https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:47:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise/page/2#post-2821441 Wed, 09 May 2018 12:45:30 +0000 brownepiano 2821441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: not a wohm but my kids LOVE working out with me. DS is 4 and is like a personal trainer. "Mommy, are you going to do another one?" They watch, try some of the stuff, wander around with weights, climb under me if I'm on the floor. For AM workouts, I'd either get an ok to wake clock and have her stay in her room till it's time to get up, or just let her hang out with you. She might surprise you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise/page/2#post-2821298 Tue, 08 May 2018 22:53:05 +0000 Dahlia 2821298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't start going to the gym again until DD was 2 1/2. I either go during the work day, or I have DH watch her from about 5:30-6:30 so I can go before dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise/page/2#post-2821284 Tue, 08 May 2018 21:38:02 +0000 MamaCate 2821284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: try the morning workouts I love them! Is there any way to get out of the house? I leave the house around 6 four mornings a week and run 2 miles (there is a trail right there) so I am back in 20 minutes. DH runs the other days. 2 other mornings I do HIIT in the house, again for like 20 minutes.</p> <p>Kids are usually up and we park them in front of the iPad for that time period. I can live with 2”-3” minutes of dumb amazon prime shows for the benefit I get from exercising. When I am home they sometimes come exercise with me but usually pick shows. </p> <p>The more you get in the routine the easier it gets. Take advantage of the early sunlight and try it. But if it isn’t working for you now you can always try again in a little bit. It took a while for me to get in a groove that worked but I have been running pretty consistently since July and have been even more in track since January. </p> <p>Also running and leaving the house while the kids are awake sort of feels like getting away with something—go with that! 😛 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise/page/2#post-2821227 Tue, 08 May 2018 18:57:31 +0000 pachamama 2821227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: I have to creep so my 2 year old doesn't wake up. I leave at 5, he's always up by 545. Why does your daughter have to wake up if you go early? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821223 Tue, 08 May 2018 18:51:15 +0000 Iced Tea 2821223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am making to the gym now, but that's recent! For the first nine months of LO2's life, I just squeezed in little bursts here and there--things that worked muscles but wouldn't make me sweat, so I could do them anytime. Squats, wall presses, side steps, etc. I would most often do them while the kids played or while watching a show. My three year-old is always asking me to play tag too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821198 Tue, 08 May 2018 16:20:06 +0000 nwm 2821198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this has definitely been a huge struggle for me and i'm interested to hear more about the lunchtime routine working for folks! if you do shower, do you ignore your hair? or return to work with wet hair? i think i would want to rinse off at least, but if i took the time to shower, wash hair, and THEN dry hair and refresh makeup, i'd be out of work for longer than i think i can really afford. would love to hear if folks have tips or tricks for making that work and getting in and out in ~1 hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821146 Tue, 08 May 2018 14:28:30 +0000 MrsSCB 2821146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Depends on my workout, but there are showers at the gym that I can use to rinse off quickly if necessary! That would be more difficult if I were running outside, of course. We have showers in my office building, but I know not everyone does. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821123 Tue, 08 May 2018 13:42:01 +0000 hellobeeboston 2821123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man this has been a major struggle for me for YEARS. I WOHM full time, with an hour + commute each way. Now that my children are 5.5 and 2.5, I'm FINALLY just getting into a groove.</p> <p>My husband leaves EARLY for work, so i've got the mornings with the kids, so no chance to do a workout then unless I wanted to get up at 5am. NOPE.... But he gets home to get the kids so I have the evenings. I usually do 1-2 classes on the later side. I do barre at 7 one night, and then one other floating class during the week at 7:30.</p> <p>I also do a Saturday morning class.</p> <p>If I have time during the week, I sneak out of my office for a lunchtime spinning class. But I can usually only make that happen once a month or so.</p> <p>Classes work best for me since I feel like I get the best workout in the shortest amount of time. If i'm at the gym I wander and slack off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821116 Tue, 08 May 2018 13:13:58 +0000 buttermilk 2821116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: DH does all the breakfast, bag packing, and drop off in the morning. I do the bulk of everything (pickup, dinner, bedtime) in the evening as he often has work engagements. </p> <p>I think it really just comes down to making a commitment to 6am workouts, and being okay with that meaning my daughter wakes up at 6 instead of 7 and plays with an iPad while I workout. It’s not ideal but it’s my only option and I need it prioritize my own mental and physical health!