If you work FT out of the house, when do you work out?

FarmvilleLover

And what type of workouts do you do?

I'm having a hard time trying to plan. Starting at the end of May, I'm leaving the house at 645am to get him to daycare and then not getting home until about 615 to 630. So trying to balance time with the baby, my husband, dinner, walking the dogs, and work is a challenge, much less working out.

Working out at lunch is not an option 80% of the time.

Thanks! 

Joenali

Congrats on your new little guy! He's sooo cute!

I have an 8 year old SS, so it's a little easier to manage than a baby. But when he is with us we do a few different options. We take turns working out, we do something as a family together (swimming, running, riding bikes). When he isn't with us and I have late nights at work or we want dinner together I just end up working out late at night. For me I do not like working out in the morning. Or I workout before I get home for the night.

I also have my workouts planned for the month so if I need to, I can juggle my workout schedule.

Mokie

Well, I don't have a baby, which is a lot more to juggle after work!  But I usually workout right after work or in the evenings.  If I run, it's right after work, if its a yoga night that's later in the evening.

McFelix5711

I don't have a baby, so not sure how this will change whenever that times comes.

Depending on my work schedule for the day, at least 2 mornings a week I work out before work. Other days I work out after, which means I don't get home until sometime between 8 and 8:30 pm. So we can end up eating dinner around 9. It's what we have to do to make my gym time work, which I will not sacrifice! Sometimes I will have a luna bar or something before the gym, and then just have something small when I get home. Or DH will start dinner before I get home so that shortly after I am home, we are eating.

KatiesCats

I get up at 5:30 to run.  I'm home by 6:45, out the door for work at 7:30.

I also work out after work.  I've been doing CrossFit at 6:30 MWF, but plan to switch that to 5:30 once my first month is over (end of April).

shorty20

I don't have young kids either, so that definitely helps.

I workout almost every day during lunch, and other times I do it after work.  I'm home by 4:30 most days, so I'm lucky that I have that much time in the evenings. 

The only time I do morning workouts are my Saturday morning bootcamp class and whenever I have a race.

CallingAllAngels

It's hard.  I have always used this as an excuse to not work out in the past.  In February, I started working out. 

I try to run three times a week, once in the morning before work, once if H can get home before dark and once on a weekend morning.  If I can't do an evening run, I'll do two weekday morning runs.  I love running in the morning, but I hate getting out of bed.

I was also doing a workout video (30 Day Shred) 2x per week in the evening after the kids went to bed, but I freaking hate that thing, so I'm trying to figure something else out.  I joined the gym at work (university), and may try to do some easy cross training at lunch, but I get really sweaty if I do anything too intense, especially since our gym is really warm.  If H picks up the kids (only an option once a week max), I can workout after work.  I would love to start swimming then.  

FarmvilleLover

joe - thanks lady!

i guess i have to just accept that i wont have the time i used to to go to turbo kickbox classes and other workouts. :-( 

sakelp

I work 7:30-3:30 at my job. i also have a 40-60 min commute depending on traffic. I go to the gym right after work, and usually run 3-5 miles on the treadmill. If traffic is really bad and I know that the gym will be packed b/c it is later in the evening, then I usually do a workout video at home with weights.

You could get a jogging stroller and take the baby on runs with you around the neighborhood and have your H walk the dogs if that is an option.

 ETA: see if your gym has child care so that you could at least go to the gym and do your classes a couple of times a week. It's important that you still be able to do things that you enjoy!

taratru

I'm a teacher, so what works for me wouldn't for you. 

If I had your schedule, I'd be getting up early and working out before I leave for work, and maybe going to those classes you like on the weekends.  

jerseygirl81

I have an almost-4-year-old, and I leave my house at 6:40 and get home at 5. Husband and I workout together after bedtime most nights, plus I run early in the morning three times a week. I run at 4:30 on Tuesday/Thursday and schedule my long runs for 6:00 Saturday mornings. It really sucked for the first few weeks, but once I got into the habit it was easier.

historychick79

For me, working out seemed so much easier once C got past the 12/13 mos mark and was walking decently, so don't get too hard on yourself! Most of the time I'm up at 4:45am--usually it is a treadmill run, yoga video, P57 video. My goal is 2-3 30min workouts and 2 1hr workouts during the workweek; one day of rest during the work week. Some days the early hour just doesn't happen (e.g. C was up last night, too tired today). So I'll do a 30min treadmill run around 7:30 tonight, after his bedtime. If something comes up and it doesn't happen, I don't beat myself up over it, just focus on the next day. Then on the weekends I aim for one more hour-long workout, and since I'm prepping for a 5K, this is running outdoors these days.

