Am I making excuses.
amandaj1966
Posts: 342 Member
I really feel that I need to up my exercise but feel that I don't really have time, so I am asking for people to take a look at my day and suggest what I can do.
Below is a breakdown of my week.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
6am, get up and out with the dogs, back just before 7, shower, breakfast, clean up after breakfast.
8.30. Work, on my feet all day, coffee whilst working and don't have a lunch break. ( am adding about the lunch break so you know I can't go for a walk during my lunch )
4pm. Home, feed & walk the dogs.
5pm.. Cook dinner.
Between 6 & 7 off to aerobic class.
Back home anytime between 7 & 8.30 depends on time of class.
8.30, shower and dinner.
9pm. A bit of housework.
9.30. Catch up and chat with my boys.
10PM ish bed..
Thursday & Friday,
Exactly the same as before but no classes so either grab 30 minutes on the exercise bike or lift weights.
Saturday & Sunday. My husband works away during the week so the weekend is our time together,
7AM Up and walk the dogs.
Housework...
Chilling with husband.
Most Saturday we get a couple of hours walk in, normally end up in a pub for a glass of wine. :laugh:
Back home to walk the dogs.
Dinner, clear up and chill.
I look at some people's diary's and they tend to fit in hours of exercise, I really need to fit in more so come on guys, I need advice.
Below is a breakdown of my week.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
6am, get up and out with the dogs, back just before 7, shower, breakfast, clean up after breakfast.
8.30. Work, on my feet all day, coffee whilst working and don't have a lunch break. ( am adding about the lunch break so you know I can't go for a walk during my lunch )
4pm. Home, feed & walk the dogs.
5pm.. Cook dinner.
Between 6 & 7 off to aerobic class.
Back home anytime between 7 & 8.30 depends on time of class.
8.30, shower and dinner.
9pm. A bit of housework.
9.30. Catch up and chat with my boys.
10PM ish bed..
Thursday & Friday,
Exactly the same as before but no classes so either grab 30 minutes on the exercise bike or lift weights.
Saturday & Sunday. My husband works away during the week so the weekend is our time together,
7AM Up and walk the dogs.
Housework...
Chilling with husband.
Most Saturday we get a couple of hours walk in, normally end up in a pub for a glass of wine. :laugh:
Back home to walk the dogs.
Dinner, clear up and chill.
I look at some people's diary's and they tend to fit in hours of exercise, I really need to fit in more so come on guys, I need advice.
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Replies
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If you have kids it makes finding time for exercising a lot harder. Apparently.
I have quite a bit of time I can spend on exercising but I imagine that would be eradicated if I had a family.0 -
What about working out with your husband on weekends, for some of the time spent chilling? Doesn't necessarily need to be gym stuff - hikes, jogging, etc.0
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If you have kids it makes finding time for exercising a lot harder. Apparently.
I have quite a bit of time I can spend on exercising but I imagine that would be eradicated if I had a family.
My wife joined a gym that provides child care, and she goes for 1.5 to 2 hours at a time on week days, and sometimes longer on weekends (depending on the classes they are having). My daughter loves it there, and sometimes even sits in and watches my wife in a class (hopefully she's picking up some good habits).0 -
You seem to spend a lot of time walking your dogs, which I LOVE to do, myself! Are you just ambling along, or is this an omg, they're about to pull my arm off situation? Walking is a great exercise. Maybe you could incorporate some body weight exercises throughout your day. Squats while you brush your teeth. Toe raisers while you wait for the coffee to brew. Wall push-ups while you talk to your hubby about your days. These aren't great suggestions, but will allow you to sprinkle some additional exercise into your day. Good luck!0
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Just do what you can, that's what is important....0
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Why do you feel like you need to up your exercise? To me, it sounds like you are getting quite a bit of exercise in between your dogs and working on your feet all day. Plus aerobics. I think you are doing fine. Maybe trade some of that aerobics time for strength training is all I would say...0
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You don't need to do hours of exercise. Don't worry about what others are doing.. everyone has different commitments during the day and everyone has different goals and processes.
Is what you are doing working? If it is, don't worry about it. If you really do want to up the calories burned can you jog a bit on the dog walks? Or walk a different route that gives you more hills or a bit longer of a walk now and again.0 -
This.Why do you feel like you need to up your exercise? To me, it sounds like you are getting quite a bit of exercise in between your dogs and working on your feet all day. Plus aerobics. I think you are doing fine. Maybe trade some of that aerobics time for strength training is all I would say...0 -
What about working out with your husband on weekends, for some of the time spent chilling? Doesn't necessarily need to be gym stuff - hikes, jogging, etc.
Ha ha, you don't know my husband.... He works hard all week so doesn't feel the need to exercise at weekends. He thinks I am crazy when I jump up from the sofa to go and fit in 30 minutes of exercise.
