Working full time AND working out?

245

Replies

  • chic_mama_25
    chic_mama_25 Posts: 90
    I would LOVE to work 9-5! I would have so much more time lol. Not meaning to be mean, but I understand about being tired and not having time because I work 6am-6pm. I have to go to bed at the same time as my 7 year old haha.

    To kill two birds with one stone, I cycle the 8 miles into work and back every day (35 mins each way). This helps keep my exercise ticking over until the weekend where I will typically do one hour long run and one 1,5hr Bikram yoga session. Hope this helps!
  • douglasmobbs
    douglasmobbs Posts: 563 Member
    Calories in - calories out = weight change.

    If you cannot work out as much as you did you cannot eat as much as you did. As simple as it sounds it took me ages to realise this.
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    Honestly, I usually feel the same way, but, when I make myself workout, I find that I have more energy.
  • monicalynne68
    monicalynne68 Posts: 87 Member
    Just squeeze in exercise whenever you can. Do you work in an office building? Take the steps instead of the elevator. When you go shopping, park further away so you have to walk. At the grocery store, carry the bags to the car rather than pushing the cart to the car. You can sneak exercise in and not realize that you are doing it.
  • katiej122
    katiej122 Posts: 125 Member
    Wow thank you all for replying so fast!
    I really appreciate all the comments (even though I'm sitting here completely red in the face with embarrassment from feeling like a big lazy whinger!..not that whinging was the intention...I wish I'd worded it all better!)
    I understand my schedule is far and away easier than some of yours, but it's still really hard for me, especially with my mental problems. You're all really amazing! I could never do what some of you do. But at least I know it can be done :)
    You're all so super motivating, I'm going to try working out in the mornings instead of the evenings and see if that makes a difference to my energy levels.
    I suppose its just all about making good habits (which I'm severely lacking in, but I'll change that!)
    Thanks again all :)
  • Rachiepie6
    Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
    tip - before or after work, without going home in between, works for a lot of people i know, might work for you. can't hurt to try.
  • booyainyoface
    booyainyoface Posts: 409 Member
    i work with kids with autism 55 hours a week (7am-7pm ugh) and am finishing my masters degree- its EXHAUSTING, both physically and mentally. i find if i suck it up and work out first thing in the morning i have more energy for the day, feel better, make better choices, and am better with the students I work with.

    it literally took me 1 month of forcing myself to wake up at 5:00 am and just turning on my light and laying in bed before i could even think of getting out of bed and exercise. now i wake up at 5 am without an alarm- just took some getting used to!

    make time for you and make new habits :)
  • littleblueallie
    littleblueallie Posts: 16 Member
    I have a "play by ear" working schedule for the most part, and I do work 40 hours a week. It can be exhausting, the thing that helps me out THE MOST is the whole routine of it all. I know it may seem boring but that's the only way I can keep up! I wake up, go to work, go to the gym on my lunch break, go back to work, go to the gym FROM WORK. That's another thing that helps. I pack my gym clothes with me so that I don't go home in between, because I know that if I stop at home, I will lay on the couch and eat thin mints and take a nap aka not go to the gym! Haha. So i know it's hard but if you can make a steady routine for yourself it'll be way easier to just get it done and then flop down after a long day's work AND a great workout!
  • erv78
    erv78 Posts: 7
    To be honest, you have to set your priorities first. It doesn't matter what time you work, you will ALWAYS have an hour or two free per day. Sometimes you have to make choices, that 1-2 hours you spend going out with friends you could be spending on working out. I'm not saying that's what you do I'm just saying that health should always come first, so whenever you have free time, use that to better yourself. Hope that helped :) Good luck!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Yup, it's about habits and priorities. I get up earlier in the morning so I can run or walk or do some other workout. I find that it makes a huge difference to my energy level and mood, so it is worth sacrificing some sleep (or going to bed earlier) to get that extra boost to my day.
    The other thiing that might help is to do some research into exercise options that you enjoy that only take 30 mins or so. When you have all day to fill, you can afford to hang out in the gym and do classes and routines that take an hour or more but its really not essential.
    For example, you can get a great workout in a half hour run if you throw in some intervals. Or, I know there are a bunch of workout DVD's out there than take 30 mins or less. Or read up on Tabata workouts - short and sharp and apparently very effective.
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    If it's important to you, you will find time to do it. I normally exercise when I wake up before I eat breakfast. I find it easier to get up early than to try to squeeze it in at night. Helps me stay energized for the day.
  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    Hi Katie

    I'm 47 and know exactly what you mean about gettinh home exhausted!!

