjoy your children and potential future grandchildren in 30 years.


9-530 With a 30 minute break for lunch is the standard. In 30 minutes really isn’t enough time to fit in a workout, maybe you can go for a walk but if you get sweaty you won’t have time to change.
For us we have meetings scheduled all the time, so you might get 30 minutes of break throughout the day, but you won’t get a solid chunk. Just chipto grab a sandwich to take to your next meeting.

I do work out on the weekends, Working out at 5 AM is an option, but we have a small house so running on a treadmill or something will wake the kids (If we even had a treadmill
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 16:28     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
I'm a few pounds over my ideal weight but that's because I drink too much wine and don't watch my diet as closely as I should. I'm objectively fit though. Kids are 5 and 8.

I work out 5-6 days a week. Short commute and kids are old enough to do their own thing as long as I'm in the house - we have a Peloton, treadmill and I belong to Beachbody on Demand as well (Insanity etc). Solidcore 1-2x/week. I work out around 730am and drop them at camp/school at 9, then work.

Cook most meals during the week, eat out too much on weekends.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2019 15:36     Subject: Those who are fit with kids
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. My DH leaves for work at 5 am; I drop off kids and get to work at 9 am. Work to 530, then get home at 6pm, make dinner (DH picks up and usually has activities and homework until I get home), then kids aren’t asleep until 9. I could maybe work out at 930, but usually have to clean up and do other chores.

How would you fit in an hour of exercise here? No lunch break, sorry.


You can work out on both Saturday and Sunday. That gives you two days. Then try for 1-2 days during the week. Can your husband handle dinner and/or kids bedtime 1-2 days so you can workout earlier in the evening. Or can you run on a track and bring the kids with you (they can play or watch iPad)?


do at home workout before the kids get up. I did that for years when my kids were little. Also did as other suggested and hit it harder on the weekends to make up for less time and energy on weekdays