Fitness advice

horror_hamster

Hi All,

2 or so years ago I had a lot of free time and thanks to MFP and motivation, i dropped 60lbs. Since then I took a new, better paying job and hour further away from home, and a second, part time job to help with my student loans and other bills. As such I'm busy...

I leave my house by 6:30am at the latest, work from 730-5pm at my full time job, drive an hour and a half (depending on traffic) back to my hometown where I work my parttime job as a server from 630 until 1130pm.

Getting my eating in check was my first goal; i found myself grabbing what I could and it was NEVER healthy (what fast food restaurants are open that early in the morning or late at night?) As of today I feel like I've got that fairly under control.

And now this is why I'm reaching out to the masses - given that I barely have enough time to get a fraction of the sleep I should be getting - what are small exercises I can do through the day that will help me start shedding the lbs?

My fulltime job is mostly a desk job - i'm switching out my desk chair for an exercise ball and working on trying to convince my boss to get me a veridesk (standing desk). But there are a number of days where I'm in planning or case assignment meetings for hours on end. If i get a defined lunch break, it's usually less than 30 minutes. My part-time job is as a server and sometimes bartender at a sports bar, so for the hours I work there (up to 30 hours a week) i'm constantly on my feet and running around (sometimes literally!)

Thoughts?

Ha, has you can probably sense, I'm a little frustrated and desperate. Any positive advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Also, please spare me the "lose the second job" suggestions - that's not an option. yes, i'm aware this little sleep is a hindrance and i need to increase my water and lower my sodium intake - these things i'm working on. I'm specifically looking for exercise suggestions and little changes that can help my activity.

Thanks in advance y'all!!

DawnieB1977

Wow, you sound busy!

Do you at least get weekends off? If so, I'd fit in exercise on both weekend days. You probably burn a lot of calories in your bar job. I'm a teacher so on my feet all day, and that can be tiring, but I imagine bar work is a lot more manic!

Maybe you can fit in some squats and lunges when you go to the loo. Perhaps park a bit further from work so you get a little walk before and after, although that might be hard if you have to rush off to your other job.

horror_hamster

Sadly, I don't get most weekends off - Only when I have other things going on. For example I run a youth support group that meets once a month, I am the music director at my church so Sundays and Wednesday evenings are spent in rehearsals (conducting a choir is GREAT exercise!). And various other volunteer things (photography for a non-profit's fundraiser for example that I'm helping with next week).

Most weekends that I work, I work doubles at the restaurant. Not only do I have student debt to deal with but I'm also getting married in a year (393 days! not that i'm counting...) So i'm trying to save money for that too.

As it is, I park in a parking garage about 3 blocks from my office and I practically run there between jobs HAHA but using time to and from meetings or the loo to do lunges or squats isn't a bad idea. Thanks!

DawnieB1977

I thought I was busy with three kids, but you sound far, far busier!

You could lunge walk around the office, although you might get some odd looks lol. Also, maybe get a skipping rope and skip for 5 mins on your lunch break.

You sound so active with your bar job and choir conducting, that you must burn a lot of calories.

I think it's best you just really focus on what you eat.

VelveteenArabian

You can lose weight without exercise. It sounds like you really don't need another thing to add in to your day.

You could try sma things like squats or lunges or even bring a dumbbell but I don't think they would help that much - it would just be another thing to do.