How do you balance school, work, and exercise?

I mentally commit to a weekly plan and literally, sign a contract with myself.

It's about making time. I understand you're busy, but we all are - kids, careers, school, dishes, husbands, wives, whatever. If you want to do it, you will make working out as indispensible as eating, studying and sleeping.

I do it by getting up at 4-4:30 am each morning and getting my workout in. I skip my lunch break and go to a Pilates class near my work instead. I go for walks when I can. I make sure to plan other activities AROUND my workout and exercise plans, instead of the other way around.

You'll find a way. If you have time to be posting here or Facebook, you have the time to get a workout in. It's all about commitment.

I am a full-time single mother to a 2 1/2 year old boy, I work 40+ hours a week, and I am taking 4 classes as a graduate student. Trust me, I understand what you mean when you say "busy day"! I am fortunate enough to have a small workout facility (couple weight machines, some free weights, couple ellipticals and treadmills) at my office, so I work out on my lunch break 3 days a week. It's not pilates or yoga, but then, I am not workout-crazed, I just want to fit some exercise in when I can. It works for me, because otherwise I wouldn't get any.

Essentially, I set a specific time every day to do my workout, because otherwise I would have a much harder time fitting it in. If a set time doesn't work for you, you just need to be disciplined about taking the time when you have it instead of saying, "Oh, I'll do it tonight," and then tonight you don't feel like it, and so you say, "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow"... That kind of thing is what derails fitness plans!

I am in college full time. I keep a daily planner and literally stick to everything...If you procrastinate you fall behind. schedule all of your important things due at school first then plan backwards the steps you need to complete it..allow time for emergencies in case something comes up you are not up all night cramming. all of this allows time for sleep, working out and fun. Seems to be working fine but like I said never procrastinate get in there and get it done.

I just happened to see your post, and as someone who constantly feels stressed and under pressure, I was hoping to give you some help.

Right now I'm in my 7th year teaching literature to seventh graders. My daily planning and grading takes up a lot of time, but fortunately I have lessons from previous years that I can use and tweak, rather than reinventing the wheel.

On top of my career, I am finishing up my master's program where I have to complete 150 hours (300 for the year). Plus I run the school newspaper, and next month I'll be coaching the track team.

Yes, I am incredibly stressed out this year. It would be very easy for me to let my fitness go while I get through this, which is exactly what I was telling myself from Sept - Dec. However, I'm going to be in two weddings this summer, one for my sister and one for my best friend, and I wanted to look good for all the pictures haha. Starting January 2nd, I've been waking up at 5-5:30 am then going to the gym. Depending on what time I get up I usually work out anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Is it miserable? Initially it was. But after my body adjusted I can now make it through my day without having to down extra coffee or 5 hour energy shots.

I know it might sound ridiculous, but if you really want to fit everything in, this is the way to do it. Plus, all studies have proven that exercising in the more is way more beneficial than at night.

Anyway, you might read this and laugh, but now that I look back at how I experienced college, I wish I had been more diligent about it (and probably would have prevented the gradual weight gain throughout the years).

Honestly, I can hardly go a day without doing some sort of exercise, whether it's the gym, going for a walk, or playing baseball. They say it takes about 3 weeks to develop a habit, and after you break that 3 week point, you'll hate yourself for skipping days, or at the very least look forward to your next fitness day.

The bottom line is you just have to want it. Once you push past those first few weeks, your body will take over and your self-motivation will go into cruise control.

Hope this helps!

I have the same issue. I am a college student, I work at a hospital (sometimes 12 hour shifts) and I have a 7 year old daughter. It is not easy, but nothing worth having ever is. On days that I attend school or work, I wake up at 4 or 5 am to work out. I know, it sounds nuts but it also forces me to go to bed at a reasonable hour and develops discipline (something I am trying to establish).

I see it like this, when you are done with school... you will STILL be busy, with work, family and just LIFE in general. Establishing a routine for your workouts and thinking of it as "time for yourself" is the only way to combat the overwhelming time issue.

My suggestion, get more bang for your buck. Workout with higher intensity workouts (they take less time and/or burn more calories). I am on day 4 of TurboFire and I love it.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

Okay, first let me say that it doesn't really get easier as you finish college, get older, etc. The challenges just change. I too used all those excuses. First, school (luckily as a young woman, I did not tend to gain weight, as long as I ate reasonably), then a new job, then small children, now a job, big kids with tons of extra-curricular activities that require my attendance and/or transportation, plus help with homework, etc, and managing two totally different schedules (four schedules if you count my husband and I). I let myself go for a long time.

