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Share your top tips on how to fit exercise into busy everyday life with Fitbit and win a Fitbit flex - NOW CLOSED

122 replies

TheOtherHelenMumsnet · 28/05/2013 12:21

Fitbit have asked us to find out how and when Mumsnetters fit exercise into their everyday routine. Here is some more info from Fitbit: "Fitbit is the leader in activity trackers and is dedicated to helping people lead healthier, more active lives. Fitbit takes a common sense approach to fitness. We believe that the key is to make it easier for consumers to be more active, eat smarter, and get enough sleep - in short, that small changes to your daily routine can add up to big results. To that end, we aim to create innovative, inspiring products and online services that harness the power of new technologies to make people more aware of their everyday activities and motivate them to do more."

We're talking about everyday things you do to be more active - do you have any top tips or advice to share? It could be a time-saving measure which means you free up more time for exercise, or it could be a way that you've found of exercising while doing something else perhaps?!

Everyone who shares their advice or top tip on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a Fitbit Flex - a wireless activity tracker worn on the wrist which measures steps, distance, calories burned and also sleep (RRP £79.99).

Please note that any comments posted on this thread may appear in an email MN will be sending out, and potentially elsewhere.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

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Tee2072 · 28/05/2013 12:24

My school run is 1.5 miles one way and I don't have a car, so I walk 6 miles a day just getting my son back and forth.

But even with that my weight loss stalled, so now I do C25K three times a week, usually on the trip home from drop off.

Once school is over for the summer I'm not sure how I'll exercise. Probably by going places with my son on foot and doing C25K in the evening.

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EauRouge · 28/05/2013 12:42

Las October I decided I wanted to get fit but all the exercises classes near me are in the evening and it's difficult to be out when it's the DDs' bedtime. Also doing something once a week isn't going to do much for fitness.

So I started doing C25K and the way that I found time to do it was to just get up earlier 3 days a week. I'm sure getting up early and going out for a run isn't everyone's idea of fun but it's worked really well- I even enjoy it, which I wasn't really expecting. I definitely feel like I have more energy now.

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WillieWaggledagger · 28/05/2013 12:46

i work in an office job, sitting in front of a computer or in meetings all day. if i need the loo i try to go to one on a different floor instead of the one round the corner from my desk. it's not much, but it does help me stretch my legs a bit

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EuroShaggleton · 28/05/2013 12:46

I walk any distance up to a mile or so rather than taking the bus or tube. It London, you can often walk faster than the traffic, so this takes no time at all!

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CMOTDibbler · 28/05/2013 12:50

Having had myself down as a non runner, I did C25K and am now running for 25 minutes solid, and as I have a lurcher he happily runs with me.

Now my 7 year old can swim solidly, we do lengths together, or we go in the 1.2m pool and then he can amuse himself while I get in some faster lengths. I've found a pool which is open in the evenings, so I pick him up from after school club/work and we go swimming a couple of times a week now. I'm working on ds's road riding skills too so that we can cycle together a bit further than we do now - he is physically very capable of it, but my nerves can't quite cope yet!

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CockyFox · 28/05/2013 12:52

I struggle to fit in excersise but I have started walking DD to pre-school then jogging home, I would have to walk back anyway so I fit in 3 runs a week and I get home quicker so actually have more time than less.

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northernlassthree · 28/05/2013 12:58

I've lost 5 stones over the past 18mths by:
Not having a car so walking everywhere
Not having a pushchair for my youngest so carrying him in a rucksack
Getting seriously stuck into cleaning and gardening clocking up at least 30mins a day of rigorous activity
Starting my eldest at school which is a mile away in foot
Having a very unreliable bus service resulting in even more walking/carrying than planned
Teaching my eldest to swim and ride a bike, doing these and hikes every weekend and holiday

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applestrudel · 28/05/2013 13:08

If you've got space in your house/garage, look out for gym equipment like rowing machines and cross trainers on sites like ebay or freecycle - they end up gathering dust in most people's houses so folks often want to get rid of them cheaply/for free. Stick a TV or iPad in front of you and time normally spent lounging becomes time spent getting fit.

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BornToFolk · 28/05/2013 13:18

I don't drive so walk everywhere. It's my main form of exercise. I work in an office and always go for a walk at lunchtime.

I've also recently started swimming when DS has his weekly lesson. It's only half an hour but that's enough for me at the moment! It works well in terms of "fitting it into my busy life" as it's time I'd be at the pool anyway.

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TotallyEggFlipped · 28/05/2013 13:18

I've stopped running for a while because I'm pregnant, but I used to get up early in the mornings to run before work. It's a great start to the day and getting up at 5am isn't too bad in the summer. It does get harder in the winter though. First thing in the morning is the easiest time for me. I'm too hungry & tired to exercise by the time I get home from work and I'd have to wait until after my toddler was in bed.

I try to walk as much as possible and always take the stairs, never the lift. I can't even stand still on an escalator. I just like to keep moving.

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bluebump · 28/05/2013 13:18

I bought Just Dance for our Wii and me and my DS get to have a dance in the lounge a few times a week.

