Busy Life + Exercise

OnTheMoveWithSteph
OnTheMoveWithSteph Posts: 17 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I’ve been struggling to figure out how to stay on track with exercise, and I’d love to hear how others manage it. My day starts at 4:30 a.m. and usually ends around 8:30-9:30 p.m. with work or taking care of my kids. Between everything, I just can’t seem to find time to dedicate to exercise.

Before kids, I loved going to the gym, but now I can’t even get in at-home workouts, let alone justify spending money on a gym membership. So, how do people with busy schedules find time for exercise? Do you do it in small bursts throughout the day? Do you have tips for making it work with a packed schedule? I know I need to get moving, but I’m just struggling to figure out when.

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,013 Member
    Exercise is obviously good for a body, but people also get extra movement into their day by fitting it in as part of daily life activity, in ways that don't necessarily take lots of extra time. This can include the "park further out in the parking lot" and "take the stairs" kind of stuff, but there are lots more ideas in this thread:

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,749 Member
    As usual, I agree with @AnnPt77. Exercise has many health benefits, but as a busy working mom, don't add another "To Do" to your list. Be active when you can. Little things here and there add up. It doesn't need to be formal or structured or timed.

    I know you said you can't even do at-home workouts, but again, change your plan a bit. Can you march in place while watching TV or do some body weight exercises, either alone or with your kids? Not sure of their ages, but you do have options.
  • SafariGalNYC
    SafariGalNYC Posts: 1,687 Member
    edited January 2
    There have been recent weeks when I had 80 + hr Work weeks… I just had to prioritize my health and wellness. I schedule it or make time amongst the chaos.

    If I have to do yoga for 30 min at home, then that’s what I do. Pick something that will make you feel reinvigorated and time well spent towards your health.
    Instead of seeing the obstacles, do you have opportunities?

  • anxietyfairy
    anxietyfairy Posts: 89 Member
    Can you do some exercise in your lunch break? what kind of work can you do? can you walk to a coworkers desk instead of emailing them? use the toliet on another floor? take the stairs? I'm assuming weekends are free, you could do an hour exercise each day then do one exercise session during the week.
  • HealthSculptures
    HealthSculptures Posts: 5 Member
    You can totally workout in small bursts (10-15 mins). You can also include HIIT workouts for 20-30 mins. They provide more results that traditional cardio. If you can do body weight exercises like 20 squats, 15 push ups, 1 min planks, 30-45 secs side plank, wall sits right after a rest room break (habit stacking), they add up. Good luck and you got this!

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