Busy schedule and exercise = HOW?!?!

johnsoag

I work full time and go to school full time. I get maybe two days off to catch up what I can't do during the other days.
I have no issues doing some cardio on these days, but I feel like only doing this at a lump time during the week is bad. M-F is off limits. So it's up to Saturday and Sunday for me to get it all in. Any advice on how I can even out my week? Or does it even matter in the end?

Thanks!

heathersmilez

If you are new to dieting and exercise its ok to focus on what you eat first and then incorporate exercise later especially when time is a factor. Focus on what you eat, stick to about 1200 calories a day and you will still loose weight without exercise. Studies show that 3, 20minute exercises a week is ideal but that “ideal” always changes i.e. 10 minutes 4x or 30 minutes 3x etc… so if you can do 1 hour 2x a week, that’s great! I’m sure you walk more than you give yourself credit for going to classes and work especially if you job isn’t an office job. Do what you can, every little bit helps. Good luck!

jrich1

try to find some time, plan and make working out a part of your routine

DanOhh

You'll probably hate to here this BUT, try getting up an hour earlier. You can get a lot of exercise done in the morning. Trust me, it stinks at first but you can grow to like it.

Robin1109

I too am working full time and doing school full time. Right now, it’s a full time focus on my thesis. I’ve actually carved out time in the morning to hit the gym before work. It was real hard the first few weeks but I always felt so accomplished already when I walked into the office in the morning. I know the second I walk out the doors from work I need to focus on school and not working out. Yes, this means I go to bed earlier than before but instead of putzing around for an hour when I get home (and not working on school related things), I dive right into the school work so I can put in a solid 4 hours before bed. I really didn’t believe that I could spare anytime M-F and this is why I’m an unhealthy weight now. It takes some juggling to figure out a schedule that works for you, but in my opinion, a workout only Sat and Sun won’t cut it for very long if you’re looking to lose weight, then maintain the loss, all while getting your body healthier and stronger.

aippolito1

You'll probably hate to here this BUT, try getting up an hour earlier. You can get a lot of exercise done in the morning. Trust me, it stinks at first but you can grow to like it.

Exactly this!!! I didn't have to be to work at 10 and normally I love that time 'cause I can sleep in but today I got up at 8:15 and was out for a walk/run at 8:30 so I could be back at 9, showered and ready to go at 9:40. Now my exercise for the day is done and I don't have to worry about it the rest of the day and can relax tonight with my bf after I make dinner.

Another thing that's really great for college people...just take a longer route to class. Get a pedometer and see how much you walk NORMALLY and then challenge yourself to gradually increase your number everyday. Any movement is productive!

Paul76

You'll probably hate to here this BUT, try getting up an hour earlier. You can get a lot of exercise done in the morning. Trust me, it stinks at first but you can grow to like it.

Yeah, this. Get it done in the morning and you don't have to worry about it the next day.

Laceylala

I think that any extra exercise is better than nothing at all. If all you can see to fit it in right now is on the days off, then do just that. Do what you can, and I bet eventually you will get to liking it so much that you can find time during the other five days to add a bit more here and there.

On the calorie front - put your weight, height, age, etc. into MFP and see what it gives you for calorie goals. 1200 cals is probably too low as another use suggested. You will find if you read enough posts in the forums that many many people have had much success following the MFP formula.

Good luck! YOu can do it. Small steps lead to big victories. Remember that!

AndriaLL

I work full time and have 3 children at home requiring lots of time and attention. Most of my real exercising is also done on the weekends. M-F, I have started walking on my lunch break, do calf raises while standing at an instrument, and I keep a mat in my office for situps and pushups. I am working towards 100 pushups, which only takes 1.5-2.0 minutes! I am amazed at how little time something like that can take to feel like you worked hard. 2-3 X/week I get up early and go to the gym to ride a bike, but can't do that everyday as it does cut my usual 6 hours of sleep/night down to 5 Anyway, just a few ideas there. I never watched TV, so it was never something I could use to find time, but I know a lot of people do workout when they used to watch a certain show.

LittleMissAngi

I have the same problem trying to figure out when to exercise! I go to school part time, work full time, and full time parent of a toddler.

I don't know how I do it but I managed to exercise 3x a week for at least 3 min each time.

sweetbn

Even only on the weekends is better than nothing. Eventually though I bet you will LOVE it and make time.

heathersmilez

1200 cals is probably too low as another use suggested.

Yes 1200 calories is the recommended minimum for adult women but if she isn’t moving/exercising that’s why I suggested the minimum. She is probably walking to class so yes, its ok to eat more than 1200 especially if you are tall like myself but the exact number of calories wasn’t the answer to her question – the rest of the paragraph was.

Stewie316

I agree with everyone about the morning. I'm not a morning person at all, but every time I would get home from work and school I would be so tired and wouldn't want to work out. I also never used my gym membership because it would take too much time out of my day with driving to and from the gym. So I bought a cheap Ellipitcal and started to get up 15 minutes early each morning to workout. Now, I'm doing 30 minutes each morning M-F and a couple of times a week before bed.

DawnOf1969

You'll probably hate to here this BUT, try getting up an hour earlier. You can get a lot of exercise done in the morning. Trust me, it stinks at first but you can grow to like it.

Even 15-20 minutes earlier will help and you wont notice much of a difference sleep-wise. You can walk a mile in 15-20 minutes. If you can do that M-F then you will have walked 5 miles by the end of the week!

Allibaba

In addition to the great suggestions above I try to squeeze in some working out at the office. I am not sure what kind of job you have but if you can find a quiet spot then you can take 2 10 min exercise breaks it adds up. I do crunches, leg lifts, wall pushups, squats, etc. It helps with toning as well as burns some calories.

tamalea

I understand I have a full time job and 3 kids. I go to curves everyday at lunch, it may not be the most strenuous workout, but it is something.

I also try to get in 10 minutes here and there; it adds up. I unfold the treadmill when I get home and get in some time while cooking. When I have to bring work home, I prop my laptop up on the treadmill and try to multi task. It is not graceful, but works. Maybe you can exercise while studying.