How can I fit exercise around school?

fuzzybearslippers

I disagree with some of the responders here, I think it can be easy to fit everything in, if you are willing to think outside of the box. For instance, if you are walking around campus to get to your classes, you are getting exercise. Try to do it at a brisk pace to get the maximum benefit. If you take the bus to/from school, get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way. I am not a fast runner, but it only takes me half an hour to run 2 miles. I live in a colder climate, so I usually only run outside in the Spring/Summer/Fall. I do it in the evening on weekdays, and take a shower right after. This also helps me get ready faster in the morning because I am already showered. I just have to wet down my hair and then dry/style it. I try to do it first thing in the morning on Saturdays so that I can shower and still have most of my day left afterwards. If you have a gym on campus that you have access to, or just a gym membership, take some required reading with you and do it while on something like a stationary bicycle. When I was in school, I lost a ton of weight doing yoga. If you belong to a gym, it is likely that you have access to classes as part of your membership. I went twice a week, and then I did a little bit of cardio after the class (maybe only 10-20 minutes on a bike). I found that when I did that I had more energy and it was easier for me to concentrate on my school work. I was also a lot less stressed out. I was lucky to attend school in a very urban area, so I walked everywhere I went. But it can be as easy as parking your car at the farthest end of the lot. I suppose that if you are going to try to fit in exercise anywhere and everywhere though, you do have to sacrifice a little in the fashion area. It isn't advisable to do most of this in high heels.

akjmart2002

Run to school. Run home.

Run between classes.

Do 15 burpees before entering the classroom.

Put a 25lb sandbag in your backpack. Run.

Carry a jump rope with you and do 5 intervals of 200 after each class.

Get a Fitbit and wear it everywhere you go. Make it a game to max out the stats (10 flights of stairs, 10000 steps). Sync it with MyFitnessPal and monitor your caloric needs in real time - you might need less exercise than you think you do to meet your dietary targets.

Push-ups and dips can be done anywhere.

If you really WANT to exercise, you'll find ways to do it.

whiteoutpen

I'm sure you have some spare time you're not truly making the most out of! If you have an hour break between classes, go for a jog, take a brisk walk, sit and do an ab workout- anything. You can easily fit in a 20 minute job, a quick shower, and a change of clothes into an hour break. You don't even have to shower before your class, just make sure you bring a change of clothes. If you're staying up late and going out to parties, go work out before your party! Don't waste time lounging around in the morning, go to the gym. Tqake a class that you love. Find friends who also want to work out, and work that into your social time. I'm sure you can do it

quiksylver296

Do you spend more than an hour vegging out and watching TV or hanging with friends? If yes, there's definitely time, you just have to make it. I am a mother of two who works full time outside the home. I am up by 4:30 most days, I work out, I'm in the shower by 6. If my 4 year has stayed asleep through all that, I'll go flip on her light to start to roust her by 6:30. I'm rousting my 12 year old by 6:15. We are ready to hit the door by 7-7:15 most days. I work from whenver I get there after dropping LO off at 7:30 until 4:30. Pick LO one up, Big Kid if she had an after school activity, home, then dinner. My husband and I usually veg out at his point. One night I week I run the girls to gymnastics and I get in an extra workout while I'm watching them using the gym's fitness room that overlooks the gym. I also run on Saturdays, sometimes on Sundays.

You may have to dip into your hangout with your friends time or get in some really good workouts on weekends. You could also look into taking like a 1 credit fitness class of some sort if it fits your schedule and doesn't cost extra.

This pretty much sounds like my day, too. Up at 4:30 and on the elliptical. I walk around the building on breaks, workout at lunch yoga or bootcamp, and usually do something active after dinner. You make the time. It absolutely won't come to you. I thought when I graduated last May I would have so much more time, but I didn't. Other things flowed in to fill the time. You have to commit, and sacrifice (like sleeping in.)

CorvusCorax77

I'm a freshman in college and was wondering if any other college students on here (or just people with a busy life) have tips on fitting exercise in. I'm able to get about 20 minutes of yoga in every morning, but other than that can't really find time. Suggestions?

Yeah. How about make time.

Sounds harsh but I was a single mom putting myself through law school and I made time! You got it easy!

Jen32285

I'm in college and have 2 kids. I only have 2 classes right now and they're online. So it's easier for me to fit in the time to work out. I'll probably start working again soon. My issue is that I find myself eating non stop when i'm doing homework. It will be interesting once my class schedule picks up next semester.

aalpass

I agree there is ALWAYS time to exercise, you just have to find it and prioritise it. On another note though, if your primary goal is weight loss then its 80% what you put in your mouth. A students diet is by no means the most desirable. Instead of stressing yourself out about finding the time to exercise, take the first steps and clean up the diet. A lot can be achieved by doing this alone.

