Attn. Single Parents! How do you fit in work/kid(s)/workouts?
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mgetting posted 16 weeks ago.
I changed my work schedule so I come in at 6:00 AM and leave by 2:30 - get in a 2 hour workout and pick up my daughter by 5:00...
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TriSooner posted 16 weeks ago.
zcowgirl3 wrote:
It's actually the other way around. I don't fit time in for workouts: If time is left over, then I clean, shop, run errands, etc. I can't do it all. Unlike married couples who have someone else who can do the banal during 20-hour training weeks, I routinely run out of food at home and dry-cleaned clothes to wear to work. I re-wear training clothes when I don't have time to wash. My house gets messy and my cat box stinks. I can either train or run errands and be Martha Stewart.
Just was wondering on how you single folks fit time in for workouts when it's just you doingalotall of it on your own.
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FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 16 weeks ago.
While I'm not single, quite the opposite. I was on a different schedule than my wife last year. I worked nights and she worked days. But I had our 2 kids during the day.
The YMCA daycare was great. Of course you have to workout while you are there but still, it's great. $1.50 per hour too.
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brittda posted 16 weeks ago.
I am not single and have no kids and right now don't work BUT.........
We have been trying to have one (with no success yet) and have discussed how we will handle our training since we both do IM's.
1. Would get a treadmill for days I needed it
2. would run with a jogger here--probably can do it most of the year if the kid is bundled enough
3. most gyms have daycare which will get you time to do a lot (ie YMCA)
4. Get a trainer for your bike.. you can ride while the kiddo naps, even if its only for 30 minutes
5. you have to have friends or neighbors with kids. Try doing a daycare swap so that one day you take theirs and one where they take yours. Then you can get some longer training in, and it is free.
6. when I was a kid my parents took us to the HS local track, plopped us in a bouncy thing(what ever they are called) and did laps around the track. When we got older we got to play in the center field for an hour or what ever and watch our little brothers who were then in the bouncy thing. They are corraled and you get to run.
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beads1985 posted 16 weeks ago.
As a formerly(remarried in March) single father of 2 young daughters, I worked around my kids schedule. I would do my long runs, long rides and schedule most of my events on weekends without my kids. Same with my training time during the week. The times I had the kids I would be on the treadmill or on the bike trainer before they got up early. Now that they are 7 and almost 10 I will take them to some shorter events that have kids races so they can get into the active lifestyle. We also go out on our bikes together and swimm at the pool.
''Nothing to it, but to do it''
http://beads1985.trifuel.net/
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TryScott posted 16 weeks ago.
My wife is leaving for 3 weeks in June, which would idealy be when I'm ramping up my training. We don't have family/neighbors for my 4 year old to visit, so it's going to be tough.
I don't get good workouts on the trainer. I just can't push hard enough to keep my HR up as much as I can when outside. As long as the weather is nice, and the kid is cooperating, I'll take her in the trailer to a bike trail and start hammering out loops. Not nearly as fun as being on the road, but better than the trainer.
Luckily there is a treadmill I can use at the workout center of our apartment, and there is a daycare at the gym. Between those 2 options and the jogger, hopefully my kid won't get too bored of any of the 3.
A high school track would be nice for a few workouts. Keep the ideas coming.
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dollfin04 posted 16 weeks ago.
My main focus of every day is "when am I going to fit my workout in?". Sometimes it is in the morning and sometimes it's before work in the afternoon/evening ( I work at a gym...so that def helps). I didn't used to be a morning person, but I've really started to enjoy my morning workouts, sometimes it's the only part of the day when it is quiet. I'd be interested to hear from all you single parents. I'm married, but my hubby is in the Navy and I'm wondering how I'm going to get outside to workout when he deploys. I've tried taking my son out in the jogger (he's 2), but he is a very active little guy and normal starts screaming after 10 minutes.
http://dollfinkate.blogspot.com/
"No Pain, No Gain!" ;)
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zcowgirl3 posted 16 weeks ago.
So daycare in the gym is the thing for most which I don't have at my recreation center. I just moved out on my own w/ my daughter. I was living with my boyfriend at the time and it was nice b/c I'd ask, "would you mind watching her". Now, it's on my own with the help of my Mom but she helps out so much already and it would be another "add on" I guess you can say. I had it where I would go after work for only an hour to work out. Meaning for a swim which was only like a half hour, or a ride which only was like...45 min. maybe, or a run where I would just do a little less than an hour. That's all the time I had and now with me being the only one to make supper, let out my dog (Which she is 15 and she is crossed eyed when I get home for having to go out) , clean, wash and important-play.
I'm coming to conclusion that this season isn't going to be what I want b/c to me it is half @ssing which for me it's either work hard and efficent or lack of self confidence. I really just wanted to see how you all go around it. Me being on my own with an almost 5 year old, tiring as all heck. Excuses some might say but you Mom's and Dad's know what I'm talking about. I do however have the every other weekend ordeal which is nice but sometimes it's mostly just relaxing and enkoying the quiet. (lol)
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diva_mom posted 16 weeks ago.
cowgirl - time to cowgirl up - if you want to
it aint easy - but decide what you can let go - if it's cleaning (over-rated anyway) or sleep (under-rated).
i've got an almost 5 year old too. i work out mostly at lunchtime. i've got a kind boss, who allows two hour lunches. and the big work outs are sunday mornings, unless i feel spiritual and want to go to church instead. i have no family where i'm at, so when diva dad is traveling, i'm on my own- that's where the gym comes in handy (even though i hate being inside when outside is nice) for the daycare. also, i have a trainer, and we put movies on and watch movies while i ride (the diva wants her own trainer too- which is easy to configure with training wheels)
i'll let you know if i have any revelations. but i'm still trying to figure out how to find the balance, and make sure the dogs, horses, and family are all taken care of - and work 60 hours a week. i may self-destruct soon - but atleast i tri-ed.
Don't be so easy on yourself 'cause this one might be all that you have left
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iamtb13 posted 16 weeks ago.
Here are some ideas on things I do to get the workouts in both now and when they were younger. (They are 10 & 12 now so it's getting easier and I can leave them home alone for periods.)
I bring the kids on their bikes/scooters to the track while I run around. They "race" me which actually helps keep me motivated.
Lots of bike trainer workouts once they are in bed.
Swim during lunch breaks and they are in school.
Take advantage of the weekends they are with the ex to "go long".
Like Diva_Mom I wouldn't say I have balance but what triathlete is balanced. :)
Maybe change what you want from this season so it matches your new lifestyle. (Better than moving back with the boyfriend!)
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olivestri posted 15 weeks ago.
i don't even have kids and don't have much time to train outside of work. so basically, i just sign up for races and don't train.
well, sort of. depending on the distance you are looking to go, i think you can do a sprinit or an olympic with 3 or 4 workouts a week. all but one of those on the weekend.
obviously not breaking any records here, but keeping it movin'
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zcowgirl3 posted 15 weeks ago.
I thank you to all of ya on helping me out with ideas. Diva_Ma (Mom) I do need to cowgirl up.
Excuses it seems and hope ya'll don't see it that way, just it's been hard so hope at some point i'll get the time I need and make it out there again.
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diva_mom posted 15 weeks ago.
You'll get back when you are ready and it will all come together.
Love iambt13's track idea. Cant wait to try it.
Don't be so easy on yourself 'cause this one might be all that you have left
Just was wondering on how you single folks fit time in for workouts when it's just you doing alot on your own.
Curious. In this situation and would love to hear how ya'll do it b/c right now...holy cow. (lol)