Exercise vs parents: do you have time for regular exercise?
Poll: Exercise vs parents: do you have time for regular exercise?
Total Members Polled: 62
Discussion
From a discussion with an oh-so-busy "you don't have kids do you?" mother, I'm interested in the proportion of parents who can exercise/play sports 2-3 times a week. Exercise can include 30 minutes walk with the kids in the park or even a 30 minute walk to school every morning.
How do you fit the time especially if you work? Apparently, it's unpossible.
How do you fit the time especially if you work? Apparently, it's unpossible.
Hoofy said:
mcelliott said:
Two children, I run my own business, exercise every day. Remember, there's 24 whole hours in a day. 
Now that's what I want to hear. Any tips (time-wise) for parents who want to get fit? New Year Resolutions incoming!If you work you could exercise before or after or on the way to work (cycle/walk/run) or in your lunch break. If you are at home with young kids you can get equipment to use in your house so you don't have to leave them on their own.
Once you start it's much easier to find time for it.
Usually I find it simply comes down to where people consider it in their priorities.
The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
Ordinary_Chap said:
Usually I find it simply comes down to where people consider it in their priorities.
The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
You don't have kids, do you?The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
What you've written is my thinking. It's down to priorities. I know someone who has 3 kids, works full-time shifts for an NHS hospital (you know how crazy hours can be in such an organisation), climbs regularly AND was recently doing a Masters degree! The person I spoke to very recently just shrugged off her success as being "a superwoman".
el stovey said:
If you don't work and have pre school kids or it's the holidays, it's easy you can walk cycle etc with your kids or take them to a gym with a creche.
If you work you could exercise before or after or on the way to work (cycle/walk/run) or in your lunch break. If you are at home with young kids you can get equipment to use in your house so you don't have to leave them on their own.
Once you start it's much easier to find time for it.
That's exactly how I see it. Even playing football with the kids in the backgarden for 30 minutes (playing, not just standing and shouting) is exercise.If you work you could exercise before or after or on the way to work (cycle/walk/run) or in your lunch break. If you are at home with young kids you can get equipment to use in your house so you don't have to leave them on their own.
Once you start it's much easier to find time for it.
Hoofy said:
Ordinary_Chap said:
Usually I find it simply comes down to where people consider it in their priorities.
The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
You don't have kids, do you?The fat slothenly ones never have time (they 95% of the time do) and don't consider themselves eligible for exercise and the fitter, healthier ones do and strangely do have time.
I often find people who are more successful exercise too and lead a far more balanced life.
If people don't want to do it, they always find a reason not to do it and having kids is just one of the many excuses you'll hear and its as simple as that.
What you've written is my thinking. It's down to priorities. I know someone who has 3 kids, works full-time shifts for an NHS hospital (you know how crazy hours can be in such an organisation), climbs regularly AND was recently doing a Masters degree! The person I spoke to very recently just shrugged off her success as being "a superwoman".
I actually do look after a kid regularly that isn't mine and on top of that I'm studying for an MBA, have 35 people working for me, do 65+ hours a week and exercise. I also train with people who are in a similar position have kids and they always make it too. In fact one of my directors, does more hours than I do, is studying, drives 100 miles a day and finds time to train 5 times a week.
It all comes down to priorities.
Edited by Ordinary_Chap on Wednesday 28th December 21:09
Ordinary_Chap said:
All you've done is agree with me there, if people want to find the time then they will otherwise they will find a reason not to and it really is that simple and this isn't confined to kids, lots of folks claim their jobs or whatever else stop them too.
I actually do look after a kid regularly that isn't mine and on top of that I'm studying for an MBA, have 35 people working for me, do 65+ hours a week and exercise. I also train with people who are in a similar position have kids and they always make it too. In fact one of my directors, does more hours than I do, is studying, drives 100 miles a day and finds time to train 5 times a week.
It all comes down to priorities.
Yes, I was agreeing with you! You know I ramble. I actually do look after a kid regularly that isn't mine and on top of that I'm studying for an MBA, have 35 people working for me, do 65+ hours a week and exercise. I also train with people who are in a similar position have kids and they always make it too. In fact one of my directors, does more hours than I do, is studying, drives 100 miles a day and finds time to train 5 times a week.
It all comes down to priorities.
Edited by Ordinary_Chap on Wednesday 28th December 21:09
I notice that "Skip" has at least one child and was working (now running his own business), as was his wife, when he was training and competing.
Hoofy said:
Ordinary_Chap said:
All you've done is agree with me there, if people want to find the time then they will otherwise they will find a reason not to and it really is that simple and this isn't confined to kids, lots of folks claim their jobs or whatever else stop them too.
I actually do look after a kid regularly that isn't mine and on top of that I'm studying for an MBA, have 35 people working for me, do 65+ hours a week and exercise. I also train with people who are in a similar position have kids and they always make it too. In fact one of my directors, does more hours than I do, is studying, drives 100 miles a day and finds time to train 5 times a week.
It all comes down to priorities.
Yes, I was agreeing with you! You know I ramble. I actually do look after a kid regularly that isn't mine and on top of that I'm studying for an MBA, have 35 people working for me, do 65+ hours a week and exercise. I also train with people who are in a similar position have kids and they always make it too. In fact one of my directors, does more hours than I do, is studying, drives 100 miles a day and finds time to train 5 times a week.
It all comes down to priorities.
Edited by Ordinary_Chap on Wednesday 28th December 21:09
I notice that "Skip" has at least one child and was working (now running his own business), as was his wife, when he was training and competing.
Skip has 3 kids I think and an assortment of dogs that usually over-run his home videos!
