Feeling daunted

[Laurarees]

Starting week2 today. I just can’t seem to get into a routine for this to become habitual.

How do you all manage to fit everything in?

[Emmer88]

I do shift work so it’s difficult but just make sure I get out 3 times in a week even if it means going into the next week due to work 👍🏽

[Tbae]

Cannot empathise with your busy life.🙈

Relax and do not pressurise yourself.🤔

It is your journey and you will sort it.👍 No time constraints.🤔

Most important thing you are here, and have decided to give this gift to the world C25k programme, to yourself.🌟👏👏

Is this your first post🤔and have you had a chance to read the FAQ Posts.🤔🏃‍♀️🌟👏👏

Just checked, yes your first post, all the support you need here.👍 Busy time with all the info available on the FAQ Posts. Very well done for making a start.🌟👏👏

Best decision of your fitness life.🌟👏👏

[Matt-78]

I am in week 2 also. I find it hard sometimes to get myself in the right mindset but once I am out I am starting to see the benefits. Each persons journey is personal to them so you need to find what works for you. I remind myself constantly that each one is only half an hour and even if I am late back from work I just kick myself out of the front door. I am not finding this easy at all fingers crossed it gets easier.

Good luck on your journey, celebrate every little victory along the way, pat yourself on the back, every time you get out there you have beaten the little mind demons.

I run Monday Wednesday Friday and enjoy my weekend. If I miss a day I just redo the schedule and fit one in on Saturday.

All the very best to you 😀

[Margoblue Graduate]

I used to run after work in the local gym. However the lighter mornings mean that I get up early and do it then? Although horrendous it does set up for the rest of the day! I think like many things it’s a matter of routine so whatever you want to do is best...

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi Laura, don’t be so hard on yourself! One week is not enough time to have established a routine, but you will work out what suits you . 😀

I work full time and also have lots of “bring home work “, so I find it helps me to plan ahead (often with some flexibility built in). On very busy days (last Christmas Eve springs to mind) my planning ahead includes precise timing e.g. prepare tea in my running gear, put tea in the oven and dash out of the door to run while it cooks. I often think it would be lovely if I was a lark and could run in the morning before work, but I am absolutely not the sort of person who can crawl out of bed at 5:30am to fit in a run while feeling comatose! - Although I greatly admire people who do! 😃

[Amandana]

It takes a long while to develop something into a habit. Don't expect it's going to happen right away. For now you'll have to schedule it in and stick to it.

Hmm.. how to fit it all in. Perhaps look at everything that's in your schedule currently... try to block things out into important (sleep, eating, work, family commitments), and what you could perhaps get help with, reduce or drop, and then assess how you could do that. If you have a spouse, you may want to make this an exercise you do (partially) together.

In many countries, women's increased participation in the workforce has outpaced men's increased participation in parenting and work in the home. This is something you may want to press with your partner (if you have one) if you're feeling like things are uneven in your home... something I'm doing, it's slow going but it's improving as I point out some of the things I'm doing that seem to just magically get done (my imagining how he sees it) but are actually a lot of work - like kid's appointments, making sure kids have clothes that fit, clearing out what doesn't fit, a lot of kid-related stuff... a lot of mental work.

I wash my hair less than I used to and think it saves me about 3 hours a week overall, and found some great ways of styling my hair on non-washing days on youtube. My partner and I split laundry. I get the kids to help with cleaning up the kitchen and putting away laundry - they aren't exactly shaving time off (they're 2 and 5) but it's time together instead of me feeling like I'm on my own with it, so it's a bit of three birds with one stone - getting a chore done, time together and helping them develop some good habits. I give my husband a big heads up when I'm going to do a run when the kids are home and awake, so he knows he's on for solo parenting and can plan something. One huge thing I did was ask to work a reduced schedule. Work is slow for me right now, so I'm working 80% of what I used to and took a commensurate pay cut. Not an option for a lot of people, and I wasn't sure my boss would go for it, but it's working out well for me right now.

If you're a person who says "yes" a lot - just keep in mind every time you say "yes" to one thing, you're saying "no" to another - like time for yourself. That may help you be able to say no more.

[Hidden]

Habit forming takes at least 2-4 weeks with regard to dieting, so I would assume same for exercise. I am a single parent working part-time. I do school run, work with no break 4 hrs, then school run again and home. So I have to run with my son. I empathize but think a degree of flexibility until you find what works for you is the way to go. Keep it up, you can do it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Awesome Mama, as are so many on this programme x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Because we are awesome... as are you

Just try and find the best time for you to run... fit them in to suit you... This is such an early part of the programme, it may take a while

You look at your daily life and think what is best for you.. an early start, a lunch time... a run at the weekend... lighter evenings maybe a good time...it will come