</p> <p>I think this would almost be easier if I were doing workouts outside of the home. Maybe I should joint a nearby gym so I can just sneak out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821110 Tue, 08 May 2018 13:02:41 +0000 Anagram 2821110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't exercise with any regularity, but when I *do* I have to trade nights with my husband. I am up at 5:30 to leave for work at 6:45 as it is, and I'm not a morning person so I'm not willing to go earlier to work out. So instead, I start the kids on their dinner a little earlier, and try to have them in their PJs by the time DH gets home from work at 7ish.<br /> Then I leave immediately when he gets home and he does a little playtime, brushes teeth, reads stories. Sometimes I get back at 8 in time to tell them goodnight,<br /> but otherwise he just puts them down. And then the next night is his night and he goes at 7pm right when he gets home from work. </p> <p>I have 2 autoimmune diseases and I always feel exhausted, so I can only accomplish this by having coffee around 4:30 pm. =(</p> <p>eta: we live in a condo and the gym is on our floor. Otherwise, I'd just do a video or walk around the park near our house or something. The few times I've signed up for fitness classes, we had the same routine. I'd sign up for a 7pm class and he'd try to get home by at least 6:50 so I could walk there. Then I'd be home a little after 8. The next night is his turn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821100 Tue, 08 May 2018 12:42:26 +0000 alphagam84 2821100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do 2 strength workouts during my lunch hour during the week and I do cardio with my daughter. I have a BOB to run with her and a bike trailer to bring her biking with me. I take her with me early in the AM on a run (not often as I prefer to sleep in as much as I can), after work as soon as I get home or on the weekends. Or my husband watches her. What about your husband watching your child? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821098 Tue, 08 May 2018 12:40:09 +0000 gingerbebe 2821098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am NOT a morning workout person, I just can't do it. I can't motivate myself to get out of bed to workout, I need a good amount of time to cool off after working out, etc. So working out at night or during the kids naps on the weekends is when it happens.</p> <p>BUT I have found waking up a little earlier than my family in the morning has been gamechanging for my evening workouts. If I start the day a little more collected and calm, have the car packed and ready to go, and get a head start on dinner prep in the AM, the rest of my day goes so much better. I don't feel frazzled walking into work and I have a game plan for when I get home.</p> <p>I usually don't eat dinner at the same time as my family. With my kids being 3.5 and 2, I am constantly refilling plates and cups, picking up forks, wiping stuff up, etc, so I found I was always really frazzled when I tried to eat too. I now I will sit with them and I'll be present, but I usually don't eat. Instead, I'm packing lunches, helping them eat, clearing plates, and chatting with everyone about their day while getting some of my evening chores knocked out. I'll usually eat something after my workout and eat a snack in the car on the way home from work.</p> <p>Can your husband help more in the evenings at all? Once dinner is over, DH handles the kids baths and PJs and between that and a little Peppa Pig, that usually buys me about 30 minutes. I don't usually workout during that time, but I've done like a 20 minute sprint in a pinch when I knew I wouldn't have time. </p> <p>Being okay with breaking up workouts has also helped me mentally to feel like I'm getting SOME movement in every day. I can do a set or two of squats in my office. If all I have is 20 minutes, I can do some interval sprints on my treadmill. If all I have is 10 minutes before my kids are done with their show, I can do a plank or lift some kettlebells. Its okay that I'm not doing an hourlong intense workout where I'm drenched in sweat and feeling dead every single day. The 5-10 minute bursts of stuff here and there still count and they are still good for your body and honestly probably more accurate to how our bodies are meant to work. I know a mom who always has resistance bands and a kettlebell in her trunk and whenever she takes her kids outside to a park or wherever, she gets in her reps and sets and doesn't care if she looks weird. I had a coworker once who listened to podcasts and spent half her lunch break walking stairwells for 15 minutes every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821086 Tue, 08 May 2018 12:10:20 +0000 kiddosc 2821086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, it sounds like you do morning, cook dinner, and do bedtime. Can your DH take on one of those responsibilities? </p> <p>DH puts our oldest to bed, the one with the later bedtime so that I can work out in the evening. I get up with the kids so that he can work out in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821057 