What else do you do?

[18Windmill]

I’m a bit curious...as a 46 year old with a young child and a job as a teacher, I can only manage to run twice a week. When the longer evenings hit, I might be able to up it to 3 if hubby’s work times allow. Is this ‘all’ people are doing to improve their fitness or are you all in the gym on the rest days??? Thanks.

[Jullaly Graduate]

Hi fellow teacher .. I live in a very remote area so once I get home doing a 40 mile round trip to a gym does not appeal nor do I have time. I have been doing either Rosemary Conley or Davina DVD in the evening about 2 x a week and Ive found that helpful.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

I've replied to you by adding a new comment...technical incompetence!

[Tbae]

The NHS One You and Healthunlocked give the recommended amount of cardio and strength per week.

I think Mentor mentioned recently 150 mins of cardio, or 2.5 hours per week and definately 2 hours a week , all body strength work out. So total of 4.5 hours approx a week. So the C25k programme approx.half🤔

Personally I am retired and have the luxury of my own time, unlike your busy life and responsibilities.🤔

But if I am not doing 10 -14 hours per week I cannot function properly.🙈😂😂😂

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Thanks for that. Need to up my game a bit I think.

[Tbae in reply to 18Windmill]

You are doing great.🌟👏👏

Expressed the C25k programme 3runs a week incorrectly, it probably accounts for about 2hours per week of a recommended 4.5 hours per week.👍

Approx half.🤔

I am in my mid 70’s now and really have very little choice now.

It is just a sheer pleasure now to have added this running.👏👏

Lots of good advise given with programmes that do not need major gym kit.On HealthUnlocked also.I found the biggest loser exercises for home amazing.Rowing machine one of the top calorie burners.👍

Do what you can,👍 Run because we can.👍

Enjoy your running, for me as a novice it is tops.🌟👏👏

[Amandana]

I do yoga videos at home using the channel Yoga with Adriene. All you need is a mat and 12+ minutes, there are a lot of short videos if your tight on time so it works well for me - I select a video that matches how much time I have. I find time to exercise either in the morning as the first one up, after work but before I pick my kids up from daycare and on the weekends I give my hubby notice as to when I plan to run so he knows he’s on for solo parenting and can plan an activity with the kids.

If you lower the bar in terms of what counts as “exercise” on non-running days that can help you get it in - so walking, yoga, swim with your kiddo, even playing a chase game with them around the house/park or dancing in the lounge. Finding ways to move your body that you enjoy and easily slide into your lifestyle is key to keeping them going long term. If you do enjoy the gym, meeting a friend there might set up some accountability if you find that helps you.

[Jilldrum Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Love Yoga with Adriene!

I've also got back into Pilates since starting running. Robin from The Balanced Life has lots of 10min videos on her YouTube channel so I try to fit one or two in most days.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Jilldrum]

Thanks for that both. Did yoga for years before child, so those you tube channels sound really interesting.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Thanks for that food for thought.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

We usually have a big cycle day (30 plus miles off road) at the weekend. I aim for 3 runs a week plus my job is very physical. Now that I'm temporarily out of action I'm aiming for 3 x 45 min workouts (chair and floor based) followed by 15 min or 25 min if feeling good yoga / stretching (again floor and chair based) per week or even 4 plus work days (reduced to 3 per week).

It might feel like you don't have time but even say when making dinner, put your bouncy tunes on and keep your feet moving whilst you chop/sort. Do extra steps when doing housework or at work just because you can.

If you iron (do people still do that) keep those feet moving. Do squats for no reason. Pick up your child... repeatedly (great for abs and arms)

When we Want to move we can find plenty of ways to do it 👍😁

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks Jojo. Some great ideas for me to get my act together. Hope you're recovering well. Happy weekend.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Also a teacher and single parent. I do my 2 mid week runs after 8pm. I get my child to stay at grandma’s in order to get them in. He goes last thing before bed. Last run inside ParkRun. You can take kids in pushchairs around that if you want. They’re only 30 mins sessions so I think it’s quite manageable. Thank said, I have a 3 min commute tomorrow work 😂 For me this is über important and it’s my ‘me’ tube so I make sure I stick to my runs. At half term I go out on my bike too. I’m on Slimming World too. Good luck. 💪🏽

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

You too Tasha. It's a lot to fit in. Hope new term is going well.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Not the gym.. plenty of exercise for rest days which cost little.. a hard day, gardening, a day's housework... swim, cycle, walk, Yoga, Pilates. climb... squats, strength and flex... stamina and strength routines..

Many of us have daily routines, which can be fitted in anywhere... Having a small one helps too .. whizzing around after said small one

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Lots of whizzing around!! 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Yep..... I have a terrific, added work out, on the two days I care for small runner in training, ( granddaughter, 18 months old: my core strength has improved dramatically

[SuperMouse Graduate]

My dog forces me out every day for a brisk walk.

On non jogging days we go for a much longer walk (got lost in the forest for a few hours the other week)! lol

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to SuperMouse]

😁👍

[Dannoodles]

I am nearing 50 and have a 10year old son. I work two jobs so time can be an issue. For the last few years I have done no exercise at all and am so unfit now. This couch2 5k is the only exercise I do but I figure it’s a good starting point. I take my son out with me and we are doing this together which makes it more doable for me 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️😊

[tony_a Graduate in reply to Dannoodles]

Exactly. I’m the same. I know it’s half of what I would ideally be doing but it’s 100% more than I was doing before so I’m going to give myself a pat on the back and make sure I make this stick first.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Dannoodles]

That's a lovely idea, doing it with your son. I agree that something's better than nothing and I'm proud of me for doing this!

[JaneE71]

Completely get what you’re posting, and it is a challenge with busy jobs and family so as everyone else says I’m doing more steps generally and yes agree tony_a it’s 100% more than doing nothing at all !!! 🏃‍♀️😊

[18Windmill Graduate]

I've Davina somewhere...might be time to dig her out!! We're back on Monday after a lovely two weeks - arrgghh! 😁

[JaneE71 in reply to 18Windmill]

As a mum of 3 going back ( well, youngest won’t be as succumbed to chicken pox!) positive thoughts are with you! 😀

[ToniCR Graduate]

I am only doing the three runs a week, often with extra walking at the end, and very occasionally a walk in between running days. I do go up and down stairs at work a lot, and house work. It's all I can manage with work and family and volunteer commitments, but coming from nothing, it's amazing. I am becoming so fit, and looking fit, shrinking, toning. I'm so pleased with my progress.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to ToniCR]

Completely agree Toni.

[Cwtch2018 Graduate]

I walk everyday and aim for minimum of 10,000 steps often doing more .

I'm doing this to improve fitness defo not in gym on rest days xx