Thanks for the tips! I think the main barrier for me is that I have a kid with unmanaged ADHD that, frankly, takes up 92% of my spoons. I don't blame him of course, but having to do someone else's executive functioning (often against their will) on a daily basis takes a lot of me. I also work fully remote, and so all my income is based on whatever willpower is leftover from parenting, so I have at best maybe a thirty minute window in every day where if I don't have the spoons to do it right then, the day is a write-off.

I think I'd do really well if I had other people as part of my routine, but southern England's social scene has been a tough nut to crack as a slightly off-putting American, especially one that doesn't touch facebook... Up until this summer I've been making do as the sole earner, so hiring a personal trainer was off the table. Maybe it's time to get over myself and find something at the gym. It'll be new years resolution season soon, so there's bound to be other reluctant nerds to socialize with, as a bonus.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

I have a coworker who's been doing morning hikes with a friend who lives 1000 miles and an entire timezone away. They call each other and chat while they both go for a walk on whatever their local path of choice is, and it forces both of them to go out every day

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I don't know if this is at all a viable option for you, but some of my favourite memories from growing up were going for runs with my dad. It's not the kind of exercise that's going to get you marathon trained, and my dad was also doing a heap of exercise on his own without me, but if you just wanted to get enough exercise in to feel like you're being healthy, that could be one way to fit it in—with the added bonus of helping your kid's mental and physical health at the same time.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I should be jogging him in to school, it would be a benefit to us both.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Yeah absolutely! Or even just walking him in. A brisk walk (ballpark: <10 min/km) is quite good exercise.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

IMO it would be a good idea to get a dog and take it for walks twice daily. It will motivate you and provide an opportunity to aid in your child's focus (holding the leash of a dog has a way of keeping you focused on the task no matter what until it is over). Also, it is a people magnet. Someone will talk to you, every day just because dog.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting 1 points 1 week ago

A dog has been on the docket for years now. It's never been the right time. Maybe!