So you are very smart to be mentally addressing these things right now. Your mindset has so much to do with your success! Give yourself a pat on the back for your mental attitude!

Here's what works for me:

First of all, forget exercise classes. With a tight schedule, having to work around a certain time to exercise just doesn't work for me. If I wait for the perfect time, it won't happen. So after trying and failing for years to do classes (that's what I really thought I enjoyed), I decided that I had to find something more flexible. When I first strated with MFP, I was walking. I keep a pair of shoes and socks in my van, so that if I am stuck waiting on someone to be finished with practice, school, etc, I can use even those 15 minutes or so to get some exercise. As I lost weight, I graduated to running, since I also noticed that I needed an activity that burned A LOT of calories in a short time, and walking just wouldn't do that. So I used Couch to 5K to learn to run 30 minutes at a time. That has truly changed my life. Because you can run anytime (almost) and anywhere, so there are few excuses! I now struggle to try and eek out more than 30-40 minutes at a time, because I love the running. But regardless, I know that most days I can fit in 30 minutes.

The next step was to invest in some good videos for home when the weather is bad. I love anything by Jillian Michaels, and her 30 day shred can fit in even the busiest day (20 minute workout with good calorie burn). I also bought hand weights to use at home. So, once again, no excuses!

I know that going to the gym would be way cooler, and I still love it when i get a chance to swim, but I have to be realistic and do what works.

So, in summary, find an activity that is flexible and very accessible to you. Make sure that it is vigorous enough to burn some calories (this may change as you get more fit). And try to do something every day--even just 20 minutes of walking is better than nothing!

All the best to you!

I had the same issue: Full course load, Full-time job, plus an internship. The only way to do it when you "don't have time" is to just do it. I am not a morning person and my full-time job includes a lot of nights until midnight or after, so getting up at 5am is not an option. If I have a day were I am out of work before 11pm, I hit the gym after work. On the days I go in during the afternoon to work an evening shift I'll go before work. I would LOVE to have a set schedule of going to the gym at the same time everyday but my schedule doesn't allow for that.

The only way to make the time is to just do it regardless of what you have going on. It's a great stress reliever, plus its the best energy booster I know of! so instead of trying to write a paper while stressed out and exhausted from you day, go get your work out in. Afterwards you'll feel better and have more energy which turns into more focus to getting it done.

I have 2 jobs, 3 children, a partner, pets, and two websites to maintain. How to fit in exercise?

You make it a priority. Last year, I started running. Well, the only time I could fit my runs in was 10-10:30 pm at night, after 2nd job, kids + homework, chores, etc. So at 10 at night, I'd gear up and go run for an hour or so. I came to enjoy the quiet streets with my ipod blasting in my ear. I'd stagger home, shower, and crash into bed. No excuses. Ever.

This year, I am taking classes. Two weeknight classes for an hour and one Sunday afternoon. Kids go into daycare at the YMCA, I fit dinner and homework around the class and work 2nd job afterwards. On non-class nights, I go lift weights for 30-45 minutes.

There is no sitting aimlessly on the couch, no hours of watching TV, everyone in the family must help with chores. Meals are not complicated, hours long cooking affairs, they're simple, healthy and fast. Chicken breast, salad, veggie...presto!

I've made a schedule in order to get it all done. I allow Sundays to be "free days" except for my kickboxing class and preparing for the coming weeks meals.

Bottom line - Planning and Committment.

If you want it badly enough, you will find a way to get it done.

Like everyone here has already said, you have to plan for it and make it happen. We are all busy. If you are thinking, "But, I have __________, and you don't understand!" then you are simply making an excuse.

I am a full time high school teacher during the day, coach after school and teach night school after that ... EVERY DAY ... and I still get my workout in. I pack my workout clothes with me in the morning and literally every single meal and snack I am going to eat that day. Straight from night school I go to the gym. I am lucky enough that my gym is open late because sometimes I don't even make it there before 9:30 pm, home by 11:00.

Bottom line - if you want it badly enough it will happen. You just have to plan ahead for it.

