Anonymous wrote:This might be one of the most depressing threads I've ever read. When do you sleep?

Yeah wow, so depressing to see women actually make time to prioritize and value their health. Look, I have kids I need to be healthy for. I want to have experiences with them and have them remember me as strong and capable. I want to be hiking with my grandkids one day, able to climb a tree with them if I want. I want strong healthy homes and to not have aching joints and bad knees when I’m 60. So yes, I take a precious 45 minutes a day 4-5 times a week to invest in that for myself. So do all these women. You can think it’s depressing but it’s more depressing to see 65 year olds who can barely move.

Anonymous wrote: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).

I’m not at a stage where I’m willing to work out at 5am or anytime in the morning. During the school year, I work out 4-5 days a week and 2-4 days in summer. Single mom. I chose a gym a block from her aftercare pickup and workout for an hour and then pickup at the last minute. I’m not going to workout regularly at home as I’m less disciplined at home and have no desire to. Saturday and Sunday workouts are nonnegotiable. I weight train 1-2 days a week. This is key. Make sure that you are using weights and really challenging yourself since we lose a half pound of muscle otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:This might be one of the most depressing threads I've ever read. When do you sleep?

It depresses you that people make time to exercise? Okay then.

And I sleep plenty

I have 2 kids under 6 and I work long hours with travel at least 1-2 per month, sometimes more (lawyer here). My commute is less than 30 minutes. I often do 1-2 hours of work after my kids are in bed during the week but I try to get to bed no later than 11pm.

Two times during the week (whichever days fit best with my schedule), I wake up at 5:30am and do 45 min - 1 hour in my basement. I have a treadmill, spin bike, and a few sets of dumbbells. I stream cardio and strength training workouts from the Peloton app. Occasionally I will go for a run in on a weekday morning during the summer (since the sun rises so early).

On Saturdays and Sundays, I usually go for a longer run outside one day. On the other, I do a long strength training session.

If I'm traveling for work, I bring work out clothes and hit the hotel gym if my schedule allows it.

For me, working out at home is the key. I am not a morning person but since having kids, it's the only time of day that works during the week. I just roll out of bed and head downstairs. If I wait until the evening to work out, there's a 90% chance I won't do it - something comes up at work, bedtime with the kids takes longer than usual, I'm exhausted, etc.

The downside is that I only get about 6-7 hours of sleep per night and I feel like I'm constantly juggling to find time to do everything. I need the flexibility to fit in workouts when I can, but not having a set day/time each week makes it feel a bit chaotic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

This PP is working 10.5 hrs too

I'm the PP. I also work from home for another hour or two on many evenings. The things that are different for me vs. some of the other posters is that my DH doesn't leave early for work (sometimes he travels, in which case I can only do a treadmill or dumbbell workout at home) and I don't get 8 hours of sleep (more like 7, max). I also have my kids in bed by 8PM so I can get myself to bed around 10PM. It is definitely a matter of prioritizing and discipline about schedule. Like I said, I'm not obsessive about it, but before I used to get a little more sleep yet perversely felt more tired in the mornings and sleepy in the afternoons. Upping my workouts really has made a difference in my energy level, even on slightly less sleep.

Do your kids have homework or anything? We get home at six; in bed by 8 would be crazy fast.

PP here, we had no homework in 1st. We'll see about 2nd. It is fast but I run a tight ship both for my own sanity and because my kids are often wiped at the end of a day and really need to get to bed. The 7 yo reads in bed for a few minutes most nights.

This might be one of the most depressing threads I've ever read. When do you sleep?

Very fit working mom. I workout whenever my schdule allows that day. I workout when I am on sports taxi duty for my older child. I drop her off at practice and go work out. I also work out in the mornings on weekends, and once or twice a week in the evenings. If I can't leave the house, I have a home gym with weights, a bench, and an elliptical. I work out most days. When I am on work travel I go on very long runs so that I can make the most of time away. For some people, a rigid schedule works but for me, being flexible and finding the time each day is what works.

I mostly eat at home and bring my lunch to work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

This PP is working 10.5 hrs too

I'm the PP. I also work from home for another hour or two on many evenings. The things that are different for me vs. some of the other posters is that my DH doesn't leave early for work (sometimes he travels, in which case I can only do a treadmill or dumbbell workout at home) and I don't get 8 hours of sleep (more like 7, max). I also have my kids in bed by 8PM so I can get myself to bed around 10PM. It is definitely a matter of prioritizing and discipline about schedule. Like I said, I'm not obsessive about it, but before I used to get a little more sleep yet perversely felt more tired in the mornings and sleepy in the afternoons. Upping my workouts really has made a difference in my energy level, even on slightly less sleep.

