Exhausted before I even start working out!

abi113

Literally just started and I'm failing already. I did the fit test for insanity and the first day but that was on a day off from work. I'm finding exercise so difficult after work.

I work 4 days a week, 2 days I leave at 8.30 and back at 8.30 pm and 2 days I leave at 6.45 and back at 6.30pm. Then I get home to 3 young children who need putting to bed/bathing/homework. How does everyone fit everything in with a family?

Is insanity too much? What time do you think I should be doing it ?

I'm so exhausted when I get him from work. I get no breaks and the commute is 1.5 hrs each way

Gutted I'm failing already and if I don't exercise I loose enthusiasm for the diet.

EmmaM2211

I dont have kids so dont know if this will work for you but why not try getting to bed earlier and do your workout first thing on a morning. I find I do better when I get up an hour early (5.30-6 ish for me) and workout then rathen than when I get home from work when all I want to do is eat and sleep lol
If I get to be before 10 then the early morning doesnt seem so bad and if I were you I'd have the days you leave extra early as rest days :-D

Stuz359

What do you work as? If you are sedentary at a desk I understand it's annoying because you probably do need to integrate an exercise regimen into your life. If however, you are on your feet all day or on the move, I would forget the exercise. The activity you do during the day is your exercise, so just concentrate on your diet if that's the case.

Sarauk2sf

To be perfectly honest, when you are that tired, working out could be counter productive. Can you workout the days you are off? I would suggest strength training on the 1st and 3rd day (assuming you have 3 days in a row off) with some low intensity cardio on the 2nd day.

If you can get a walk in during your working days, great, but I would not do it at the expense of sleep.

Mabohlale

Get up early ... (I know I'm not a morning person either, but it works) ... eat a bowl of oatmeal and then exercise 1/2 hour later. Works brilliantly for me. I have no energy if I don't exercise first thing in the morning.

alzaman5925

What do you work as? If you are sedentary at a desk I understand it's annoying because you probably do need to integrate an exercise regimen into your life. If however, you are on your feet all day or on the move, I would forget the exercise. The activity you do during the day is your exercise, so just concentrate on your diet if that's the case.

Bump!

IrishDaveRed

I don't know what you do for a living or how easy you can get away from your desk at lunch but I heard a great piece of advice recently.

Just get up and leave for your workout. At first people will comment about you leaving and they might look for you while you are gone or comment about it when you get back. But if you just keep doing it, very soon everyone just accepts that you take your break and you workout during it.

I know that advice rung true for me. There never seems to be a good time to leave for that length of time and yet I know lots of people who do and its just accepted.

Just try it, even if it is to go for a walk.

bronnibee

I know what you mean. If you can't get workouts in try just doing 5-10 mins at a time, turn it into a game with your kids.
Dont be too hard on yourself hang in there.

abi113

I'm a nanny for 7 month old triplets and a just 2 year old. So not breaks literally. Can't take them all put for a walk as they only have a triple pram and the 2 year old isn't capable of walking an distance .

hdsqrl

Any chance you have or can get a fitbit? Caring for 4 kids is HARD WORK, and I bet you're getting in more activity during your nanny hours than it seems. Perhaps focus on smart eating first, and see what that does for your energy levels? Is walking with the kids an option during the day? (Not sure if they have a stroller for 4, but it's an idea.)

Editing to add that we posted at the same time and now I see the walking issue, heh. Will keep thinking!

Editing to add more: Can you open your food diary so we can take a peek and offer suggestions on that end?

mrscpm

You work 4 days a week, so you are off 3 days a week. So workout on your days off.

emmoen1

I don't know how long it takes for you to get ready in the morning but I highly suggest waking up early and working out... I take a pre-workout that really helps get me going when I don't want to in the morning but as a mom I really find that to work out the best because I definitely understand how tiring it can be at the end of the day.

Perfectdiamonds1

To be honest with you, I dont have a small child. My son is 25. I applaude people with children that are able to fit in exercise. Honestly I dont know if I could do any exercise with a small child. But you do have days off. Sit down and plan. I think planning is the key and watch what you eat.

russellma

You work 4 days a week, so you are off 3 days a week. So workout on your days off.

This.

Just starting out, don't try to do a really long or really hard workout. You want a workout that's a challenge for your level (makes your heartrate go up and/or breaks a sweat), but doesn't make you fall on the floor with exhaustion!

It might be easier to talk yourself into a shorter workout, and you may find that it will actually invigorate you and give you more energy as you sweat out some of the toxins in your body. As you start to feel better or your workout starts feeling easy, you can add time and intensity.

When I started exercising, I walked the treadmill for 20-25 minutes, then walk/jogged and finally got to where I could jog for that whole time. Since then, I have increased the speed and the length, but I'd never be where I am if I had expected myself to do too much all at once.

Good luck!

smantha32

I walk at night. Even if I'm exhausted. If you wait until you feel like it, you'll never do it.

Capt_Apollo

two of my friends just did the fit test for insanity. they're brothers, and have been in pretty decent shape from playing soccer all their lives, but have lost it a little due to life. anyway, they did the fit test wednesday, and were spent! they had to pause the video to rest a little longer, and the more in shape brother nearly puked.

so don't be too discouraged.

abi113

Thanks everyone. I'd like to do something everyday ideally so going to try getting up earlier. It helps with my food of I exercise everyday as I daren't spoil my hard work! I've bought 30 day shred which I think is a little shorter than insanity so perhaps better for my working days.

I am pretty busy at work, rarely manage to eat lunch never mind sit down! I have a lot of housekeeping at work and home so generally on my working days I only manage a sit down during my commute. I get home and do my housework and sort my children out and literally hit bed!

