I have to be out the door with the kid by 7:15 for work so going to the gym seems undoable for me. Instead I wake up at 5 and do weights in the basement for 45-55 min 3x/week. When it's light enough out, I run on the other days. Thinking about getting a treadmill to do that at home.

this is my newbie schedule (going on 3+ weeks) as I just got back into working out at home after a couple of years on hiatus.

wake up by 5:30 am. have my morning tea, scan emails from work, feed the dog and usually start working around 6:00. I lift M, W F, with light cardio and do a lot of core work (situps, planks, etc.) and stretching. T, TH and S are my longer cardio days + core work). I usually can finish my entire workout in 45 minutes and I am so energized to take on the rest of the day.

I see the first DC off by 7:00, get the second DC up soon thereafter and I get DW's to-go cups ready as she is out the door usually around 7:15/7:20 am. Eldest DC is up and out the door by 7:30. I then shower and get dressed for work (suit and tie) - drop youngest DC at school and depending on traffic, am in the office between 8:45-9. Two kids buy lunch at school, the eldest either makes his or DW helps.

I stay up until the youngest two DCs go to bed (between 8:30-9) and I am usually beat by then. DW crawls into bed at some point between 9:30-10, and more often than not, she wants to play so we, have our fun time, and then I sleep ever so soundly

My tips - I leave out my workout gear next to the bed so I'm not turning on the lights in the morning. My motivation is simple - my DW. She loves my [new] body, especially my flattening stomach, the muscles that are re-emerging in my chest, arms and back.

wake up at 5:30, leave at 5:45 for class from 6-7am then home for breakfast and shower

I don't lay stuff out but I make sure I have everything I need (sports bra, clothes, shoes, hair ties, water bottle) clean and easily accessible

having a class with other people I know and that I pay for if I show up or not is a motivator

in bed by 10pm most weeknights

I thought I would hate it and getting up that early IS hard but I love being done with working out for the day before I even eat breakfast. I'm stronger than I've ever been and I can eat more because of the extra calorie burn. If I waited I would be tired later or overwhelmed by other responsibilities.

Just make yourself do it for a month and see what you think - if you hate it you can always try something else

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am following this thread with interest and hoping it motivates me. Since having our second kid, the mornings are the only time I can possibly hope to get a workout in but I'm finding it hard for many reasons. I'm not a morning person, but I just have to get over it.

Yes, that was also why I stuck with a morning schedule. When you get up early before everyone else, no one needs you. They're all asleep! Whereas in the evening, there are lots of reasons to not go to the gym that night.

Unfortunately, between the baby and our dogs, I can't seem to sneak away without waking one of them up. The baby sleeps in her own room but seems to sense the second my eyes open. Didn't have this problem with my first child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My tip is: if you are not really a morning person, don't do mornings. If you are better at night, exercise then. And find something you like to do, or at least do it with someone you like, or with your kids/spouse, at least part of the time. Get a crock pot.

I'm an early person so I exercise by 4am to 5, then clean kitchen/laundry/housework,while tv is on, make dinner/crock pot or marinate ribs/chicken), shower/get dressed/at work 7:15-7:30). But I am home by 4 at the latest.Usually dinner is ready or at least prepped, and I always make enough for at least 2 meals,like pot roast . We usually eat by 4:30, I put the stuff in the sink & let it soak overnight.Spend time with DH. Then I take a nap from 6-730pm, but I get up again & watch tv until about 10 or 11 (depending what's on)

Everyone knows, don't call/visit/expect me to do anything between 6-7:30. DH is good with my hours and will come to bed at 6 with me. I know it's really crazy but it works for us (no kids at home anymore)

BUT,I found I could not belong to a gym. I showed up EVERYDAY at 3:45 waiting for the doors to open at 4, so workers had to be on time, and they were annoyed. And then I got annoyed because men would ask me what I did for a living .Sorry, I'm a teacher, not a stripper

This would be totally unworkable for anyone with kids at home.

OP here and I don’t have kids that stay at home. I’m open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.

Up at 5:45 with my DH. He leaves for the gym at 6:30. He showers and changes at the gym and then goes straight to work. I leave at 7:30 for an 8 am yoga class on M, W, F. On T, Th I run and lift.

Easy for me because I only work 12 hours a week and our kids are grown. When they were little I got up at 445 am and ran.

Anonymous wrote:My tip is: if you are not really a morning person, don't do mornings. If you are better at night, exercise then. And find something you like to do, or at least do it with someone you like, or with your kids/spouse, at least part of the time. Get a crock pot.

I'm an early person so I exercise by 4am to 5, then clean kitchen/laundry/housework,while tv is on, make dinner/crock pot or marinate ribs/chicken), shower/get dressed/at work 7:15-7:30). But I am home by 4 at the latest.Usually dinner is ready or at least prepped, and I always make enough for at least 2 meals,like pot roast . We usually eat by 4:30, I put the stuff in the sink & let it soak overnight.Spend time with DH. Then I take a nap from 6-730pm, but I get up again & watch tv until about 10 or 11 (depending what's on)

Everyone knows, don't call/visit/expect me to do anything between 6-7:30. DH is good with my hours and will come to bed at 6 with me. I know it's really crazy but it works for us (no kids at home anymore)

BUT,I found I could not belong to a gym. I showed up EVERYDAY at 3:45 waiting for the doors to open at 4, so workers had to be on time, and they were annoyed. And then I got annoyed because men would ask me what I did for a living .Sorry, I'm a teacher, not a stripper

This would be totally unworkable for anyone with kids at home.