Is this enough fitness?

rab41380

So, this is my first week back in the career world after being a SAHM for the last 4 years. I love fitness as I had the time , now I am panicking cause it is looking like I may not be able to do more than 3 days a week. For those of you that get 3 days a week in, does it feel like enough time to keep feeling healthy and stay in shape. Thanks! I a, just trying to figure out a routing to live a healthy career life!

dglvrk2

There are lots of weeks I get three days or fewer of exercise. Pre-kids, this would not have been alright IMO/for me. Now it's fine. I may feel a little more sluggish during a low exercise week, but in otherwise fine. I think having consistant times dedicated to exercise each week is key to keeping up a routine when you have kids.

snicksnack

Pre kids was awesome I never knew how much free time I had even with working on my Masters.  When I had just my daughter I went two nights a week and once on the weekend and felt fine.  Once I had two everything went out the window and I feel like a slug.  Now that my second is almost two and we are moving to a place near an awesome gym that caters to kids I am getting back on track.  My husband is awesome but I won’t feel bad leaving him and the kids several nights a week if my daughter who is 4 goes with me to attend the kids sports programs they have.  She will have fun and so will I.  They also have a great pool so we can go on the weekend and my husband and I can take turns with the kids in the pool while the other workds out.

jlaOK

I try to get 3-4 days in but that 4th day is on the weekend and many times doesn't happen.  3 days a week makes me feel really great and that 4th day is just a bonus.  Right now I'm training for a race so I'm making sure to get the 4th day (my weekend long run), but will probably not do it during the summer because we are generally more active anyway.

KL777

I go to a one day a week 60 minute Zumba Fitness class, and it's enough.  It allows me to balance out everything else that I need to do that week.

ashleysbf

I go for a walk every afternoon Monday through Friday. I carry dd in the ergo and I try for 30 minutes at a brisk pace. Pre-baby, this would not have been enough, but it's okay for now. On the weekends I try and do an hour long walk with my hubby and dd in the stroller. We are members of the local Y, but I feel bad enough having dd in daycare all day, I don't want to put her in the Y daycare for another hour.

mae0111

I, too, miss the days of spending 2 hours at the gym, or long runs by myself in warm weather on the weekends...

I aim for 3-4 days a week, but the duration is short.  I either run a few miles on the treadmill, or do a 30-day-shred-like circuit workout.  I can't stand the DVD anymore, so I just find a quiet spot, use the timer on my phone, and do my 3 mins strength/2 mins cardio/1 min abs.  Typically 20-30 mins, maybe a bit longer if I can get one day on the weekends in. 

I've been waking up at 5:30-5:45 to work out, but my kids are killing me.  Today DD2 (almost 1) was up for the day at 4:45, and DD1 (4.5) was up at 5:15.  No workout today!!!

Sept07b2b

The whole family goes to the gym on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  The gym has a daycare of sorts there, so the kids get to play for 45 minutes, while my DH and I get in a workout.  It's a win-win for everyone.  I then try to get a workout in once or twice during the week, but I will say that during the week is absolutely the hardest!!  The only time I've found that works is after the kids go to bed at around 8pm.  After a full day of work, feeding the kids, playing and getting them to bed, the absolute last thing I want to do is workout, which is why if it happens at least once a week, I consider it a success.  

laurakaz13

No.  3 days a week would not be enough for me.  I'm in a panic if I don't get 6 days in.  That being said, my H travels a lot so we bought a treadmill and weights, so I can run and lift at home.  It has been a lifesaver.  I used to run 40+ miles per week, but now get about 30 in.  I wake up at 5 a.m. or work out after DD is in bed. 

I also work out on both Sat and Sun, when I used to take one of those as my rest days.  On weekend mornings, I usually get an hour run in outside (weather permitting) or inside if not, and am back drinking coffee before DD or DH even wakes up.  I've just had to switch my routine around and make it work. 

roo1oo

I aim for 4-5 days a week but do short duration workouts (20-30 min), and 2 of those days are on the weekend. That's all I have time for. I used to walk the dogs every day and run 15-20 miles a week, but I just don't have time for that many dog walks or that much running anymore. I do a lot of quick, at home circuit/resistance/pilates type training and 1-2 longer cardio sessions per week and watch what I eat. 

