I have a 2 and 5 year old and am pretty fit in terms of appearance, but only work out about 3 times a week. I haven't read through every single response, so my apologies if this has been mentioned, but one factor that I think is important is the amount of lean muscle mass you had prior to having kids/getting older. If you are someone who spent a lot of time building muscle mass earlier in life, it's easier to get it back and get away with "maintenance mode". I am a former athlete and I am in this boat. It only takes a couple of weeks of working out a few times a week to see the definition come back and to be able to lift fairly heavy weights and run/row pretty fast (I do Orangetheory and a circuit training class when it fits my schedule). I don't think this would be the case if I was someone who didn't spend my teens and twenties working out 5-7 times per week and pushing myself quite hard when I had no other responsibilities besides work/school. I know other college athletes for whom this is the case as well. My endurance isn't what it used to be because that of course would require more frequent workouts. But my appearance today is not much different than it was when I was working out a lot more. For health reasons I'd like to get to 4 workouts per week, which I think will happen as the little one gets a bit older.

All of this to say, don't feel bad if you see a fit person at the gym and wonder why you don't look like that. It might have a lot more to do with their past workout habits than their present habits.

^^^ And horrible light sleeper since menopause mid-40s. I can relate!

Mom of 3 here. I just never stopped moving. Always chasing after kids, cleaning, walking, yoga, -- an active lifestyle especially with kids on weekends. Always have worked full time. Became a mom at 40 and then 43. Lots of weekend hikes --instilling good values of exercise in kids by example. No TV.

Weight has been the same my entire adult life. Late 50s now. 5'2", 112 pounds.

Anonymous wrote:For those looking for at home workouts check out Obé Fitness. Live and replay classes are 28 minutes taught by NYC fitness instructors. Pilates, Strength, Cardio Dance, HIIT, yoga, etc classes. It’s changed my life and made fitness ‘easy’ as I do classes before kids wake up or after bedtime (or during it if my husband is home). I too have drop off, commute, 10 hour workday, pick up so there’s just not time during the day. What happened to the 9-5 job anyway?

Thanks for this rec - I think I’m going to try it. Any specific advice about it? Favorite workouts, etc?

I can totally relate to being a light sleeper! I have to sleep with the door closed and I still hear when DC walks around the house. A noise can wake me and keep me up for hours.

I work out exclusively at home. I have found being flexible and changing up my routine every once in a while works best for me. I work out whenever I can but I found the earlier the better as every day life can get in the way if I delay and I don’t really enjoy work outs late at night. I have invested over the years in good equipment and have a proton, commercial grade elliptical, free weights, bar bell, and sets of large elastics and short bands.

I stream: peloton on and off the bike, Madeline Moves for strength training and 10% happier for meditation. In the past I’ve also streamed Lekfit, Beach Body, Yoga with Adrienne and Betty Rocker.

I love to cook so I eat homemade meals 99% of the time including lunch (which is usually just leftovers). I no longer drink alcohol and mainly just drink water all the time.

I am a terrible sleeper. I am a super light sleeper and wake up for anything. I hate it. I also cannot stay asleep for long periods of time. I wish I could sleep 7 hours, much less 8. I usually get 6 because my body won’t let me sleep. I go to bed early, don’t drink alcohol or caffeine, have black out shades, etc. but this is my biggest issue. Sigh.

For those looking for at home workouts check out Obé Fitness. Live and replay classes are 28 minutes taught by NYC fitness instructors. Pilates, Strength, Cardio Dance, HIIT, yoga, etc classes. It’s changed my life and made fitness ‘easy’ as I do classes before kids wake up or after bedtime (or during it if my husband is home). I too have drop off, commute, 10 hour workday, pick up so there’s just not time during the day. What happened to the 9-5 job anyway?

I have a 14 month old and am skinnier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I work full-time and my husband has a very demanding job so I do a lot on my own. Honestly, usually only manage to cook 1xs a week. Which is a terrible waste of money. What has worked for me.

1) running stroller
2) I don’t eat carbs or drink alcohol during the week. This is the most challenging for me because I love wine.
3) walking around over lunch
4) breastfeeding- this is how I lost all the baby weight

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is me almost exactly.