Finding time and energy for exercise

Can you walk on your lunch hour? Otherwise I would suggest heading to the gym straight from work. I find that if I go home after work, it's harder to make myself work out. Also, try to find a friend or family member to work out with or sign up for a class with.

When I am working (currently out of work but have a call back date, so no stress over it), I don't go home after work, but directly to the gym. I hate it (until I get there and start moving) but it works.

Logging in here also helps-it holds me accountable.

Good luck figuring out what works best for you!

I find that if I trick myself into exercising when I'm tired from a long day by telling myself I just have to go to the gym and do something, anything (treadmill, elliptical, etc...) for 10 minutes, I usually wind up doing more, and it re-energizes me. Part of feeling tired at the end of the work day is stress, and exercise actually reverses that. Even if it's just a walk, or yoga, or some stretching, you'll feel so much better afterwards. It's really mind over matter to get yourself up and moving.

this is my suggestion too...once you get into an exercise habit (takes me 1.5-2 weeks) then you'll have MORE energy and it becomes addicting! Also try to go straight to work out after work...do NOT go home first...the tv/couch/bed is just too tempting!

I know you said you don't want to hear this but getting up 30 minutes earlier is an option. I workout every morning and go to bed early, knowing that I have to get up early. You can get a great workout in about 30 minutes. Examples are-Take a brisk walk/jog around the neighborhood, lift weights, do an exercise video (30 day shred, Chalean video). There are so many options here. Make sure you are getting 8 hours of sleep and eating well. Good luck!

You just have to force it. I know easier said than done. I never want to work out after work - especially early mornings at work --- but you just have to pull on your big girl panties and do it. I drag myself kicking and screaming all the way --- reminding myself I'll feel better for doing it when I'm done. SOmetimes I have to make deals with myself like "ok, you only have to do 15 minutes, if you are still tired after that, you can stop". I think I've stopped once.

Sorry - this is the only "trick" that I know that works for me. And really it isn't a trick at all

I have 2 words, Hemo Rage. Go get some.

I usually get myself off the couch at night by saying just do 10 minutes, if after 10 minutes I'm still exhausted I can be done. Usually though after 10 minutes I keep going. I do notice that after a few weeks of doing it I'm not as tired in the evenings.
When I was working out of the home I had to get up super early to get everyone dressed and dropped off so I know what you mean about not wanting to get up any earlier. A quick nap would be awesome after work if you are able to do that.

Can you walk on your lunch hour? Otherwise I would suggest heading to the gym straight from work. I find that if I go home after work, it's harder to make myself work out. Also, try to find a friend or family member to work out with or sign up for a class with.

EXACTLY!!!

I used to have a real early schedule, and like some others said, I just went straight to the gym from work. If I stopped home, that was it. I was tired, and on the couch wanting to veg. But if I had my gym bag in the car, ready to go, and I went straight to the gym, I somehow would find the energy to do it. And once it became routine/habit, it didn't seem like a struggle anymore, but just part of the work day.

Every day at around 4 PM, I would be dragging... that was my slump, where it really hits home that I don't get enough sleep and I need a nap. One day I decided that it was either sit there feeling like I couldn't go on one second longer *OR* I could get up and do 15 minutes of some exercise. And then go back to my regularly scheduled slump if I felt like it. I'm not saying that's easy -- it's about making the mental decision to GO FOR IT.

The funny thing is, after about 10-15 minutes of exercise, I felt so much better I kept going. But even if you didn't, that would be 15 minutes you weren't going to get before!

Getting up earlier wasn't a workable option for me, but it's really just about the same kind of mental shift to just do it - to make it a priority and force yourself/bribe yourself/motivate yourself to give it all you got for a tiny sliver of your day. It doesn't matter when you work out. You've gotten some great suggestions - do something on your lunch break, or stop by a gym on your way home, or something else. If morning actually does make the most sense, but you just feel overwhelmed by the idea, you might want to make the shift to getting up a little earlier to make your whole day healthier.

And like someone else mentioned, one of the amazing things for me has been that I am finding I have MORE energy in my day-to-day life since I started working out. It doesn't just end up being one.more.thing. wearing you down and sapping your resilience and strength. I'm more able to cope with the demands of my day since I made the decision to just do what I could, when I could, without letting the "But what I neeeeed is a nap!!" voice glue me to the couch in self-pity. (Not saying that's what you're doing -- that's what I was doing.) This is so much better!

This has always been my biggest fight when it comes to health. I have been eating healthy for years, but to stay healthy and thin I have to exercise regularly. But after a day of sitting, computers, meetings and stress it is hard to get myself started. The best advice I can give is to find an exercise you really like. When my kids were home I ran regularly for several years because when I got home I would go for a run,which I didn't particularly love, but one or both of them would always go along on their bike and talk non-stop about their day at school. I enjoyed that, and so did they because I was too tired to talk back much. :laugh: Since they've been grown I've tried several other things and would do them for a while then quit. Then gain weight and try something else. I found Zumba last Jan. I lost the weight and so far still find it fun. I don't know if Zumba would be right for you but I would say just keep trying different ones until you find one that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, it will be easier to stick with it. Good Luck!

My friend works very early like you do and recently she joined a gym that is on her way home from work, so directly after work she works out! Like you if she makes it home before getting in a work out, the work out would never happen because she would be n mush mode.

This has always been my biggest fight when it comes to health. I have been eating healthy for years, but to stay healthy and thin I have to exercise regularly. But after a day of sitting, computers, meetings and stress it is hard to get myself started. The best advice I can give is to find an exercise you really like. When my kids were home I ran regularly for several years because when I got home I would go for a run,which I didn't particularly love, but one or both of them would always go along on their bike and talk non-stop about their day at school. I enjoyed that, and so did they because I was too tired to talk back much. :laugh: Since they've been grown I've tried several other things and would do them for a while then quit. Then gain weight and try something else. I found Zumba last Jan. I lost the weight and so far still find it fun. I don't know if Zumba would be right for you but I would say just keep trying different ones until you find one that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, it will be easier to stick with it. Good Luck!

I recently ordered Zumba and while it seems fun, I really feel like I have two left feet. Do the moves get easier? Last week I ordered 30 Day Shred and Walk off the Pounds and am eagerly awaiting their arrival! I do try to walk home from work, and notice when I do I have more energy to do things when I get home.

When you started running, how far were you able to go at first? I try running on the treadmill, but tire out very fast.

Thanks for your input!

Zumba does get easier, but I would never want to do it in front of a mirror. I just do my best and as long as I'm having fun and working up a sweat it's all good. In my mind I look just like the girls in the video.

Im training a lot and I've struggled with this. But, if you follow these things religiously, you will have a lot less of a struggle.
-pack and have everything ready so you can go straight to the gym after work. If you go home or have a break in your routine, it's 200% harder to stick with it
-be fueled with a snack and or Gatorade. Add energy supplement. Blah blah scary, but if you get good ones and drink a lot of water, you will be fine. If it wasn't for these couple things, I wouldn't finish my training. I add some energy supplement to my Gatorade or drink it straight. Try Jack 3D from GNC or Breakthru Fruit Punch. Listen, I was as wary as every other person about using an energy supplement, but you know what, I needed the energy to meet my goal ...and once you get the routine down, you won't need it everyday.
-a workout motivator. ie it's the ony time I watch tv (I catch up on Biggest Loser using Hulu Plus on my phone)