Busy Schedules: How do you fit your fitness in?

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Replies

  • las07s
    las07s Posts: 150 Member
    Okay! I am slacking on my work by being here. I should get back to it! I just know I won't have time once I leave the office to respond to you all. I am in love with all the tips you have given so far. I think I will be able to adjust my schedule based on the suggestions you have made!

    THANK YOU ALL!
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    Many people have very busy schedules. I get up very early and go to the gym and make the time for myself, it is the only way for me.
  • DaveyNH
    DaveyNH Posts: 23 Member
    You make time. I could post my schedule with work and my two year old twins I care for. Irrelevant. You make the time or you don't exercise. I used to say I didn't have the time but I made the time - an hour a day.
  • aurmston
    aurmston Posts: 31 Member
    You have your day very regimented. Add your exercise in there, somewhere, anywhere. My philosophy is that if you look for the time, you'll never find it; you have to make time. Even if you can carve out 20-25 minutes for some in-home HIIT like 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30 starting with 3-4 days/week so you don't have to GO anywhere. Lunch and dinner prep in advance is a biggie, too! If you're o.k with leftovers, one prep several meals.

    Or just drop all of your classes... probably not going to happen. ;)
  • troytroy11
    troytroy11 Posts: 180 Member
    edited March 2015
    It appears as though you walk a lot during the week, maybe close to two miles? You can work in a little cardio during your walks by race walking or even a light jog. Have you thought of having that conversation with your co-workers for that 1 mile walk? If you could increase your pace from a 15 minute mile to a 12 minute mile then you will also be able to walk 20% more distance. If you did the same thing for your other two walks, you get to your destination faster, saving you more time!(You can do jumping jacks or something with the time saved by walking faster or even study for a few minutes).
    Then, on the weekends do something totally different such as strength training, swimming, or HIIT.
    Here is an interesting article by the American Heart Association. It is all about working it into your schedule in a way that works for you. Basically, you can break up your exercise into segments and still reap some benefits. Do simple things like take the stairs instead of elevators for four flights or less which can be another time saver if you are fast enough.
    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/GettingActive/5-Steps-to-Loving-Exercise-Or-At-Least-Not-Hating-It_UCM_445812_Article.jsp
  • las07s
    las07s Posts: 150 Member
    troytroy11 wrote: »
    It appears as though you walk a lot during the week, maybe close to two miles? You can work in a little cardio during your walks by race walking or even a light jog. Have you thought of having that conversation with your co-workers for that 1 mile walk? If you could increase your pace from a 15 minute mile to a 12 minute mile then you will also be able to walk 20% more distance. If you did the same thing for your other two walks, you get to your destination faster, saving you more time!(You can do jumping jacks or something with the time saved by walking faster or even study for a few minutes).
    Then, on the weekends do something totally different such as strength training, swimming, or HIIT.
    Here is an interesting article by the American Heart Association. It is all about working it into your schedule in a way that works for you. Basically, you can break up your exercise into segments and still reap some benefits. Do simple things like take the stairs instead of elevators for four flights or less which can be another time saver if you are fast enough.
    http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/GettingActive/5-Steps-to-Loving-Exercise-Or-At-Least-Not-Hating-It_UCM_445812_Article.jsp

    I definitely do walk a respectable distance, but you are right about kicking that up a notch. Intensifying the workouts that I already do. :smile: Huh. So simple. :blush: I'll have to leave the group and go out on my own, since they can't do the higher impact exercises. I'm sure they will understand. I can push myself harder and do more for myself if I work on my own. Also, if I find a more stable bag for my laptops and textbooks and notebooks (I have one laptop for work and one for school so I end up saddled like a mule with two laptop bags jammed full :sweat_smile:), I could push myself faster on my walks through campus to and from my car. I already take the stairs and I park in the furthest parking spot in our parking garage, but I could find parallel parking some place further off to kick up more mileage.

    THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL IDEAS.
  • las07s
    las07s Posts: 150 Member
    aurmston wrote: »

    Or just drop all of your classes... probably not going to happen. ;)

    The thought has crossed my mind! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: :
  • las07s
    las07s Posts: 150 Member
    Hey all! Your ideas have been amazing! Last night, when I got home I did a plank while waiting for my shower to warm up, did some squats in the shower, squats while cooking dinner, squats while brushing my teeth. :smile: Taking breaks from my tasks and doing little exercises will be the change I was looking for! This morning, I didn't take the stairs by two. I kicked off my heels and ran up as fast as I could! I'm about to leave for class. Let's see if I can't break my own speed record across campus. You have been very supportive and helpful. I'm so glad to have gotten such amazing ideas instead of the usual (and totally unhelpful) "make time" responses. I will get fitter and achieve my goals more easily now.

