Fitting exercise into a busy schedule

Lynne1 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 08:08 AM

Hi all-

How do you all fit exercise into your schedules? I'm having trouble fitting it into my day. I get up at 5:30, get myself ready for work and the kids ready for daycare and go to work. I pick them up at 6, get home at 7, eat a quick dinner, put them to bed. By that time it's 9pm and I end up doing laundry or cleaning up. I have a treadmill I've wanted to use, but haven't had the time lately.

Any suggestions?

Colin_G · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 08:34 AM

I used to ride my bike to work and that way you kill two birds with one stone. I know there are some excellent kiddy trailers around for bikes but it really depends how far you travel to work and what sort of roads you would be going on.

Floss · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 08:58 AM

Hi Lynne

How about squeezing a walk, or jog or bike ride into your lunch hour?

I only manage to hit the gym twice a week, so top this up with lunch time walking.

Do you have any spare time at weekends?

Jaclyn · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 12:33 PM

Maybe if your married your mate can help you with dinner or cleaning and putting kids to bed a few night a week so you can get your exercise in. If not maybe do as Floss suggested take a quick walk on lunch hour. or maybe even in the morning before work but I know how hectic it can get trying to get kids ready.

Lynne1 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 12:43 PM

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I was thinking about this and came up with a few, somewhat lame ideas.

1. Climb the stairs at work instead of using the elevator.
2. Do crunches and push ups while watching tv 2 or 3 times a week.
3. Walk a mile on my days off...Sat, sun Wed.
4. Select certain nights for chores and others for workout and jog on treadmill for 15min - 1/2 hour.

I work through lunch so that's not a option.

I have a lot going on now...should be easier after July.

am1977 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynne1

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I was thinking about this and came up with a few, somewhat lame ideas.

1. Climb the stairs at work instead of using the elevator.
2. Do crunches and push ups while watching tv 2 or 3 times a week.
3. Walk a mile on my days off...Sat, sun Wed.
4. Select certain nights for chores and others for workout and jog on treadmill for 15min - 1/2 hour.

I work through lunch so that's not a option.

I have a lot going on now...should be easier after July.

All those ideas

are good ones

. I think if you really want to exercise, you can find a way, even with a busy schedule. You just have to plan it into your schedule and follow through. Twenty to Thirty minutes isn't a long time to take for yourself- and exercise is so important in keeping healthy.

Some other things to try...

Get up a little earlier to workout.

Take your kids with you to exercise, like going on walks.

take 10 minute exercise breaks, 3x a day... all together that is the equivelent of 30 minutes of exercise (for those who can't add

)

Good luck

Floss · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2006, 05:30 AM

Every little helps Lynne - it's a bit of an upheaval to start with (I'm not good a change personally), but you'll find the way.

Maybe try one of those pedometers to count the number of steps you do each day - with your busy schedule I bet it's a lot

trailrunner · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 04:13 PM

I find if the desire is truly there, then the opportunity will present its self.I work nights 4 nights a week, have 2 children age 6 and 9 months, and I manage to get 50-60 miles a week. I however miss quite a bit of sleep. sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day, the house is often dirty and I currently have a 5 foot pile of laundry in the washroom!

brandyelf · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynne1

Hi all-

How do you all fit exercise into your schedules? I'm having trouble fitting it into my day. I get up at 5:30, get myself ready for work and the kids ready for daycare and go to work. I pick them up at 6, get home at 7, eat a quick dinner, put them to bed. By that time it's 9pm and I end up doing laundry or cleaning up. I have a treadmill I've wanted to use, but haven't had the time lately.

Any suggestions?

I could have written this post. In fact, for a moment, my foggy brain thought I had written this post... until I got to the part about the treadmill. I've been shopping for one, haven't bought one yet. I'm afraid it will be one more thing that sits around taking up space.

Good luck, I know it's not easy. Sounds like others have some wonderful suggestions. All I have to give is empathy

Lynne1 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2006, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trailrunner

I find if the desire is truly there, then the opportunity will present its self.I work nights 4 nights a week, have 2 children age 6 and 9 months, and I manage to get 50-60 miles a week. I however miss quite a bit of sleep. sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day, the house is often dirty and I currently have a 5 foot pile of laundry in the washroom!

Wow, cool! I was never that motivated. However, my laundry is clean! I think I may have to start 1/2 hour at night and forgo a little sleep. The added energy from working out should make up for it!

CrawleyTosser · #11 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 02:34 AM

One of the gym instructors who mentored me post-diagnosis told me that not all exercise is enjoyable, but barring injury it is always beneficial. I think of that in every gym session I do. I'm fortunate because my company pays half of my fees (they see it as sort of investment in good health, less days of sick). I go 4x week during lunch and do 2 or 3 spin sessions and weights on the other days.

If you have a bike, lower the tire pressure a little so you have to work harder to cover the same distance as a normal pressure tire. The extra effort to do even a short distance can have more benefit than a 3x the length journey of the normal bike. In other words, ride hard, not 'smart'!