    The only way I can manage is to get up early and do an hour at the gym every morning before work. I know the idea of getting up so early hurts, especially on these cold mornings, but I promise you when you arrive at work having worked out, filled with endorphins and freshly showered, the day somehow sems to go better!

    Good luck

    Paul

    This.
  • erv78
    erv78 Posts: 7
    Yup, it's about habits and priorities. I get up earlier in the morning so I can run or walk or do some other workout. I find that it makes a huge difference to my energy level and mood, so it is worth sacrificing some sleep (or going to bed earlier) to get that extra boost to my day.
    The other thiing that might help is to do some research into exercise options that you enjoy that only take 30 mins or so. When you have all day to fill, you can afford to hang out in the gym and do classes and routines that take an hour or more but its really not essential.
    For example, you can get a great workout in a half hour run if you throw in some intervals. Or, I know there are a bunch of workout DVD's out there than take 30 mins or less. Or read up on Tabata workouts - short and sharp and apparently very effective.
    This is great advice.
  • andreinhaw
    andreinhaw Posts: 1
    I also work full time and have a 5 year old! I cook dinner for my family at least 4 times a week. I don't make it to the gym every single day, because some days when my husband is really busy I have to pick up my son from school. So I go home and start dinner and while doing that, I either do a P90X video or Insanity. And it work really good! they are no more than 1 hr, and it fits my busy schedule just fine!
  • jody664
    jody664 Posts: 397 Member
    I've found that I seem to have PLENTY of time to waste in front of the TV. So for awhile, I wouldn't allow myself to turn it on until after I'd returned home from my workout. I told myself that I didn't *have* to go to the gym, but if I didn't, I couldn't turn on the TV all evening. It's amazing how motivating being bored stiff can be.......:smile:
  • TourThePast
    TourThePast Posts: 1,753 Member
    Suck it up and do it anyway. Some days it gets easier, some days it's tough.

    You're 18 so presumably you're living with family, so you don't have to take on the full burden of cooking, washing up, dusting, washing, decorating, ironing, vacuuming, gardening, bill paying, car maintenance, food shopping and house renovations and all the other adult stuff that sucks time out of your life.

    I live on my own and still manage to do all that and work full time and make time to exercise 3-5 days a week.

    How I do it is by setting a time to go to the gym every week, and not seeing it as optional. It's like part of my work day. I don't get to choose whether or not I go to work, nor do I get to choose whether or not I go to the gym. It's just what I do.

    EDITED TO ADD:
    I've found that I seem to have PLENTY of time to waste in front of the TV.
    Yes, so many people say they don't have time to do "XYZ" that they'd love to do, yet they watch TV for hours every evening. I haven't switched my TV on for nearly two years now, don't miss it at all, and I'm enjoying actually having a life of my own instead of watching other people's! :smile:
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    I work 30 hours a week in my career, am a full time grad student, and a father of two and I am adjusting my schedule to work out. If I can do it, so can you!
  • paigeleigh417
    paigeleigh417 Posts: 30
    You have to want it! It eventually just becomes something you're used to and a part of your daily life. I'm 18 as well and I work full time and go to school full time. It's tough at first but once it becomes a habit, you just don't even have to think about it anymore. I wake up at 5:30 AM every single day and never have a day off because the 2 days I do have off of work, I spend at school! I walk/jog at least 3 miles a night and do Turbo Fire (a cardio kickboxing program). Just get your mind set and you can do it!! :)
  • deadbeatsummer
    deadbeatsummer Posts: 537 Member
    I'm in the same boat - finished uni last year - now working 9-5 in central london with an hour commute either side - I'm knackered by the end of the day. If I have nothing on in the evening, I bring my gym kit to work so I can go to the gym on my way home for an hour - its tiring, but i make sure i bring a snack to eat on the train home so that im not dying at this point.

