Only getting one good workout a week :(

tacticalhippie
tacticalhippie Posts: 596 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Am I over thinking this?
For at least the next month, I'm only going to get in one good workout a week.
I was doing strong lifts.
And seeing some results.
My schedule has changed.
By the time I get to the gym, I only have about 15 minutes to work out before I need to get ready for work.

If I'm only doing one of the workouts per week until my kids get out of school... am I wasting my time?
Would it be better to stick to the elliptical for a quick warm up and do a few sets on the nautilus machines?
Then just start the whole thing over once the kids get out next month?

I'm sure something is better than nothing but I hate feeling like I'm wasting time and I really enjoyed lifting.

Replies

  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    Do you watch any TV through out the week or sit at the computer?(including your phone). If so devote that time to the gym.

    For strong lifts I imagine you're only completing about 5 sets in that 15 minute window considering its a strength training program. For weight lifting unless you're doing short rest times of maybe 30-45 seconds between sets and really pushing yourself it might not be enough. If you can hammer out 15 minutes on the elliptical though, it is definitely better than nothing.

    The biggest thing is finding the time, I personally do not have kids so I wouldn't fully understand how little time you have. But I do work 10 hour days with 30 minutes of driving each way. Along with meal prep, cleaning, and other daily activities forcing me to give up something in order to hit the gym. If that means no tv or time on the Internet in order to make that happen then that's what I'll do. Most days I leave at 7:20am and am not back till around 8pm that night. It's all about finding that time.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Machines wouldn't be horrible. Leg press, chest press and seated row or lat pulldown would be my picks. A couple heavy sets of each would make a big difference.

    Another option is to do stuff home, like jumping lunges, weighted push-ups, pull-ups, weighted bodyweight rows, etc. With dumbbells or improvised weights, your options open considerably. :+1:
  • Fernando618G
    Fernando618G Posts: 380 Member
    I got a question ... Can you workout at home?
  • robot_potato
    robot_potato Posts: 1,535 Member
    Fernando618G wrote: »
    I got a question ... Can you workout at home?

    What he said. I have 3 kids and I bought a barbell and some free weights when my second was tiny. I can crank out a decent workout either during naptime or after everyone's in bed. Between husband, kids and work it's just not fesible for me to go to the gym anymore.
  • leahkathleen13
    leahkathleen13 Posts: 272 Member
    Free online hiit workouts help me. They have 15 or 20 min ones, and they work! Have you seen Fitness Blender on YouTube? Did one yesterday and I'm feelin it.
  • leahkathleen13
    leahkathleen13 Posts: 272 Member
    Ps they're fun too! They go really fast and keep your attention.
  • MyFreakingNameIsScott
    MyFreakingNameIsScott Posts: 199 Member
    If you are strapped for time, finding moments to push out some push-ups, planks, any quick body weight exercise is better than nothing. In between chores around the home (I had to do that for a while), before or after an errand like getting kids from school, etc... For a while I was doing 20-30 random push-ups at random times throughout the day. It wasn't routine, it wasn't ideal, but it was something.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    tacticalhippie wrote: »
    Am I over thinking this?
    For at least the next month, I'm only going to get in one good workout a week.
    I was doing strong lifts.
    And seeing some results.
    My schedule has changed.
    By the time I get to the gym, I only have about 15 minutes to work out before I need to get ready for work.

    If I'm only doing one of the workouts per week until my kids get out of school... am I wasting my time?
    Would it be better to stick to the elliptical for a quick warm up and do a few sets on the nautilus machines?
    Then just start the whole thing over once the kids get out next month?

    I'm sure something is better than nothing but I hate feeling like I'm wasting time and I really enjoyed lifting.

    Maybe try and get to the gym earlier or at a different time so that you have more time. Doesn't sl5x5 take around 40 minutes-ish to do?

    Can you hit the gym at lunch time?
  • tacticalhippie
    tacticalhippie Posts: 596 Member
    I can work out at home.
    I usually try to get in some type of kettlebell workout on days I don't have much time at the gym... and the baby permits.
    I have a super attached (which I'm okay with) 11 month old.

    Before I started going to the gym, kettlebells were primarily what I used.
    I have two 25# ones and a 35#

    With three kids and my work schedule the only time I have is after I drop them off at school and the baby sitter. That's with dropping them off as soon as the school opens its doors.
    So I can't start any earlier.
    After school/work doesn't fit in with homework, supper, showers etc. I go to bed relatively early too.

    The days when I was able to do a SL workout, it took me about 45ish minutes.

    Now, the mornings that I'm able to get there earlier, it's because their father has them the previous night.


    I sometimes feel like I need the structure.
    Being able to see my progress in the app helps too.

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