How do you find time?

smitss01
smitss01 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 16 in Motivation and Support
If you work full time, are in school, and have other after work obligations, how do you find time to work out? I need some ideas for quick and effective exercises.
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Replies

  • Sindbad1985
    Sindbad1985 Posts: 22 Member
    You can do insanity max 30, which is very effective 30 minutes workout
  • daworley
    daworley Posts: 238 Member
    ya85ser wrote: »
    You can do insanity max 30, which is very effective 30 minutes workout

    Although I do not do the same workout, I do dedicate 30 minutes four or five times a week as soon as I get home and change, before I do anything else. As a side benefit, it really helps me mentally transition from work-to-home (I know some people use commute time to do that, but I live only five minutes from my work).
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    smitss01 wrote: »
    If you work full time, are in school, and have other after work obligations, how do you find time to work out? I need some ideas for quick and effective exercises.

    I work full time.
    I attend university part time ... slowly working toward my Master's degree.
    And I am an active member of a long distance cycling club.

    I walk as part of my commute.
    I walk at lunch.
    I climb about 25 flights of stairs a day 5 days a week.
    I walk after work ... next month, I'll be cycling after work.
    And on weekends I do long distance rides.
  • Piqueaboo
    Piqueaboo Posts: 1,193 Member
    I also do the 30 minutes a day thing - C25K for running (the last couple of weeks are 40 minutes) and Sweat for strength (28 minutes) so it fits nicely and the results are great!
  • artanis50
    artanis50 Posts: 96 Member
    I struggle to find the time too. I recently brought a set of weights to my desk and lift weights while I'm in meetings / conference calls
  • christys03
    christys03 Posts: 22,786 Member
    I work, and have 3 active kids....so I get the busy part. I get up early everyday, 5am to get in 30-40 min of cardio. Then weekends I have longer and go to the gym. It's just a habit now...I have anxiety if I don't get up & get it done, because it's not getting done when we all get home.....then it's crazy time! Good luck!
  • ICameToGetDown
    ICameToGetDown Posts: 958 Member
    You have to want to make time for fitness.
    Get up 40 minutes earlier and get to bed earlier.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    edited February 2017
    I think that's an excellent question. I use a standing desk at work for several hours each day. It is a MET 2 exercise, which is real and is not nothing. It burns about 75 calories per hour. Three or four hours of that is about as much as you burn in a thirty minute cardio session, and you get paid to do it.

    I don't have a gym membership because I think it's a waste of my money.

    I do have a 2 cardio machines in my big living room and can get quickly into a cardio workout at home without having to drive to a place. I recently bought a 50' by 1.5" rope, and use it to do battle ropes in my driveway. That's a MET 8.6 exercise, and I found time to do it in the dark Friday night after dinner, and in the light Sunday afternoon after lunch. I work in a tall building. I can get 1 minute of stair climbing for each bathroom trip.
  • Kimo159
    Kimo159 Posts: 508 Member
    I go to the gym right after work. At the beginning I just considered my work day to be an extra hour and fifteen minutes long. So if someone wanted to do something after work, I would consider after the gym to be my after work time. It made the habit much easier to get into and now it's just second nature for me to just go to the gym after work. I get in, work hard, and I'm usually out in 45-60 minutes. It's been 2.5 years and still going strong.
  • laceyslabaugh
    laceyslabaugh Posts: 113 Member
    I work full-time and have an active 2 1/2 year old along with a daughter that will be 18 in 2 mos. So we are doing college things for the fall. When the weather permits, we go for walks after dinner. Unfortunately I work an hour from home - so when I leave anywhere from 4:30-5:30, I have time to get dinner done, clean-up and bath for the little one but I try - I also bought ankle/wrist weights and have them on my ankles at work and lift my legs up in the morning and my arms in the afternoon and then change it up every other week. At least I'm doing something .... lol
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited February 2017
    You have to make the time...finding time is a passive endeavor...there's always something else to do. During the week, I make the time to do get on my bike...often due to time constraints I do a shorter but more intense interval session and I can be done in 30 minutes. I go to the gym to lift on Monday and Wednesday evenings...straight there after work. I don't use my weekends for rest days...I take those during the week when I'm busier.

    I also don't spend a whole lot of time watching t.v...I basically watch about 30 minutes or so per night while my wife and I have dinner...there are exceptions like yesterday...it was one of those cold, gloomy stay in the house kind of days and I felt like watching the Bruins and Stars so I put the game on and put my bike on the trainer and did a nice little spin for a couple of hours while I watched the game.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I wake up early and go to the gym before work. I do a quick workout 30 to 45 minutes and shower at the gym. When my kids were younger I would carry sneakers and walk around the parking lot or track waiting for them to get out of whatever activity they were doing.
  • fitin50s2
    fitin50s2 Posts: 111 Member
    You don't find time. You make time. I know, just a simple change of words, but it's more a change in mind set.

    You make exercise part of your routine and don't let yourself think you don't have time.

    ^^ This times a million.

    Only you can make it a priority. Many come up with excuses as to why they can't. Most of those same people struggle to find reasons to make it happen.

  • sbrandt37
    sbrandt37 Posts: 403 Member
    You don't find time. You make time.

