Advice for...

KadieA
KadieA Posts: 167
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
Someone who is pretty much working to pay rent (full time +), in school, and always out of energy to make time out to work out.

I know the key to weight loss is not just eating healthier but also working out. I'm figuring the key is to burn more calories than you eat. But goodness gracious I find it so hard to do. I work pretty much over full time doing the job of like 3 people. I wake up exhausted and go home exhausted. I hate it. Especially the exhaustion. My parents have a gym in their apartment that I can stop by after work to work out but I get close to the turn and tell myself I am too exhausted and that I'll do something when I get home. I get home and am on my feet for another hour or so cooking dinner for myself and my brother who lives with me. Then I have to tackle homework (I have classes online everyday. It sounds easy but it's actually very tasking) and by that time it's very late.
I've started incorporating vitamins (b12 for energy, a mulit vitamin, fish oil etc).

Sooo, Im just wondering, if you're in the same situation and have a problem with constant exhaustion no matter what you do and constantly busy-how do you get a work out in?

I'd really like to run a marathon sometime this year but...

Thanks in advance :)

Replies

  • mem50
    mem50 Posts: 1,384 Member
    My first question is....Have you had any blood-work done to make sure your levels are good? Thyroid issues? A1C level good?

    When you sleep are you sleeping sound? I was having issues a while back. Found out my sleep pattern was the major issue. I would go to sleep, wake up, go to sleep, wake up......interrupted sleep pattern was messing with me...bad! Was lucky and able to switch from 3rd to 2nd. Major difference. Doctor also prescribed a mild sleeping pill.

    The B-12 you take....liquid or pill form? Liquid is better absorbed.
  • TiniTurtle
    TiniTurtle Posts: 595 Member
    i'm in an intensive 1 year school program 40 hours a week & babysit another 40 hours a week, besides finding time for my hw... so unless i work out while babysitting, i don't have much 'me' time to make it to the gym & would rather spend that 'me' time with my bf or friends or just laying around sometimes. i bought wii zumba and have been doing that before bed once i put the child to sleep that i watch & i'm so exhausted much of the time that i really don't want to do anything at all. i usually opt to exercise if i'm close to or over my caloric intake even if i'm exhausted, but it is a struggle for me and it is easier to just eat less than to manage to make time and find the energy to work out. good luck!
  • KadieA
    KadieA Posts: 167
    mem50
    I had blood work done years ago on my thyroid especially and there was nothing wrong. I haven't had it run lately due to not having insurance but I may just go for it because I really need to.

    I sleep 8 hours but I wouldn't say it was sound sleep. I toss and turn a lot. I honestly feel like I haven't had good sleep since like before December.

    I take the pill form of B12. I may have to look into the liquid form because I do feel like I get a little boost but it goes away quickly.
  • KadieA
    KadieA Posts: 167
    jnlynch

    Yeah I own some Zumba dvd's and with your schedule I don't see how you can fit anything in lol.

    I guess the bottom line is just to do it.

    Im thinking of investing in a game system like the xbox360 with kinect or a wii.

    Thanks for the advice :)
  • QueenObscene69
    QueenObscene69 Posts: 14 Member
    www.bodyrock.tv

    the couple that runs this blog has proved to me and their many followers that you CAN make time to workout, and you can do it virtually anywhere! their routines only take about 15 min to complete (short but INTENSE!) most of which require no equipment and they also have a really amazing diet approach and lots of inspirational stories and personal advice. also, if you're a "beginner" they offer variations for the more intense exercises/workouts.

    i hope that helps!
  • KadieA
    KadieA Posts: 167
    Queen
    Thanks! I will check it out. :)
  • sec820
    sec820 Posts: 40
    You may find your energy level improve once you start exercising some. I know that's what happened to me. Squeeze in what you can, when you can, and you may start to perk up some. Good luck!!
  • Paige1108
    Paige1108 Posts: 432 Member
    I don't know where you live in relation to work and school but....I started bike commuting because I knew that I would never be as consistent with "workingout". My bike to work only takes about 5 more minutes than it would take to drive and I get two "workouts" a day. I have to get to work and I have to get home, total win win for me. It's a total of 12 miles a day and only take 70 minutes. Great amount of workout and not extra time needed.

    I hope you find a way that works for you and good luck on your journey.
  • mjd0109
    mjd0109 Posts: 152
    You could always cook a few nights with of dinner at the same time on the weekend and that will save you time during the week! Plus, I agree with others, once you start working out you will find yourself sleeping better and having more energy.
  • KadieA
    KadieA Posts: 167
    @sec820 thats the same thing my mom told me! :) I'll be working a little less in a few weeks here which is fantastic because it'll give me time to work out at a gym and attack homework and be in bed a good time.


    Thanks for the advice! :)

    @Paige I TOTALLY wish I could bike to work but Im about 15 minutes out by car. I will invest in a bike this summer because I do like cycling and it's a good total body work out. Thank you for your well wishes :)

    @mjd109 I used to cook a lot and have leftovers. I did that last night actually but for lunch. I prepared what I'd cook for dinner tonight as well. I will start doing that more often though. Thanks!
  • catherine1979
    catherine1979 Posts: 704 Member
    I have an extremely demanding full time job and an extremely demanding 3 year old. The key for mewas to find something I love, which for me is hot yoga. I make the time to go because I love it and it actually gives me a chance to relax for a minute.
  • KadieA
    KadieA Posts: 167
    I have an extremely demanding full time job and an extremely demanding 3 year old. The key for mewas to find something I love, which for me is hot yoga. I make the time to go because I love it and it actually gives me a chance to relax for a minute.

    I love yoga! I've heard of hot yoga and just the thought alone makes me sweat. How are the classes? Is it worth is?

    I wake up in the morning and do at least 10 minutes of basic yoga stretches. I have lower back problems too so this really helps with that and helps me wake up :)
  • If you already have a pretty active workday, the exercise might be more about stress relief than weight-loss. I'm a full-time teacher and on my feet all day, plus night classes two nights a week, so I don't have a lot of time to exercise. I try for a brisk 20 minute walk around the block three nights a week while dinner is in the oven, and otherwise I don't give myself a guilt trip about exercising. I'm losing weight by limiting my calories.


    I agree that if you aren't sleeping well at night, that will contribute to a lot of exhaustion during the day, particularly if you are under a lot of stress. A brisk 20 minute walk will get that heart rate up and boose endorphins, which might make you less tired. You might look into your sleep hygiene habits--caffeine intake, where you sleep, etc.

    Personally, I found it very difficult to sleep soundly at night because I had too many things to think about and worry about, so I started taking a mild sleeping pill. It has made a big difference.
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