FarmvilleLover

Thanks for the input everyone. I just bought a BOB so I'm excited to use it at the beach (we're moving and will be 3 miles from the ocean/beach trails!) and around the neighborhood.  My plan for now:

- gym class for weights or turbo kickboxing on Friday nights and once a weekend.

- jog after work around the neighborhood with or without the stroller

- long jogs/walks at the beach on the weekends.

For now, I guess that's what my schedule, family, and work needs will allow.  I'll really miss the gym though. 

Breezy8407

No kids yet (hopefully any day now!) but I had been working out right away after work. I always suck at morning workouts. 

When I go back to work I plan to work out/run right after work either at my work or stopping on my way home. I also might get up super early to get it in before work, but I am hoping to avoid that since I despise morning workouts. Once we have a jogging stroller, I will take them with me for after work runs. 

One advantage I have is a treadmill and weights at home, so I always have the option to run at any time. My H coaches in the winters, so I will pretty much be on my own in the evenings, so I might end up running after bed time.  

nabum

baby Farmer is too adorable!

I work out at lunch when I can, we take a family walk every evening with the dog, and I try to get one 'good' workout in on the weekend - usually TKB or a long run. I miss the gym, too. One day I'll be back but I'm not willing to sacrafice time with the kiddo for my workouts at this point.

gt7301b

Once LO gets a little bigger can you find a gym with a daycare?  My gym offers daycare most of the day.

We also have a treadmill in the basement so we can squeeze in workouts at odd times.

Blessed55

I don't have a kid...but when I want a quick workout in the morning I'll do Insanity or any other 30-45 min intense workout that can be done at home. This usually requires me waking up anywhere between 345 and 5 depending on my schedule for the day.

If I decide to sleep in, then I go to the gym at night, anywhere between 730 and 10. Thankfully I go to a 24 hour gym. I don't know babies schedules, but could you go to the gym after he is asleep and your H stay with him 1-2 times per week?

And when I'm even more busy, but don't want to skip too many workouts, I seriously just do a 10 min workout. Usually intervals of sprint/jog outside. It's better than nothing!

 ETA: I do new rules of lifting for women at the gym. And based on your schedule I would try to workout in the morning, so you can use the evening to relax and hang out with your family.

Susie Derkins

I work out in the evenings, either a run, swim, or bike.  I don't get home from work until 7-9pm, fluctuating, on average.  I work out, then we eat (late). 

I also try to get 2 good workouts in on the weekend.  I feel ok if I hit 4 workouts/week, and that means I only need to find time 2/5 weekdays.  3 weekdays is preferable, and the norm in the summer, but not always the case.

Could you work out after he's gone to bed?

ebeth_msn

no kids, but I work out after work and before dinner.  usually around 6-7 or so.   I run so most of the time I just run outside but sometimes I'll go to the gym. 

is your H around to help?  can he take care of dinner prep/dog duty a few nights a week so you can get a work out in? 

Daffyone

Morning and lunch time is not an option for me either, so I feel your pain! 

My kids are older than yours, middle and elementary school, however I would never leave my older one home in charge, just because the power would go to his head, so....my gym has daycare, my littler one plays and my older one sits and does his homework or reads.  This is for times when DH can't be home with them.  I always make sure to work out on the weekends when he is home, and have a bevy of DVD's on hand for those "just can't get away" times. 

I also watch for any spare 30+ minutes I can get, and even if a workout wasn't in my plans, if spare time comes up, I am always ready to toss the shorts and shoes on and get to work.

Mrs.Handy

I work out after LO goes to bed around 7-7:15PM. I have a limited amount of time with him during the week so I try to maximize our family time when's he up.

DH and I tag team our exercises in the evenings. Sometimes I go first, sometimes he does. 

I've tried morning workouts and I really don't like them. I may try again sometime, but for right now our evening workouts work for us.  

 

melodramatic26

At night after dd goes to bed, so usually aroun 7:30pm (I run on a treadmill at home) I don't like doing it that late, but dh travels for work so it's just me to take care of her. I also already get up at 5:30am so getting up earlier isn't going to happen either.

I have a long commute to and from work right now which adds to the problem. Once we move closer to our office, I'm hoping to be able to get at least a couple of mornings to run instead.