    Ive just started the turbo fire workouts which are great and its convenient for me to have something to do at home that really makes me work as i can be so lazy after a long day at work.

    i've mostly survived due to carful planning of meals - i make sure i pack my lunch the night before and get up early enough to make my own breakfast and have something healthy for tea too.

    just try and get into a routine - it can sem daunting but youll be surprised at what you can get used to doing!
  • amoffatt
    amoffatt Posts: 674 Member
    I am not a morning person and with 10 hour days and full time school online, I workout in the evenings on the days I work and try for earlier times the days I dont. This is a big reason why I like intense DVD's (like Jillian Michaels) that are short with a huge burn.
  • JaySpice
    JaySpice Posts: 326 Member
    I'm a single, full time working mom. I do Jillian's 30 day shred. It's 20 minutes. I know there are people even busier than you and I that work out. You just have to try to find time.
  • Riverofbeauty
    Riverofbeauty Posts: 205 Member
    I work 8am - 4:30pm 5 days a week, and I get up at 6am 3 days a week to workout before work.

    I also walk to/from work when I can.

    I used to work out in the evenings after work, but most of the time I just wanted to skip it and relax for the evening.

    You just have to put your mind to it, and make time for it. If it's important to you, you will. Good luck!
  • Still_Fluffy
    Still_Fluffy Posts: 341 Member
    Get up early every morning... its hard at first but after two weeks its not bad. If you work out first thing in the morning you'll likely have more energy through out the day. I also workout over my lunch hour. Even a good walk around the block can help you have more energy and burn some calories.
  • Babrao
    Babrao Posts: 152 Member
    I look at going to the gym as my 2nd job. I work 8:30am to 5:30pm, then head straight to the gym M-F (sometimes I take a day off), get home around 7:30pm, eat dinner, unwind, take a shower and repeat the same thing the next day. I usually take the weekends off, once in a while I go one day of the weekend.

    It is annoying sometimes, but if I want the results I have to do it and I have to think of it as a 2nd job that I *have* to go to.
  • PHATmommy68
    PHATmommy68 Posts: 112
    I work two jobs and am a single mom of a teenager! You HAVE to find the time! I power walk 4 nights a week with Leslie Sansone DVD and use this site to track my food and exercise! You can do it!!!:smile:
  • whit1108
    whit1108 Posts: 94
    If you really want it then you will find the time to do it. It isnt going to be easy but if you want it youll find the time.. I work monday thur friday 12 hour shifts and go to school full time and teach zumba class twice a week at the fitness place in town and we have two kids and all there activites and still find time to workout and clean the house and make supper and etc. It is not easy but if you really want to lose weight you have to be determined and not make any excuses and make the time workout and eat right. On the days i dont teach zumba..I will either get up early before the kids get up and workout or I will do it after that bath's are done at night and they are in bed. Winter is kinda harder but during the summer ill put the 2 year old into the weagon and the 5 year old will find his bike all 4 miles. Good luck and im sure youll find something that works best for you.
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    It's hard to find balance, but trust me, there will always be some excuse not to.

    I have to schedule it into my day just like any other must-do obligation or meeting. Morning workouts are my only sure-fire way to get them in - too many other things (including just being plain tired) come up after work.

    You can also break up your workouts. No one ever said it has to be an hour at a time. 20 minutes in the morning, at lunch, and right when you get home ... boom. :wink:
  • ❤lindsay❤dawn❤
    ❤lindsay❤dawn❤ Posts: 443
    I get up at 4:30 to workout and get ready for work at 7:15, then work until 5 or 5:30 and hit the Gym again, after which I go home, shower, and essentially die, AKA go to sleep... I just know that not going it NOT an option... I just push myself and tell myself, "I may burn another couple of pounds this week, I have to do this!!"

    Best of Luck!!

    : ))
  • mandy_freeman
    mandy_freeman Posts: 35
    If you want something bad enough, you make it work. I have a full time job, am a full time grad student, a single mother of a 2 year old boy and I work out minimum of an hour a day. Without my gym time I would be STRESSED!! It helps keep me focused and driven.
  • RNmomto4
    RNmomto4 Posts: 143
    I have 4 kids (ages 5.5 to 5 months), I work full time, and I am in grad school.

    I am exhausted most days.

    If I dont get out of bed at 0545 to do it, then I force myself to do it at night...I either take the kids downstairs with me or wait until they go to bed.

    I didnt get out of bed this morning, so I need to fit it in tonight. On top of homework. But its almost so routine now, that if I dont do it, I will feel guilty!

    Good luck!
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