Where do you guys find the time?!
KingOfThoseWhoKnow
Posts: 53
One obstacle for me in the past with regards to weight loss has been time management. Some quick background info, my average day is awake at 6.30 for university (I commute and gotta et the early bus), home at around 6.30 ish in the evening 12 hours later. Between cooking, studying etc, I get about 1/2 hrs to myself every day, if I'm lucky!
I walk an absurdly high amount every day though while in university, so I guess that's a plus. Trying to squeeze in dedicated exercise every day is really hard, especially with exams coming up where I cannot afford to spare any free time at all! Any tips or ideas?
I walk an absurdly high amount every day though while in university, so I guess that's a plus. Trying to squeeze in dedicated exercise every day is really hard, especially with exams coming up where I cannot afford to spare any free time at all! Any tips or ideas?
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Replies
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I workout at night after everything is said and done as I'm not a morning person.
You could get up earlier than you do now and squeeze in a workout then. You also have days off or weekends where you should have some more free time.0 -
6:30a-6:30p, in class the entire time? No free gym access on campus for students?
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I am a dad have two preteens at home wife works full time have a house hold to take care of.
First you said you walk a lot on campus what is your calorie intake maybe you just need to eat less or healthier and or plan your meals. Also I just started with a strength routine about 1 hour at the gym 3 days a week on my way home. I get my run in during my lunch hour and I always take stairs at wok. You will make time if you want to. Every one is busy. There are plenty of single parents of small children that make time. Maybe get a bicycle to get back and forth instead of bus?0 -
Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
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I am a dad have two preteens at home wife works full time have a house hold to take care of.
First you said you walk a lot on campus what is your calorie intake maybe you just need to eat less or healthier and or plan your meals. Also I just started with a strength routine about 1 hour at the gym 3 days a week on my way home. I get my run in during my lunch hour and I always take stairs at wok. You will make time if you want to. Every one is busy. There are plenty of single parents of small children that make time. Maybe get a bicycle to get back and forth instead of bus?
Agreed. Maybe if you (OP) give us more details about your day we can make suggestions to fit bits of activity and exercises in. And, do you have days off?
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Oh there is a gym on campus, but it's gotta be booked! I've been there a few times and yeah, I get very little free time between classes, the days are very long! I guess I just need to kick my *kitten* a little harder!!!0
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Llamapants86 wrote: »Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
Perfect! Awesome advice and congrats to you! I too believe that if you want something badly enough you will find a way to make it happen.
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my social life is in the gym0
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Weekends off, usually spend a few hours doing study but definitely can spare a few hours for workouts on weekends, I thought you had to exercise everyday?
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Keep walking .. that is great exercise and will very good things for you. You do not need to do anything crazy to get benefits.0
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Llamapants86 wrote: »Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
Great analogy. I saw and idea for cleaning your house that might work for this...put a bunch of indiviual things you want to do on popcicle sticks in a jar. In the original case it was stuff like wipe the kitchen sink...small tasks. For you, it could be things like "do 20 squats". Anytime you find yourself with a spare moment, grab a stick and do the task. Depending on how many you have, try to get through the jar every day or something.0 -
I usually exercise at nights, when I'm too tired to study anymore. This way I don't interrupt my train of thought when I'm working. Usually this is around 10:30pm, then I go to bed after. I don't get up at 6:30 though...0
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KingOfThoseWhoKnow wrote: »Weekends off, usually spend a few hours doing study but definitely can spare a few hours for workouts on weekends, I thought you had to exercise everyday?
If your just looking to loose the fat then all you need is a calorie deficit how much do you eat per day do you track and I started strong lifts 5 by 5, 3 days a week. What are your goals if its just to loose weight that may be accomplished just by paying closer attention to your diet and maintaining a calorie deficit. I run so I can eat a bit more and I enjoy it, I started strength training because I want to increase my lean mass. and lower my BF.0 -
I wake up at 3:30 am work out, get ready for work, get my lunch ready and possibly dinner if one of the kids has sports that night, get two young boys up and in gear, drive to work, work 8 hours, go home, homework with the kids, finish up dinner, most likely a sports practice and family time then bed. My "alone time" is my work out time. It is the best thing I can do for me every single day. I MAKE time for it.0
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Llamapants86 wrote: »Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
And even after you put the sand in, there's still room to put some beer in. Not saying you have to drink, but it's important to remember to enjoy yourself sometimes, too.
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Just like everything else, the more of a priority it is the more likely you are to find time for it. When it became a big enough thing for me I made it fit into my schedule. Yes, it was at the expense of some other things - but this became more important to me than those other things. When it becomes important enough for you, you'll also make the time for it.....0
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I start slowly by going on 30 minute runs 3x/ week. 30 minutes out of your day is nothing ! also, eating healthy helps a lot !! you don't have to worry about working it off when you eat well and don't go over your calorie budget
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CaitlinW19 wrote: »Llamapants86 wrote: »Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
Great analogy. I saw and idea for cleaning your house that might work for this...put a bunch of indiviual things you want to do on popcicle sticks in a jar. In the original case it was stuff like wipe the kitchen sink...small tasks. For you, it could be things like "do 20 squats". Anytime you find yourself with a spare moment, grab a stick and do the task. Depending on how many you have, try to get through the jar every day or something.
oh I love that idea!!!
