TIME

How do all you gym bunnies find the time.

I get up at 6.30am go to work and then don't get home till just before 7pm in the three hours before bed (I need 8 hours sleep otherwise I cannot function) I need to make dinner sort out lunch do any washing and chill a bit. I manage to get in a 30/40 min run but I don't have time for much else how does everyone get in so many hours of exercise?
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Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Needing 8 hrs of sleep kind of kills the suggestion of getting up earlier... (I'm a morning person) I'm also lucky in that my kids are older now and require less maintenance (I'll do things like go for a run while my daughter has soccer practice....)

    Do you get a lunch break? Is there a gym close to where you work?

    I see that you're looking after domestic chores too.......perhaps your SO (if you have one) could help out more around the house to free up some time for you?
  • Jim_Barteck
    Jim_Barteck Posts: 274 Member
    A 24 hour gym just recently opened up near our house which enabled me to start attending. I go after the wife and kids are tucked into bed at night, so it doesn't interfere with any family time. My workouts usually last just a touch over an hour.
  • aneary1980
    aneary1980 Posts: 461 Member
    I don't live with my boyfriend so I have to do my own washing and cleaning.

    The Gym opening times are not an issue it's just that it's a treak to the gym and my gym workout is 2 hours long so I can only really do it at the weekend.
  • laurie04427
    laurie04427 Posts: 421 Member
    Home workout. Wii Zumba burns a fair amount of calories (600/hr or so). Could fit in a 30 minute one a couple times a week and maybe a longer one on the weekend. Just a thought.
  • ingeborgv
    ingeborgv Posts: 175 Member
    I don't live with my boyfriend so I have to do my own washing and cleaning.

    The Gym opening times are not an issue it's just that it's a treak to the gym and my gym workout is 2 hours long so I can only really do it at the weekend.

    A gym workout doesn't have to be 2 hours long. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, but rarely for more than an hour at a time. This + walking pretty much everywhere I need to go (within reason) = burning a whole lot of calories.
  • klkarlen
    klkarlen Posts: 4,366 Member
    Multi-tasking works for me. I can do leg lifts and squats while drying my hair in the morning. Walk laps around the kitchen while waiting for the water to boil. Bought a cheap stepper that I use while watching TV. I take walks at work, around the building several times during the day. Or do it indoors when it rains. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park further from the building.

    We also got stand-up desks at work, that we can raise to stand or lower to sit. I try to stand a bit longer every day, and do a lot of fidgeting while I stand.
  • Laurenloveswaffles
    Laurenloveswaffles Posts: 535 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something
  • MomTo3Lovez
    MomTo3Lovez Posts: 800 Member
    Being that you need 8 hours of sleep to get through your day (and yes some people may not be able to fully function where they need to if they don't get enough sleep) then I would suggest doing extra stuff when you are home like someone had suggested or work something in during your lunch.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I don't live with my boyfriend so I have to do my own washing and cleaning.

    The Gym opening times are not an issue it's just that it's a treak to the gym and my gym workout is 2 hours long so I can only really do it at the weekend.

    Why do you think you need to work out for 2 hours?

    Do a shorter workout. Workout at home. Go for a run or a walk after work. Find a closer gym.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    I used to get only 45 minute for lunch when I worked in the hospital lab.

    I would snarf down my lunch and get at least a 30 minute fast walk most days.
    Then a quick walk when I got home

    I have also done DVDs at home

    You can do this.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    I don't live with my boyfriend so I have to do my own washing and cleaning.

    The Gym opening times are not an issue it's just that it's a treak to the gym and my gym workout is 2 hours long so I can only really do it at the weekend.
    2 hour long workout?

    Ramp up the intensity and go much less. No reason your gym workout needs to be 2 hours long.
  • Julzanne72
    Julzanne72 Posts: 468 Member
    I just do it because I HAVE to. I made excuses for too long, and didn't make myself a priority, so when I started working out in March, my family knew it was important to me, they all pitched in to help out. I guess I would say get up earlier, I know you mentioned needing 8 hours of sleep, but if it were me, I would learn to live with 7 hours of sleep and a good workout every morning because I am worth the effort.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    How do all you gym bunnies find the time.

    I get up at 6.30am go to work and then don't get home till just before 7pm in the three hours before bed (I need 8 hours sleep otherwise I cannot function) I need to make dinner sort out lunch do any washing and chill a bit. I manage to get in a 30/40 min run but I don't have time for much else how does everyone get in so many hours of exercise?