    Came here to say this.
  • NewMeSM75
    NewMeSM75 Posts: 971 Member
    I work full time, have 3 kids (1 in college; 2 still at home including my 5 year old), my husband works at night. So, I use my hour lunch break to go walking. When work isn't so hectic, I walk during my 2 breaks for 10 minutes each.
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,868 Member
    I've always worked, and worked out. When I was in college, working, graduate school, had two little kids, and when I had them grow up and leave letting me feel really lazy since I'd been working out for 40 years. I work full time, have worked out with jogging, gyms, home rower, home treadmill, home stair master, workout DVDs, weights, and currently 30-40 min in the morning watching the news before work at 6:30 on a stationary bike. I'm 62. You just need to prioritize it. I mostly jogged, for about 40 years, but the machines and others came into my life based on time constraints and injuries.
  • andraise
    andraise Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, you do realize that 80% of weight loss is diet. Right? If your time is tight, the best thing you can do for results is to take whatever time you can to prepare proper meals and focus on hitting your appropriate total calorie intake and deficit for the day.

    In terms of exercise, just focus on being more active throughout the day in your regular activities. Stand more than you sit and step in place if thats all you can do for the moment, park the car at the end of the lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator, every time you go to the bathroom when out go to one further away/do a lap around the building before coming back to the closer bathroom, if you watch tv (time suck) - try to do it while on the treadmill/exercise bike or just stand and walk in place while you're watching...MAKE TIME - Get up 30 mins earlier and get in a good brisk walk around the neighborhood or something. And, therefore do your best to go to bed earlier as well because proper rest is very important too. You HAVE to make it a priority!!! Good luck to you! You CAN do this!!!
  • PennWalker
    PennWalker Posts: 554 Member
    smitss01 wrote: »
    If you work full time, are in school, and have other after work obligations, how do you find time to work out? I need some ideas for quick and effective exercises.

    There is no magic answer. You have to decide your health is a priority and make the time.

    I read some of my textbooks while I walk on the treadmill at the gym (I wear foam earplugs). It's not the greatest exercise, but I can burn about 250 calories in an hour.

    Exercise early because you are more likely to be tired later in the day. You can also do 10 minutes at a time throughout the day instead of setting aside an hour.

    Walk or ride a bike to work
    Take the stairs
    Park the car far away and walk
    Carry your groceries out of the store instead of using a cart
    Take mini breaks at work to do a few squats and planks and flexibility exercises.
    Jog in place
    Turn off the TV and go for a run around the block.
  • GemstoneofHeart
    GemstoneofHeart Posts: 865 Member
    You just kinda have to do it. I know that doesn't sound that helpful but you have to either make time by finding shortcuts in your daily routine or find time within your daily routine. What I mean by that is this: you can make time by using a grocery shopping app to save you 30 minutes of shopping to just pick up your stuff, then use that saved time to workout. OR find time by exercising on a break and eating at your desk instead for example.
  • Anonymous_fiend
    Anonymous_fiend Posts: 196 Member
    You make time. An hour workout is 4% of the day. If you want to you'll find a way. If I'm super busy I try to see what I can consolidate and what I can cut time by being more efficient. Or ill squeeze 5-10 min mini workouts in throughout the day. Like before showers squats, wall sits, and jumping jacks. Stretching in the shower. Commercial break workouts. I always park far from the store. Do some bicep curls and lifts with your groceries.
  • SR1986
    SR1986 Posts: 92 Member
    You HAVE to make it a priority. I understand you have lots going on. We all do. You dont have to work out 2 hours a day to get results though. It can sound daunting. And it is a pain to find time. Sometimes I have to work out after my daughter goes to bed. Tony Horton says something in the P90X3 total synergistic DVD that might resonate with you. You don't need a gym or fancy machines to put work in. Although you will need some equipment (pull up bar or resistance bands, free weights, a mat etc) I work out at home. I haven't been to a gym in years. I use DVD'S. P90X3, T25 and some others have mentioned are all 25-30 min workouts. And I get results! I do others as well, but the shorter ones produce results too. You have to look at it as a lifestyle change and not a problem. The way you approach working out can make a world of difference.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    edited February 2017
    I work 60-ish hours at job number one and about 20 at job number two. I work out most days of the week after work M-F and usually both weekend days.

    I change at work and go to 90 minute Ashtanga yoga twice a week, do cardio at the gym twice a week and then on Friday nights I lift.

    Sat and Sunday are two more yoga classes, both 90 minutes. My friends know I don't usually go out after work and we hang on the weekends.

    My health and fitness are a priority. Plus the yoga somehow keeps my tension headaches at bay.

    You have to choose it or it's not going to happen.
  • KatyBell164
    KatyBell164 Posts: 104 Member
    I don't, I make time g5kcz0ek49ub.jpg
  • razzapool
    razzapool Posts: 89 Member
    you just have to push yourself into making time I finish work and go gym and although it means I don't get home till gone 7pm some nights (and it drives my wife crazy lol) you end up feeling good because even though you are tired from work you pushed yourself and got your workout in anyway
  • chrislee1628
    chrislee1628 Posts: 305 Member
    every step counts, 5 minutes here and there all adds up

    jog on the spot whilst watching tv, cooking etc

    if the supermarket is not that far away, walk instead of driving
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