Ideas for exercise w/ a busy schedule

Jojo2k11
Jojo2k11 Posts: 48
in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm asking for ideas that I know everyone has already asked, but I guess because my life is different I'm posting my schedule and asking you all for help and ideas if you were me and had my schedule.

8:15am - Try to wake up
8:30am - Have to get up
9:15am - Leave for work
10:15am - Arrive at work

10:15am - 3:30pm - Work consists of some movement, lifting, walking, lots of sitting
3:30pm - 4:40pm - First meal of the day (usually) Lunch which consists of dinner from the day before or I go roam the streets for something semi-healthy to healthy. If its fast food its usually El Pollo Loco or Jack's grilled Chicken something with no mayo
4:40pm - 7:15pm - More work
7:15pm - 8:10pm - Drive home

8:10pm - Look for something to cook (I cook for my household as well)
8:30pm - Start cooking
9:30pm (sometimes 10pm) - Eat dinner
11pm - Wash dishes, laundry, do anything to prevent myself from falling alseep (I have GERD and it will irritate my stomach to fall asleep right after eating)
12am - Start getting ready for work day (shower, figure out what I'm wearing, etc)
12:30am - Shower, prep for bed
1:30am - Get in bed
2am - 2:30am - Usually sleep by now

So that's my day, every day except Saturday and Sunday. If you were me, where would you fit in exercise, what kind, how much, how long, and what does it cost to start....yeah I'm broke too hahahaha.

My history of exercise - I'm familiar with all of it. I used to go to the gym, I've done the home workouts as well. I'm not picky, at this point I just need to exercise. Since I'm inside my bubble of tiredness and work maybe some of you who can see things from the outside in will have some ideas. Feel free to ask questions.

Thanks for your help MFP.

Replies

  • flechero
    flechero Posts: 260 Member
    My suggestion would be to premake your dinners for a while and get to bed earlier so you can workout in the mornings before work. Then you'll have to make yourself get up for the first week or two- just good old fashioned desire! Until it becomes a habit, it will suck. Once it does, you'll love the change. I now get up at 4:30 am 3 days a week so I can get full workouts in M-W-F. It was hard in the beginning but now I get up without the alarm- I wake up a few minutes before the alarm since i'm looking forward to going to the gym. The bonus is that I sleep much better and seem to require less time in bed.

    The only other option I see is to eat a lighter dinner and work out between dinner and your shower - that should keep you from falling asleep. Also you may start going to sleep faster with the exercise. (although it may have the opposite effect)

    Good luck!
  • estrobabe
    estrobabe Posts: 337 Member
    Please try to squeeze breakfast in there somewhere! :flowerforyou: Also maybe during the weekends and/or the night before pre make your lunches / dinners. that could save some time. Maybe during you hour lunch break, use half that time to go for a walk.
  • Jojo2k11
    Jojo2k11 Posts: 48
    Good ideas!!! My mom used to do that as well when I was little, pre-make lunches or dinners for the coming week. Now I see why lol.

    Yeah I'm working on trying to eat breakfast. I know its important. Also any ideas on type of exercise, like max "bang for buck" so to speak? Since I am of limited time anything that anyone can suggest that gives max benefit in short time period is good.

    I'll try walking on my break too. I don't always have to drive around looking for lunch. I guess my main concern would be not being too sweaty when I come back since i do have to interact with users at my company.
  • misskimsi3bee
    misskimsi3bee Posts: 7
    Heya :)
    I totally agree with the above comments. Yes, getting up early DOES suck...however once you are in the routine of it. it gets easier. I used to go to slimming world and we had this discussion in our group one day, as mot of us have hetic schedules. One of the ladies had started going for a 15 minute run every other morning around the block before work. She hated getting up early but continued with it. After a week or so, she had noticed a difference in her energy levels and how she felt overall. Plus, it had aided her in loosing some more weight which was a bonus!

    Maybe go for a run or even a brisk walk for 10 minutes when you get up? It sets you up for the day.
    As does a good breakfast ;)

    Or fitting exercise into your working life - walking up stairs or to work, or trying out some lunges whilst on the phone :)

    On the other hand, I would suggest a fitness class - normally an hour so you have an ending time in sight. This can be helpful as you can then plan around it. I understand you have a very busy schedule, but maybe have a look at whats about and if anything takes your interest? I remember doing this and I when I found Zumba, I was like "I HAVE to try this!" and never missed a lesson come wind or rain every week!

    And, as the other lovely memeber suggested - preparation for meals. It is a pain to prepare in the evening, but it's even more annoying to have to do it the next day when you don't want to :)

    Hope that helps! x

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