I do have a subsidised gym membership through my work but as a lone parent I do struggle to find the time to go as when my ex has my DS a few hours a week I find I've got so much other stuff I need to do (food shopping, cleaning etc.) I'm going to try and be more organised at home so I can get to the gym in the evening now the nights are lighter I might feel more inclined to go!

I have a great twisty machine that helps tone your tummy muscles at home, I can do that in front of the telly and it doesn't take up much space at home.

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starlight36 · 28/05/2013 13:24

My main exercise comes from pushing our double buggy around our local hilly area. As it is much bigger than our single buggy I find that I walk further than I used to as it is harder to get on and off buses.

Entertaining my toddler at the playground is another good workout. My thighs get firmed up playing on the see saw as I'm effectively doing lots of squats and pushing one toddler whilst cuddling my solid four month old tackles the bingo wings.

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HandbagCrab · 28/05/2013 14:01

I have a fitbit and it's amazing! What gets measured gets done by the looks of it so I'd recommend tracking steps/ activity levels etc. to see how much you've actually done. I'm taking it easy as I'm ill but if I'm better tomorrow I'm going to do a minimum of 10,000 steps. I dance round the living room to get my steps up if I can't leave the house to have a walk.

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rusmum · 28/05/2013 14:11

I do crunches whilst watching morning tv news and kids eating breakfast. Then fit couch to 5k in 3 nights a week after I tuck the, in bed. Additionally no other evenings I do a DVD, shred or insanity either after tuck in, or in next room while they play in bath. Also garden play, races, trampoline etc get us all out of breath and a bit fitter.

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BeCool · 28/05/2013 14:19

I work FT & I'm a single parent.
I'm more unfit than I've ever been and not liking it.

I think it will have to be self practice yoga or exercise DVD after the 2DC are asleep. But I'm yet to 'start'. It seriously clashes with my time! Grin

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worldgonecrazy · 28/05/2013 14:23

I try and get up early as I'm a morning-person. Exercising when the house is quiet, and getting hot and sweaty before the morning shower mean I feel invigorated for the day.

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Shorty1980 · 28/05/2013 14:37

I can get a short total body workout in by putting the washing up and clean laundry away one item at a time (works even better if you have to run up and down the stairs for every piece of clothing and alternate high cupboards/low cupboards for plates etc). Follow that by sweeping and mopping the floor with a baby resting on your hip (swap sides every few minutes), dust the light fittings and the skirting boards (ideally baby will be screaming at you because you put him down, this gives you an added incentive to move quickly) and voila, a training session to rival anything Jillian can come up with Grin. For extra burn realise you are late for the school pick up, strap baby in pram, throw tantruming toddler over your shoulder (without shoes) and sprint 1k to the school gate.

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Rosehassometoes · 28/05/2013 14:54

I do Pilates at 9 on Sat morning it doesn't eat into our weekend this way, and I'm often too tired in the evenings.....am considering couch to 5k but need to buy traIners first!

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nogoodusernamesleft · 28/05/2013 15:16

I used to try and walk for 5-7km each evening but since I've gone back to full time work I've just been too knackered in the evenings. I usually walk the dog at 7am each morning, so I've set my alarm for 6.30 instead and try and get my 5-7km in in the mornings instead...

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AtYourCervix · 28/05/2013 16:10

I park as far away from the work door as possible. And walk up the stairs rather than use the lift.

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stonesteps · 28/05/2013 16:12

I waste so much time researching whats the best way to get fit, lose weight and be healthy that before I know it, an hour has passed. So inspired by this thread i am now getting up and going for a very brisk walk. It's a start.

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Goldrill · 28/05/2013 16:19

Pelvic floor and core stability exercises while driving (ensure overhang on tummy breaks contact with top of legs!).
Two tiny DDs and am back at work - one is not sleeping yet so I get a few ten minute stretches to myself through the day and am too tired to care in the bit where they will both definitely be asleep! So, whenever I have chance to go for a shower or to the loo unaccompanied, I do tricep dips on the side of the bath, and selection of stretches in shower/on loo. Love them both dearly but am looking forward to some time off!

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aPseudonymToFoolHim · 28/05/2013 16:37

I get my kids to try out yoga poses with me. I'm usually left very Envy when my youngest dc is able to get into all the poses I'm struggling with! We have a lot of fun, it's a bit like a game of Twister :)
On weekends we go for bike rides at the coast or walks over the local moorland/through the beautiful parklands our little town is lucky enough to have an abundance of.

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WhyIRayLiotta · 28/05/2013 16:47

I have a kettlebell. After I put DD down at night - I do a 15 minute workout (from youtube) I have noticed my legs and tummy seem more toned. It is so quick that it doesnt impede on my 'free' time and I feel like I have achieved something.

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glorious · 28/05/2013 16:48

Cycle to work when not on mat leave (about 9 miles in London, takes the same time as the train including getting changed). At the moment anything I can do with DD, so walking with the sling or puschair, especially with the food shopping. Plus buggyfit (like bootcamp with pushchairs) and mother and baby pilates. Yoga dvd during naps. Hoping I'll feel strong enough to use a running pushchair when DD is 6 months. She's 4 now and I don't think I could.

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