People with crazy schedules, how do you fit in working out?

Vex3521

My schedule is going from crazy to insane, by my own fault, but honestly I don't have much of an option so I need to find a way to fit in workouts. I telecommute so I don't have the luxury of doing stairs at the office vs elevator or parking farther out or the other tricks I used to use.

It's harder to schedule things this way and the past 6 weeks I've basically been running on fumes between: work, college, family, and everything else! I'm cutting my am schedule in half so I get an hr more sleep, which hopefully will help me. But I have that 7.5 hours to add in during my daytime, so, it's more or less like throwing a bunch of darts at a day planner trying to fit things in. The extra 30 minutes at the tail end was creating some issues getting everyone out the door on time so it had to go!

kbmnurse

Skip the extra sleep and get up to exercise. Where there is a will there is a way.

subcounter

This will depend from person to person but I am happier with 6 hours of sleep and 1 hour of decent workout, compared to no workout and 7 hours of sleep. That, in case you really are just so busy. I usually have 1 hour free for workouts. Thats "me" time, and I hope you have that too!

Timshel_

Couple 15 minute mile walks then 30 i. The after for a couple miles or strength training. Switched back to HIIT and the short and intense workout is fitting in better with great results.

skinnyfatty1983

I use my travel time to work as cardio and use dumb bells at home .... as long as gym was my home, i had zero excuse to stop

JackKopCh

Just sleep three hours a night.

xzsharp

well I think, they wouldn't be here and spending time on forums to give advice to begin with since they would have other important things to attend to

skinnyfatty1983

i sleep 7 hours or more, each night of sleep is equal to 10 rounds that i jogged in the park

leadslinger17

You telecommute, but what type of job? Is it something where you have to be in front of a computer the whole time (design work, programming, etc) or do you spend a lot of time on the phone (sales)? If you are on the phone or listening in on a meeting/conference call you could always do that while walking outside or on a treadmill. You could also do light body weight exercises whenever you want throughout the day (take a 5 minute break and do as many pushups as you can). I have a weight set in my garage and when I'm pressed for time if I'm doing cleaning at night or something I will do a set and then walk inside and do some laundry or whatever while I'm resting between sets.

Tweaking_Time

I gave up on TV.

If I do want to watch a show, I DVR what I want to watch and literally get my TV done in about half the time.

I really don't miss TV much - too many damn commercials. Radio is even worse.

canary_girl

I get up at 3:30 to exercise.

Then kids to school, off to work, pick up kids after work. Homework, laundry, dinner, clean up, kids to bed.

skinnyfatty1983

Tweaking_Time wrote: »

I gave up on TV.

If I do want to watch a show, I DVR what I want to watch and literally get my TV done in about half the time.

I really don't miss TV much - too many damn commercials. Radio is even worse.

i never watch TV for many years... i just watch online shows, mostly on youtube

Motorsheen

kill your television

2011rocket3touring

Get equipment for the home.
When I started I purchased a cheap treadmill off of craigslist and a imitation Chuck Norris Total Gym machine. Total for both $200.
After my 35lbs loss, the treadmill (that I paid $50 for) died so I purchased a much nicer new one.

Hensonator1084

I lift weights in the gym but I dont have time for cardio at the gym instead so i leave my car at home and ride my bike to work saves time

PL4TNM

lmjohnson110 wrote: »

I get up at 3:30 to exercise.

Then kids to school, off to work, pick up kids after work. Homework, laundry, dinner, clean up, kids to bed.

^ this except I'm at 3:45

deannalfisher

even if you telecommute - plan breaks into your day like you would if you were in an office - I used to work at home - around the time I was "getting" to work, I'd do a walk around the distance it would take me to walk from car to office; I'd set my timer to get up every hour and walk; at the "end" of the workday I would do another longer walk

deluxmary2000

I'm comfused how telecommuting makes it HARDER to fit in exercise...
OP, what does a typical day look like for you?

LeGaCyGiAnT91

I wish I could telecommute to have MORE time to workout. My schedule is nuts. Wake up at 4:45 most days, Leave at 5:30, Work 7-3, get home at 5:30, feed the dogs, feed the cats, make dinner, clean, dishes, etc, etc, etc, and then workout for 15-30 minutes after putting my daughter to sleep. Have 2 hours to myself, then go to sleep and repeat.

mangoman420

Up at 3:50, train ride downtown. I hit the gym and shower before coming into work. I usually spend lunch walking as well.

