When do you work out???

I have to work out in the mornings because I work the mid day shift. I also enjoy working out in the mornings, it helps me get my day going.

I do mine in the morning. It make the day better.

I work midnight shifts, and I get up and do 20 minute work outs before I eat and get ready for work. On days I am off, I try and do more. But I aim for 20-30 minutes of either a DVD or just straight cardio.

I work out on my lunch. And I walk around my building (or block when it is nice) ~1 mile on breaks. But I am spoiled with a gym in my building. But I think walking by itself is great, and if you want more you could carry weights. Good luck with that struggle! I can't imagine!

I work out when I have the opportunity. Since I usually do Metabolic Resistance Training, a resistance training based HIIT program, the workouts usually only last 20-30 minutes. When I have the opportunity I do longer stuff like cycling (summer) and cross country skiing (winter) and various other things. Thankfully, I have time for that.

I would suggest that since time is a limiting factor for you, go for HIIT since it can maximize your workout time.

You might want to try Tabata training. A whole workout with warm-up and cool-down would be about 10 minutes. Basically it is taking an exercise you can do as hard as possible for 20 seconds, rest 10 seconds. repeat that pattern 8 times. That is 4 minutes, add a 4 minute warm-up and a 2 minute walking cool down and you have a 10 minute workout that will push you to the limit. I have done it using what has been called Tabata thrusters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNTW7B09VJg&feature=related but you can do this with various exercises. I have done it on my bike, doing mountain climbers, jumping jacks, squat thrusts and more. Basically any exercise you can do at as close to maximum effort with good form. As for timing, you can find various mp3 files that signal start and stop times and other things as well.

And I forgot to mention that I too have the kids, job, house and hubby I think you just have to carve out that bit of time for yourself and even 20-30 minutes is good!

I work out every morning M-F at 5:30 am, I was never a morning person and it took me about 2 weeks to adjust to the new schedule. I go to a 7 am cycle class Saturday mornings. I really like getting my workout done for the day and if time permits or I feel like double dippin' I can! On my way I start drinking water and eat a few unsalted almonds.

I almost always work out at night. The kids are all taken care of and I can focus on me completely. It also seems to help me get rid of the days stress and sleep better.

In the morning...

I work full time and I am now out of school (ft college student) for the summer. But I tend to go either straight from work, or I will go after I get home from my commute. So if I go after I et home I will start my workout anywhere from 8or 9 to 10 or 11 and just go until I go until I at least do one of my normal swimming sets or do some elliptical.
I guess it's better to go in the morning and start out the day w/ some exercise, but most of the time I feel like if I'm already tired anyway what's an extra 1/2 hr of some elliptical or 45 mins of swimming going to do? If it's not going to make me feel amazing afterwards it's at least going to help me get to sleep sooner! ;p

I also love going later on @ night (especially on weekends @ around midnight) to swim because then there's noone there and I can just swim and not have to worry about there not being enough lanes. etc.

I found out it works for me best to get up early, no later than 5:30 and get out the door for my two mile walk. That then gives me time to get my shower before my daughter leaves for work and I need to watch the grandkids. Then my companion gets home from work and I can then get him breakfast before he heads to bed. Seems if I wait, it gets too hot and the kids are hard to do even an inside dvd. I love the early morning, not much traffic and I get to see the sun come up over the mountains.

I workout in the late afternoon, and that time works pretty well for me. If the schedule for that doesn't work for a particular day, I get my workout in that night. I like the idea of working out in the morning... but it just doesn't work with my life. Working out right before my usual "slump" has been awesome. It carries me right past that exhausted, grumpy time without a hitch. The hardest part is squeezing in a shower at that time, but so far it's worked out okay. Even if I added some kind of light workout in the morning - and if I ever get some sleep, that's what I'll do - I'll continue to do my harder workout sometime around 5 PM most of the time. It just feels really good for me.

I usually workout before dinnertime, so it's usually on a pretty empty stomach.

Forgot to mention, I have five homeschooled kids, a husband on night shift, and a part-time job... so making it work for my schedule and my life was a must. When I felt like it "had" to be at a certain time (morning or nothing!) I never got to it. I had to look at my life, and figure out what worked best for me in the long run.

i switch it up a lot now, especially since I'm out of school right now. I walk every day for at least 20 minutes, but hopefully up to an hour or so. I'm also trying to do some calisthenics/strength training every other day, and some sprints or interval cardio once or twice a week.

I work nights so I get up before my shift and do a video. Sometimes they are 20, 30 or 40 mins long. As long as I can get a workout in I'm happy. And on my days off I do longer videos and go for walks. I do whatever I can whenever I can. Even if that means chasing my toddler around a park for 20 mins.


My recommendation is that no matter what time you work or whatever plans you have for the day, you should always start your day off with exercise. It sets your mood for the whole day and helps get you going with those endorphins.