Struggling to work AND exercise

grrrlface

When I'm in the salon. On my feet 9am - 5/6/7pm with little to no breaks and food. That's my reason I cannot workout before work, I simply don't have the time to refuel my body for a long day.
I also have a spine/nerve problem which is aggravated by workouts and work so by the end of the day I'm in too much pain.

But I tell you what I do, I walk. At least 5 miles. On days off I'm reaching 8-10 miles. It's a great workout and doesn't hurt my neck and shoulders and I can do it even if I'm tired! Unless I find a big hill, then I'm on the floor :P

I'm hoping to get a job in a supermarket too and know its long days but there is always something. Just start with walking and build up!

MelodyandBarbells

I do not see a single unhelpful comment in any of those you selected, nor do I see a bit of "talking down", as you call it. Perhaps you are overreacting a smidge?

Ah. Hopefully we just have different definitions of being talked down to, and the posters really did have kind intentions. The way I see it, OP is a responsible student studying full time and working a highly physically demanding job and looking for ideas on more activities. Essentially calling her a juvenile whiner making excuses because she hasn't yet had the idea to wake up at 3 AM everyday and get two hours of sleep seems unnecessary to me. I mean, they still attend class, study, do homework and prepare for tests in school nowadays, don't they? Again, hopefully folks were just being blunt and either way, OP would get some great ideas from their posts!

OP, here's one more somewhat over the top idea to consider: don't work a highly physically demanding job. Get another one, continue to keep an eye out for better financial aid. Don't forget your primary purpose for being in school which is to study and get great grades. Especially if you do not yet have heavy financial responsibilities, you have the rest of your life to work a job!

ZoeLifts

I do not see a single unhelpful comment in any of those you selected, nor do I see a bit of "talking down", as you call it. Perhaps you are overreacting a smidge?

Ah. Hopefully we just have different definitions of being talked down to, and the posters really did have kind intentions. The way I see it, OP is a responsible student studying full time and working a highly physically demanding job and looking for ideas on more activities. Essentially calling her a juvenile whiner making excuses because she hasn't yet had the idea to wake up at 3 AM everyday and get two hours of sleep seems unnecessary to me. I mean, they still attend class, study, do homework and prepare for tests in school nowadays, don't they? Again, hopefully folks were just being blunt and either way, OP would get some great ideas from their posts!

OP, here's one more somewhat over the top idea to consider: don't work a highly physically demanding job. Get another one, continue to keep an eye out for better financial aid. Don't forget your primary purpose for being in school which is to study and get great grades. Especially if you do not yet have heavy financial responsibilities, you have the rest of your life to work a job!

I didn't see anything but kind intentions, but you also seem to see the world in a completely different light from myself. You see, I would assume that if she is working while at school, it is because she actually has to, otherwise, why work? But you seem to be under the impression that your idea that she should simply (<---- I really am LOLing at that one :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ) get a less taxing job or not work at all is more enlightened and feasible. We don't know anything about where she is coming from here, but I'm going to come from the idea that she has to work because that is what she is doing, and perhaps her taxing job is paying her enough to allow her to only have to work one job, rather than multiple jobs (as I did) in order to pay her way through school (as I had to). You see, not everyone has their schooling paid for, not everyone has those funds saved up for them, and so, some of us in order to get an education, had to work our *kitten* off and pay for our own school (even on top of financial aid and scholarships). She may also have to work in order to have spending money, or to pay for her car, etc, etc. We don't know why she works, and I think your suggestion that she get a less taxing job, or not work is probably the least helpful suggestion that I have seen. The people you are not agreeing with are giving her suggestions to work with what she already has, not telling her to get another job.

Otterluv

Ah. Hopefully we just have different definitions of being talked down to, and the posters really did have kind intentions. The way I see it, OP is a responsible student studying full time and working a highly physically demanding job and looking for ideas on more activities. Essentially calling her a juvenile whiner making excuses because she hasn't yet had the idea to wake up at 3 AM everyday and get two hours of sleep seems unnecessary to me. I mean, they still attend class, study, do homework and prepare for tests in school nowadays, don't they? Again, hopefully folks were just being blunt and either way, OP would get some great ideas from their posts!

OP, here's one more somewhat over the top idea to consider: don't work a highly physically demanding job. Get another one, continue to keep an eye out for better financial aid. Don't forget your primary purpose for being in school which is to study and get great grades. Especially if you do not yet have heavy financial responsibilities, you have the rest of your life to work a job!

