How to fit in exercise? Please help

TrishJimenez
TrishJimenez Posts: 561 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok I know that some of you have this already figured out. So that is why I am asking you for help. I recently started a new job and it gives me a free gym membership! What could be better. Now for the part that I cant seem to figure out. Granted it is a new job. I am just finishing my second week. So I know I am still trying to get the routine figured out. I want to get some gym time in somewhere. Ultimately 4 days a week but no less then 3. Here is my schedule.

Monday - Friday
5:30 am, wake up, eat healthy breakfast drink coffee, pack healthy lunch and snacks for work so I dont eat off of the tempting food truck.
6 am kiss 17 year old daughter goodbye as she leaves for school, wake up 10 year old son to get ready for school and start getting ready for work while making sure son stays on schedule
7 am kiss 10 year old and 12 year old goodbye as I leave for work
7:30-7:45 arrive at work depending on traffic
8-5 work with a 1 hour lunch
5:45 arise home depending on traffic and weather there are any errands or I have to stop at the store could be later
6 pm till 10 check homework, eat dinner, talk about day with kids pay bills general household stuff get clothes ready for work the next day (sometimes two uniforms because I have a second job and occasionally I head straight from my day job to a restaurant to wait tables for extra money as day job only pays 9 dollars an hour but it has great benefits and the pay will get better with time)
10pm-12am fall into bed depending on how much stuff I have to do, then repeat

Sat and Sunday I work my serving job I plan on taking a sunday off every other week.

I plan on getting to the gym at least once every weekend but I need to get my other work outs in there somewhere during the week. I have thought about getting up at like 4 am so I can go to the gym but with this change in schedules this past two weeks I am already severely sleep deprived since I have not gotten to bed as early as I need to. My other idea is maybe going from like 7:30 till 9 then coming home and going to bed Im just not sure. Anyone else have days like this where they work a 9 hour day plus another 1 1/2 commuting? Im also a single mom so I just dont think I feel comfortable going straight after work as I wouldnt make it home till they area already in bed. But I might do that like one day a week, then go once on the weekend and another day go after dinner before bed. Kind of switch it around. I appreciate any ideas you have, thanx

Replies

  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Get up earlier, use your lunch break, or set aside a little time once you get home from work. You don't need to have 2 hour work out. Even a 20-30 minute work out works.
  • sz8soon
    sz8soon Posts: 816 Member
    Prepare as much as you can for the week on the weekend, packing lunches, snacks, putting together outfits for you and the kids.
    Mix and match your workouts- do you have to go the gym for each one? pick a couple of days a week to go to the gym and a couple to work out at home.

    Your kids are old enough to help out around the house- have them make dinner one night- or do the laundry so you can go for a run or stop by the gym after work.

    It's not easy momma- but you can do it!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I agree that it would be best to prep a lot of snacks and meals beforehand...on the weekend and /or at night. Definitely get the kids involved with that. Lunch break workouts would be good to start with, you can always change it to morning or evening once you find some ways to have more time available there!
  • disdatdude
    disdatdude Posts: 118
    Is your gym in the building? I would say to use your lunch period. It's really not that bad and you don't have to overdue it, but I guess that depends on what you wear for work? I used to see ladies all the time at lunch time. Either they walked on the treadmill/stair stepper or lifted light weights.

    I'm a guy so I had no issue with rippin off my clothes, knocking off a few mile run or bangin' weights for 30 minutes, a quick shower, back into my clothes and 15 mins to eat a sandwhich and veggies I made the night before. Depending on the job, sometimes I took 40 mins to workout and just "snacked" at my desk.