I am terrible at cleaning up- but I'm also really inefficient once I get home (I'm fine with a plan and when I have things scheduled- but once I get home- I tend to melt onto the couch and stop functioning)
I would also like to say- no one finds time.
Working out is something prioritize and make time for.
No one "finds time" to pick up their kids. They just do it- because it has to get done.
For me- dance class- working out- these things MUST get done- I must be there.
So that's what happens.
Make it an appointment and just do it.0 -
I know that when I was in Uni walking everywhere (with a 1.5 hour bus commute) I maintained my weight (ish), while consuming loads and loads of food. Sure, I would be starving after walking to the grocery store and lugging 6 bags of groceries back, but then I'd fill up on the frozen foods, ice cream and packaged foods I'd bought! I don't know what your diet is like, but I see you haven't logged any food in your diary.
So honestly during this time you should probably just focus on your food intake, and keep on walking everywhere - get off the bus a few stops early, try to walk at a faster pace (as though you're late) to get to where you're going, etc.
Those dedicated workouts aren't strictly necessary if you are generally active, especially with exams - and if you ever do a dissertation, forget about it! There's always time to get back into a dedicated routine over the summer, or Christmas break, especially if during those times you're usually less active.0 -
Llamapants86 wrote: »Time management is a valuable lesson to learn.
I have an analogy for this.
You have some high priority items: think of them as bigger rocks.
You have some other things that are pretty important too, they are smaller rocks
Then you have some nice to haves, they are sand.
If you put the sand in a jar first, you won't have room for the big, important rocks.
If you start with the important things first, the sand can fit in just fine.
Figure out what is important and put it in your time, fill in the gaps with the less important items.
Signed,
Mom of 2 kids, full time employee with 2 hour+ commute, that takes a full course load (rocking a GPA of 4.0) and hasn't skipped a workout in 3 months
Fantastic analogy0 -
Finding time is a passive endeavor. Making time is more proactive.
Somehow I doubt that you are actually in class for 12 hours per day. Learning time management will be a valuable tool in the real world.0 -
I cycle to and from work, it takes about an hour each way. It would take me about the same amount of time on public transport so it doesn't take any extra time out of my day, and it burns about 1500 calories :-)0
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You make time! I get up by 3:30 a.m. to gym by 5:00 a.m.. Others would do this in the evening, but as a single parent that works full time and has to feed a child, keep a house and play soccer mom, that one isn't an option for me.0
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OP, suggest you work on time management because if you're finding it tough now then believe me it's going to get harder! Commute + full time job + relationships/ family/ kids + household chores = not enough hours in the day without some clever juggling and prioritising. Honestly, I'd kill to be a full time student again 0
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Get up earlier. I get up at 5 a.m. because I know I won't exercise after work.0
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I get up at 5:30 to work out. I work from 7-4:30/5. If I have time when I get home, I work out again. And I work out on weekends. But I like knowing that I have my morning workout as a buffer if anything else comes up.0
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I work from 4pm to 6am (if I get relieved from work on time). I'm exhausted, but I work out before I start my shift. It's simply time management. If you really want to work out, you make the time for it.0
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It not about having time, its about making excuses. I get up at 4:30am to workout and then my day begins too. I work full time and have a 5 year old to take care of. I dont get home until 7 on most nights. If I dont workout in the morning, chances are I wont workout at all. So you just have to make the time to do it.0
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It may not seem like it to many, but for me, my health is my number one priority. With it, I can do more of everything, without it, almost nothing else is possible. Like one poster said, make health a Big Rock. I have a very demanding job, a family and I'm a competitive Bodybuilder. What I give up is sleep. I function on about 6 (or less) hrs a day. Now some may argue that sleep is equal to working out when it comes to health but for me, that isn't true. The more fit I am, the less sleep I need. I then put working out as the first thing I do in the morning (except to have breakfast). That way nothing else impedes on my workouts0
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cwolfman13 wrote: »Finding time is a passive endeavor. Making time is more proactive.
^ Quoted For Truth. If you look for time, you'll rarely find it. You need to look at your schedule and ask yourself: what do I do now that I could do more efficiently, delegate to someone else, do less often, or just not do?
Cooking, for example: I love home-cooked meals but I don't always have a lot of time, so I often cook big batches and freeze leftovers. I also like watching Jeopardy, but I'll do simple cooking while it's on, or take care of things like cleaning and tidying the kitchen during commercial breaks.
As much as possible, I combine exercise with other activities. I commute by bike to work. It adds 10 minutes to the commute each way, but for those extra 20 minutes, I get 30-40 minutes of exercise (I live just a few miles from work). I do brisk walks or hikes with my wife, and we use the time to catch up on one another's days. I try to think through problems with my various work projects while running or cycling, though often I just get into a meditative state.
Finally, you don't have to exercise every day. When I was in grad school, I ran 3-4 days a week, usually for 30-40 minutes each time, and I did a couple of 20-minute circuit weight workouts a week. That was plenty, considering that my main form of transportation was walking 3-4 miles a day.0
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