How to get exercise into busy schedule.

Miaslifejourney

Hello everybody. I have a problem and am hoping I could get some tips/advice. I'm trying to figure out a way to work around my schedule while trying to lose weight. My spouse and I have erratic schedules, my daughter starts school soon, and I am the only one that drives.

(when school starts, most days are something like this)
Get up at 7
Get my daughter ready for school, leave the house a quarter till 8.
Come back home, get myself ready for work as well as my spouse, leave the house a quarter till 9.
Most days I work 9-6 and my partner will work 11-8.
She goes in with me and takes the free-time to work on school work
When I get off, I come home and get dinner on the table.
Afterwards, I sit until it is time to leave a quarter till.
When we get back home, it is my daughters bedtime we will do the bedtime routine.
By 9 o clock, my spouse and I are in bed relaxing for the day until we are tired.
She falls asleep sometime between 9 and 10, never fails, but I tend to stay up until midnight to 2. It's hard for me to fall asleep.

So, how do I work in exercise. I usually get about 10k steps a day or more at work alone and by the time I get home, all I want to do is. Standing on my feet nearly 9 hours straight is hard on my knees and ankles, especially with all of this extra weight. It is down right painful. I want to exercise, walking is great way to get the blood pumping, but it is hard to be motivated to do it when you are in so much pain. I've tried the morning exercise idea, but I have never been a morning person. It is hard enough for me to get up at 7, let alone any earlier. My brain doesn't shut off until close to 2 o clock. I have been this way for as long as I can remember, and as much as I try, it just won't change.

So please, any advice would be wonderful!

ShandaLeaS

I'd either exercise after dinner when you are waiting to leave, sometime between 10p-2am or adjust your body to going to bed earlier and get up and do it before 7....

PrizePopple

"Afterwards, I sit until it is time to leave a quarter till."

So, uh ... do something then so you're not sitting perhaps? Just go for a walk, take the kid. Walk around the house. My husband totally walks around the kitchen table and living room for 20-30 minutes at a time while making meals, or with a movie on TV.

ShandaLeaS

Where there's a will there's a way...noone can give you the motivation to not make excuses and just do it. It's something you have to want and just get up and do on your own.

RockstarWilson

You know...your inability to fall asleep at night is probably due to you not getting up early enough. Your circadian rhythm can be changed, it just may take a week or two to adjust to. Saying "I just was never a morning person so I don't wake up early" is a cop-out, and a fixed mindset. ANYONE is a morning person with the right attitude and effort.

If you physically cannot work out after work, then the ONLY option is before work. If you do not want to get up earlier to work out, then I (or anyone, for that matter) don't know what to tell you.

Psychologically speaking, waking up early to work out will serve three purposes, and I know this through experience. First, you will train your brain to get up early, and you will eventually start beating the alarm. Second, your circadian rhythm will change, and you will more often start getting tired soon after dark. Third, if you work out before work, you will deal with MUCH less pain during the day.

Also, just for sleep's sake, any electronic screen produces blue light. Blue light keeps people awake. So if you are on the phone, computer, or watching television, your brain will still think it needs to be awake, and will produce less melatonin. So, cut off electronics (to some degree) and use yellower lights, such as reading lights or light from a fire, and you might fall asleep easier. You can also have something rhythmic going in the room, such as a fan or fish tank pump, and that will act as white noise. That white noise will buffer out other sounds that tend to wake you up.

That is about all I have for you. Best of luck! Just renember: you get out what you put in.

Blueseraphchaos

I am on my feet all day when i work. I also have no motivation to work out after work, although I'll admit it is easier to do so now that I've lost 50 lbs.

Honestly, i save my workouts for my days off. Since i have to be at work absurdly early, there is no chance I'm doing it before work. Not ideal, but if you want to exercise, it's better than nothing.

Exercise isn't essential to losing weight, though. And if you're doing it in order to gain extra calories because you are always hungry, since you are somewhat active already, set your activity level to at least lightly active (or active, depending on how much you move at work), and consider a slower weight loss goal (1 lb per week instead of 2, etc.)

Not sure if any of that will help you or not, but i tried! Lol good luck

RockstarWilson

PrizePopple wrote: »

"Afterwards, I sit until it is time to leave a quarter till."

So, uh ... do something then so you're not sitting perhaps? Just go for a walk, take the kid. Walk around the house. My husband totally walks around the kitchen table and living room for 20-30 minutes at a time while making meals, or with a movie on TV.

What are his lap times? Does he hit the wall? If he hits the wall, he may be loose and need a chassis adjustment.

PrizePopple

RockstarWilson wrote: »

PrizePopple wrote: »

"Afterwards, I sit until it is time to leave a quarter till."

So, uh ... do something then so you're not sitting perhaps? Just go for a walk, take the kid. Walk around the house. My husband totally walks around the kitchen table and living room for 20-30 minutes at a time while making meals, or with a movie on TV.

What are his lap times? Does he hit the wall? If he hits the wall, he may be loose and need a chassis adjustment.