Tue, 08 May 2018 11:10:58 +0000 MrsADS 2821057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 37 weeks pregnant now, so not doing much of anything, but even pre-baby this was so hard for me :bummed: I was 10lbs over my "preferred" weight when I got pregnant, and I've gained almost 40 lbs, so I am really ready to lose the weight after I have this baby. </p> <p>For me, I know I can't do working out in the mornings - just cannot fit it in unless I get up at 4am, which is not happening when I am already exhausted. I'm not able to exercise at work. Evenings are basically it, and M goes to bed early enough (7pm) I *should* be able to do it. The problem is by that point, I am shattered from the day and still have to pack lunches, wash dishes, do laundry, etc. etc. and 90% of the time don't have the energy or motivation to work out. I have to figure out something, though.</p> <p>Pre-kids I did ballroom and swing dancing, hiking with my husband, etc. and I enjoy that so much more than "working out", so I would like to try to get back into those things, although.... hard with 2 little kids. We'll see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821055 Tue, 08 May 2018 11:07:44 +0000 Mommy Finger 2821055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found a local yoga studio that has hot yoga classes a few nights at 8 pm. I can get the bedtime process started and DH can finish it. They also have these awesome classes at 8 am on the weekend. Again, I wake up for that and DH handles the kids. I'm not the best at this every week but I try to go at least 2-3x. My coworkers have started taking walks at lunch now that it's nice. I rarely leave the office so it's nice to join them and get some fresh air! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821049 Tue, 08 May 2018 10:57:55 +0000 Becky 2821049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: I leave before they wake up. I could never leave after—they’d freak out. Put your clothes out the night before so you can minimize noise. Also—coffee! I get up at least 30 minutes before running to have coffee and do some chores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821047 Tue, 08 May 2018 10:47:26 +0000 pwnstar 2821047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: Yes, the kiddos are/stay asleep! Getting it knocked out early means even when DH is traveling I am done with my workout before my youngest stirs. It's not a perfect system, but nothing ever is . . . and I will take 90%+ success over the alternative any day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821014 Tue, 08 May 2018 09:49:20 +0000 Mrs D 2821014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: totally, and I have deer in my sub that like to spook runners....SO not cool of them...I already have a questionable bladder post babies... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821007 Tue, 08 May 2018 09:26:10 +0000 lawbee11 2821007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a gym near my office, so I wake up at 5:15, drive in and work out, then go straight to work (DH does dropoff and I do pickup). I go Monday-Friday and most Saturdays. But I'm at a point now where going to the gym doesn't seem like a chore. I enjoy it and it's done wonders for my mental health. I use Sundays as my rest day and often spend the day thinking about how I miss the gym lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2821004 Tue, 08 May 2018 09:22:36 +0000 JennyPenny 2821004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: I work out before my kids wake up in the morning and it hasn't seemed to wake them up. If you're worried about an alarm waking your daughter up when she's in the room with you, you could consider getting a fitbit which will do a vibrating alarm (plus its great for fitness anyway IMO). I do this so I don't wake up DH. I keep my work out clothes stacked up in the living room where my workout dvds are, so I don't have to turn on the lights or anything in my room. Just slip quietly out of bed and go get ready in another room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820998 Tue, 08 May 2018 09:07:07 +0000 avivoca 2820998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work out after they go to bed. If my husband is home, I go to the gym. If he's not home, I do a home workout. When he's traveling in the summer, I try to run at lunch and do a long run on the weekends with the girls. I can't run more than 5 miles with them and that's pushing it because a) they are heavy and b) they get bored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820992 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:59:01 +0000 psw27 2820992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work out at lunch. If that wasn't an option, I would get up at 5 and workout at the gym before work on days when my husband is home in the morning. Otherwise, I guess it would just have to be late night - but I am not motivated late at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820991 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:57:12 +0000 snowjewelz 2820991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennlin821: @MrsSCB: Do you find you're okay not showering after?</p> <p>I also WOHM, do not want to wake up early (#2 still doesn't reliably STTN), and with chores at night after bed time, I also think my best bet is during lunch time. But I usually either work through lunch b/c I am that busy and don't want to stay late, or I am out running errands.