Busy moms/dads- finding time to train

It's a balancing act that you really need to sit down with the spouse and seriously talk about.  We live in a day and age where everything has to be scheduled when you have a family.

Me?  I either get up early or have worked out a way that I get to work later than usual so I can fit my swim in in the morning.  Not ideal, but it is the only way I can get pool time until the summer and/or the baby gets more independent.

Come Ironman training this summer for November I'll be bringing my running stuff to work to get my daily runs in during lunch.

I'm a new dad but I do have the luxury of working out during lunch each day. So going to work actually ensures I'll get in at least one workout. A few other weekdays I can squeeze in a second workout. Weekends I just have to make it known to my wife that I have to have a 1 - 2 hour block to get in a workout. This is usually done via some sort of compromise, such as if she gives me 2 hours in the morning she can have 2 hours in the afternoon to do whatever she wants to do.

Basically, it just comes down to making this a priority. Schedule time to train. Explain to your husband this is important to you and you need his support so that you can train. During his 48 hours off, actually put something on his calendar blocking off time that he will watch the kids so you can train.

Good luck!

Training for triathlons is time consuming; especially as you begin to ramp up.  But with good time management you can do it without too much problem.  Build a schedule of your week.  Mark out all the time you are committed to already.  Find your windows of opportunity.  With your husband's 24/48 situation the schedule will probably vary a lot week to week, but I am sure that there is some time in there.  The key is to protect that time and not let other things rob it.  If you said you were going running at 1030 a.m. , then watch out for other committments that will seem to be a high priority also. 

Good luck

YMCA's usually have great kid places where you can drop them for a few hours while you work out.  

A bike trainer's been good for me. 

You could run before hubby wakes up/leaves for work, or go to the gym if it opens early enough.

So many options.  Buy a treadmill, buy a bike trainer, let them play at Kid Care (or whatever they call it). 

It is a major struggle to find make the time to train.  But like anything if you want it bad enough you will set aside the time to train.  Here is how I tend to do it.

Mondays - Swim after work 7:00 PM til done (lift IF I have time and feel like it.)
Tuesdays - Run (w/kids) after work 7:00 PM or later Bike when I can before or after run.
Wednesdays - Swim after work (Like mondays)
Thursdays - Run/Bike run is tempo or speedwork, bike on trainer or outside.
Fridays - Rest day (most weeks, run sometimes)
Saturdays - Swim and bike (both with kids)
Sundays - Bike and Long run - Kids bike along on the run, tandem on the bike.

Now that works most times, but with foul weather and other stuff popping up it can get pretty hairy to get a workout in.

Now understand, I work 45-50 minutes from my house, leave for work at 7:00 AM and get home many nights at about 7:00 PM (rarely earlier).  Running during lunch does not work for me, because I have no shower facilities and work in an office.  The closest workout joint is 5-10 minutes away and I can't justify spending the 40-50 bucks a month to join that ON TOP of the YMCA membership.  I know my boss would say something if I went running and DIDN'T shower.

For you it sounds like you need to look your husbands schedule and then plan out when you can get a run/ride/swim time in around that.  With the 24/48 it means he would be home at times when you can do something, he just needs to be willing to watch kids.  Bike trainers and treadmills are great investments and can provide that outlet for a workout when you can't work it out any other way.

I have 3 kids and I work part time and I certainly know the challenges. Over the past year, I have found that making exercise  a priority is the number one issue I have to deal with. I take the kids to the YMCA one day a week with me (they don't love going so sometimes it is a hassle, but I remind them that I do lots of things for them and I need them to do this for me), I take the kids with me - ie, push the baby in the jogger, pull the kids behind in the burley or run while they ride a bike. I also have found that I can strength train with them around and make it a game, use the ball for sit ups while they are playing, do lunges in the back yard while we are outside, etc. It is amazing how much time I can find for exercise when I make it a priority.

Good luck, try to make small changes to your schedule and incorporate new ways to get your exercise in and definitely trade off with your spouse for watching the kids. 

I feel for your situation - although I only have one daughter (7 yrs old).  My husband is a flight paramedic and an avid/addicted triathlete. He works 3 24 hr shifts every 6 days and I work full time.  My lifesavers have been the childcare program at the gym ($1.50/hr for ea kid) open until 8pm, the trainer so that I can ride the bike at home while life continues at home, and going to the gym for swims at lunch.  This way I can get my workouts in without impacting my husband's work/training schedule. 

Good luck.  Enjoy your training time!

Teamwork and a joint change in lifestyle (primarily exercise and nutrition) have made the biggest impact on our lives.  Our daughter is loving it too - hoping to do a kid's tri late this season.

Keep up the good work and log your training so we can send you inspires!!  Is your hubby using the site too?  The site is wonderful and I get inspiration from watching others logs too.  You/hubby can also see my husband's log and training - his screename is "Bill". 

Good luck to you and your sweetie.  Send me a note if I can help!