ATTN: People with Full-Time Jobs!

LMac423

You can do it, girlfriend! You just need to get into a routine. My schedules are kinda crazy, too...but it makes my day go super quick and it makes me really appreciate the weekends!

4:30a- wakeup
5-6:30 - gym
7:30-4- work
5:30-9 either grad class (M/W) or coaching high school cheerleading (T/R/F)
9:45- sleep

It is super intimidating to start out doing a strict schedule but once you get into it, if you don't do part of it you feel like something's missing out of your day. You'll find how to work it in!

xp0sed

I work 2 jobs - a full-time job and a part-time job, so I often have days where I leave the house around 7:30 and return at 8:00pm. This is one of my biggest struggles.

I've found that I need to schedule it in and I treat it no differently than work. I can't decide one day that I just don't want to go to work, so I keep that mind-set with working out. I get home at 8:15sh and head down to the treadmill. Done around 9:30, shower and bed.

aschultz9

I get up early and work out every morning, even if I only have 20 minutes I still do it. It takes a while to get into the habit, but it is part of my day now and I really feel "off" if I don't and it affects the rest of my day. I work out in my basement so it is more convenient than going to a gym.

doggiemomma

6 am - Wake, tend to dogs, get dressed etc
7:30 am - Leave for work
8 am - arrive work
4:30 pm - leave work
5 pm - pick up mom for gym
5:30 - arrive at gym
7 - leave gym
7:30 pm - arrive back at home
8 - eat dinner (hubby usually has it fixed or almost done when I get home)
9 - 11 - shower and tv time with hubby and dogs (also computer work if I need to)
11 pm - bedtime

I make it work. I just decided that I have to do it or I will never get rid of all this junk on me. I have lost 25 lbs in 4 months doing this schedule. You just have to force yourself. Someone once told me "I wish I had your determination." I didn't think I had it until I just up and MADE myself do it.

Good luck.

VictorianJade

I work my exercise into my commute. I have a 30 minute walk to my bus in the morning, and about a 10 minute walk in the afternoon. If I leave early, I can add another 20 in the morning, and another 10 in the afternoon, to further bus-stops.

1113cw

OMG.. nice to see I'm not alone on this.. I struggle sooo much trying to get anything in. I also work full time and have my son exclusively with me 50% of the time. Between work, my son, his school, after school activities, playdates, etc.. I hardly have time to do anything. On the mornings that I don't have him, here is my schedule. I'll admit I'm not always 100% on in getting my butt out of bed to go to the gym. But I'm working on getting better....

5:15am - wake
5:40am - gym
6:45am - home to get ready for work
8am - leave for work
7pm(ish) - home from work, errands, appointments etc.
10pm - lights out

Sundays are my big workout day where I have the time to do mulitple things like go to the gym, get outside for a walk, play Wii. It's definitely hard. Having so little time to work out I feel like I need to be extra vigilant with my food.

margie_77

I've had this problem in the past. But right now my boyfriend and I do not work the same days or the exact same times. Since I get off work 2 hours before him on wed-fri, I get my workout in right after work and he works sat and sun 9-5 so I workout whenever on those days.

my wed schedule (which is totally crazy considering we game on tues and I don't get nearly enough sleep!)
5:45 wake up
6:10 leave for work
7-3 work
3:30- 5:30 class
6:30-8 belly dancing

my schedule thur-fri
5:45 wake up
6:10 leave for work
7-3 work
3:30 gym
5 home

weekends
9ish wakeup
10-12ish gym
then whatever

zach1356

I feel your pain on this, but find a routine and stick to it and you won't even think it's a chore anymore.

7am-7pm work (includes commute)

7-7:30 eat, take 1 scoop Jack3d.

8-9:30 gym

10 sleep

Try taking a preworkout supplement like Jack3d before your workouts. It makes you want to go the gym and gives you energy. Highly recommended. I couldn't lift heavy *kitten* weights 5 times a week for PRs without it.

semeyer

Thanks fo all the tips everybody!!! It helps to see I'm no the only one with a wacko schedule!!! I think I need to get into the habit of working out right when I get home from work. Maybe make easier dinners, crock pots were a grrrrreat idea! I just don't want to get into the habit of eating out after work all the time because it really puts on the lbs. Thanks again! :flowerforyou:

monstertwelve

my day goes like this...

5:00am-5:30am - get up and get ready
5:30am-6:30am - go for a walk
6:30am-2:30pm - working full time job
2:30pm-7:00pm - working part time job
7:00pm-9:00pm - exercise some more
9:00pm-9:30pm - get food ready for the next day
9:30pm-till next day - SLEEP!!!

its crazy but...can be done!

GorillaNJ

You need to find a time and stick with it... I go right after I get off my train. I pick-up the kids at 5:30 from afterschool, and hour at the gym. I go home, cook and eat dinner... watch a little tv with the kids, send them to bed... shower and get myself to bed.

