I finally signed up for a gym and I hope to go at least 3 times a week. In the beginning, I will only be swimming. For those of you who go to the gym somewhat regularly, how do you get into and keep your routine? Do you go at the same time every time? Or mix it up? My work schedule isn't regular, so it's hard to say that I'll go 3 mornings a week or something like that. What's your strategy?
-
I did best when I did it the same time each day. While I was on mat leave, that was at 6am and when I was working that was at 12. I also find I go way more consistently if I do classes and not just a gym membership.
-
@lamariniere: I work part-time and we have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. I don't go at the same time, but I have a commitment to go at some point on my two days off during the week and then at least once on the weekends.
I don't go at a set time because life with two little ones doesn't allow for anything to happen on a schedule EVER, but I do generally try to go in the morning. I make it work by putting my gym clothes on as soon as I wake up and packing my clothes for the day in my gym bag. Then it seems exceptionally lazy for me to change out of my gym clothes without actually working out, so I get a little motivation to go to the gym!
Also, I find gym childcare to be incredibly motivating. Knowing I get an hour or two by myself and I get to shower in peace is worth it.
-
I like having classes or sessions with a trainer so that it's scheduled. If I just plan on going whenever, I never go, haha. But if it's on my schedule I actually go.
-
I always workout at home when DD goes to bed but I do best when I plan my workouts/days in advance. I"m much more likely to actually do it if I write it down in my planner so I usually look at my schedule for the week and plan accordingly. After a few weeks it becomes routine and I don't have to talk myself into working out every night.
-
I joined a boot camp type gym, that I really love! Based off my scheduale I go at the same time everyday, exspecially since they offer childcare for 2 of the classes a day! I used to workout at home, but I've found that having a trainer that I love has made all the difference in the world, in my physical abilities.
-
@lamariniere: when I first started going to the gym, I realized going too many times a week just made me burn out, so I limited it to 3 days even if I wanted to go more. Now, working out is part of my every day life. I consider it integral to my physical and mental health and I schedule things around it. I work out in the morning; it's too easy to make excuses in the evening. Every week I write on my calendar my workouts. I use a heart rate monitor which tells me how many calories I burn, which motivates me. And i lay my workout clothes out at night so I'm ready to go come 5am
-
Honestly, for me the only thing that really worked was accountability. I would tell DH that I planned to go to the gym that day and he'd ask me about it later. LO would go to the gym daycare with me so even if I wanted to fib, she wouldn't cover for me!
At my best, I was going 2-3x per week for hour long classes. I enjoyed it! I agree with @My Only Sunshine: that as a SAHM, even though LO didn't always do great in the gym childcare, that short break was really good for both for us. Me moreso, probably!
@MrsB2012: This is a tangent, but did you leave your LO with your DH to work out while on maternity leave? I'd like to get back into working out pretty soon postpartum and thinking about the logistics since I can't take my newborn to the daycare.
-
I go on Tues & Thurs right after dinner. DH handles the evening routine with DS while I do this. I also take this time if I have any errands I want to run.
It works good because all three of us know I'll be going and it makes me not skip out.
-
@daniellemybelle: Yeah, I'd go to the gym in the morning before he went to work. It's too busy after he gets home from work. When I was back at work, I work split shifts, so the girls are in daycare all day. I'd go to the gym on my split.
-
@My Only Sunshine: @MrsB2012: I went for the first time today! I think mornings will probably be best for me as I have to pick up my kids from school/daycare in the afternoon. Also, bonus, I had the pool all to myself except for the very end!
@pachamama: right now my goal is 3 times per week. I think that's pretty reasonable. If I have a slower week or more time, I may try to squeeze in an extra day.
@nana87: @Jackiedavis87: I may try a class or two in a few months after I get into the routine. I know the gym offers a ton of different ones at lots of different times. I have a knee injury though, so I can't do any high impact types of classes. What kinds of classes do you ladies do?
@SKINNYCOW: @ALV91711: you ladies are amazing to go in the evening! I'm usually totally wiped out after dinner! I can't imagine dragging myself back out, especially now that it's cold and dark.
@daniellemybelle: my local gym doesn't have childcare, but there is one a bit further away that does. I'm thinking I'll go to that one when the kids have school holidays so that we can all get a change of pace.
-
@lamariniere: whoops sorry just saw your question! I tend to like dance-y classes, like I love Zumba, or all through college I took ballet, modern, or African dance classes rather than going to the gym, haha. I've taken spin a couple times too, and now I'm taking prenatal yoga. In surprised I like that though because I've tried normal yoga before and really didn't like it, but partially I think it was a teacher thing! Also I'm physically a little stronger now than I was the last time I tried yoga from having dont strength training prepregnancy
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
11 comments