SunAndRain

Well, I got back in to my hobby of horseback riding and given the travel and tacking up/un-tacking time this is a 3.5 hour time sink PER RIDE.  And I ride 3 days a week.  It takes a commitment from DH to get DD off to daycare by himself one morning per week and to do her entire bedtime routine alone one evening per week.  On the weekend I take DD to the barn with me and hire a young rider to watch her for 2 hours while I do my thing.

Aside from that DH and I try to get one family hike in and I try to get one long walk in per week.

I've learned that something is better than nothing and I will not be getting back in to my triathlon-shape again anytime soon.  

I don't belong to a gym because I don't like working out indoors nor would I have the time anyway.

 

teacupkat

IMO you really shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself to balance family and exercise. As long as you are doing something and watching what you eat(i.e. eating clean/in moderation) you are doing well for yourself and your body. I think 3 days is great! It is better than nothing. I aim for 3-4 days myself. I used to go 5-6 plus I am a runner; I have trained for both half and full marathons pre-baby. I'm hoping I can still do this, but I won't hate myself if it isn't possible. I am sure as LO gets older, things will get easier.
I basically have been picking up LO from daycare at 5:30, DH gets home at 6/6:30 and I am out the door just after BFing LO. I workout for 45 minutes, get home, shower, and BF LO, followed by putting her to bed. Can it be exhausting? Sure, but I would rather feel exhausted from working out than exhausted from not. There is certainly a difference between the two.
I also started following a whole bunch of moms who workout on Instagram who post what they do at home and at the gym. Are you on there at all? Might have some great tips for keeping up your fitness even on days you can't workout for too long.

Klavanga74

Hi there- I'm a trainer and have been for years. I have been lucky enough to have one of the best trainers in the country write my programs for me for the last four years (even a trainer needs a trainer! ). Almost every program I've had is 3 days a week and never more than four. My business partner, who's a fitness rock star and can do multiple pull-ups with 40 lbs strapped ot her waist (and she's tiny...you'd never know she does this stuff), and can run a 10-miler and beat her fit husband...works out three - four days/week. It's all about the quality of what you're doing. Check out kettlebells. I'm a certified Russian kb instructor. If you tell me where you are, I may be able to recommend someone to get you on the right track. Really inspiring women on the web to check out: google Neghar Fonooni, Eat, Lift and be happy is her blog; Jen Sinkler- forget her blog; Jen Comas Keck, you can also google Girls Gone Strong. Oh, and Karen Smith (no blog, but she's a Master Kettlebell Instructor and crazy fit lady...she was my next door neighbor for years and got me into kettlebells). Good luck, and don't beat yourself up over it! We women do too much of that!

jamieandwill

You might have to explore things that take less time. I strongly believe that a little movement every single day is way better than a couple hard core workouts. Some ideas for fast workouts are T25 (the shorter version of P90x, only 25 minutes), or Jillian Michael DVD's. I have my road bike on a bike trainer and I can get a good interval workout in 20 minutes. So, I have at least 20-30 minutes a day and don't have to leave my house or arrange childcare while I workout.

After DS goes to bed, I either do T25 or a Jillian Michaels DVD or jump on my road bike for 20 minutes (I can't run anymore so that's out). I also do yoga 2-3x a week on my lunch break at work (there is a gym next door).

rab41380

Thanks! I do love kettleball workouts. I was thinking of investing in a few.

Klavanga74

If you invest in bells...go for quality over quantity. Check dragondoor.com, and perform better. All you need to start is an 18 lb and 26 lb (12kilo). I could point you to a couple of books or DVDs. Jillian michaels does some things well, but NOT kettlebells. Her form is unsafe. I'll try to look up some recs. tomorrow.

katwoman08

I have learned to go for intensity and HIIT have allowed me to get a good work out in in a short amount of time.  With this I have found 20-30 minutes is enough time and I can get that in 5-6 days a week.

dizzycooks

3 is better than 0 which I know is pretty common. I'd be amazed if I found three days to workout. I aim for a long walk, most days and that's enough for me. It's been so long since I've really worked out I've forgotten how good it feels, but I am am happy with the balance I've found.