    As far as your workouts, pick your problem areas and focus on them. 15-20 mins for an ab workout before work or before bed will do you wonders. Those light lunch workouts? Great for toning (and you won't break into a sweat)...target arms or legs...or short cardio if you dress down and aren't a big sweat-er. Then you can get a few longer cardio workouts during the weekend.
  • merrillfoster
    merrillfoster Posts: 855 Member
    I work 10 hr days with an hr-hr.5 commute each way. I would use my lunch break to go running or to the gym. If your lunch break isn't long enough to make this feasible, maybe work out a deal with your boss where you can stay an extra 15-30 min in the evening to have a little longer lunch. But I found even a 20 min run and 10 min shower to be extremely helpful. I get up at 5 and can't imagine getting up earlier, but if you are motivated, get up half an hr earlier and do something like the 30 day shred. it's about 27 min long and a great workout. As someone suggested, have the kids make dinner 2 or 3 nights a week while you work out at home--it will be good for you and teach them a little about surviving on their own (a useful skill come college. I wish I had known more about cooking than microwaving ramen when I went to school). MIght even be a fun bonding experience for you all--you sound like you have 3, maybe each kid gets a night they get to choose what to make?
  • laurieagain09
    laurieagain09 Posts: 183 Member
    I am working on figuring this out for myself! Maybe you could make time between 6-10? Get a 20-30 minute workout video to squeeze in during that time..?
  • shanmackie
    shanmackie Posts: 194 Member
    I exercise on my lunch break and I usually don't have dinner until 7 or 8 so I can exercise before then.
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    Go for a walk on your lunch break and/or do a 30 minute dvd like Jillian's 30 Day Shred before bed. It sounds like you don't really get the chance to ever have time for yourself, so maybe if you take just that extra 30 minutes a day for you, you'll feel amazing.

    Also, try prepping all your lunches etc in one go and refrigerating/freezing them? Pre-cook chicken breast etc for salads, have a big container of prepped lettuce and veggies stashed in the fridge, throw stuff for a stew in the crock pot the night before so all you have to do is wake up, throw it in a container and you're done?
  • yustick
    yustick Posts: 238 Member
    A lot of people will say that losing weight is 80-90% about diet. So I would focus on that first, since you have so much going on. If you've got the diet part under control, then add the workouts. If going to the gym means, you end up picking up fast food, you may just be better off going hope and cooking a healthy meal.

    I have a long commute, so I like to go the gym near work, then when I leave, there is less traffic, so it is quicker and less stressful, but that probably doesn't help you.

    Also, since you are so busy with so many responsibilities, why not try to come up with ways to be more active while having fun. Hike, bike, roller blade, ice skate, play tennis, play active video games, play catch, jump rope, hula hoop...be a kid and enjoy. I started being active this spring and my kids are like, you waited for us to move out to be fun...what's up with that.
  • jha1223
    jha1223 Posts: 141 Member
    I would make a list on Sunday of every week for that 6-10pm time slot. In that list or schedule you should make sure you put in 30 minutes for working out a few days a week. With the kind of schedule you are currently running, you probably have very little "me" time. You need that to be efficient in the rest of the hours. I think you'll find that if you do make that time say, three days a week, it will help you with handling the rest of your very busy schedule.
  • bombedpop
    bombedpop Posts: 2,227 Member
    Go after work and get home an hour or so later. Problem solved. Your kids are old enough to help out getting dinner ready if needed and are you really spending 4 hours helping with homework, eating dinner, paying bills (every day, really?), and getting your clothes ready?
    You only need to add an extra day or 2 at the gym if you are going on the weekend.

    My M-Thursdays looks like this:
    8:15 up
    9:30 leave for work
    work until 6:30 earliest, sometimes until 8.
    Get home 30 min later approx.
    Go to gym for avg 70 min, on a late, (getting home at 8:30 +) night I`ll go for a short 35 min session.
    Get home and cook dinner, I may not finish with that until 11pm.
    Shower. Bed.

    Friday no gym, Sat-Sun I`ll go during day, or at night, more leeway
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    6-10pm is 4 hours. You can pay bills once a month (because most are done online now and you can set the date you need the money taken out), I get the homework, but nowadays, it's mostly just going to be checking if it's right and not as much instruction.