Here's my life: I am a Registered Nurse, I work 4 12 hour shifts in a row every other weekend, 150 miles away from home.
I have two special needs children. I am Financial Secretary for our church. I am heading up a Warrior Dash team and we are currently in the level 3 Intense training program. I manage rental property, keep our home running smoothly, have a myriad of meetings that are required of me to attend, turn in daily logs of everything my daughter does to the state on a monthly basis, I oversee my son's running program (I'm training him to run 5Ks with me in the Spring), get him back and forth to his music lessons (he plays 2 instruments right now, getting ready to pick up #3), along with the 'normal' mom stuff.. cooking, cleaning, car maintenance, bills, etc... and how do I do it all (and still have time to visit MFP and reply to these topics)? I schedule it. I break out the calendar each month and ink in the most important things.. Dr.s appts, meetings, Bible Study, work schedule.. then I schedule in the things I can be flexible with, like my workouts, oil changes for the car, etc. But once they are on the schedule, they're in stone, and no backing out will be tolerated. If I get up on a Thursday and see 8am Yoga, 1030 am oil change 2pm IEP meeting, 4pm Home Visit and 630 pm Bootcamp, then those are the things I"m doing. Period. Workouts are in there and just as important to get done as the oil change or anything else. At the end of the day, I've accomplished alot and can rest easy. It's the only way for "busy" people (or anyone else that tries to use that as an excuse) to get it done. Remember, If it's important, you'll find a way. If it's not, you'll find an excuse.

I found out that planning doesn't always work, so my motto changed from "Make the Time" to "TAKE the Time". Everytime I did that I ended up closer to my goals, when I tried to keep planning I went further away from my goals. Hope that helps somebody.

Here is how I do it:
3:15 AM Up and Attum
3:30-5:30 Gym
5:30 Shower
6:30-3:00 Work
3:30 pick up my son
3:30-7:00play/dinner/laundry
7:30 Bath/Bed
8:30 My bedtime
8:45-3:15 Sleep

I pack my lunch the night before, pack my clothes and lay out my gym clothes, shoes, watch, HRM and set the coffee pot to turn on at 3. I log my food right after I workout while getting ready for the day. I plan what I am going to eat the night before. I use the crock pot a lot for meals. If fitness means that much to you you will find a way to make it work!!

The beginning of balancing it all is the BIGGEST challenge. For a few weeks you'll feel burnt out and drained but stick with it and it'll become a habit.
I know your feeilngs...I work full time, I'm a full time college student, I'm doing an internship 20 hours a week & I am in the army national guard -- I literally have 2 days off to myself for the entire month! If you want something bad enough, you'll do it!

I came to the point of waking up at 4am daily to workout before work. I do Insanity, on round 3! Yes, the early hours sucked at first but now it's easy for me to get up at that time. It's crazy. I also workout after work/school at the gym. I have a little planner where I plan weeks ahead of what workouts I'm doing and I hilite it when I actuall do it..It feels good and empowering. You have to do it if you want it for yourself! Make time, even little time if you can.

You nor anyone else will ever have time for exercise because there is always something else on our lists to do. You have to make time. I'm a single mom and I work full time, I'm still on the clock now on a break been working since 7:30a I wont get done till 6-6:30p but I fit in a 20 min workout. Gyms are nice but I usually don't make it there. I work at home now so I have gotten fatter sitting at a desk all day. When I worked in a facility sometimes I made it to the gym other times I was too mentally exhausted. I find that doing 20 min tapes sometimes once or twice a day giving it my all not being lax about it and using a heart rate monitor has helped me shape up nice and slow. If you cant get to a gym, make your home, room, whatever a gym. Buy some good dvd's like Jillian Micheals, Jackie Warner they have 20 minute interval training workouts that make you sweat and shape up quick. The 17 min workout even though the trainer has no rhythm surprisingly burns a lot of calories. If you have Netflix there are workouts on there find one you like. Buy some dumbbells, bands, and a mat and you are good to get started. Know what kind of person you are....meaning.... if you can do a 5am workout because you have to be at work at 6a that's great but if you are a night person like myself I don't care if you start work at 6a getting up a little early won't work because you will hit the snooze button and sleep in. If you are a night person make time for a night workout and if you are a morning person do it in the am, don't force a workout when you know that time of day is the least motivating. I hope you make a window for yourself to get in a workout even if it's a walk and you will progress from there. Good Luck!