I HAVE JUST STARTED A NEW JOB FOR WHICH I TRULY LOVE, BUT JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO SQUEEZE IN A WORKOUT. I GET UP AT FIVE IN THE MORNING TO DO MY TWO HOUR DRIVE TO WORK AND DON'T GET BACK HOME UNTIL 8PM. BY THEN, I HAVE TO COOK MY FAMILY DINNER AND DON'T LEAVE MUCH TIME FOR ANYTHING ELSE. I AM WORKING PART-TIME FOR ANOTHER COMPANY DURING THE WEEKEND. I AM WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITHOUT A TIME FOR A WORKOUT. I AM AT MY WITS END. SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AT THIS POINT. I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO THE PERSON THAT I WAS.
HELP!!! I AM GAINING AGAIN
- Thread starter winlette
- Start date
buffettgirl
Cathlete
Is there any way to fit in a work out at lunch time - maybe a walk, if nothing else?
honeybunch1
Cathlete
My thoughts, too - wear a pedometer and walk at work. All those steps count.
"You can't win them all - but you can try." - Babe Zaharias http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/musik/music-smiley-004.gif[/img]
"You can't win them all - but you can try." - Babe Zaharias http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/musik/music-smiley-004.gif[/img]
kathryn
Cathlete
Aside from being more careful with diet, and getting in a lunch-time walk, try to add more activity in your daily routine: like walking to a colleague's office to talk rather than sending an e-mail, parking several blocks from work and walking back and forth, using the stairs instead of the elevator.
Working 7 days a week doesn't seem very healthy to me. If there's any way (financially) you can give up the part-time job, it might be better for you in the long run.
Also, since you are working so much, why doesn't DH, or someone else in the family, chip in and prepare dinner at least a couple of days a week? You can also find some books (I think? I don't know any titles off-hand) that give ideas for preparing most components for a week's worth of meals during the weekend, and then just heating them up, and preparing a salad and fresh stuff to go with it when it's time to eat.)
Working 7 days a week doesn't seem very healthy to me. If there's any way (financially) you can give up the part-time job, it might be better for you in the long run.
Also, since you are working so much, why doesn't DH, or someone else in the family, chip in and prepare dinner at least a couple of days a week? You can also find some books (I think? I don't know any titles off-hand) that give ideas for preparing most components for a week's worth of meals during the weekend, and then just heating them up, and preparing a salad and fresh stuff to go with it when it's time to eat.)
M
maggietc
Guest
Yes, I agree with the previous suggestions. It's great that you love your new job, that kind of satisfaction is very important. But not having time for yourself will eventually take it's toll in MANY ways. I did something similar a while back, and while I was maintaining it I thought I was fine. Eventually everything broke down at once and I was a long time recovering, both physically and emotionally. I also slept A LOT for a long time, since whenever I needed more time I just cut into sleep time. Sustaining a life without balance is a lot like overtraining with poor form. Your body will get the job done for you, it will just recruit the wrong muscles and damage connective tissue developing imbalances and injuries that will be a long time to reverse and heal once you re-adopt a healthy lifestyle. I don't ever want to seem like I am trying to scare a person off from hard work, sacrifice and pursuing their dreams; it's just that balance is sooo important. Sometimes we have to take a longer range approach to attaining our goals in order to mainitain proper balance in the short run. If a person truely doesn't have time over an indefinite period of time to exercise, than something is very out of balance, you need that time for your body. Studies have also found that in addition to neeting 6 - 8 hours sleep, the body and the mind need short periods of "restfulness" throughout the day when you are calm and resting but not asleep, ie; meditation, reading, or doing some very light peaceful activity. Do you have time for that?
Also important, as mentioned in the prior post, is support. Are you being properly supported by friends and/or family at this time. Are your children old enough to help with meals and housework. Does your husband have more time than you, right now, to pitch in? If you are doing the lion's share of work for your family while working so hard and much out of the home, something else is out of balance.