    Thanks, awesome people :relaxed:
  • qn4bx9pzg8aifd
    qn4bx9pzg8aifd Posts: 258 Member
    las07s wrote: »
    Hey all! Your ideas have been amazing! Last night, when I got home I did a plank while waiting for my shower to warm up, did some squats in the shower, squats while cooking dinner, squats while brushing my teeth. :smile: Taking breaks from my tasks and doing little exercises will be the change I was looking for! This morning, I didn't take the stairs by two. I kicked off my heels and ran up as fast as I could! I'm about to leave for class. Let's see if I can't break my own speed record across campus.

    las07s, I'm so glad you've been able to identify and embrace what could alliteratively be referred to as being interim-istically-incremental, industriously-'interruptive', incessantly-inspired, and intentionally-informal, instantaneously-incorporated physical activity... ;)

    I swear by it (and sometimes 'at' it (in my mind ;) ), if/when I place a high-step in a doorway (on purpose), to step-up on, every time I enter and exit a given room, on some random day (but then find myself in a hurry, and somewhat 'annoyed' by my own gotta-'pay'-this-'toll' 'requirement' ;P ))...

    And it's almost become a kind of 'game' that I 'play', involving any of various forms of "in what way(s) could I make this specific everyday activity a 'launchpad' for some form of physical activity...?" -esque 'task identification' gambit (so to speak)... ;)


    Oh, and in reading of your doing squats in the shower... I swear, I feel as though I'm in some sort of 'class of one', when in the shower, and embarking on various forms of yoga-position -like stretches, or any resembling-a-workout's-'warm-up'-phase stretching, or random squats -based 'holds'... (and quite honestly, the while-in-warm-water -based stretching that I've engaged in, when in the shower, or taking a bath, has improved my flexibility in ways and to an extent that surprise me (and I've always been someone who stretched (even while growing up), but I thought that my most flexible 'days'/capabilities were 'behind me' (well, I just never engaged in such on a nearly-every-day basis before, let alone while utilizing heated-water-'accompaniment' -based, warmer-than-usual muscles and interconnective fascial tissue (<-- not to be confused with facial tissue, mind you ;P )))).

    As it turns out, the 'standing forward bend' yoga position -based stretching that I do in the shower every day -- and outside of the shower, as well, nearly every time that I get up from a 'session' of sitting-at-my-desk -- has been pivotal (along with switching to sitting on a stability ball of the relevant 'compatibly-requisite' pressure) to doing away with the sciatica that began to plague me (rather consistently, and with increasingly more pain) after sitting for a few hours... I initially did 'versions' of said stretch only after sitting down, and otherwise only outside of the shower (not intentionally -- am just clarifying), but it wasn't until I began doing so in the shower, as well, and every day, that the sciatica essentially 'got shown the door', so to speak... :)
  • savvyfantastic
    savvyfantastic Posts: 112 Member
    I commend you on your multitasking and your busyness!

    I'm not going to give you any set advice on when to fit in what as I think you know what is going to realistically fit into your routines where. Perhaps rather than looking at every day, maybe you could commit just two of your lunchtimes a week to do some training of whatever form takes your fancy? Or perhaps, incorporate some activities into your family time?

    It might just be a case of mixing up your priorities at different times. Most of all remember to put yourself first and remember to get plenty of rest.
  • las07s
    las07s Posts: 150 Member
    Hello everyone! I haven't posted in a while, but I have been off classes for about a month now (and I got a new job that has a gym). I have been able to dedicate every lunch hour to the gym and continue with my in-between workout sessions. You guys have made such a difference. I hope you are all doing well!
  • dalansteiner
    dalansteiner Posts: 61 Member
    As to the original post, the Meineke discount muffler commercial comes to mind.

    "We'll make it fit."
  • sarahlifts
    sarahlifts Posts: 610 Member
    Early. I wake bf 4 am I'm in the gym by 5 its the only time I have that's mine. I'm also in bed by 10 at the latest
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  • MamaJ1974
    MamaJ1974 Posts: 443 Member
    las07s wrote: »
    Hello everyone! I haven't posted in a while, but I have been off classes for about a month now (and I got a new job that has a gym). I have been able to dedicate every lunch hour to the gym and continue with my in-between workout sessions. You guys have made such a difference. I hope you are all doing well!

    Glad to hear you've found some balance! Hope all is going well with you too.

  • htg20
    htg20 Posts: 116 Member
    I realized that getting up at 5 is the only way I'm going to get in a workout every day. I go to bed between 11 and 12. Right now I'm doing Jillian Michael's Body Revolution and looking at Focus T25 next (both 30 mins a day).
  • csman49
    csman49 Posts: 1,100 Member
    Change your Drive to Work, to Cycle to Work. Done.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    htg20 wrote: »
    I realized that getting up at 5 is the only way I'm going to get in a workout every day. I go to bed between 11 and 12. Right now I'm doing Jillian Michael's Body Revolution and looking at Focus T25 next (both 30 mins a day).


    That just wouldn't be enough sleep for me.
  • hstull82
    hstull82 Posts: 116 Member
    I literally schedule gym time as "appointments." I usually go on my lunch break & then eat lunch on the drive back to work. My new thing is walking the building in between busy times at work. I know it's a little crazy to be walking circles but it's not that bad - it helps me fit my steps in.

    Good luck OP in reaching your goals...you are doing great!!
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