Struggling to work AND exercise
ellie138NR
Posts: 9
As a student, I have a part time job- I work 9-6 on a Saturday in a supermarket. During this I am on my feet for the entire day- rushing around the shop, squatting low and standing on tiptoes to different shelves, and just generally wearing myself out. By the time I get home I'm exhausted, with painfully achey legs, so usually Saturdays are my day off from exercising. However for the next four weeks I am working almost every day, with only one or two days off in a week, and I'm worried I will struggle to exercise in addition- on the occasions where I have tried I haven't put my full effort in, seeing as I have 'jelly legs' that just don't want to move properly. Can anyone recommend any exercise I could do to still burn some calories without having to use my legs too much?
0
Replies
-
Get up early and get your workout in before both the jelly legs and the excuses set in.0
-
Get up early and get your workout in before both the jelly legs and the excuses set in.
This is what I did when I was a full-time student and worked 20 hours a week as the university's cafe manager. It can be done, you just have to rearrange your sleep schedule. Best of luck! :flowerforyou:0 -
I'm typically on mile 3 or 4 as the sun comes up. Nobody is around to tell me what to do, no job needs me, no people ask for favors. It's just me and the shoes doing whatever the hell we want. Early mornings are the thing to do.
I get up at 5:30 am to make this happen and never regret it. Ever!0 -
An active day of eight hours on your feet rushing around should burn a decent amount of calories. If you're going from doing that, one day a week, to doing it almost every day for four weeks, that is a notable increase in cardio burn. For those weeks, you could do resistance work on your days off, with a focus on upper body, and continue to keep your calories in check.0
-
I used to struggle too at sticking with my work-out routine but about 3 weeks ago I started getting up at 4:30 am to go to the gym and making sure I'm in bed by 9:00 or 9:30pm to get enough sleep. By the third day I felt great! Starting my day with a work-out has really helped me to feel more energized through-out the day and by getting it done first thing there are far fewer excuses not to go. In fact, since I started this I have averaged a work-out schedule of 6 out of 7 days each week and been way more productive on the weekend. Plus, when I work-out in the morning it's easier to stick to a healthy diet because I don't want to ruin my work-out from that morning by eating badly.0
-
Excuses, not reasons.
I am 43 years old. I work full time (salary, so that makes it MORE than full time). I go to the gym at 0300 each morning. If I wait until after work, it isn't happening. I get my full day accomplished BECAUSE I go to the gym at 0300. It gives me the energy to get through the day. Stop convincing yourself you don't have the time. You do. Decisions determine destination.0 -
An active day of eight hours on your feet rushing around should burn a decent amount of calories. If you're going from doing that, one day a week, to doing it almost every day for four weeks, that is a notable increase in cardio burn. For those weeks, you could do resistance work on your days off, with a focus on upper body, and continue to keep your calories in check.
I agree with this. I haven't been working out as much now that I'm working more, but my calorie burn (via my FitBit) has gone way up from being so active at work. I think resistance training, with a focus on the upper body, is a great idea.
I will also say though that I'm currently doing the c25k program, and I made myself go for a run after an exhausting day at work. I felt crappy during the run, but I noticed that my legs didn't have the jello feeling as much and I felt great for getting the workout in. I think your energy levels will also go up if you can get yourself to workout more in addition to work + school. But I definitely know where you're coming from...balancing all that is very difficult! Best of luck to ya!
0 -
Excuses, not reasons.
I am 43 years old. I work full time (salary, so that makes it MORE than full time). I go to the gym at 0300 each morning. If I wait until after work, it isn't happening. I get my full day accomplished BECAUSE I go to the gym at 0300. It gives me the energy to get through the day. Stop convincing yourself you don't have the time. You do. Decisions determine destination.
3am? That's hardcore right there. I salute you and your awesomeness.0 -
Have you tried one of those walking dvds which still gives a nice workout for like 30 min but doesn't require too much strain on legs. If you really don't want to be on feet, yoga maybe. Dvds are nice since you can do anytime and modify if something is hurting you. Also sounds like you got a school and work which can be stressful so yoga might be nice...obviously cardio is good to do at least couple times a week though (and the walking dvds would help that)0
-
My first thought is--- You are getting a workout at work even if you don't realize it.
My second would be to do something easier on yourself like take a swim if you have access to a pool.0 -
I was the same way. If I don't exercise in the morning, I wait until super late at night and then waking up is hard. So I just wake up an hour before I have to and work out. I work full-time and go to school at night so it's really my only option.0
-
Any by the way...don't let these people talk you down...sometimes it feels like its a lot of pressure. Make baby steps at first and exercise will become easier with time 0
-
I think for the next 4 week adding exercise would be unhealthy for you. Your body can only be expected to do so much before you start wearing it out. If your legs are so tired they feel like jelly your body is trying to tell you it's had enough.0
-
I say, take care of yourself. Being on your feet for eight hours isn't the same as sitting at a desk job for eight hours; it's physically exhausting, whether you're 19 or 99.0
-
I agree with some of the previous posters. If you're on your feet at work I'd consider that a workout. When I was in school I didn't have time to workout either, so I'd park my car different places on campus depending on my schedule - basically, furthest from my class that day and could get some cardio in that way, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you have time in between classes hit up the rec center (most colleges have them).0
-
this reaffirms something i've heard before, that some people would rather sleep then be successful.