    30-40 minutes of weight training is about all I do. Okay, it's closer to 45 minutes, but I only do it 3x a week. You don't have to work out for hours in order to have results. Go for walks whenever you have a few minutes. I walk on my lunch and all my breaks at work, and I push the baby in the stroller in the evenings for a few minutes. That's it. I don't get 8 hours of sleep, but if I wanted to, I could.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    How do all you gym bunnies find the time.

    I get up at 6.30am go to work and then don't get home till just before 7pm in the three hours before bed (I need 8 hours sleep otherwise I cannot function) I need to make dinner sort out lunch do any washing and chill a bit. I manage to get in a 30/40 min run but I don't have time for much else how does everyone get in so many hours of exercise?
    Maybe I'm misunderstanding? You say you run 30-40 minutes?
    Are you saying you can only do this once a week or are you saying you do this daily? If daily there's your workout right there!!:happy::drinker:
    Multi-tasking works for me. I can do leg lifts and squats while drying my hair in the morning. Walk laps around the kitchen while waiting for the water to boil. Bought a cheap stepper that I use while watching TV. I take walks at work, around the building several times during the day. Or do it indoors when it rains. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park further from the building.

    We also got stand-up desks at work, that we can raise to stand or lower to sit. I try to stand a bit longer every day, and do a lot of fidgeting while I stand.
    Great ideas here and they do add up!! Little changes turn into big changes:flowerforyou:
  • KrysGettinFit
    KrysGettinFit Posts: 131 Member
    30-45 minutes a day is fine, I mean if you can do a 2 hour workout then obviously power on.

    My day starts at 4:30am, go to the gym at work, shower and then work till 4:00, come home, start dinner, feed, bathe and put baby to bed. Then finish making dinner/eat with husband. Clean up, get lunches ready for the next day..pack my gym bag..maybe watch a half hour of tv and then go to bed..not much time but I have to make at least an hour or so to get in a work out. You have to make the effort and clear the time otherwise it just doesn't happen.
  • Julzanne72
    Julzanne72 Posts: 468 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something

    t^^^^this 1000xxxxx
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    If you want something you make time for it even if something else suffers. Work out your priorities.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something
    I call bull on this comment!

    You have NO clue how much each persons body needs to sleep, everyone is different, different ages require different amount, health issues demand a different amount. Seems she'd be far more aware how much her body needs than you would. If it works for you to get less sleep so be it but don't go telling another person that they are the same as you!

    What a silly comment to say to someone asking for help "you just don't want to. How ridiculous to tell another person what they feel they need is not what you need.


    Come on get real, the OP is 34, you're 21, now that I see how young you are I can see a comment being made like above. Age truly does make a different in needs.

    Yes someone can sleep 4 hours and feel it's enough, but because we think it's enough doesn't mean our body thinks it is.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something




    I call bull on this comment!

    You have NO clue how much each persons body needs to sleep, everyone is different, different ages require different amount, health issues demand a different amount. Seems she'd be far more aware how much her body needs than you would. If it works for you to get less sleep so be it but don't go telling another person that they are the same as you!

    What a silly comment to say to someone asking for help "you just don't want to. How ridiculous to tell another person

    I can function on 6 hours of sleep. I weekends I usually get a little less. I know people who function on less. My dad was functioning on less than 8 hours of sleep since I was born. Just because you need 8 hours of sleep does not mean everyone does.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something




    I call bull on this comment!

    You have NO clue how much each persons body needs to sleep, everyone is different, different ages require different amount, health issues demand a different amount. Seems she'd be far more aware how much her body needs than you would. If it works for you to get less sleep so be it but don't go telling another person that they are the same as you!

    What a silly comment to say to someone asking for help "you just don't want to. How ridiculous to tell another person

    I didn't think I could function on less than 8 hours of sleep. Then I had a baby.

    You can push your body to do amazing things if you let it.

    But I think it's a moot point. She's already doing 30-40 minutes of exercise, which is enough time to make a difference on her body.
  • LiftAndBalance
    LiftAndBalance Posts: 960 Member
    Like everyone said, do a shorter workout.

    I don't function well on less than eight hours sleep either, btw. For one or two nights, sure, but not constantly. The comments calling this an excuse are not only rude but potentially unhealthy. People have different sleep requirements and getting too little sleep is extremely unhealthy. It impairs overall phyiscal performance, memory, the body's defensive system, power of judgement, responsiveness, your brain etc. I can't find it right now but I read an interview with a chronobiologist who said that a person sleeping less than six hours a night over prolonged periods of time is basically in the same physical state someone with a blood alcohol level of 1mg.

