[qwerty2020]

Author here - I would consider my lifestyle intentionally laid back, yes (to the capacity I'm able to at least) :)

However, it's just a 4 day standard weight lifting routine (1 hr/day) but includes total time door to door (changing, commuting, lifting, commuting back). I enjoy this though, so aside from the mood/longevity benefits would do it anyways.

[KirinDave]

I have a 4 year old and I foster rescue dogs.

I dimly remember a time in my life where what you're describing was possible, but these days I'm just happy if I can do an okay job at work and still find time to hit the machines in my house. It is definitely a difference in our attitudes towards this activity that you don't call that "free" time.

[kungtotte]

I get up at 4 AM for work (i.e no time to do anything in the morning apart from breakfast, brushing teeth and getting dressed) and most days I'm done at work by 3 PM, home by 3:30-4:00. My wife has already picked the three-year old up from day care. He's playing, watching TV, or helping me make dinner. I clean as I go when cooking so the kitchen ends up clean and the dishwasher reloaded/run during this time, then we sit down to eat as a family and we're done around 5PM.

Clean those things up and do a quick chore (vacuuming takes about 15 minutes, or load/run the washing machine, etc.) and then play pretty much uninterrupted with the kid for 1.5-2 hours while my wife does her thing or vice-versa. Some days we just lark as a family by going to the playground or whatever. 6:30-7:30 is bedtime routine for the little guy with bathing, brushing teeth, winding down and then lullaby. 7:30-10PM (my bedtime) is when we have quality time together, our own hobbies, etc.

We don't foster dogs, that's true, but we have other interests that take a fair bit of time each week. So while we do double up a bit on "parenting time" and "chores", you can see how there's absolutely enough time for each of us to spend 1 hour/day doing health and fitness related activities while the other one takes care of the kid. If you're a single parent this all goes out the window, obviously.

[em-bee]

fostering rescue dogs is where you invest your free time in. it's a worthwhile use of your time, and you probably wouldn't do it if you didn't get something out of it.