When life gets in the way.....

LiqueLique89

I haven't been getting the same workout as i did in the summer:
I am a full time college student and now that it's the middle of the semester, my work load has picked up. I haven't been able to workout the way i would like to. I'm swamped with homework and after doing that and household chores, I'm too tired to do anything. I try to go the extra mile during the day by parking further away at the store or taking the stairs, walking around campus during my breaks and dancing while doing chores, but i feel that it's not nearly as much.
My only days off are Fridays and Sundays but i'm usually making sure i have my work done for the upcoming week, so my workouts for those days are minimal.

How do you not let life's demands get in the way of making a better lifestyle for yourself? What do you do when life gets in the way?

asarwe

I feel you! This is my exact problem! And studying makes me hungry! I take this as a sign of my brain burning calories. Sadly I also go extremely stupid if I undereat by too much. Maybe slow down your weightloss for the sake of your sanity during particularilly stressfull periods?

My advice is: Don't sweat it! I love triathlon-training for the variety it provides. I'm a cardio addict (former swimmer so...) and given my own way I would do one or more sessions per day. Not possible during school-weeks.

However: On your days off: Take two half hour breaks. One for some cardio, one for some type of resistance training. It is good for your brain and so worth the time it takes! (Trust me, I study on average 50-60 hrs/week and work on top). Or if that seems a bit much: Take six ten-minute breaks. Run the stairs at home, walk around the block, do some jumping-jacks, do some jump-rope (it's fun!). The breaks are good for your ability to concentrate as well. I had a professor tell us that taking ten minutes break for every hour of studying was the only way to keep sane. I don't know if this is true (the same professor told us to have beer in a sauna the night before our final), but I do know that I get better results for my hours of studying if I move my body as well.

Involve your loved ones. My BF likes running with me, and since I'm currently taking it down a few notches because I had two months of colds in august-september, he can keep up with me, so on a few of my runs i take him with me. He also supports my decision to loose weight and is willing to learn how to cook and how to log calories etc. Surround yourself with understanding people who motivate you!

Any exercise is better than none. Could you walk to the store or to class? (I know it may not be possible, but think about it). How about biking? I don't own a car, so I walk or bike most places (2-4 miles is really not that far, I have 4 miles to school. Usually go by bike). If it is over say 5 miles I take the bus, but even that requires a bit of walking.

And if all else fails: Keep on swimming and make lemonade. I'm cheering for you from far away! :flowerforyou:

cgfol1

I am studying for exams at the moment. I usually go to bed at 10m and get up at 5am every single morning so that I can fit in a work out before my day starts. Usually I am home by 7:30 and ready to go at 8am! There is always time

I do get pretty tired so I take multivitamins and eat as clean as possible plus I dont have any sugar intake, bar fruit, in my system at all and I have found this to be extremely helpful!

mountaincat4

Study index cards while walking for an hour. Make simple notes on the cards with each week's new material. Walk and review the material. That's what I do. The movement helps relieve tired muscles from sitting too long, and even a mile walked slowly is better than sitting.

~mountaincat4

LiqueLique89

Thank you all so much! Your adice is very much appreciated :happy:

I plan on doing what i need to do; if that means getting up a little earlier or taking 10-15mins breaks from homework then i will do it. I'm not going to let my busy school scedule get in the way of me becoming a better me. I have to take charge