OP, either go to the gym before work, or after. You have Jelly legs? do a long warm up.0 -
I work at a desk all day and exercise at night and gave been studying too. It's about priorities0
-
I just adjusted my schedule to allow more time for workouts. I get up at 4 am -- leave the house at 4:30 and get into Philadelphia a little after 5:30 am -- then I spend 90 minutes doing Bikram Yoga and have just enough time to get a shower and walk over to work starting at 8 am. Some evening and weekends I go to the local gym and do a little lifting and etc.0
-
Awesome advice about getting up early to exercise. My problem is I can NEVER get myself up... Snooze after snooze after snooze!
I really need to listen to you all as well and just get my lazy butt up! I just ran 3 miles after working 12 hours. I was slow but I finished! I think AM workouts would also help me be more alert at work
0 -
Awesome advice about getting up early to exercise. My problem is I can NEVER get myself up... Snooze after snooze after snooze!
I really need to listen to you all as well and just get my lazy butt up! I just ran 3 miles after working 12 hours. I was slow but I finished! I think AM workouts would also help me be more alert at work
don't make it a chore. make it easy. make it something you want to do.
my tips for waking up early for exercise or anything
go to bed early. you want to wake up an hour early? go to bed at least an hour earlier.
don't drink too much alcohol before bed. (i find that it makes my sleep a little restless)
prepare your coffee and breakfast the night before so it's one less thing you need to have ready. PB & J's are simple and easy to make the night before.
lay out your clothes and gather your gear and stuff in a bag. makes it easier to get ready, and less likelihood of forgetting something as you might be half asleep in the morning.
turn off and avoid electronics before bed. read instead.0 -
Your more intense exercises could be on your day(s) off work, and you could try for something shorter or less intense or low impact on work days. You're already very active at your job. Just don't eat all the calories burned back and then some like I did, with sugary snacks and sodas. Good luck!
PS: I'm not a biker but my sister is/was. She said hers cost $10 I'm guessing 2nd hand and she rode it all over campus, to work, etc. she worked two jobs as well as going to school full time. One of the jobs may have been full time (night shift). Anyway, biking to places you gotta go anyway is a way to include more exercise, unless you're already walking for transportation, hah.0 -
If you want to make it work, you will. Try working full time, driving an hour each way to work, having a 4 year old and a husband, and volunteering 2 nights a week and see if you can fit in exercise. I did.0
-
Any by the way...don't let these people talk you down...sometimes it feels like its a lot of pressure. Make baby steps at first and exercise will become easier with time
Everyone telling the OP she "can" fit in time to exercise is talking her down??? :huh:0 -
What you do at work counts as really good exercise to me.0
-
I also think you are not sedentary so please keep this virtual in your work lifestyle in mind. So, I think you are getting a work out, as well.0
-
Any by the way...don't let these people talk you down...sometimes it feels like its a lot of pressure. Make baby steps at first and exercise will become easier with time
Everyone telling the OP she "can" fit in time to exercise is talking her down??? :huh:
Hmmm let me quote what I am talking about -
"Excuses, not reasons.
I am 43 years old. I work full time (salary, so that makes it MORE than full time). I go to the gym at 0300 each morning. If I wait until after work, it isn't happening. I get my full day accomplished BECAUSE I go to the gym at 0300. It gives me the energy to get through the day. Stop convincing yourself you don't have the time. You do. Decisions determine destination."
"This reaffirms something i've heard before, that some people would rather sleep then be successful. "
Soooo...I was only meaning to not make her feel guilty about feeling like she lacks the time and let her know she can do it without making her feel she is using "excuses"...no harm meant Joy...just being supportive. I did see a lot of comments after that were helpful so that was lovely0 -
When I don't have time to exercise, I find ways to incorporate exercise into my routine so that I won't need to visit the gym and save myself a trip. Some of the hacks I've used are: park farther away from my destination than I need to, so I walk further. I used a fitbit to measure and ensure I get in a certain number of steps per day. I do housework more regularly, like vacuuming and mopping (even if it doesn't look dirty). I also use the basket instead of the cart in the store. This is awesome because it helps me buy less. I only want to put the things that I must have into the basket because it' gets very heavy. I bring a drink of water with me every time I get into the car to drive somewhere, so I stay extra hydrated. I also ride my bicycle around my neighborhood or go for a jog around my home so I don't have commute time to get to the gym.
Good luck with everything! You can do it! And you've got a lot of people interested in your success right here!0 -
Any by the way...don't let these people talk you down...sometimes it feels like its a lot of pressure. Make baby steps at first and exercise will become easier with time
Everyone telling the OP she "can" fit in time to exercise is talking her down??? :huh:
Hmmm let me quote what I am talking about -
"Excuses, not reasons.
I am 43 years old. I work full time (salary, so that makes it MORE than full time). I go to the gym at 0300 each morning. If I wait until after work, it isn't happening. I get my full day accomplished BECAUSE I go to the gym at 0300. It gives me the energy to get through the day. Stop convincing yourself you don't have the time. You do. Decisions determine destination."
"This reaffirms something i've heard before, that some people would rather sleep then be successful. "
Soooo...I was only meaning to not make her feel guilty about feeling like she lacks the time and let her know she can do it without making her feel she is using "excuses"...no harm meant Joy...just being supportive. I did see a lot of comments after that were helpful so that was lovely
I do not see a single unhelpful comment in any of those you selected, nor do I see a bit of "talking down", as you call it. Perhaps you are overreacting a smidge?
OP, I also get up and get my workout done first thing in the morning. It clears the day for whatever else I have to do, or want to do.0 -
I know how you feel. I have a physically demanding job which requires me to move and lift things quite a bit. I try to hit there gym during my days off, as it's the only time that I have the extra time and energy to work out.0
-
This content has been removed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.1K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 420 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.9K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.5K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions