2 jobs and A spouse, how do you find time?

Animaniac87
Animaniac87 Posts: 74
edited October 1 in Motivation and Support
I recently started a new job, and my workouts have hit a wall. I no longer am willing to find the time to go to the gym. Between the two jobs I'm working between 60-70 hours a week. Then when I get home all I want to do is sit and relax, and spend time with my husband. I'm waking up earlier (Have to be to work at 6:30) so then in turn, I'm going to bed earlier. I know I need to lose this weight and get in better shape, I still WANT to, but after working long days at both jobs it's just hard to want to find the time and energy. Because to be honest at the end of my day I am exhausted!!

Does anyone else work this much? What do you do to motivate yourself to just kick your butt and go?

I know it should be easy to find time. I know, I know "If you really wanted to do it, you would" But right now I want to find time but just don't have the energy to go spend an hour at the gym everyday like I was doing.

Any imput would be helpful.

Thank you!

Replies

  • MrsRadder
    MrsRadder Posts: 207 Member
    I am the same! Feel free to friend me we can work towards fitness together
  • lawtechie
    lawtechie Posts: 708 Member
    What kind of work do you do? Can you squeeze in 10 minutes at work every couple of hours? 3 sessions of 10 minutes will give you 30 minutes. Jumping jacks, reverse tricep 'push ups' against your work chair (if you have a desk job). Lunges, bring low weight dumbbells and curl them for a few minutes. Talking on phone do squats, etc.

    Good luck!
  • russelljclarke
    russelljclarke Posts: 836 Member
    I used to work ridiculous hours, maybe 80-odd hours a week, and that was when I started putting weight on. No matter how, I think you have to find time somehow. Can you work out when watching TV (as I do), do you RUN up and down stairs (again, as I do) etc. I sympathise hugely, but also want to encourage you too, as I've been there...
  • Countrygirl0136
    Countrygirl0136 Posts: 1
    I know how you feel; I work two jobs as well. I am working between 60-80 hours a week. I also have two kids and a husband going to school full time. I very seldom see my kids and husband, so when I am off I just want to spend time with them. What I do is I try to make myself walk at least on a treadmill machine for 30 mins a day. I will admit there are days I don't want to walk and I do miss! I just tell my self that I need to make myself do this for not just me but for my family. I believe you can do this, just push your self a little and you will find the strenght. :smile:
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    ahhhh don't let yourself make excuses!!! I have two jobs, I'm in school, I have two children, a husband that works 15 hour days (so all house work falls to me) and I find an hour a day. you have to want it. time management was my biggest obstacle in the beginning, but once I made myself a schedule (yes, in writing) it was easier. treat it like a 3rd job. you would never not show up at work because you "didnt have time", right? feel free to friend me and we can swap easy dinner ideas, time saving shortcuts!! don't let this stop you!!!
  • russelljclarke
    russelljclarke Posts: 836 Member
    OH! And don't forget, you can lose weight even without exercise!!
  • CFAITH_WARD
    CFAITH_WARD Posts: 281 Member
    I work about 65 hours a week.....I do videos at home because the extra time to get ready and drive to the gym just isn't there and I also take 20 min walks.....Have huby and kids take it with you everyone will feel better...It can be done try taking a break at work and walk the stairs...You can do it.
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    oh and I hear you about being straight up exhausted by the end of the day....with everything I have going on, I HAVE to workout in the morning, or else it will never happen. funny thing is when I work out, I'm not dragging by 4pm.......
  • mmstgr
    mmstgr Posts: 578 Member
    I hear ya!
    I work full- time. (44 hours/week).
    I have a spouse and 2 children ages 7 and 4.
    And I volunteer coach competitive cheerleading two days a week for 4 hours each day (not to mention the work I have to put into it at home)

    Always exhausted and seems like I never want to work out :(
  • adamcf
    adamcf Posts: 126
    I don't know what your other circumstances are, but my wife and I found that we hated not having enough time together and with our kids. My wife quit her job and we walked away from our house. A while back we filed for bankruptcy. We couldn't be happier. We originally bought into the whole, "American Dream." Owning a house, having enough money for everything we wanted. But it sucked. We got fat and we couldn't see any future for our family. Now we have a lot less money and a whole lot of time with each other and the kids.

    We're renting a house and we don't have to worry about fixing anything that breaks. We're both in much better shape too. We're living life rather than storing up for it.

    I don't know if this is really a response to your question, but it's how we dealt with a similar situation.
  • sheneverfails
    sheneverfails Posts: 74
    I work 45-50 hours/week at my job and volunteer (fortunately WITH my husband, so I actually get to see him) another 15-20 hours/week, so I sympathize!

    I've been trying to at least take 10 minutes on my breaks to walk, or 20 on lunch.

    A lot of people at work really like using ball chairs at their desks.
  • Animaniac87
    Animaniac87 Posts: 74
    ahhhh don't let yourself make excuses!!! I have two jobs, I'm in school, I have two children, a husband that works 15 hour days (so all house work falls to me) and I find an hour a day. you have to want it. time management was my biggest obstacle in the beginning, but once I made myself a schedule (yes, in writing) it was easier. treat it like a 3rd job. you would never not show up at work because you "didnt have time", right? feel free to friend me and we can swap easy dinner ideas, time saving shortcuts!! don't let this stop you!!!


    I never thought of it that way, it really is another job, and you're right I wouldn't just not show up to my actual jobs. I guess I need to write a schedule down also. Thanks! This was really helpful!
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I'm a stay at home mom and I'm going to school. it may not sound like much but trust me, it's a lot harder and busier than a "real job". If I want to get to the gym I have to get up before my kids do, otherwise I don't make it. Any exercise is better than no exercise, even if it's just walking for 10-15 minutes on your lunch break. Do what you can when you can and remember that little things add up. At work/grocery store/mall, park as far from your building as you can. Take the stairs. Get up to talk to someone instead of sending an email. There are lots of little ways like that to increase your activity throughout the day and they are often more beneficial than a 30 minute workout at the gym. And of course, make sure you're only eating healthy foods and are drinking lots of water. Bring your lunch, avoid vending machines and junk food.
  • doobabe
    doobabe Posts: 436 Member
    I have a crazy career (way too much time at the office), I am a volunteer youth advocate, a mother, wife and I have 2 dogs and a home that doesnt clean itself to deal with.....

    Excuses are like A-holes every one has one and they all stink..... lol Im not trying to be sassy I used to be the same way. I just had to figure out what time I could fit it in and do it. I also cancelled my gym membership and put one in my home to cut down the time running back and fourth. Also- I personally cant work out at the end of the day either- Like you I just want to come home and relax................. So maybe shoot for the morning? Go to bed a little earlier and get up earlier? (thats what I do)

    Best of luck to you!
  • lil_missfit
    lil_missfit Posts: 565 Member
    Bump
  • dogwhisperette
    dogwhisperette Posts: 177 Member
    What about you and hubby go for a nice walk when you get home together. Killing 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak.
  • jessica_mom343
    jessica_mom343 Posts: 61 Member
    What about you and hubby go for a nice walk when you get home together. Killing 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak.

    That's what the hubby and I have been doing. We let the boys ride bikes and my daughter walks too or fortunatly since the inlaws lives beside me we leave the boys with her or some evenings my daughter watches them at home. Gives the hubby and I a good 30 min by ourselves!!
  • Annie831
    Annie831 Posts: 56 Member
    i used to work two jobs before i had my daughter and a bunch of my coworkers and i would take power walks/ jogging on our lunch breaks we used the parking garage so we also were able to do it in the winter too. another thing is some offices allow you to have a yoga ball at your desk to sit on and or they sell staytionary bike pettals so you could pettal at your desk while working its like using a stationary bike. also just taking 5 minuets here and there and doing what is called isometrics where you tighten and relax different muscle groups in your body is work out too, here is a link http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/lifebalance/a/deskexercise.htm
  • thamre
    thamre Posts: 629 Member
    Trust me I know how hard it is to juggle jobs/kids/hubby. I put myself on the back burner for way too many years and to show for it I kept getting bigger and bigger. I finally had enough. 1 1/2 ago, I decided ME FIRST! I have lost 85 pounds to date while juggling 2 jobs(only 1 now)/3 kids (now 17, 15 & 11)/and hubby. Now, my youngest son will try to workout with me with my DVD's and my daughter (15) will do 5k's with me - and I think this is their way of showing me that they support me or they miss me :laugh:

    If you really want this, you will find time to squeeze it in :flowerforyou:
  • Michellerw1
    Michellerw1 Posts: 367
    Props on all the hard work! It is tough sometimes. I work a full time job (45-55 hours a week), plus I am the wine specialist at a restaraunt on Fridays/Saturdays, and I am in school part time. Plus, my boyfriend is a chef, so if I want home cooked meals, I am cooking them (not a complaint as I enjoy cooking them). It is just about balance. I rarely am able to fit in a true hour long work out...at once.

    In a typical day, I get over an hour of excercise. I am lucky enough to live close to work so I can bike to and from, and there is 40 minutes right there. I walk on my lunch break, either to just walk to run errands. I run alot of errands on my bike. Me and my boyfriend go out walking together in the evenings as well. As other people said, it is a nice way to catch up.

    Also, all of you are rock stars!
  • irisherin82
    irisherin82 Posts: 66 Member
    I know exactly how you feel, maybe not as many hours as you but I'm working two jobs as well. A full time and a part time job in order to pay off debt before getting married (I want to save for the wedding too). I work about 50 to 60 hours a week, and have the time to get up in the morning to exercise before work but I haven't found it in me to make myself get up early enough to do that. And the nights I'm not working, the last thing I want to do it go to the gym after the full time job.

    I'm in the same boat... would love any advice and love what people are saying. I should just consider my exercising a 3rd job, it would probably be the easier job of the 3 and the shortest, only an hour a day.... but its so hard when you'd rather just relax or stay in bed a little longer!

    Please share any advice or guidance you find really helps :)
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