How to fit it all in?

Your schedule sounds similar to mine but I have two more jobs, that takes up another 15 hours a week. I work about 65 hours a week and I fit in 5 days a week at the gym. If I can do it, you can do it!

I get up at 5 am everyday and I am at work by 7:30am (takes an hour by train with a 1 mile walk). I walk in the door at 5:25pm everyday, put my workout clothes on and go straight to the gym. I am home at 7/7:30, either me or my husband will cook and we are eating the latest by 8pm.

I think your downfall is cooking dinner first. I tried that and it never worked for me, ever. I want to curl up on the couch and watch TV. Perhaps go 5 days a week, 3 weekdays and early Saturday and Sunday.

Hope this helps!
Danielle

I am up early to get breakfast and lunch for my daughter ready, get to work, gym immediately after, home by 6:30... I either know what I am going to cook or I have something in the slow cooker ready when I walk in. It's definitely hard work, but you can do it!

You could:

pick a gym with longer hours
workout on your lunch break
workout somewhere other than in a gym

Can your husband take the dogs for a walk? Or take them for a walk later?

I get off work at 4:30 as well and go straight to the gym (30-40 minute drive). I'm home by 6:15. Eat dinner (usually a protein shake or cooked meal my husband makes), walk the dogs if they haven't been walked and chill out the rest of the night (or do household chores).

That's a shame you can't get this to work. Can't your husband help you out any here? He could have the protein and everything ready to go when you got home so you could get a better start on trying to fit this in.

I work a pretty demanding job. I'm a mom (2 young kids) and wife. I'm also training for tough mudder. You just pick your priorities. I haven't seen my non workout friends in forever. I do see my gym partners all the time b/c we workout together. I also incorporate family time w/ exercise. For example, I do pull ups at the playground that my kids play at. We go on hikes. I also take them to the kids section at the gym, which they like.

My husband understands my goals so he is very supportive.

It basically boils down to what you want to do. For example, instead of "walking" the dog... sprint w/ the dog.

I have a 9-5 plus a bunch of freelance stuff and property management on the side. I fit it in by:

1. sitting down at the beginning of each week and scheduling in my workout alongside my other tasks and appointments. First I look for early morning classes I want to take, then I fill in cardio/gym time.. just like I would with an appointment

2. Utlizing the early morning hours. I second the motion to go running with your dog instead of walking it.

3. 24 gyms are amazing.. you can squeeze them in whenever!

I take three early morning barre classes a week, then fit in two - three cardio sessions where I can (it varies, i schedule it depending on my week). Then friday night is hot yoga.

I have this problem all the time

I leave the house at 8 in the morning, home at 7. I just don't cook dinner during the week. Hubby and kid are on their own. Of course my kid is 19. But basically, I am selfish about it.

I used to work out in the morning, but can't get up early, so I go after work. I also workout in the house when I miss class and my gym is open till 11 most nights.

I feel ya. I'm a single mom that works full time and has a kid in three evening sports 5 days/week. Plus... I like to drink and exercise TOTALLY interrupts my beer time. So, a few things that work for me:

1. Exercise at lunch... Whether it be walking or the company gym that I'm blessed with, this is gold.
2. Hire a trainer that comes to your house... I love mine. My kid can be present and even try figuring out how to do a push-up.
3. Do a Sunday cook-fest so that meals are not an issue.

And then all the other stuff the peeps above me said. If it's a priority (like beer is to me) you will find a way.

^^ the Sunday cook-fest is a must do. I cook most of my food for the week on Sundays. I even pre-cut/chop my fruits and veggies and put them in individual containers for each day's breakfast/lunch. I hard boil the eggs I eat for breakfast everyday too. I grill a bunch of chicken and other *kitten* too so all I have to do is re-warm it and throw in a veggie or two.

That's a shame you can't get this to work. Can't your husband help you out any here? He could have the protein and everything ready to go when you got home so you could get a better start on trying to fit this in.

My husband is always ready to go with my protein, whether it's in the morning before work or later in the evening.

Hi Beth,

My name is Tina and I feel your pain. I work 50+hrs a week at my FT job and my part time job ~10hours aweek. But there is always time for a good intense workout. I use Focus T25. Its a series of at home 25min intense workout that is perfect for busy bee's like us! let me know if you would like to know more I love it!!

regards,
Tina

I try to go right after work at 4pm but some of the classes I am doing now don't start till 5:15, 5:30 or even 6:15pm so I just go home and take my dogs out feed them do some errands around the house and then change clothes and go. I don't have a hubby so I just eat dinner for one and usually eat protein before the gym like left overs of grilled meat or lunch meat.
Tonight I get off work at 4 run home take feed dogs head to gym for a 5:30-6:30 Dynamic Training run home grab one dog to take to a dog training class that starts at 7pm and takes 20 minutes to drive to. I might be late but I wanted to do this Dynamic Training tonight so I made it a priority.
Can your hubby cook for himself? Someone also suggested crock pot too. Your gym hours are kinda limited but mine are too 5:30am to 10pm. I was going to a 24hour gym Planet Fitness but it wasn't doing it for me anymore after 6 months so I switched. I worried about this new gym's hours but realized I would never go after 10pm or before 5:30am since I get up at 5:00am the way it is and can't get to the gym before work anyways.

1. Get your husband to help out with walking the dog and making dinner, at least on occasion.

2. Workout AT HOME. There are a lot of exercise programs you can find on youtube and the internet that require little or no equipment (i.e., look for Craig Ballantyne's Home Workout Revolution....or check out dailyhiit.com and look for the earlier workouts that used less equipment....or look for Insanity on craigslist).

3. Find a gym with longer hours.

Me: I'm a single dad. I have my kids every other week...and sometimes more than that. When I have my kids, I spend time with them on homework and fun activities. I do all of my own cooking. I have a demanding job that requires more than 40 hours/week in the office. Yes, it is and was easier (and less healthy) to get food out....to vege on the couch instead of cooking or exercising....BUT, easy doesn't get it done. I did easy long enough.

Also, I have read many more stories of folks who have had a more challenging schedule than mine....and they work it in. Basically, you have to make time for yourself. If you want to get healthy bad enough, you will make the time. And if your husband is supportive enough (strike that...if your husband loves you enough), he will step up his game.

I work 10-11 hours a day away from home and have 3 kids. I still find time. Maybe you need a different gym? Maybe you need a program you can do at home? Maybe your husband can take care of himself?