Brie2010

No baby yet, but I go to a 5:30 am CrossFit class.  It was an adjustment when I started going, but now I absolutely adore it.  It's nice to get your workout out of the way.  I went this morning and it kind of seems like it was all a dream, ha.

WinesNotWhines

I prefer to exercise in the mornings, even if it means getting up very early. I'd rather get up at 5 am to go run and get it over with.

Gym classes are harder to fit in. I take a couple of classes at the gym at work during my lunch break, but you said that's not an option for you. I'm also taking a yoga class at night once day/week. It's hard to find classes that meet my schedule and that fit my childcare needs. Some gyms have daycares, but since my kid is already in his regular daycare 9 hours/day, I don't want to have to use a gym daycare on top of that.

On weekends, I'll go out for runs with the jogging stroller if the weather is nice.

aeroluv327

Aww, he's precious!

Not sure if my schedule will help out much since I work about 5 min from my house and I have no kids, but I actually work out at different times so maybe it will give you some ideas!

Early morning: Some days I wake up early and run before work.  In my case, I need to be out the door for my run by 6:00 in order to get in 3 miles and give myself time to get ready.  Sometimes instead of running I'll do a yoga DVD or do strength training.

Evening: I take yoga classes at my gym or meet my running group, usually at 6:30 but my gym also has classes at 7:00 that are sometimes easier to get to.  Alternatively, I'll go for a run or do a yoga DVD or strength training at home in the evening.  When I work out in the evening, I plan dinner ahead of time.  It's either a crock pot meal that I started that morning or I've already done most of the prep work ahead of time and all I have to do is throw the ingredients on the stove or in the oven.  (Or, of course, it's leftovers!)

Weekends: I usually get in a long run one day and take a long yoga class the other day.  Even if my workouts during the week weren't much, I know I can get in a quality workout these two days!

I also use the weekends to plan and prep dinners ahead of time so that I can use my evenings for workouts.

 

captainleela

I'm home by five, usually eat dinner by six, and workout in the evenings (7pm if I'm taking a class or 8pm if I'm working out on my own). I also workout on my lunch break a couple of times a week. I don't have any kiddos though, so I can be flexible. And I usually workout in the late morning on the weekend.

kjewell

I usually do after dinner.  I have to be up at 5:30 for work so there is no way I am doing it before work.

daves_sweetpea

No children but I was a teen when my sister was born.  I wasn't big on exercise when I was younger but I did walk with her in the stroller quite a bit.  My dad wore all of us in a hiking type backpack while my parents hiked, or walked trails.  He had a bike seat for us when we were older.  As for myself, I go to the gym at work (I work at a college) in the afternoons.  At another job I would walk at lunch and on my breaks b/c I HAD to get out or go nutty.  You might not have time for a full workout but maybe you can find time here & there for a short walk, some core work, even weight training with resistance bands.  You'll probably find ways to work in more time as you get used to your new schedule.

 

LesPaul

Before work, at the Y near my office.  Spin M-W-F @ 5:15 and BootCamp Tu-Th @ 5:30.  Our kids are teenagers/adults, so we have more flexibility.  Many of my CWs go to the Y at lunch.

wildfloweragain

I had a hard time fitting in workouts until I was done nursing this time, depends on milk supply and baby's schedule.  I did get in a walk in the am with the first 2 kids but between DH's schedule and the extra pumping for DD#3, I did not get back into working out except saturday zumba until she was a year old. We did stroller walks, weather and bedtime-pending.

Now I run at 5 if it is not cold out in the am. This winter I went to the gym, which didn't open until 5:30, and DH has to leave for work at 6 on some days, other days he is off or works all night and is still gone when I leave for work. I've still been able to stay motivated enough to get to the gym every other day to run unless he's on a 3 night stretch.  Sometimes i could only run for 20 min though.  Looking forward to nicer weather, have had a few outdoor runs and I can leave earlier.

ScubaDreamin

Well, I don't have a little one (at least not a two-legged little one, I have four-legged little ones), and your boy is adorable btw.  I leave the house by 6:45 and get home b/t 4:30 and 5 and work out when I get home, if I'm doing weights (p90x), or running if it's not super hot. Once the summer really hits, then I do my runs pre-work and head out the door at 5:30 am instead.  It's got to be much harder balancing work with children and hubby and cooking, dogs, etc.  Good luck - you'll figure it out, but it may take a few negotiations with DH!