Advice on how to fit exercise into a crazy schedule?

celadontea
celadontea Posts: 335 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

Next week I start 2 science classes at community college on top of my full time job. I'm just wondering if any of you have tips on how to fit at least 5 days a week 1 hour a day workouts into truly crazy schedules, especially I am very low on energy due to depression so when I come home all I can think of is sleeping. Here is how my schedule looks:

5am wake up
5-6am Get ready for the day
6-7am Drive to work
7-4pm Work-- There are no safe places to walk during lunch, it is very industrial around the area.
4-5pm Drive to school
5-10pm Class

Of course I can fit a routine Friday afternoon and Saturday and Sunday. I would appreciate any advice on how to fit in a routine into at least 2, preferably 3 of those other packed days. Thanks!
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Replies

  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Definitely Sat/Sun are YOUR DAYS. I also know of people who do exercising WHEREVER they can, like in the bathroom, next to their desk, etc. The schedule you have will change, it won't always be this way. Do the best you can.
  • dovesgate
    dovesgate Posts: 894 Member
    Does it take you a full hour to drive to work and then to class? If not, you could try fitting in 30 minute walks at home and at school before class.
  • thistimewillbedifferent
    thistimewillbedifferent Posts: 217 Member
    do you get a lunch break? I know you said there are no safe places to walk at lunch, but you can do a lot in your office or in a parking lot or in a stairwell...
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    Yep... takes me the full hour :| Crazy LA traffic!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    you'll find time to stream line- cut down on things you don't need.

    I work 3.5 jobs...do all my own cooking- work out, go to dance class, dance on my own and balance and out of town relationship and **almost** have a social life.

    it's possible- it just takes time and commitment. you will find a way if it's truly what you want to do.

    or you could be like my useless lazy *kitten* piece of chit roommate- who uses school and work as an excuse to do absolutely NOTHING.

    literally.

    he does nothing. it's infuriating.

    (edit- not saying YOU do that- just saying- you will either use it as an excuse- or you will find a way around it- that's more to do with what type of person you are rather than how busy you actually are)
  • Zekela
    Zekela Posts: 634 Member
    Wake up at 4amish and do about 30 mins of exercise.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Wake up at 4amish and do about 30 mins of exercise.
    Will work only if she can go to bed early enough. I know this, 'cause I get up at 4AM happily *IF* I've gone to bed early enough.
  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    I'd say plan the majority on your off days.

    On the on days, work in bits - park farther from the door, take stairs, do squats in your office (if you can do that discreetly - or wherever), plan 5 minutes of yoga in the mornings (salute to sun is quick and won't get you sweaty), do stretches at your desk - I'm sure there's more ideas

    anyone?
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  • clepant
    clepant Posts: 3,568 Member
    5 minutes here and there during your day will also work. No it it not cardio but 10 min walk would work and be beneficial if you don't have large blocks of time. I stand in my hallway waiting for my students to arrive and I do stretching or jogging in place, etc. If there's a will there is a way.
  • julien999
    julien999 Posts: 41 Member
    5 hour class 5 nights a week? that seems odd
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    "that seems odd"

    I didn't ask how to fit exercise into a normal schedule now did I? :P
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Also what type of exercise are you considering? Compound lifts (weight training) and HIIT (interval cardio training) are super efficient at building muscle and boosting your metabolism and burning cals.
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    Also what type of exercise are you considering? Compound lifts (weight training) and HIIT (interval cardio training) are super efficient at building muscle and boosting your metabolism and burning cals.

    I think I should have worded it differently, but I meant types & ways to fit it into my schedule. Thanks for these ideas.
  • Eastern_Echo23
    Eastern_Echo23 Posts: 198 Member
    my biggest tips would be park as far away from the front door as possible and take the stairs
  • marvybells
    marvybells Posts: 1,984 Member
    do you like running? i am a broke college student. the reason i love running is that no gym mebership is required. all i do is pop on my running shoes & hit the pavement. maybe you can fit some quick runs in at night, after you get home from school.

    the other idea is to use a stationary bike or treadmill while you are reading/studying (if you don't have one then you can buy a stationary bike or manual treadmills for under $200)
  • KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn
    KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn Posts: 361 Member
    "Just do it" -Nike ;)

    Seriously though any little bit of exercise you can squeeze in to your day. Taking the stairs instead of an elevator. On your lunch break walk for 15 minutes and do intervals of jumping jacks and pushups for 5 minutes 6 times a day.