Thanks guys.

premiumchilenita

I have 3 children, I don't work and I did the insanity program. It really is too much. If you really want to do it then do it only on your days off. I tend to run to the park and back with the kids on their bikes and stroller and that's my "gym time" Maybe you could do something like this on your days off.

As for the days you work, do some strength training for 20mins when the kids have gone to bed, you'll find you are not so exhausted but feel some burn the next day.

abi113

It was def tough going! The first proper DVD gave me a banging headache and the shakes!

Helloitsdan

OP probably doesnt eat enough for insanity.

I'm guessing 1200?

Do you have your settings set at sedentary but really live a moderately active life?


Edit:

I'm a nanny for 7 month old triplets and a just 2 year old. So not breaks literally. Can't take them all put for a walk as they only have a triple pram and the 2 year old isn't capable of walking an distance .

Got it here actually.

Probably have improper settings in MFP and isnt nourishing the body correctly.
Can you open your diary so we can have a peek at your Macro settings?
I'm guessing you eat the amount of protein a mouse needs.

Fred4point0

Insanity may be a bit too much because of your commute. I use to have to commute about the same distance so I know what your up against plus having three children does not make it any easier. I would suggest downgrading your workout to one of Jillian Michael's DVDs. There are about 25-35 minutes on average and will give you almost the same intensity as Insanity! Hopes this helps.

Capt_Apollo

i have a similar day. i work 3-4 days a week, twelve hour shifts, and then i have 3-4 days off. i also alternate between night and day shift, 6a-6p or 6p-6a. i also have an hour or so commute each way.

on day shift days, i've resigned myself that i can't usually work out on day shift days. it's too early in the morning for a work out, and i usually get home tired and want to spend time with the family. occasionally i can get some cardio in after work, but that is the exception, not the rule. i've turned these day shift days into mandatory rest days to counter my hardcore work out days.

on night shift days, i find that i can usually work out first thing in the morning, and then pass the eff out afterwards.

on days off, i wake up almost at the same time as i normally do to sit and watch tv and have breakfast. then i'm out the door by 7:30 to go work out. i actually do two work outs a day on my days off, to make up for my days that i don't work out.

basically, i found the time to work out, made my schedule work for me, and bust my *kitten* when i can.

mainelymama

I work at 8:30 and have a toddler that I need to pick up after work and then of course he keeps me busy till bedtime and by then I'm ready to hit the hay. I wake up at 6 to work out before work often. However I use my days off as real tough workout days where I can spend a little more time at the gym and be better rested for it.

davery1985

I normally work out when my daughter goes to bed, but it can be tricky when she has been running around alday and i get tiered. It does make you feel great though when you do manage to get a workout in. I just go out walking with her in the pushchair if i cant get a workout in. I know exactly how you feel as i run an online jewellery shop, and i work at a supermarket over the weekends. Its tough. Just try and get in 3-4 workouts a week and i think you will do really well with your weight loss. Good luck with yor journey xx

katejenkins1

I have 3 kids, (2 x 6yrs; 1 x 4)
My husband works nights I work days, so when I get home he goes to bed. There is no way I could work out after I got them in bed. I am ready to go to bed when they do lol

I decided to do it in the morning; I get up at 5am and usually start my workout at around 5:15 (Pending how long it takes me to argue with myself about getting up).
I don't do insanity, I do a mixture of Jullian Michaels DVDs, right now the Extreme Shed & shred which is a little more then 60 with warm-up/cool down.

Its going to completely depend on your schedule, the kids schedules and what you're willing to do. When my Daughter (4) was 2, there is no way I could have gotten up at 5am, she had night terrors almost every night and no one slept for almost a year.

But remember if this is something you want for you, it's okay to make time and the kids (with repetition) will begin to respect that and prob pick up your healthy habit.

Good luck in your journey! Feel free to add me if you want parent support lol

p0kers0ph

I would go with what some of the others have said and leave your workouts to your days off.
You could workout for a little longer perhaps, just make these workouts count.

abi113

Thanks again everyone. Given me lots to think about.

I think I'm extra exhausted at the minute as for the last six months I've been working 4 long days with 4-5 nights. Literally driving from one job to another. So I've probably catching up on that too.

Will try an early morning work out. Need to squeeze it in at home really as my partner literally works every hour I don't at the minute

Perhaps need to up my calories too. I've been trying to do high protein but I need some carbs after and before insanity

neverstray

Insanity isn't really a beginners program. It's an advanced program. I'd find something else, set aside the DVDs and come back to them later, when you're ready.

abi113

Haven't been filling my diary in properly. Shame on me, I know. Will stick to it seriously and then open it up. Thank you

I feel better generally on a high protein diet (paleo) but I am now have oatmeal with skimmed milk for breakfast and trying to have a slice of soya and linseed bread will cottage cheese shortly before insanity.

I feel quite shaky and headache after insanity do usually need to have a little something else (usually a good carb)to stop this.

So
Oatmeal skimmed milk for breakfast
Lunch is usually fish with a green veg
Evening meal is fish or chicken breast with green veg and occasionally squash or sweet pot

Often have the odd piece of wafer thin ham for a snack

abi113

From sept to Jan I was working out 3 x a week with a personal trainer so my fitness isn't horrendous but yes perhaps it is too tough

dragonc321

I did a month of Insanity and it was brutal. I am a single mom who works 40 hours a week. Last thing I wanted to do was an hour workout at 9pm after a full day. I recommend the 30 day shred. It still gets me in a good workout every day (or as many times as I can get to it during the week) and is only 30 minutes. The days I don't feel like doing that I pop my daugher in the stroller and take a long walk. I focus mainly on diet. High protein low calories. Gives me all the energy I need to make it through the day and the workouts Good luck to you!