For those who have very demanding schedules...

Emi_chan · May 2011

when do you make the time to work out and for how long? If it's early morning, do you still do strength training?

Thanks in advance!

Jonicha26 · May 2011

I am a full time student and an actor! It's very hard to find time to work out some days... those are the ones where I wake up extra early just to get in my work out. I try to warm myself up a bit first and make sure I am awake, but yes... I still do some strength training. It can be hard to make yourself do it, but it makes me feel so much better. And it's nice to have it done first thing in the morning, shower, and not have to worry about it later.

KToned · May 2011

Hey,
i'm a full time student with a job and a weight loss goal! Mornings are prime time to take advantage of a work out Definitely get your strength training in in the morning as you would your regular work out schedule! Maybe that night stretch it out with some yoga for some extra results!
And eat before your work out but not right before!

tigerblue · May 2011

I have a demanding schedule, not because I have such a high-powered career, but because I have a job, a husband who likes a bit of my time, and two children who are involved in multiple sports. It seems that it is almost impossible to get more than about 45 minutes at a time to work out, and often that includes changing time! So I have two ideals that I try to live by: first, a small workout is better than nothing. I used to just give up unless I had an hour or more. Now if 20 minutes is all I get, I'll grab my walking shoes and walk for 20 minutes. Second, always be prepared--keep shoes in your car and be ready for an unexpected workout.

Also, since most of my workout time has to come while my kids are engaged in activities, I learned that running is the best and easiest way to burn a lot of calories in a short time. You can do it almost anywhere!! Before I changed my attitude, I thought I had to be at the gym to work out. . . . Not happening for me! The good news is that I have discovered I love running, and now I try really hard to find larger chunks of time to work out. I just love to get a full hour in!! And before I hated exercise, and felt like it was one more thing on my to-do list.

One more thing--You're small like me (actually even shorter than me--I'm about 5 2 1/2 . I know how hard this is for us small gals. If I don't exercie I don't get to eat!!!! (at least not much. My maintenance is what most people diet on!) So hang in there. You can do it!

NoExcuseTina · May 2011

my husband and I actually prefer to workout at night...there are some nights we are at the gym till midnight or after

my schedule is not as challenging as his...he works 55+ hours a week...and lifts weights 7 days a week (most weeks)...lifting helps him with the stress of his job.

There are nights we eat dinner at 12 or 1 AM. I try to get 6 hours of sleep during the week...then I catch up on sleep on Saturday and he catches up on Sunday...most of the time...occasionally I have to take a 30-60 minute nap in the evening before lifting...but at 40 years old...we have made the decision that THIS is the most important thing for us to do...even more than cleaning the house! I go to sleep with dishes in the sink and take care of it the next day!

I personally have reduced TV watching and talking to friends on the phone to fit in my exercising

Things I have not given up...volunteering for local school athletic activities and watching all of my daughters athletic activities (volleyball and basketball)...!!!!!

EDIT: you asked for how long...some days is just 30 minutes...others it is 2 hours...tonight will be 40 minutes on the treadmill and then an hour in a yoga-pilates class...then 20 minutes of swimming...can't wait!

fancythis · May 2011

I work full time and part time, so my time is limited! I've made going to the gym a priority. I either do it immediately after my day job ends, or when job 2 ends if it happens to be a gym day. I go every other day, and I had the consult trainer design me a circuit so I'd be out of there in an hour. That way I don't feel like I'm a slave to the gym.

lil_pulp · May 2011

I don't know that I have a "very demanding" schedule, but I do generally work out in the morning (I get to the gym between 5:30 and 5:45 AM and then home by 7 to get ready for work) and have no problem strength training then. Actually (and ridiculously), on the nights before I plan on doing weights, I psych myself up for it when falling asleep so that I wake up with the motivation to do it. Never thought I'd be a "morning person" but it's been working for me. Good luck!
-LP

DeniseGdz · May 2011

I work 50 + hours a week and am taking 6 credit hour classes at night.

I take 30 min lunches and walk (agressively) for 30 min.
I also pack my bag and go to the gym straight after work. On days I have school I cram in a 30 min Circuit Training
On my off nights I do 1 hr of Cardio
Try to keep up on cardio on the weekends.
Stick to numbers from MFP as much as possible.

It is possible...slow but possible!

Jellyphant · May 2011

I run a bookstore from early in the morning to late evening, so I can usually get dinner ready (if I'm lucky) before or by 9 oclock. Thankfully my husband and I are still young AND have an apartment gym that's open till midnight, so we try to hit up the treadmill for half an hour, go swim in our pool or I'll do zumba. It's an annoying schedule, but what can you do?

Emi_chan · May 2011

I'm thinking of either doing my workouts late at night (but worried about being able to sleep?) to take my ST classes. My other option is early in the morning at around 6:30am, which sounds so foreign to me - as you all can see, I'm not a morning person!! But I'm glad to see that I'm not alone, and that we must make exercise a priority no matter what it takes! Thank you everyone, for the encouragement and showing me that I'm not alone in this.
:happy:

For those who have very demanding schedules...

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