    Edited to say more: Walk inside your work building if you can't walk outside (invest in a pedometer) or invest in pepper spray ($5) You can do the jumping jacks and pushups inside.
  • Scienceteacher42
    Scienceteacher42 Posts: 27 Member
    I think it is interesting that you are taking two evening science classes from 5 - 10 and that it is four nights a week. I am teaching two evening science classes from 5:20 - 10 and each class meets once a week.

    My plan is to ride my bike to work when the weather permits, but not on class nights. Obviously that is not an option for you either. So you haven't said what type of work you do, but if it is an office job, could you take a "bathroom" break maybe every two hours and go up and down the stairs for 5 minutes. There are also exercises you can do while sitting in an office chair, if that is what you do.

    And of course you will have to focus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday since those are your days off from class.
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Also what type of exercise are you considering? Compound lifts (weight training) and HIIT (interval cardio training) are super efficient at building muscle and boosting your metabolism and burning cals.

    I think I should have worded it differently, but I meant types & ways to fit it into my schedule. Thanks for these ideas.
    Okay:) HIIT takes only 20min total (including a 2 min warm-up, 2 min cool down), and you could fit in 2-3 compound lifts in 20min as well.
  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member
    Edited to say more: Walk inside your work building if you can't walk outside (invest in a pedometer) or invest in pepper spray ($5)

    LOL
  • mellawella77
    mellawella77 Posts: 34 Member
    If your building at work has stairs climb them on your lunch break. I've even resorted to doing jumping jacks in my cubicle some days. I don't care if my coworkers think I'm crazy. Crazy trumps 70lbs overweight. You can find workout routines that can be done at your office desk online. Try a google search or YouTube.
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  • celadontea
    celadontea Posts: 335 Member

    Since you don't even seem to have time to eat I'd say exercise should not be your prime concern.

    Eating is within that schedule. I didn't feel it was necessary to list the 6 mini- meals I consume a day. Not sure what my prime concern should be in your point of view.
  • ArtemisRuns
    ArtemisRuns Posts: 251 Member
    Since that schedule doesn't even allow for a full night of sleep, I really don't know how you are doing it. I would not function well at all. I am a middle school teacher, mother of 3 and finishing a Master's, a Girl Scout Leader, and my schedule isn't as ruthless as yours. I don't know what to tell you, but I hope you figure out a good way to take care of yourself with all that going on.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Workout on the weekends and try to increase your NEAT during the day- take stairs, park far, get up and move around regularly, those kind of things. Keep a tight control on your diet....with limited exercise, diet is absolutely critical.
  • atiana19
    atiana19 Posts: 94 Member
    Home videos would be the best option for you ..the zumba one is high energy and will get your right out of that funk...Good Luck and try to give it your best you will be happy you did
  • Alma_Sana
    Alma_Sana Posts: 453 Member
    Maybe wake up an extra 30 mins early in the morning and workout and then do 30 mins before bed? Or try and split it up into 15 min workouts during the week.
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  • tomcornhole
    tomcornhole Posts: 1,084 Member
    Hi everyone,

    Next week I start 2 science classes at community college on top of my full time job. I'm just wondering if any of you have tips on how to fit at least 5 days a week 1 hour a day workouts into truly crazy schedules, especially I am very low on energy due to depression so when I come home all I can think of is sleeping. Here is how my schedule looks:

    5am wake up
    5-6am Get ready for the day
    6-7am Drive to work
    7-4pm Work-- There are no safe places to walk during lunch, it is very industrial around the area.
    4-5pm Drive to school
    5-10pm Class

    Of course I can fit a routine Friday afternoon and Saturday and Sunday. I would appreciate any advice on how to fit in a routine into at least 2, preferably 3 of those other packed days. Thanks!

    Do you go home after class?
  • drc79
    drc79 Posts: 2
    I start my day off getting up at 3:30am to do a 60min cardio and 20 min stretches.. I do it cause it gets me going in the morning with you even getting up 1/2 earlier and then do 1/2 hour at lunch running stairwells or just simple walking the building ,this way you get a second boost for the day.. I also do a lunchtime walk around my building ,so I get a second boost, and this also inspires other people in the office. I sure hope this helps you for your busy schuedule, sometimes we got to do what is best for us...Good luck!!!:smile:

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