    I'm sure you can find a 30 minute stretch in there somewhere. You NEED the time to yourself once a day or it will drive you nuts.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • runlikeananna
    runlikeananna Posts: 42 Member
    I would forget the gym and look for exercise in other ways. Running, or a DVD or Wii Fit. good luck with it.
  • meowmanda
    meowmanda Posts: 1
    I know having a free gym membership is great, but as you said finding time to go to the gym is hard to do! I just bought an elliptical machine and have it taking up residence in my living room. That is letting me get in some exercise in the evenings while I am at home with my girls (13 & 10). Tonight we watched a TV show together, while I was exercising, and it still felt like us time even though I was working on a goal of mine! Pretty cool. Good luck. It is hard to fit in everything that needs doing.
  • larnsperger
    larnsperger Posts: 161 Member
    Sounds like you have a VERY tight schedule. You are really motivated working two jobs and being a mom that's obvious! As someone else suggested I would work on my diet first and foremost. If the gym is on the work property I'd go for 30 minutes at lunch even if it were just to walk on a treadmill. If it isn't on site, maybe stopping off n your way home for a 30 minute elliptical or treadmill workout. That is really hard to do as I'm sure the younger kids probably need a bit of supervision with the homework routine. The other option is to use the gym on the weekends. Is the membership for you alone or is it a family deal? We used to take our 4 boys with us on the weekends they thought it was a blast! Hang in there!
  • bombedpop
    bombedpop Posts: 2,227 Member
    6-10pm is 4 hours. You can pay bills once a month (because most are done online now and you can set the date you need the money taken out), I get the homework, but nowadays, it's mostly just going to be checking if it's right and not as much instruction.

    I'm sure you can find a 30 minute stretch in there somewhere. You NEED the time to yourself once a day or it will drive you nuts.



    well stated
  • Mdin1029
    Mdin1029 Posts: 456 Member
    9:30pm-10:00pm put in a Jillian michaels DVD, 25-30 minutes for a good workout. You can do it!!
  • faceoff4
    faceoff4 Posts: 1,599 Member
    Get up earlier, use your lunch break, or set aside a little time once you get home from work. You don't need to have 2 hour work out. Even a 20-30 minute work out works.

    Agreed. You do have a crazy schedule but there is always time. I use my lunch break for this and just take my lunch and eat at my desk to make it work. Prepping for the week as others pointed out is the key. I also treat workouts as if its a daily function that I need like eating, sleeping, etc. Good luck!
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Do a 15-20 min HIIT workout at home.
  • ecw3780
    ecw3780 Posts: 608 Member
    I would either find 30 minutes right after work, or use your lunch break. Do you have a desk job? Can you eat at your desk if your workout runs over. Or, and this seems painful, I would get up at 5 and workout until 5:30. Your kids are old enough that they could help out. The 17 yr old can help the 12 yr old with homework, the 12 yr old can help the 10 yr old, the 1o yr old can feed the pet, sweep, do the dishes, etc. Everyone pitches in when it comes to meals and house work.
  • TrishJimenez
    TrishJimenez Posts: 561 Member
    I am a slow morning person more at my best in the afternoon and evening. I wish I could work out right after waking up but I can usually barely walk with out running into walls :) Unfortunately my new job requires me to clock in on a "computer" at the beginning and end of every break in my cubicle so leaving work is not an option with traffic in las vegas as I am downtown. and I can not eat at my desk no food allowed on the "production floor" I wear business casual to work a long with heels but am ok with squeezing in a work out before work maybe if I left an hour earlier for driving So I could leave at 6 am maybe it is a thought. I also like the idea of working out after work one day, before work another and on the weekend before or after work on my second job so I am not spending to much time away from my kids. I already work 60 hours a week with two jobs. I hate to be away more. But my apt is to small for more then a yoga mat to work out on and that gets cramped. So working out at home other then yoga and stretching has not really worked for me since I moved into this apt. I used to do 30DS at my old place. But I kept hurting myself here and moving all the furniture was a real pain Thanks you guys! You have really helped getting the brain juices flowing with ideas :) Oh and my kids are pretty independent. A little two much in my opinion. Maybe that is why I feel bad spending more time away from home.

