I used to be fit, running, cycling, partner acrobatics, etc. But I have done very little cardio, strength, or flexibility training since our wonderful daughter came along. She doesn’t sleep well so part of the problem is energy. But the main issue is finding time. My partner and I both work remotely, I have a 08:00-16:30 tech job and my partner teaches music online in the evenings. So I’m either working, playing with my daughter, or exhausted. I’m not complaining, I love my life and being a dad. I want to stay fit and healthy so I can be my daughter’s father for as long as possible. I also don’t want to be hard on myself, I know these toddler years will fly past if I’m not mindful. How do other parents maintain fitness? We don’t have any extended family close.
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I hear you. My wife and I both work full time. The only option is weekends and one parent has to take kid duties. It’s frustrating and exhausting, but we manage to squeeze in a tiny bit of fitness.
Oh that’s easy, I don’t.
I hear you. It’s such a struggle to find time for yourself when kids take SO. MUCH. ENERGY. I try to work out when they’re napping but sometimes I’m too tired even for that. One thing that I’ve found helps is to do short bursts of activity two or three times a day. Easier to fit in the exercise and the minutes add up.
Bench press your toddler. They’re heavy.
But also schedule time during the week when the kid is distracted/somewhere else/mail them to in-laws or parents.
How are the trails/parks near you? In my town, there’s a paved path that runs along the top of the levee, and follows the river. It’s smoo th and straight enough that I can lock the front wheel of the running stroller, and get a good run in. Or I can strap my son into a bike trailer. A short drive away there’s a rails-to-trails that I can use for longer workouts. It’s not ideal, but at least it’s something.
Mostly though my wife and I are fortunate enough to work the same schedule and have a lot of family around to help out. Usually my wife watches him while I’m running after work, or I’ll come home and watch him while she goes to a class. If we’re both working out on the same day, we’ll just leave him with one of our parents.
I mean, PR’s are definitely behind me, but I can still get out for an occasional half marathon.