Do your kids have homework or anything? We get home at six; in bed by 8 would be crazy fast.

DP, but probably only the 7 year old would, and hopefully it's not much. Some kids do their homework in aftercare, if PP uses that. I don't think two hours is crazy fast to get three kids fed and in bed. We do simple dinners and have a short bedtime routine. What are you doing that takes so long?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

This PP is working 10.5 hrs too

I'm the PP. I also work from home for another hour or two on many evenings. The things that are different for me vs. some of the other posters is that my DH doesn't leave early for work (sometimes he travels, in which case I can only do a treadmill or dumbbell workout at home) and I don't get 8 hours of sleep (more like 7, max). I also have my kids in bed by 8PM so I can get myself to bed around 10PM. It is definitely a matter of prioritizing and discipline about schedule. Like I said, I'm not obsessive about it, but before I used to get a little more sleep yet perversely felt more tired in the mornings and sleepy in the afternoons. Upping my workouts really has made a difference in my energy level, even on slightly less sleep.

Do your kids have homework or anything? We get home at six; in bed by 8 would be crazy fast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

This PP is working 10.5 hrs too

I'm the PP. I also work from home for another hour or two on many evenings. The things that are different for me vs. some of the other posters is that my DH doesn't leave early for work (sometimes he travels, in which case I can only do a treadmill or dumbbell workout at home) and I don't get 8 hours of sleep (more like 7, max). I also have my kids in bed by 8PM so I can get myself to bed around 10PM. It is definitely a matter of prioritizing and discipline about schedule. Like I said, I'm not obsessive about it, but before I used to get a little more sleep yet perversely felt more tired in the mornings and sleepy in the afternoons. Upping my workouts really has made a difference in my energy level, even on slightly less sleep.

We had twins, did nothing for the first year and both my wife and I realized how much of an affect it was having one us.

After that, we alternated mornings at the gym for the next few years with one of us occasionally going after they were in bed in the evenings if other things in life caused us to miss a few mornings.

Anonymous wrote:I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

This PP is working 10.5 hrs too

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly don’t know how both parents can work, commute, be a family and sleep.

Sleep 8 hrs, commute + work 9.5 hr, dinner and family time, 3 hrs, 1 hr for daycare logistics (either drop off or pickup), leaves 2.5 hrs for showering, gym, EVERYTHING else.

Most working parents do not spend 10.5 hours total working, commuting and doing "daycare logistics" (whatever those are--shouldn't daycare be along your route to work or at your work or by your home)?

Work: 8.5 hr
Commute: 30 min each way: 1 hr
Daycare Drive and Drop: 15 min (do you have a kiss and ride, b/c our is closer to 30).
Kids fed and dressed: 30 min. Without kids I can leave in 10 minutes.

You can reshuffle the time, so work/commute: 9.5, dinner family 3 hrs, 0.5 daycare drop off, 3.5 hrs for showering gym, feeding and dressing kids and everything else.

I mean do you wake your kid up, put them in car seat and do a kiss and ride? Mine can take 5 minutes putting on her shoes, and letting her do it is part of her development.

I'm reasonably fit but not obsessive about it. Kids are 7, 4, 1. Currently, I get in 3-4 workouts per week, my goal is to get that up to 4-5 times/week. Most weeks, I run 3 miles outside or on our treadmill twice a week and do Crossfit twice a week. Running is at 6am on weekdays and Crossfit is a 5:30 a.m. class, so I'm home a little after 6:30 either way. I make lunches or prep breakfast while I'm cooling down, then hit the shower and can usually be ready by 7:15 to get the baby up. Older kids dress themselves.

We also have a set of dumbbells along with the treadmill. If I'm pressed for time, I have a 20 minute circuit with the dumbbells combined with some squats and lunges that gets my heart rate up and definitely leaves me muscle-sore the next day. The advice to get quick, efficient workouts is good advice.

We mostly cook at home. My meals are simple and quick, DH is a good cook and will do more elaborate things that usually result in good leftovers for weeknight meals. We do order pizza once a week, and will get Chinese or Indian delivery a couple times per month as well.

I WOHM 9-5:30 with a 45 minute commute each way. Some in my office work out during the day, but I don't like having to shower and get re-dressed, re-apply makeup, etc. so that doesn't work for me.

13:25 here - when I was home on maternity leave, I'd walk or run on the basement treadmill right after the first feeding of the day. I'd put her in the bouncy chair to nap while I ran, with the TV on mute/closed captioning. When she fussed, I'd turn on the vibration. If she started actually crying, workout was over. This worked until she was old enough for gym day care.