    My oldest is 17 and she cooks dinner pretty much every day unless I am home in time to get it started at a reasonable hour which is not often. And she helps my son with his homework though he has a learning disability so it is not very productive or easy. They help with keeping the laundry washed and we all fold it together in the evenings or on my day off. And they are pretty good with keeping the house picked up. We have what they call cleaning days where we all work together and do the scrubbing. It is really the 2-3 hours it takes to get my son to finish his homework that takes up most of my time. But they got so independent when I worked evenings and weekends for years waiting tables this is really my first time getting a regular schedule home with them every night for dinner and bed times. And not being in a Coma while getting my son ready for school in the morning because I worked till 1 am the night before. It is kind of nice :) so I guess I was using that as an excuse to neglect myself
  • TrishJimenez
    TrishJimenez Posts: 561 Member
    Go after work and get home an hour or so later. Problem solved. Your kids are old enough to help out getting dinner ready if needed and are you really spending 4 hours helping with homework, eating dinner, paying bills (every day, really?), and getting your clothes ready?
    You only need to add an extra day or 2 at the gym if you are going on the weekend.

    My M-Thursdays looks like this:
    8:15 up
    9:30 leave for work
    work until 6:30 earliest, sometimes until 8.
    Get home 30 min later approx.
    Go to gym for avg 70 min, on a late, (getting home at 8:30 +) night I`ll go for a short 35 min session.
    Get home and cook dinner, I may not finish with that until 11pm.
    Shower. Bed.

    Friday no gym, Sat-Sun I`ll go during day, or at night, more leeway

    I really do spend that much time paying bills and cant be done once a month cuz it requires creative accounting ;) I didnt have a regular income that was the same all the time. It fluctuated with how many days I would receive and how much in tips I would make and there is not enough money to go around and it comes in sporadically. I probably spend to much of that time stressing. But some of it is making phone calls to work out payment arrangements and such. This is why I now have the two jobs :) And took one that was lower paying because the hours are regular and it will be money I can depend on.
    As for getting work clothes ready I only own about 2 pairs of slacks and 3 blouses so I have to hand wash them and hang to dry and then press them so I dont pay for a dry cleaner and I have to figure out a new combination so maybe no one notices I wore that pants or shirt already in the week.
    My son has a learning disability. He has a special teacher at school to help with school work but for a few months his homework was taking from 5 pm till 11pm and then get up in the morning and try to get it finished before school sometimes not all would be done. I called a meeting with his teachers and principle last month to complain cuz I figured out it would take ME 2 hours to do the homework and i dont have his disability. So they cut it down and we worked on some more strategies so it is getting done and all completed by 7 or 8 now. But I am not making it up :)

    Like I said this schedule is all new to me. I really like the ideas. Unfortunately the gym is not on site I wish it was. I figuired out if I take one or two nights a week and go after work the commute will actually be less cuz by the time I get done I wont be fighting the rush hour traffic and will actually get home only about 45 minutes later
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Let me say I applaud you for the hard effort you put in. It's tough being a single parent and working 2 jobs to make ends meet. If just the weekend is available, then make sure to part take in it even if it's only once a week.
    At the very least, use some creative ways to have physical activity. Park furtherest away from your office, use the stairs, move around as much as you can (there are actually pedal bikes you can put under your desk), find an outside place to eat lunch and walk, etc.
    Good luck.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • JonathanBB
    JonathanBB Posts: 252 Member
    Wow you have a lot on your plate. I work long hours as well and get up an hour earlier than I used to to take care of the dog and get ina 30 minute workout during the week at home. How about 30 minutes at the gym 4x per week after work? Especially if it means missing rush hour traffic it will mean less than 30 minutes reduction in your family time because some of that time would be extra time sitting in traffic. A suggestion for the weekend - just as with housework get everyone involved: Sunday morning family power walk or jog (free) or if there is a fitness circuit or trail in a nearby park or family bike ride or something else depending on nearby resources and what your family likes.

    p.s. sounds like you have an amazing daughter.

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