He does enjoy walking so we look forward to our weekend walks with the dogs, ( however both dogs are getting old now so about 50 minutes is enough for them both )0 -
I'm out of bed by 4:15 at the gym by 4:30 so I can be home shortly after 6am to get myself ready, kids ready, and out the door by 7.0
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Maybe up the quality, not quantity of the exercise? Take the dogs for a jog some mornings, maybe?
Make sure your eating is good though, no amount of exercise is going to fix a bad diet!0 -
You don't have to spend everyday working out. Your schedule seems just fine to me. Just make the most out of whatever time you do spend working out, up the intensity, change up your workout from time to time. I used to work out all the time, but I saw the most difference when I had my eating in line. Focus on your diet when you can't compensate with exercise.0
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If you're limited on time, up the intensity.0
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6am, get up and out with the dogs, back just before 7, shower, breakfast, clean up after breakfast.
8.30. Work, on my feet all day, coffee whilst working and don't have a lunch break. ( am adding about the lunch break so you know I can't go for a walk during my lunch )
4pm. Home, feed & walk the dogs.
5pm.. Cook dinner.
Between 6 & 7 off to aerobic class.
Back home anytime between 7 & 8.30 depends on time of class.
8.30, shower and dinner.
9pm. A bit of housework.
9.30. Catch up and chat with my boys.
10PM ish bed..
Between walking the dogs twice a day and aerobics, you show nearly 2-4 hours a day of exercise. If you want to increase that, I would suggest increasing the intensity, not the duration.0 -
you seem to be doing just fine
Tuesday and thursday when you don't have class - maybe take a different class? Do a groupon of yoga or rock climbing. That way you can switch it up every couple of weeks.
Have you husband join you for exercise on the weekends - hit the trails, rock climbing, walking dogs, jogs, hikes, swimming, racquetball, run a races every other month0 -
Why do you feel like you need to up your exercise? To me, it sounds like you are getting quite a bit of exercise in between your dogs and working on your feet all day. Plus aerobics. I think you are doing fine. Maybe trade some of that aerobics time for strength training is all I would say...
I agree with this ^^^ plus make sure you are eating the best that you can and log your foods, in my opinion you are doing great with the actitvities that you are currently doing
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Run with your dogs instead of walking!0
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Can you 'exchange' the aerobics class for something different a couple of days? Maybe try to incorporate some HIIT (sprints) into the dog walks too. It doesn't have to be HOURS...just increase the intensity of what you're currently doing.
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I agree that it sounds like you're about as active as you can be between working on your feet all day, walking the dogs and taking classes. However, since you're asking for input, you maybe could increase the intensity of your workouts.
Could you maybe try running with your dogs instead of walking? If that sounds interesting but you've never run, look up the Couch to 5k program, it's a great interval schedule that helps build you up to running. And if you do that, FYI, don't feel bad if you have to repeat weeks, I know I did.
Not sure how intense your aerobics class is but if you feel like it's getting too easy, maybe check out other classes or find a DVD program you can do at home. Lots of those DVD programs are free to view on Youtube so you could get some sneak peeks and figure out what you like.
Above all, stop comparing yourself to others. Some folks have all day or count things they shouldn't necessarily count for activity. Let them do their thing and you do yours. If it bothers you to see, hide them on your feed.0 -
If you have kids it makes finding time for exercising a lot harder. Apparently.
I have quite a bit of time I can spend on exercising but I imagine that would be eradicated if I had a family.
Yes it does, and yes it would...
OP, with the exception of the dogs, your schedule sounds a good bit like mine. We also have to toss in a 30-45 minute run (with crazy rush-hour traffic) to/from the daycare every day. And there've been plenty of days when I really WANT to take a jog on the treadmill but the baby just won't settle down enough.
But I can also tell you this, I haven't really been watching my calories all that well since the baby was born last December, and while I also have very little time for exercise, I haven't gained any weight. I know that if I would quit snacking and stress-eating (more like drinking!), I would probably continue to lose weight even without the exercise.
What I'm saying is don't underestimate the amount of physical activity you already perform in a given day/week. Some people think you need to be moving 24/7 in order to lose weight, and you don't. I had to LOL at "squatting while brushing your teeth" - yeah right, then I'd need another 20 minutes to clean up the bathroom and change out of my toothpaste-stained clothing!
Focus on your diet - experiment with calorie intakes until you find the amount you can take in while still losing 1 pound a week. Keep your activity level where it's at and you'll be fine.0 -
6am, get up and out with the dogs, back just before 7, shower, breakfast, clean up after breakfast.
8.30. Work, on my feet all day, coffee whilst working and don't have a lunch break. ( am adding about the lunch break so you know I can't go for a walk during my lunch )
4pm. Home, feed & walk the dogs.
5pm.. Cook dinner.
Between 6 & 7 off to aerobic class.