I do that three nights a week, and always have a workout on the weekends.

kicklikeaGIRL

I work full time and usually get up early to commute to work. So, I opt to do my workouts after work. One thing I've learned is that your workouts don't have to be 60 minutes long. They can simply be 15-30 minutes, and as long as you work as hard as you can and push yourself to your limits, you can benefit. Try some short HIIT workouts. I also get most of my dinner "prepared" right before my workout, so that while I'm doing my workout it is cooking. Multitasking has really helped me complete my workouts. And if you have others in the house that can help...get some help! If my husband isn't working out with me...he helps prepare part of dinner. I think he knows that if I don't get my workout in...I'm not a happy camper. And a happy wife = a happy hubby

Hope that helps! You get up DANG early girl...wow!

lilRicki

I have the same deal, so after supper, i give myself an hour to vegetate and then I go downstairs and work my butt off for an hour...shower and bedtime. I have a very structured schedule just because I have an 8 year old. so while he's in the shower at 7:30 I get my gym strip on, tidy up while he's in the shower, read and call his father...once he's in bed I head downstairs at 8:00...i do this every day

porcelain_doll

I recommend buying a FoodSaver machine, cooking a crapload of food on Saturday or Sunday, and vacuum sealing/freezing appropriate portions for the entire week, so that each dinner is effortless, minus the effort needed to remove portion from freezer and put into microwave! It works wonders, trust me.

porcelain_doll

sorry.... double post. Stupid server.

emmyvera

Monday - Friday
630 am: Wake Up, Get Dressed & Eat Breakfast
7:45: Leave for Work
8:00 - 4:00 pm: Work
4:00 - 5:30: Everyday chores, take out dog & prepare dinner
5:30 - 7:30: Either have dinner first with hubby, then go to gym. or we go early around 5:30 or 6:00 then eat after we work out.
8:30 - 10:30: Time at home to relax with the hubby and pets
10:30-11:00: Bed

I have community meetings every week at different times so I'm always juggling meetings and working out but I always find time to get it in. The YMCA is open until 9:00. So I have a few options:
1. Work out early before dinner 5:00-7:00 pm
2. Work out after dinner: 6:30-8:00
3. Work out after dinner and a meeting: 8:00-9:00

On the nights when I get home really late after 9:00 and I feel I need to get something in... I do these at home...
1. Yoga
2. Jumping Rope
3. Go for walk/jog outside, if warmer
3. Jog in Place
4. Do lunges, squats, push ups etc.

At first, I went through phases of saying "I don't have time". BUT then I MADE MYSELF have time. And now it is second nature. I only take a day or two a week off. And the weekends I ALMOST ALWAYS GO. Even if I have to get up and go first thing. I find that if I don't keep at it, then I will slack then I won't get results.

Topazg9807

okay....

up at 5am
waking up my toddler at 5:45
out the door no later than 6:15
*drive to work 1hour to 1 1.2 hours*
work 8-5
again 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours home
arrive at home no later than 6:45 (depending on what time i leave work)
prepare dinner, bath, bed time for my baby all before 8:00pm

***no money for the gym***

full time worker, full time mommy, broke as hell......

what is a woman like me to do???

lilRicki

a skipping rope is cheap...that's what i did...awesome cardio...

Jess_03

Wow. My schedule is pretty packed too and becomes worse when at sea for 2 months at a time.

I recently got some Exhale Core Fusion dvds and they are amazing! You can do the workouts as a series of 10 minute targeted sessions or do all the sessions at once as a 50 minute session. Seriously the fact that I could just do 10 minutes and not need to be in a gym or have heavy home gear makes this dvd series appealing. Some of the dvds require a chair, resistance band, yoga strap, or mat. You don't always need all the items, it just depends on which dvd workout you choose. The classes are offered in a few cities and have left me wanting to tap out and beg for mercy from the instructor. The dvds are much more reasonably priced that attending classes each month though! Since the workout is more of a core vice cardio routine you don't sweat profusely but still end up with muscle fatigue.

Have you found other dvd series that are efficient?

dubmav

I work from 8-6 everyday while trying to juggle some college courses at night (online thankfully) as well as a super active toddler. There will always be time to exercise as long as you make time. Trust me, I know sometimes the thought of having to balance out all the various types of responsibilities we face may seem strenuous and even hopeless. But always try and keep a positive outlook while maintaining a level of discipline, and I'm sure you should be able to reach any goal you set out for. It's all in the mind. Good luck!

heathersmilez

When you make the time, fitness becomes pretty much your only hobby. It’s a good addiction to have though

This is my schedule;

6:00 am wake up
7:00 am leave for work
1:00 lunch @ work. Read my textbook for 30+ min, sit with co-workers and relax 20 min
5:20 pm leave work
6:00 arrive home
7:00 dinner is cooked/eaten
7:30 dishes are done
8:00 lunches are made for the next day
8:15 change (since I'm still in my work clothes at this time, often a suit) go to gym for 55 min elliptical workout
9:30 arrive home from gym, brush teeth, put on PJ's
10:00 pm watch American Dad
10:30 check e-mail and pay bills – little to-do things
10:45 go to bed