Unknown

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zdyb23456

PL4TNM wrote: »

lmjohnson110 wrote: »

I get up at 3:30 to exercise.

Then kids to school, off to work, pick up kids after work. Homework, laundry, dinner, clean up, kids to bed.

^ this except I'm at 3:45

Holy cow! How do you guys not burn out? What time do you go to bed?

Motorsheen

Google : jail cell workout

ItsMeGee3

I get up at 4 AM. Make it work

Vex3521

Going to answer pretty much everyone on one post…

Kbmnurse & subcounter -
I am getting 4-ish hours of sleep a night (if I am lucky) so it’s not a matter of taking less sleep. If I had more sleep factored in, then yes, I could move workouts early.

Timshel_ & skinnyfatty1983
HIIT could fit into break periods, I didn’t think of that thanks! Home gym is small but it does work.

JackKopCh -
Again, not sleeping less. I wish I had more sleep flexibility but I just don’t.

Xzsharp -
Yes, thank you for such a productive helpful post (not). I was in the middle of my work shift, tethered to my desk via headset so I can stand up and walk approximately 2 feet. Work was done and since I can’t leave my desk unless it’s a scheduled break or I step away quickly taking a personal time I am basically stuck until I punch out of shift. If I had any college work to do I’d be handling that, but, I didn’t. Figured a forum post would help me find ways to fix the issue.

Synchrony7 -
Yep, I’m tied to the computer and calls are routed via voip, so no wireless, so I’m literally Stuck at my desk. If wifi was allowed or I could be wireless, I’d be outside getting fresh air but it’s not so I’m stuck inside even! I run calls, correspondence, appointments, inventory control, you name it lol. I can totally do a 5 min break and hit pushups or situps on shift though since I think it’d add up during the day. I also have the fun new title of “babysitter” since 2 employees that are due in during my early shift are Never on time so I get to call them to report in. Now if only that came with a pay raise.

Tweaking_Time, skinnyfatty1983 & Motorsheen -
TV would be that phantom thing in the living room. The kids use it but I couldn’t even tell you what shows are on when. If I’m able to get on the elliptical I have music going so I don’t even turn it on then! I think the last thing I watched was an Ink Master episode before the holidays!

Istrat115 – I’m in your boat. The current system is killing me and when I can workout I don’t feel productive. Hopefully doing small things on breaks like suggested will help turn things around. People were always telling me 10 -15 minutes on the elliptical is pointless or it's stupid to do something like squats at my desk because I'm not getting in a real workout...

Deluxmary2000 -
Typical day, is up by 3:45, have to get systems online and work by 4-7am. I have to get everyone else breakfast and out the door by 8:10. If no one missed a bus, I am back at work 8:30-until. With meetings, days can vary so typically I have a 30 minute lunch break somewhere between 11-1 and I’m working the other time. I am out of work by usually 3:30, however I have a standing meeting 530-630 Thursdays. After school, I have the typical homework, dinner, chores, etc routine. I also do my parents errands because they’re in assisted living so I may be dropping off something or running out for them as well. I stay at activities 3x a week because it’s an hour or hour and a half and a little bit of a waste of time to drive there and back and basically turn around and drive right back, so I do my college reading then. The other 2 days are longer so I drop off and pick up later. If I did a draft of an essay or assignment since I don’t have a laptop currently I have to type that at home. When we’re in, it’s cleanup from dinner, prep for the next day, chores and finishing up anything else. I do also do a check in for email in case anything popped up when I was off the clock so I can handle it then or add it to the morning list for the next day. I’m usually in bed between 11-12… so it’s not enough sleep and not the most ideal situation and why I was looking for some ideas. When I worked at an office, I did stairs on one break and had a snack on the other and on lunch I spent half my time walking the sidewalk in our parking lot… every day was the same routine so I had an easier time, even with the commute. With the changes I put in for next week I will be up by 4:45 and the rest of my schedule is basically the same.

TY Motorsheen! I like this one.

StealthHealth

Motorsheen wrote: »

kill your television

+1. This works for most people.

iofred

early workouts before my work day starts for me ... great start of the day and you won't find excuses not to workout (which I am a master at)