I'm the one who runs into walls.

mirrim52

You make it a priority and find time. I go to the gym after my daughter goes to bed. It means I am there until the gym closes at 10, and sometimes my workouts get really rushed, but it is the only time I can fit in, so I make it work.

leahcollett1

Miaslifejourney wrote: »

Hello everybody. I have a problem and am hoping I could get some tips/advice. I'm trying to figure out a way to work around my schedule while trying to lose weight. My spouse and I have erratic schedules, my daughter starts school soon, and I am the only one that drives.

(when school starts, most days are something like this)
Get up at 7
Get my daughter ready for school, leave the house a quarter till 8.
Come back home, get myself ready for work as well as my spouse, leave the house a quarter till 9.
Most days I work 9-6 and my partner will work 11-8.
She goes in with me and takes the free-time to work on school work
When I get off, I come home and get dinner on the table.
Afterwards, I sit until it is time to leave a quarter till.
When we get back home, it is my daughters bedtime we will do the bedtime routine.
By 9 o clock, my spouse and I are in bed relaxing for the day until we are tired.
She falls asleep sometime between 9 and 10, never fails, but I tend to stay up until midnight to 2. It's hard for me to fall asleep.

So, how do I work in exercise. I usually get about 10k steps a day or more at work alone and by the time I get home, all I want to do is. Standing on my feet nearly 9 hours straight is hard on my knees and ankles, especially with all of this extra weight. It is down right painful. I want to exercise, walking is great way to get the blood pumping, but it is hard to be motivated to do it when you are in so much pain. I've tried the morning exercise idea, but I have never been a morning person. It is hard enough for me to get up at 7, let alone any earlier. My brain doesn't shut off until close to 2 o clock. I have been this way for as long as I can remember, and as much as I try, it just won't change.

So please, any advice would be wonderful!

I got up this morning at 6.30am to fit mine body combat in and a shower afterwards

Orphia

If it only takes you less than 15 minutes to drive to work, you probably have time to walk to and from work.

LKArgh

Orphia wrote: »

If it only takes you less than 15 minutes to drive to work, you probably have time to walk to and from work.

This was exactly what I was going to post too. Walk or run to and from work.
Also you could get a bike to take your child to school instead of using the car.
Or since you are the first back home and the one who spends most time with the child, leave the bedtime routine to your partner, so they too can have some alone bonding time and go to the gym for an hour.

ETinone

I find leslie sansone walk at home really helpful for those busy days I just do the 15 min 1 mile walk. It is not just a walk but a whole.body workout....Google. it it is amazing

Natalierae886

Theres a thing called blogilates, you can get the app on your phone or go on YouTube, its abit like pilaties they do anywhere from 3 minutes to half hour work outs, I do afew small ones a day and you can really feel it. Its great for if you havent got time, whats 3 minutes of your day? And on the app you can pick which area you want to work on. Hope this helps

jessmessmfp

You have a challenging schedule and I know it would be hard to fit it it. I'd say a) take melatonin and go to bed as early as possible (10pmish) and wake up early (6am) to do a workout and/or b) try to fit in little exercises throughout the day. For example, doing squats while you brush your teeth, doing calf raises while you're preparing dinner, lunges when waiting for your partner to get home. These strengthening exercises add up and can help tone. Jumping jacks or "pretend" skipping rope are my go-tos for raising my heartbeat - when I don't have space or time to go jogging. Try that - with some pushups/burpees or anything that moves your body intensely. You don't need to do it for an hour. Just try 15 mins at first - and it can be anywhere - your bedroom, living room, kitchen...

To stick with a good exercise regimen - you need to make it easy on yourself. Forcing yourself every morning to get up at 5am to run might be doable for a week - but after that you'll resist and your motivation may give up. If you set small goals of squeezing in 100 squats for the day, plus 20 pushup and 100 jumping jacks - it will be attainable and you'll see improvements. I'll do 20 here..20 there..and try to get them all in.

Best of luck!!

ruqayyahsmum

i run with my daughter, i get exercise, she gets to skip/run/play. we then do stretching exercises which sorts out one of her 3 times a day physio sessions
i also take her into the gym with me. they have an area with tables, chairs and vending machines so i sit her there with a book, some colouring crayons and paper and a drink. i check on her periodically and since its just an hour ( i shower and change at home ) shes happy enough

Packerjohn

Sounds like you have a block of time available between 9 PM and 7 AM, Need to find out why you lay wake for 2-4 hours.

Personally, I go to bed at 10, asleep in less than 5 minutes 95% of the time. Up at 4:10, eat, get to gym when it opens at 5. Workout shower and be at my desk 45 minute commute away around 7:15.

oh_happy_day

There are some great suggestions here. Ultimately you just have to make it a priority and find the time.

You seem to have a slot of time after your daughter goes to bed. I'm sure that's a time you and your partner catch up but maybe for 30 minutes you can get some exercise? Find some work outs on YouTube, Fitness blender etc that you like and do it! If you're a night owl then maybe working out at 9:30pm will work for you. Alternatively as PPs suggested cram in 10 minutes here and there - some skipping, some squats, some pushups. Ultimately the exercise will give you more energy and you'll find it easier the more you do it.