Good luck in your journery. Find an excuse to make it happen!

kornmaiden

Fit it in as a normal party of your day. Walk to class instead of the bus, use the stairs in stead of an elevator, if you drive park as far away as possible. Watching tv? do squats during commercials. Get workout buddies to walk/cycle, swim/run with you.

SophieA9083

I find that t.v adverts are a good time to do little fitness "challenges" like lets say the advert lasts 3 minutes, see how many sit-ups or crunches or push ups you can do in that time and slowly increase it, if you watch t.v for an hour there will probably be 4 adverts so you can have 10 minutes of exercise. I go to the gym before college most days as I find I have no motivation in the evenings, or i'll swim in the afternoon!
I do lunges and squats whilst I brush my teeth and I will take two steps on the stairs at a time every-time I use it. When I am studying I like to take a small break every 20 minutes and change activity so I will perhaps walk outside or run on the spot for a little bit- it's good to keep the blood moving for good oxygen levels to keep your brain fresh! I also work my calves out whilst cooking or waiting for the kettle to boil

yo_andi

The same way the rest of us fits it in around work, family, community obligations, social lives and needing to get the elusive 7 hours of sleep --> careful planning.

Make it a non-negotiable part of your day. Write it into your planner as though it is another class or meeting and just go. It's not as hard as you think it is.

00ally00

OP here. Thanks for all the tips from everyone! Just to clarify a bit, I'm taking a full load of classes (a few of them are redos from high school), am working, doing volunteer work, and I happen to be slower when it comes to studing. I may be able to cut back the volunteering a bit, but my parents are requiring me to do that if I want help paying for school. Also, to respond to a few at once, I don't own a TV and usually don't have time for lesiure browsing on my computer.

Can you not walk to school?

I do, but my dorm is practically across the street from most of my classes.

Pick two: Doing well in school, sleep, exercising, having a social life. Gonna have to give up two of those things, because fitting all of that in is very hard to do.

Darn, since I don't have a social life looks like sleep is gonna go out the window.

Feed_the_Bears

You dont find time you make it. When in school theres always the pressure that every minute should be spent studying but this kind of stress is counter productive . Stop srudying for an hour to focus on your health and reset your brain. You'll perform better at everything you do. I made time to work out and came back to studies with a vengeance graduating with distiction. Tryingkilling two birds with one stone reading on the elyptical or making friends in group sports . When clubbing dance off that booty instead of drinking yourself fat

steve_fitnesspal

Heya, Ally. There have been some good tips and some tough love in the previous posters.

I also have an extremely busy life but the key i have found to managing it all and fitting everything in is to create a schedule and following it.

There are plenty of apps out there that can assist, excel spreadsheet, paper and pen, whatever. Make a schedule, set your increments to 5 minutes, include the time it takes to do everything. Once you map out your standard schedule you can find the gaps to fit in things. As for exercise, i would include this in with studying. Every 15-20 minutes, take a 3-5 minute break to work out. There are a lot of sites/apps that have exercises to do at home with minimal equipment. Heck just push-ups, squat thrusts/burpies, situps and a jump rope alone will do the job.

Also once you get onto a schedule stick to it religiously. The more you do something the more efficient you will become and you will actually create more time.

I'm fairly sure that even with all your activities if you map things out you will find the room.

You only need to do 30-45 minutes a day with watching calories and food intake to see results.

"With no plan, there is no attack. With no attack, there is no victory."



Good Luck!

Derpinaaa

I'm in college. I also work part-time, and am involved with a few clubs and my sorority.
I'm currently doing Insanity and I make time every day to do it either before or after classes. Or, if I have time in between, I make a point to do it.
Sometimes I get up a little early and take a short walk to the gym. Or, I get up really early and make the 20-minute drive to my nearest Planet Fitness, just because I like it better. Sometimes, I wait until later and go after I get out of work.
My school also offers a free Zumba class on Monday evenings and I make a point to go. There's a yoga studio just outside of town that offers a $5 happy hour session on Friday evenings. I usually have friends that want to see me then, but I make a point to go and see them later.
Point is, you have time. You can get up earlier, or stay up later. Find time between classes and friends. You had time to make this post, you have time to exercise.
"If you want it, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."

PetulantOne

You just do it, no excuses.

I work full time, go to school part time, have a 4 year old, a husband, house to take care of. I make exercise a priority. I also have well defined goals about what I want to get out of exercise. Those goals have nothing to do with losing weight.