Back home anytime between 7 & 8.30 depends on time of class.
8.30, shower and dinner.
9pm. A bit of housework.
9.30. Catch up and chat with my boys.
10PM ish bed..
Between walking the dogs twice a day and aerobics, you show nearly 2-4 hours a day of exercise. If you want to increase that, I would suggest increasing the intensity, not the duration.
^^^This is what I was thinking too.
I'm seeing great results with about 2.5 - 3 hours of running, one 45 minute pilates class, and about 1.5 hours of lifting. I have a desk job. So basically, I spent the amount of time active in a week that you get in one or two days.0 -
If you really do want to up the calories burned can you jog a bit on the dog walks?
This reply made me laugh, if you had seen me on last nights walk you would understand....
I have a greyhound who is off her lead so jogging with her would be fab, however I have a Labrador who can't be let off his lead. I have this image of us running along together, however this isn't the case. Last night I was dragging him along for about 30 seconds, obviously only one of us has this image of us jogging along together.
Plus both dogs won't go out without the other one so I can't even leave the lab at home whilst me and my greyhound jog. X0 -
I agree with just upping the intensity. I spend at most an hour a day working out. I do intervals on various cardio machines 3x a week (though this can be done outside on your own, I just do it on machines because they're accessible to me), and lifting 2x a week.0
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You only need to exercise 1 hour or less, 5x per week
There's 168 hours in a week. If you sleep 8 hours a day, that leaves 112 hours. if you work 9 hours per day 5x per week, that leaves 67 hours. If you spend 3 hours of uninterrupted family time per day that leaves 46 hours. . Somewhere in that 46 hours you can find 5 hours to exercise.
Yes, you're making excuses.0 -
If you really do want to up the calories burned can you jog a bit on the dog walks?
This reply made me laugh, if you had seen me on last nights walk you would understand....
I have a greyhound who is off her lead so jogging with her would be fab, however I have a Labrador who can't be let off his lead. I have this image of us running along together, however this isn't the case. Last night I was dragging him along for about 30 seconds, obviously only one of us has this image of us jogging along together.
Plus both dogs won't go out without the other one so I can't even leave the lab at home whilst me and my greyhound jog. X
Since Hubby enjoys walking, give him the lab and you go for running spurts with the greyhound? (at risk of sounding rude, I will answer your topic title - with each response, the answers are getting closer and closer to making excuses)0 -
Saturday and Sunday you wake up at 7. Who takes the dogs out then? Why not continue to wake up at 6 and use that hour for working out instead of sleeping?
Also, you put chilling with the husband. Maybe Chill and Workout with the Husband? It might be fun! I workout with the wife all the time and although its not every day it is a fun activity together.
Also, nights you dont have class, substitute a workout. Theres 2-4 hours extra right there a week which should be more than enough with your other activities?0 -
You don't need to do hours of exercise. Don't worry about what others are doing.. everyone has different commitments during the day and everyone has different goals and processes.
Is what you are doing working? If it is, don't worry about it. If you really do want to up the calories burned can you jog a bit on the dog walks? Or walk a different route that gives you more hills or a bit longer of a walk now and again.
This. I don't understand people that workout for hours on end. It's not necessary if you are doing quality activity. I've never done more then 40mins in the gym. My current lifting workout is maybe 30min without a warmup. Do what is working for you. If you don't like your results then switch some of the cardio for lifting but it doesn't mean you have to add a ton more time. Up the speed of your walks with the dogs or find hills to go up and down. Don't concern yourself about what others are doing! They don't have your life and we all have different tolerance levels.0 -
Thanks everyone for all your comments.
It seems that I am doing plenty but just need to increasing the intensity not the hours of exercise.
I guess there's plenty of time to increase my hours when I retire or when my boys leave home.
Good idea about leaving my husband to walk the lab whilst I run on with the greyhound. I did start that when I started the C25K but the dogs like to be together so I guess I will just run along and if my greyhound wants to join me she can. 0 -
Saturday and Sunday you wake up at 7. Who takes the dogs out then? Why not continue to wake up at 6 and use that hour for working out instead of sleeping?
My husband and I take the dogs out together during the weekends, ( just a bot later ) as he works away during the week it's lovely to have that extra hour in bed. :blushing:0 -
We have two dogs, an Australian cattle dog and a chihuahua/chinese crested mix. They both love walks, but obviously I can't run with the two of them, as the little one would never make it. I usually take them out for a 2-mile walk together, then drop off the chichi at home to finish with a run with the big guy.
If that doesn't work for your dogs, the only other suggestion I would make is to take the nights you don't have class and substitute a strength training regimen for the elliptical or whatever you usually do to fill in that time. Along with getting up earlier on Saturday to get in maybe one more day of weights (even bodyweight exercises would be good!), you're bound to see quite a bit of improvement in your fitness. 0
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