Here's some additional motivation to prioritize yourself and some time to exercise! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S91wzCSySkQ

parfia

I have a two year old and get up at 5:15 am in order to workout before I get her up for nursery : )

It's difficult at first - but you soon get used to a new schedule : )

Therealobi1

She falls asleep sometime between 9 and 10, never fails, but I tend to stay up until midnight to 2. It's hard for me to fall asleep.

This is the time you can exercise since you are finding it hard to sleep. . after a nice shower you hopefully will drift off to sleep.

linzi02

Do you get a lunch break at work? I know it wouldn't work for everyone but I go to the gym on my lunch hour. Means I can fit in a 30 minute run or some circuits without really using up any of my spare time.

LivingtheLeanDream

Personally I would get up half hour earlier at least to get your workout done, thats what I have been doing each week day for the past 3 yrs, it starts my day off on a high, gives me energy etc

crazyjerseygirl

I get up 4:30 to make it to a 5am gym class. Everyone thought I was bonkers but I did it anyway. 6mo later and I miss the class if I can't make it!

I do the class MWF, and do C25K T Th S evenings to break it up. I tried every morning early and I was falling asleep by 8! Working some mornings and some evenings gives me energy for a late night (though bedtime is 10pm on workdays!)

crazyjerseygirl

Packerjohn wrote: »

Sounds like you have a block of time available between 9 PM and 7 AM, Need to find out why you lay wake for 2-4 hours.

Personally, I go to bed at 10, asleep in less than 5 minutes 95% of the time. Up at 4:10, eat, get to gym when it opens at 5. Workout shower and be at my desk 45 minute commute away around 7:15.

This! 5am workouts cured me of insomnia!

snowflake930

You just have to make time for yourself.................if you want it bad enough, you find a way.
I joined Anytime Fitness because I can go anytime. I get up at 1:45 a.m. and go in to the gym before work. I work long hours, have a 40-45 minute commute one way and know I will not do it after work.

emmooney235

My husband is the same way with his sleep cycle. It doesn't matter what time he gets up in the morning, he's awake till midnight or latter. So when he works out its at night. Sometimes in the afternoon, he works by the call so his days are never "normal".

I can be the same way, until I consistently workout, then my sleep schedule gets more normal. I prefer to get my workout done first thing so I don't make excuses after work. There's something pretty awesome about hitting 3,000 steps before breakfast. I am chained to my desk during the day and I'm lucky if I hit 4500 steps for the day without exercise.

choppie70

I have to get up at 5:30 to get ready for work, get my daughter ready and get out the door and to work by 7. I work until 3 and then have meetings most nights and do not get home until 6. Then it is dinner time and bedtime routine. I made a deal with myself that every time I had to go in the basement I had to do 10 min. on the treadmill. Sometimes I do 30 min. after my daughter's bed time and do not get to watch tv. The important thing is that although I have a very busy schedule, I make time to exercise.

coreyreichle

Getting up at 7AM? Well, wake up at 6AM, and exercise. Go for a run/walk during lunch, or hit the gym.

In bed relaxing at 9PM, but your brain doesn't click off until 2AM? Then got for a run/walk/gym at 9PM. Some gyms are open 24 hours a day.

JenMc14

Your down time after you make dinner and leave would be time to fit in some HIIT or a quick body weight routine. Check out Fitnessblender.com. Or do it before making dinner. Also, getting up at 6 isn't too much earlier and could fit as well. This may even help you fall asleep earlier.

tinapunch

No matter what your schedule, if you really want this, you have to make time. I have 2 boys and a husband at home. I work 50+ hrs a week. Weekdays I get up at 4:00-4:15, make lunches for the day, then my husband and I arrive at the gym at 5am. We spend an hour - then it's back home, make breakfast, get ready for work, take my youngest to school, and I am at work before 8am. Yes, by 8pm I am ready to be horizontal.......but this routine has been the best thing I have ever done. Even on the weekends, we rarely sleep past 6am. Good luck - I hope you find what works best for you.

brightsideofpink

Lack of time or busy schedule isn't your problem. You have many free hours in what you have listed here- more than most people I'd say. Your problem is motivation. I don't say that to be derogatory or mean. I've had the same problem. Many of us have. But the first step in doing something about it is acknowledging that it exists and that many people are doing more with less to work with. You've heard some great options here, many to choose from. You could get up earlier. Will you like it? Probably not. Most people won't. I've been getting up at 4 am to make it work and I still don't like it. You also have between 6-8 free to do nothing but make dinner. Crockpot meals or sandwiches 3 days a week will make more time for you. Take your daughter on a walk with you. Or you could try something after 9. Consistent early wake ups or a good workout may even kill that insomnia.

All that said, if your biggest concern is weight loss, start by focusing on diet, and find just 15-30 minutes per day for some walking. As you lose weight with diet, you'll start to find more energy and motivation to fit in the work out.