I can name at least 5 competing bodybuilders with kids and hectic jobs. One I know even stops in hotels most of the working week while traveling around the UK so he has to train in a different gym with new equipment most days.
I have a job involving antisocial hours, late finishes and weekends too
My missus has similar circumstances
Until our first was born we ate and drank and went to the gym in equal measures
That all stopped just over 10y ago but we carried on as we had until I looked in the mirror and realised I was 20kg heavier than when we got married
I now exercise x2 per week
My passion is cycling
On Sundays I get up at 6AM for 4h and I usually manage 2h midweek too with lights when the kids are in bed
We enjoy riding bikes as a family but 10km with a 7y old just really isnt the same whatever you say
As has been suggested fat people are fat for a reason
If you want to get fit JFDI - its rarely convenient and never easy but if you want to do it then its possible
Cheers
Ordinary_Chap said:
Sorry if I have one issue its with folk not being honest with themselves. I don't mind as much folk being dishonest with each us as not being truthful to themselves. I'm pretty merciless with folk in the real world when I sense they are either not being truthful to themselves or to others.
Skip has 3 kids I think and an assortment of dogs that usually over-run his home videos!
I can name at least 5 competing bodybuilders with kids and hectic jobs. One I know even stops in hotels most of the working week while traveling around the UK so he has to train in a different gym with new equipment most days.
Having to deal with new equipment all the time must be a right PITA!!Skip has 3 kids I think and an assortment of dogs that usually over-run his home videos!
I can name at least 5 competing bodybuilders with kids and hectic jobs. One I know even stops in hotels most of the working week while traveling around the UK so he has to train in a different gym with new equipment most days.
RRS_Staffs said:
We enjoy riding bikes as a family but 10km with a 7y old just really isnt the same whatever you say
Good that you've got back into it. I'm interested to know why it isn't the same as "real" exercising in your opinion? I mean, if your goal is to burn fat, even if the 10km takes a lot longer, you're still going to use up the energy travelling the same distance.
Work Done = Force x Distance.
The only difference is you won't get as much of a cardio-vascular workout.
Hoofy said:
Good that you've got back into it.
I'm interested to know why it isn't the same as "real" exercising in your opinion? I mean, if your goal is to burn fat, even if the 10km takes a lot longer, you're still going to use up the energy travelling the same distance.
Work Done = Force x Distance.
The only difference is you won't get as much of a cardio-vascular workout.
The driving force is not constantI'm interested to know why it isn't the same as "real" exercising in your opinion? I mean, if your goal is to burn fat, even if the 10km takes a lot longer, you're still going to use up the energy travelling the same distance.
Work Done = Force x Distance.
The only difference is you won't get as much of a cardio-vascular workout.
The work done travelling at a sweaty 30kph alone versus 15kph with the kids differs by a factor of approx 4-5x
But its still all good as you say
RRS_Staffs said:
The driving force is not constant
The work done travelling at a sweaty 30kph alone versus 15kph with the kids differs by a factor of approx 4-5x
But its still all good as you say
Sure, but in what sense does it differ? As I suggest, whilst CV impact is lower, fat burning is still the same, more or less? Or have you experienced vastly different in terms of fat burning?The work done travelling at a sweaty 30kph alone versus 15kph with the kids differs by a factor of approx 4-5x
But its still all good as you say
I have two boys. A 7 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old.
Just to balance this thread up a little, it is a lot harder to find time/energy to exercise when they are very young ( 0-2)
I exercise every other day and it is a lot easier now my youngest pretty much looks after himself, but when I had my first lad I couldn't believe how little time you get to yourself even to sit and do nothing let alone exercise.
All that said, I have friends who work 60+ hours per week but still train, the people who make excuses would probably not exercise anyway.
I'm glad to hear there are people that manage it all.
I'm a new dad (2.5 weeks), and before my son was born I would exercise 'about' 10 times a week. This included lunch time runs/swims/brick sessions, evening football/climbing/bike rides, and weekend racing/training. I also work (a reasonably modest compared to some) 55ish hour week, but with only a 10 minute commute.
For my 2 weeks paternity leave I managed no exercise whatsoever. There wasn't time. It was just sleep and eat. This week I've been at work, so I've been running every lunchtime. I'm lucky in that we've got loads of showers, some good local running terrain, our own gym, and a 50m pool just round the corner.
But! I'm training for a couple of half-ironmans this year, so I'd be interested to know if anyone has managed that (or even ironman training!) with a young baby. My wife wants to start exercising now too, which means either splitting our exercise so one is looking after junior whilst the other is exercising, or finding something we can all do. Has anyone successfully run with a pram? Or is there anything we can all do that's reasonably good cardio? (I had thought of sticking him in his car seat for a spin class, but might be a bit loud!).
I'm a new dad (2.5 weeks), and before my son was born I would exercise 'about' 10 times a week. This included lunch time runs/swims/brick sessions, evening football/climbing/bike rides, and weekend racing/training. I also work (a reasonably modest compared to some) 55ish hour week, but with only a 10 minute commute.
For my 2 weeks paternity leave I managed no exercise whatsoever. There wasn't time. It was just sleep and eat. This week I've been at work, so I've been running every lunchtime. I'm lucky in that we've got loads of showers, some good local running terrain, our own gym, and a 50m pool just round the corner.
But! I'm training for a couple of half-ironmans this year, so I'd be interested to know if anyone has managed that (or even ironman training!) with a young baby. My wife wants to start exercising now too, which means either splitting our exercise so one is looking after junior whilst the other is exercising, or finding something we can all do. Has anyone successfully run with a pram? Or is there anything we can all do that's reasonably good cardio? (I had thought of sticking him in his car seat for a spin class, but might be a bit loud!).
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