That doesn't include Tuesday nights we have class (grad school) so that’s a 6:00 am to 11:00 pm day, no workout time and textbook reading MUST be done during my lunch hour and on weekends in order for me to work-out during the week. We hired a cleaning lady to come monthly so that removed that 4h chore I did before so that’s my only suggestion is get some help to make time for yourself.

bluiz13

the biggest thing is making the time...you can do a 30 min workout every day and i guarantee it will be better than nothing...taking a walk for 30 mins and eating your lunch for 30 mins if you have an hour for lunch is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DOABLE....even doing 30 mins at night before you go to bed....a wii or kinetic game, an exercise dvd, the treadmill or elliptical at home if you have one, a walk around the neighborhood for 30 mins, jumping jacks or pushups or squats or whatever you can/want to do during commercials....YOU HAVE TO FIND THE TIME.....its important....

well not only do i work full time but i have two kids to get up and out the door and then pick up 2 days a week and then feed and put to bed.....soooo - here is my schedule....
630-730 everyone up and dressed and such
730-8 everyone downstairs for breakfast, make lunches, out the door for drop off
830-9 drive to work
9-5 work (1hr lunch break whenever i can take it)
5-615 drive to pick up 2 kids from 2 different schools and head home
615-7 dinner made, eaten, cleaned up
7-8 playtime or homework time, kids tubbed, jammied, books read
8-815 two kids to bed
815--> my time....either workout or tv with my hubby....

here is my workout schedule - i end up working out 6-7 days a week
Monday - PLAN walk @ lunch & YMCA after kids go to bed (830-10)
Tuesday - PLAN walk @ lunch, Treadmill after kids go to bed - watch biggest loser (830-1015)
Wednesday - PLAN - walk @ lunch, & YMCA after kids go to bed (830-10)
Thursday - PLAN - walk @ lunch, spin class and then weights/treadmill @ YMCA (6-8 - my mom has the kids this night and i pick them up on the way home)
Friday - PLAN - walk @ lunch, swimming w/kids @ YMCA
Saturday - PLAN - spin class @ YMCA
Sunday - PLAN - group power class

i go to bed between 11-12 each night, some nights it is later but i only require about 6 hrs of sleep...
if you want to get fit you will make time....

RunConquerCelebrate

It is hard but I have managed, when I first started working out this was my schedule:

6:00 Am wake up get ready for work
7:00 Am head out for work ( I am lucky that my husband works from home and he is able to take the kids to my moms)
8:00am to 5:00pm Work
6:30pm pick up kids
6:30 - 9:30pm make dinner, eat dinner, play with the kids, give them a bath, put them to sleep
9:30pm or 10:00pm start one hour workout
Finish around 11:00 or 11:30pm take a quick shower to go bed and do it all over again the next day. I did this for two months.

In the last month I have started getting up at 5:00Am to work out.

edorice

4:20am first alarm
4:30am get up
5 am workout
5:20 am wake 1st kid
5:40 am wake 2nd kid
6 am finish workout
6:20 am shower/dress
6:40 am leave for work
7:30 am arrive
4:30pm leave work/pick up kids
9:30-10 pm go to bed

Got TIVO, record missed shows

Natural

I workout mostly during my lunch hour because that's really the only time i have, except on the weekends. my job also has a no eating policy, but i ignore that. shhhh.

i would take advantage of my lunch hour, even if you just get in a half hour. that's pretty much all i have for right now. sometimes a little more, but not much.

i also do push offs in between cooking. chair dips. jumping jacks. dumbell curls. whatever.

JLeeAlton

4:10am get up wash face brush teeth get lunch ready
4:25am out the door to work
5:00am at work eat small breakfast
8:00am eat lunch
12:00pm eat small snack
2:00pm eat small snack
2:15 work out 1hour to 1hour 15 minutes
3:30 make dinner and lunches for the week, somedays I don't have to do this
rest of my day is take care of the dog, play online, pay bills, run errands, etc etc
I am in bed by 7pm though.. watching shows and I am usually asleep by 8:30 pm

Edit to note: I work in a lab so I can not snack all day.. this helps alot. But if I know I need to eat and I am legit hungry I go to the break room and have a banana or apples or something.

I am lucky for now.. I do not have kids to tend too so I realize I have more free time than most. I am also a super multitasker and combine things into one lol. We will be trying to have kids begining of summer so my free time will be short lived

MissingMinnesota

My schedule is as follows

wake up 4:45
out the door by 5:30
I take the bus to work and get there around 6:45
work untl 5pm
get to the gym about 6:45
Get home around 8:30-8:45
Have dinner
Bed around 11:30

I run on wayyy too little sleep but I can sleep on the bus if I need an extra 45 minutes or so.

gdunn55

You gotta make time.

Here's my schedule:

0530: Wake Up, get dressed, eat breakfast
0600: Leave for work
0700: Arrive at work
1700: Leave work
1800: Arrive at gym
2030: Go home
2100: Shower
2130: Fix Dinner
2230: Pack bag for gym next day, pack lunch
2245: Hit the hay for tomorrow.