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Family dynamics

31st Dec 2017

The ultimate juggling act: So, this mum of five’s daily routine is mind-blowing

Ah here!

Gillian Fitzpatrick

Look, all we can say is – fair play!

Yes, here at HerFamily we recently stumbled across one incredible mum-of-five’s Instagram account – and it’s part completely inspirational, part laughably unrealistic (for us, anyway).

Simone Gately is 35 and has four daughters and a son ranging in ages from three to nine. From West Yorkshire in England, she was pregnant five times in just six years.

Her husband works long hours so she’s largely at home by herself with her children for much of the day.

Suffice to say – and despite having her hands full – Simone also looks after herself and stays in serious shape.

The personal trainer’s Instagram account, where she has 51.5K followers, is full of incredible family snaps and this year she also shared insight into her routine and schedule.

Here’s what a typical day for Simone looks like (prepare to be wowed…):

  • 6am wake up
  • 6.10am run for 40 minutes before  anyone else wakes up
  • 7am get a bath
  • 7.30am frantically do breakfast for 5 children usually something different for each. Make their school lunches whilst putting my makeup on at the same time.
  • 8am try and get the children dressed make sure they have bags, sports kit, musical instruments and their lunches.
  • 8.30am after spending 30 minutes trying to find 5 pairs of shoes which often are missing open the door to leave and grab a hat to cover my hair which I won’t have had time to brush.
  • 9am having taken 4 out of the 5 children to school I will come home with my 3 year old do housework.
  • 11.30am 1 hour slow dog walking with the 3 year old.
  • 2pm make tea for 7 people (always something different)
  • 3pm school pick up
  • 4pm tea, housework, homework
  • 5pm-8pm take 5 kids to and from different activities maybe even up to 6 different sessions.
  • 8pm a really hot bath
  • 8.30pm a hour of TV
  • 10pm bed! 

The wonder woman has also shared her top tips for fellow mamas trying to get back into shape.

“After having 5 children in 6 years it was never easy to lose the weight and tone up especially the tummy area,” she admits.  

“Firstly I want to say it is never ever as easy process no matter how easy people may make it look. Starting out is always the hardest point!”

Here are Simone’s tips:

1) Even if you don’t feel like exercising get dressed as though you intend to exercise and then see how you feel. Then make a decision once you’re dressed for it (most times you will end up doing the exercise).
2) Try and walk as much as you can it’s easier on the body and helps you build up fitness.
3) Set goals – find 
a goal that motivates you it can be anything from how your clothes fit to wanting to feel happy on holiday etc.
4) Always try and get a friend to join you it will keep you on track.
5) Use MyFitnessP
al app where you can monitor and track your progress. My daily exercise will vary day to day month to month I don’t like getting bored but I also have to work it round the children so I am limited to what I can do and when. My food also varies I don’t have a set diet as such and I often eat out and eat nice foods and big portions! It’s all about balance. 

Ms Gately furthermore explains that far from being a skinny minny while expecting – she gained a total of 18 stone throughout her five pregnancies, so she “totally understands how hard it is to lose weight and tone up”.

She adds: “I get asked by many women how to get back in shape after having babies and I can honestly say if I can do it you can do it.”