I hate to sound preachy (and I hope I don't) I don't usually post much (more of a reader looking for support here
) but I immediately identified with your post. I have many dreams and ambitions, and historically have not received a lot of support (something I am trying hard to work on - I don't usually give those around me much chance to help me out) and I have burned myself out many times. It is such a hard lesson for some of us to learn that working more and harder isn't always going to get us where we want to go. Rest is as important in life as it is in exercise, push too hard and eventually the body and the mind will push back.
It seems (from your post) and I could be wrong, that the difficulty is caused by this job that you love. It is a long drive (2 hours is a VERY long commute) and is it not enough money to keep you from having to work part time? I've done the part time job to sustain the full time job I love thing myself (again, a few times) and every time I end up resenting the job I love for taking over my life. I know you must have, and still be, tring to find a solution for this. Is their possiblity of more money in the job you love in the near future to enable you to quit the weekend job? I guess what I'm asking is: how long are you expecting yourself to sustain this schedule and workload? Do you have a plan (short or long term) for re-adjusting?
I wish I had a suggestion (for myself as well!) but as you know there is no easy answer here. The only fact is that most of us cannot burn the candle at both ends, with no time for ourselves for very long, and even in the short term it takes a toll.
I really wish you the best!!!! Please let us know how things are going!!
--Laura
Also important, as mentioned in the prior post, is support. Are you being properly supported by friends and/or family at this time. Are your children old enough to help with meals and housework. Does your husband have more time than you, right now, to pitch in? If you are doing the lion's share of work for your family while working so hard and much out of the home, something else is out of balance.
I hate to sound preachy (and I hope I don't) I don't usually post much (more of a reader looking for support here
) but I immediately identified with your post. I have many dreams and ambitions, and historically have not received a lot of support (something I am trying hard to work on - I don't usually give those around me much chance to help me out) and I have burned myself out many times. It is such a hard lesson for some of us to learn that working more and harder isn't always going to get us where we want to go. Rest is as important in life as it is in exercise, push too hard and eventually the body and the mind will push back. It seems (from your post) and I could be wrong, that the difficulty is caused by this job that you love. It is a long drive (2 hours is a VERY long commute) and is it not enough money to keep you from having to work part time? I've done the part time job to sustain the full time job I love thing myself (again, a few times) and every time I end up resenting the job I love for taking over my life. I know you must have, and still be, tring to find a solution for this. Is their possiblity of more money in the job you love in the near future to enable you to quit the weekend job? I guess what I'm asking is: how long are you expecting yourself to sustain this schedule and workload? Do you have a plan (short or long term) for re-adjusting?
I wish I had a suggestion (for myself as well!) but as you know there is no easy answer here. The only fact is that most of us cannot burn the candle at both ends, with no time for ourselves for very long, and even in the short term it takes a toll.
I really wish you the best!!!! Please let us know how things are going!!
--Laura
Author
Cathlete
I think all these suggestions are great -- walking during lunch -- or even managing a quick workout over lunch -- I have a friend who lives 2 hours away from work and so Mon-Fri, she and her husband stay in town so that they are only 5 minutes from work. This is another thing to consider -- if you can possibly do it.
Are you a single parent? If so, then it might work out to simply find an apartment close to work -- and a day care -- and spend your weekends at home.
Let us know how you do!
Are you a single parent? If so, then it might work out to simply find an apartment close to work -- and a day care -- and spend your weekends at home.
Let us know how you do!
Vee
Cathlete
Hello Winlette,
I have been in your situation (where work pressures meant I could not exercise and led to me being too tired to eat right). I strongly, strongly empathize.
If financial constraints demand this routine, I do not have anything to say except that I have been throught this, and understand that it can get near impossible to take care of your fitness. I hope things ease up very soon. Meanwhile, there were some smart suggestions like eat as clean as possible, as often as possible. And walk instead of taking the elevator.