I didn't see anything but kind intentions, but you also seem to see the world in a completely different light from myself. You see, I would assume that if she is working while at school, it is because she actually has to, otherwise, why work? But you seem to be under the impression that your idea that she should simply (<---- I really am LOLing at that one :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ) get a less taxing job or not work at all is more enlightened and feasible. We don't know anything about where she is coming from here, but I'm going to come from the idea that she has to work because that is what she is doing, and perhaps her taxing job is paying her enough to allow her to only have to work one job, rather than multiple jobs (as I did) in order to pay her way through school (as I had to). You see, not everyone has their schooling paid for, not everyone has those funds saved up for them, and so, some of us in order to get an education, had to work our *kitten* off and pay for our own school (even on top of financial aid and scholarships). She may also have to work in order to have spending money, or to pay for her car, etc, etc. We don't know why she works, and I think your suggestion that she get a less taxing job, or not work is probably the least helpful suggestion that I have seen. The people you are not agreeing with are giving her suggestions to work with what she already has, not telling her to get another job.

^^^^^^Oh my, so much this.


We have friends who are able to foot the bill completely for their daughter's college expenses. They area older than us, they inherited a very expensive house and so have not had a mortgage for 20 years, the husband went to college on his trust fund when he was a student (his entire time getting a PhD). It always cracks me up when he says things that are so completely out of touch. He means well, but his perspective is totally different.

LoraF83

OP - first of all, set your MFP settings to "moderately" active for the next few weeks that you are working more. Your job will help you burn more calories, but you will need to have some of those in your calorie goal so you're not getting too run down.

Second, if exercise is important, you'll find the time. There are plenty of people here who have already posted what they do to fit it in (giggity). I have a full time 40hr/week job, a child to raise, a husband, a home to care for and volunteer activities that keep me busy. I get up at 4:30-5am so I can run in the morning. Or, I make time after my daughter goes to bed. I have a training schedule planned out till the end of September that helps me stay on track. With a little effort and organization, you can find the time as well.

MelodyandBarbells

I do not see a single unhelpful comment in any of those you selected, nor do I see a bit of "talking down", as you call it. Perhaps you are overreacting a smidge?

Ah. Hopefully we just have different definitions of being talked down to, and the posters really did have kind intentions. The way I see it, OP is a responsible student studying full time and working a highly physically demanding job and looking for ideas on more activities. Essentially calling her a juvenile whiner making excuses because she hasn't yet had the idea to wake up at 3 AM everyday and get two hours of sleep seems unnecessary to me. I mean, they still attend class, study, do homework and prepare for tests in school nowadays, don't they? Again, hopefully folks were just being blunt and either way, OP would get some great ideas from their posts!

OP, here's one more somewhat over the top idea to consider: don't work a highly physically demanding job. Get another one, continue to keep an eye out for better financial aid. Don't forget your primary purpose for being in school which is to study and get great grades. Especially if you do not yet have heavy financial responsibilities, you have the rest of your life to work a job!

I didn't see anything but kind intentions, but you also seem to see the world in a completely different light from myself. You see, I would assume that if she is working while at school, it is because she actually has to, otherwise, why work? But you seem to be under the impression that your idea that she should simply (<---- I really am LOLing at that one :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ) get a less taxing job or not work at all is more enlightened and feasible. We don't know anything about where she is coming from here, but I'm going to come from the idea that she has to work because that is what she is doing, and perhaps her taxing job is paying her enough to allow her to only have to work one job, rather than multiple jobs (as I did) in order to pay her way through school (as I had to). You see, not everyone has their schooling paid for, not everyone has those funds saved up for them, and so, some of us in order to get an education, had to work our *kitten* off and pay for our own school (even on top of financial aid and scholarships). She may also have to work in order to have spending money, or to pay for her car, etc, etc. We don't know why she works, and I think your suggestion that she get a less taxing job, or not work is probably the least helpful suggestion that I have seen. The people you are not agreeing with are giving her suggestions to work with what she already has, not telling her to get another job.

I exhausted the financial aid that I didn't have to pay back (get this: SHOCKLINGLY, some of them were based on maintaining good grades, which is hard to do if you are over extending yourself). After said aid was over and done with, I got student loans. Is this right for everyone? I don't know, but students in college are generally 18+ adults and can decide what makes sense for themselves. Personally, I do believe in taking a good look at whether you have to work. I do believe that sometimes it is a choice, and I'm just encouraging OP that she's got nothing to prove to anyone but herself. In my college work study program, you generally could go to the office and see if they could place you working elsewhere. Neither of us know the OP; only she can decide if an idea makes sense for herself or is "totally unhelpful". Personally, I don't see a problem with working smart, not hard. **shrugs**

I thank you for acknowledging that we see the world in different lights. Wouldn't it be boring if we were all identical pieces of a matched set?

DavPul

personally, i've found that when it comes to getting in shape, it's the people that work hard that benefit the most. sometimes that means getting up early. sometimes it means working out when you're tired. sometimes it means going hard when your body is screaming for you to quit. never does it involve a bunch of excuses.