</p> <p>Hence LO2 is already 1.5 and I still haven't lost much weight... </p> <p>I think maybe if I set a goal for 4 days a week, and 2 of those I do lunch hour at work, and 2 of those at night, maybe that's more feasible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820989 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:55:19 +0000 Smurfette 2820989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my DH isn't traveling my alarm goes off at 4:45, so I am working out by 5:30. I am at work at 7:30. When he is traveling, my goal is to make it 2-3 days and I take a long lunch. I joined a gym that I can walk too from work. Luckily my work doesn't seem to care when I take a lonnnng lunch. But I 100% prefer the morning. I am not a morning person at all, but I love getting it over with. Plus I have more energy after working out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820986 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:40:13 +0000 Sams Mom 2820986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm perpetually late since having my son, so waking up early for workouts hasn't worked out. What I find works for me is going on a walk as soon as I get home with my son if the weather is nice. We live on a county road with massive hills so even if I only do 2 miles it's a workout, especially pushing 60 lbs of toddler and stroller. I am trying to work my way up to jogging but it hasn't happened much, just power walking for now. If it's too hot or cold or raining to take my son out I wait for my husband to get home, make dinner, and then sneak out to avoid toddler meltdowns and go on a walk/jog interval with my dog or by myself while my husband and son hang out at the house.</p> <p>Then when I get home I try to do some core work outs, but that usually entails my son thinking I need an extra 34 pounds of resistance weight laid across my face or stomach. </p> <p>My son has what I know everyone else thinks is a late bedtime (9:30 sometimes later, but I suck at schedules) so I have to try to get everything done while he's awake. The elementary school is very close too, so if it's really nice but my son is restless we will go to the playground and I'll go around the little track and try to do some core workouts while he plays on the playground. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820985 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:40:03 +0000 gingerbebe 2820985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our kids are 3.5 and 2. I get up at 6am and get ready and all their daycare bags and car breakfasts ready. DH gets them up at 645am and out the door by 710am. I am at work by 8am. We are eating dinner at 530pm and the boys are in their rooms by 8pm for DS1 and 730pm for DS2. I usually take DS2 for bedtime and change into my workout clothes when I get home from work and do it as soon as he’s tucked in. I aim for 3 times a week for cardio (30-40 minutes) and squeeze in squats and kettlebells when I can for a few minutes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820984 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:36:42 +0000 Truth Bombs 2820984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: It's such a game changer having the sun be up when I leave the gym. It makes me feel more like a human and less like a vampire :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820982 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:35:17 +0000 Truth Bombs 2820982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@buttermilk: 99% of the time my kids don't wake up when I leave the house. And that involves loud beeps as I turn off the alarm system, walking down hard wood stairs, the garage door opening, etc, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820980 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:29:17 +0000 Mrs D 2820980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I WOH, leaving around 7:20am for drop off. I get home about 6:15, DD2 goes to bed at 7:30, DD1 goes to bed at 8pm.</p> <p>*2-3 days a week (depending on what work is like) I work out at 3pm in the gym in our building - I consider it my "lunch" since I eat at my desk. Quick warm up and cool down on the treadmill, then weights.<br /> *2-3 days a week I go for a jog, 30-45 minutes. I do a longer run on the weekends during naptime. On week nights I go running at 7:45 or so (after I put DD2 down) and DH puts DD1 down. This used to be an issue with DD1 but she has come around. I usually am beat by this time so its just 30 mins - but hey its something.<br /> *Yoga...not fixed but I try to do it when I can or when I feel like I need it. I can do it when DD1 is still awake, she'll "join" me. Or I'll do it after her bedtime, it helps me wind down so I dont mind doing it when I'm about to go to bed.</p> <p>I'm hoping to get into running in the AM now that its lighter so much earlier...thats my goal for the next few weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wohm-when-do-you-fit-in-exercise#post-2820979 Tue, 08 May 2018 08:27:26 +0000 buttermilk 2820979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lunch workout is not going to work for me. Sounds like 6am it is! I’m just trying to avoid waking my toddler up at 6am, but maybe it’s not that big of a deal. For those of you who workout early, do your kids stay asleep? </p>