    Edited to add that just because somebody thinks they're doing great on extremely little sleep (whatever that exactly means for that individual) does not mean it's healthy for them. The context of mentioned interview was how proud a lot of politicians are about how little sleep they presumably need to function well and that in a way their lack of sleep means we're governed by a bunch of drunk people a lot of the time. There was also one lady mentioned (a journalist, I think) who advocated for many years that she didn't need more than four or five hours or so of sleep - until one day she collapsed over her computer and broke a bone.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Try cooking in bigger batches so that you can just microwave the food when you get home. Ta da! 45 mins of cooking just turned into 5! Now you have 40 extra minutes a day to exercise.

    Next, do max 10 mins of tidying a day and clean and do laundry only once on the weekend. Ta da! Now you have 30 mins extra time!

    Next, go to the gym and skip some of the TV! Ta da! There's an extra 30 - 60 minutes...

    If you go to the gym every second day, and record your TV while you're there, you can watch those shows on rest days. Don't cut out your sleep though. Getting your 8 hours of sleep will aid your weight loss.

    Also, can you make your commute shorter? 12 - 13 hours for 8 hours of work a day.. what kind of work do you do that you either have that much overtime or how far do you live that you spend 5 hours traveling?
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Drop-in babysitting at the gym is a lifesaver. I have an extremely active 5 (soon to be 6) year old and a baby on the way. I take the kid to babysitting at the Y and go do whatever I want to do - treadmill, swimming, Zumba, etc.

    On the weekends, hubby watches her while I go walk 4 miles.

    I spend, at most, an hour and 15 minutes working out. You don't need to work out 2 hours, unless you have the time, or you're doing some activity (like hiking, biking, etc) that takes longer.

    My daughter starts kindergarten this fall, so I'll have more time until baby comes, but when baby does arrive, guess who is getting strapped in a carrier or stroller during walks? Guess who is getting dropped off at the babysitting at the gym? You probably guessed it. :P

    Point being, even with a busy life and kids, you can still do it. You just have to find a schedule that works for you and get it done.
  • melinda200208
    melinda200208 Posts: 525 Member
    I find it very helpful for me to get as much done on Sundays as possible. I do all my laundry / cleaning on Sundays. I also cut up any fruits / veggies / snacks for the week. That way it is handy and available. I also try to make a big meal on Sundays so I have leftovers for part of the week. Maybe if you cook something, try to make a big batch of it so it goes further? Or, you could do freezer meals in a bag ahead one weekend. That way you can just throw the meal in the crockpot, you get home from work and dinner is ready :) Sounds like you have Very long days during the week!!! And, yes I like to have 8 hours of sleep as well!! Hope this helps!!
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I pack my gym bag and walk out the door *shrug*
  • melinda200208
    melinda200208 Posts: 525 Member
    Oh, and did you say you run 30-40 minutes a day? That seams like a good workout during the week. Maybe try adding another 20 minutes if you need to?? 2 hour workouts would be hard to fit into my day and my days aren't nearly as busy as yours. Just get longer workouts during the weekend where you have more free time?
  • 4daluvof_candice
    4daluvof_candice Posts: 483 Member
    How do all you gym bunnies find the time.

    I manage to get in a 30/40 min run

    Im sorry but I'm missing the point:huh:
    What else are you trying to add on top of your already doable workout that you seem to have already accomplished...may be the question?
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    How do all you gym bunnies find the time.

    I manage to get in a 30/40 min run

    Im sorry but I'm missing the point:huh:
    What else are you trying to add on top of your already doable workout that you seem to have already accomplished...may be the question?

    She wants to start weight training. She cannot do that and have her 30 min cardio sessions in.
  • I work changing shifts so I basically just fit in workouts whenever I can - usually around midnight, and sometimes at the sacrifice of long sleeps, but as long as I get in around 6 hours of sleep I'm usually ok - probably not much help if you want to find a healthy balance
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    You will make it a priority if you want it to be one.

    I wake up at 4:30am to go to the gym - then get to work by 7:30am - get off of work at 4pm - do my online classes for school - then bed around 10/11pm and repeat.

    You can function on less than 8 hours of sleep, you just don't want to.

    edited to fix something
    Why do you think you need to work out for 2 hours?

    Do a shorter workout. Workout at home. Go for a run or a walk after work. Find a closer gym.

    these two things.

    seriously.

    we are ALL busy- no one "finds time" we MAKE time because it's important.

    I work 3 jobs- train as a dancer for 10-15 hours a week- 3 solid lifts a week (usually M-W-F- for just under 2 hours each) and I maintain and out of town long distance relationship.

    It can be done. You just need to adapt your schedule and what drives you to make it happen.