ZoeLifts

*snip*
I exhausted the financial aid that I didn't have to pay back (get this: SHOCKLINGLY, some of them were based on maintaining good grades, which is hard to do if you are over extending yourself).
*snip*

I am so glad you are here to tell me this because I would have never known. Now I am wondering how in the hell I ever managed to graduate taking 19.5 hours every semester while working 3-4 jobs, including jobs that were full time, night jobs, whilst on scholarships, financial aid, work study, grants, loans and not a lick of financial help from my mom. Perhaps someone should have told me that I was going to have to also maintain good grades and it would be hard to do if I was overextending myself. Where were you 13-17 years ago? Oh wait, somehow I figured that part out anyway. SHOCKINGLY.

katorihanzo

Excuses, not reasons.

I am 43 years old. I work full time (salary, so that makes it MORE than full time). I go to the gym at 0300 each morning. If I wait until after work, it isn't happening. I get my full day accomplished BECAUSE I go to the gym at 0300. It gives me the energy to get through the day. Stop convincing yourself you don't have the time. You do. Decisions determine destination.

3am? You're kidding. I would be DEVASTATED if I had to get up at 2:30am to work out at 3am.That would not be enjoyable for me at all (or I'm thinking, most people). I prefer my workouts to be enjoyable, and limiting myself so that I had to go to bed at 8 or 9 every night is just unrealistic. Especially as a full-time student and part-time worker, my nights are incredibly valuable to me as the time when I get all my schoolwork done, I can't afford to waste them by sleeping straight through so I can get up at 3am.

In my opinion, it's wrong of you to think other people should spend their lives this way in order to be productive and not be "making excuses." Also, what gym are you going to that's open at 3am?

MelodyandBarbells

Uh, good job. Now that that's over with, this isn't about you, and what you were able to accomplish. For all I know, the OP is superwoman just like you and can do it all. I'm saying she doesn't have to. Maybe you would have benefited from someone telling you the same 17 years ago. How the heck should I know? I don't know you. . I'm still allowed to have my opinion even if you don't agree with it, right?

ZoeLifts

OP - first of all, set your MFP settings to "moderately" active for the next few weeks that you are working more. Your job will help you burn more calories, but you will need to have some of those in your calorie goal so you're not getting too run down.

Second, if exercise is important, you'll find the time. There are plenty of people here who have already posted what they do to fit it in (giggity). I have a full time 40hr/week job, a child to raise, a husband, a home to care for and volunteer activities that keep me busy. I get up at 4:30-5am so I can run in the morning. Or, I make time after my daughter goes to bed. I have a training schedule planned out till the end of September that helps me stay on track. With a little effort and organization, you can find the time as well.

^This! Especially if this is a temporary schedule for you, set your activity level a little higher, as Lora suggests. But for sure, if you want to find the time, there will be ways to sneak in some exercise. Also, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I know there are a lot of us that, if we are not doing the full shebang workout, we say forget it. But if all you can get in is to wake up 30 minutes earlier to do an online HIIT, or pop in a video to do something, at least you are getting something done. If you can find the time to fit in your schedule something, you will feel better for it once this busy stage passes. And it will better prepare you for the next overwhelming busy time that might pop up.

DavPul

Uh, good job. Now that that's over with, this isn't about you, and what you were able to accomplish. For all I know, the OP is superwoman just like you and can do it all. I'm saying she doesn't have to. Maybe you would have benefited from someone telling you the same 17 years ago. How the heck should I know? I don't know you. . I'm still allowed to have my opinion even if you don't agree with it, right?

i agree with you. the OP should just give up. give up exercise, give up working, give up....everything. nothing good every came from trying hard anyway

MelodyandBarbells

Uh, good job. Now that that's over with, this isn't about you, and what you were able to accomplish. For all I know, the OP is superwoman just like you and can do it all. I'm saying she doesn't have to. Maybe you would have benefited from someone telling you the same 17 years ago. How the heck should I know? I don't know you. . I'm still allowed to have my opinion even if you don't agree with it, right?

i agree with you. the OP should just give up. give up exercise, give up working, give up....everything. nothing good every came from trying hard anyway

What is it about reading a different opinion that has you guys so scared? Double check your reading comprehension, kid. I have posted about someone I very much respect and admire working two jobs and going to school full time, while getting excellent exercise. I've posted about myself working a single part time job and school full time. I've suggested OP take a look at her life and determine for herself if she truly needs to bear the entire load. No need to make up BS opinions and assign them to me just because I think differently than you do.

rosiesmama

I find (like almost everyone else who has replied to your OP) that if I get up early and do my workout before work, I not only feel better, but am 99% on task with my nutrition. It helps me stay motivated for the rest of the day.

Having said that, in the beginning there was NO WAY I was getting up at 5 a.m. without my workout buddy waiting in the driveway. I could not have got started on this journey to fitness without someone backing me up. Once the habit was established, it was easier to get my butt to the gym on my own. If you can, find a friend to join you.