In my case, after a while it was no longer "really" a financial need. I kept telling myself "I had to" keep at a punishing and all-encompassing work routine. I realized that I only have one life to lead and made the changes to accomodate time for myself. Re-evaluating priorities is something all of us who can afford to should do.
Take care.
I have been in your situation (where work pressures meant I could not exercise and led to me being too tired to eat right). I strongly, strongly empathize.
If financial constraints demand this routine, I do not have anything to say except that I have been throught this, and understand that it can get near impossible to take care of your fitness. I hope things ease up very soon. Meanwhile, there were some smart suggestions like eat as clean as possible, as often as possible. And walk instead of taking the elevator.
In my case, after a while it was no longer "really" a financial need. I kept telling myself "I had to" keep at a punishing and all-encompassing work routine. I realized that I only have one life to lead and made the changes to accomodate time for myself. Re-evaluating priorities is something all of us who can afford to should do.
Take care.
Suggestions - tough situation -
Pack your own lunches everyday - take a twenty minute walk over lunch every day -
Have your family pitch in and do the dinners for you!!! OR Make a HUGE pot of soup once a week and just have them re-heat leftovers, so when you get home at 8PM you can relax for awhile and unwind.
Also......do yoga before you go to bed. There are some great yoga videos and they are truly terrific! Ever since I started doing yoga everyday, I am sleeping better, I am more flexible, I have more energy, I am also finding new muscles, what more could you want
There are some AM/PM yoga routines, also some 20 mins routines by Rodney Yee, and full blown hour routines, but the best part is the end when you get to rest and meditate and completely relax for five minutes. I do my practice during the week right before bed and I sleep like a baby.......
Pack your own lunches everyday - take a twenty minute walk over lunch every day -
Have your family pitch in and do the dinners for you!!! OR Make a HUGE pot of soup once a week and just have them re-heat leftovers, so when you get home at 8PM you can relax for awhile and unwind.
Also......do yoga before you go to bed. There are some great yoga videos and they are truly terrific! Ever since I started doing yoga everyday, I am sleeping better, I am more flexible, I have more energy, I am also finding new muscles, what more could you want
There are some AM/PM yoga routines, also some 20 mins routines by Rodney Yee, and full blown hour routines, but the best part is the end when you get to rest and meditate and completely relax for five minutes. I do my practice during the week right before bed and I sleep like a baby.......
Here's another vote for a lunchtime workout. I can usually squeeze in 2-3 20-minute cross-trainer workouts in the company's "weight room" (a section of the warehouse that's been set aside with some workout equipment). If you can squeeze in 2-3 workouts at lunch, and can exercise on both Saturday and Sunday, you should be able to maintain.
Also, I agree with the suggestion that you assign dinner-making to someone else in your family unless they are working TWO full-time jobs Monday-Friday or are confined to a bed. That's ridiculous that they wait and rely on you to make dinner after being gone since 5:00am! I sure hope they have a good reason for doing so; otherwise, they need to buck up and take some responsibility!
Other than that: Move closer to your job or get a different one closer to home. A two-hour drive one way is sucking 20 hours out of your life and away from your family EVERY WEEK! Not to mention what it's doing to your wallet with gas prices what they are! My hubby and I just moved closer to my job after I made a 1-hour one-way drive for years! It's nice to have my life back! I hope you can make some changes regarding this part of your life so that you can get your life back, too.
Also, I agree with the suggestion that you assign dinner-making to someone else in your family unless they are working TWO full-time jobs Monday-Friday or are confined to a bed. That's ridiculous that they wait and rely on you to make dinner after being gone since 5:00am! I sure hope they have a good reason for doing so; otherwise, they need to buck up and take some responsibility!
Other than that: Move closer to your job or get a different one closer to home. A two-hour drive one way is sucking 20 hours out of your life and away from your family EVERY WEEK! Not to mention what it's doing to your wallet with gas prices what they are! My hubby and I just moved closer to my job after I made a 1-hour one-way drive for years! It's nice to have my life back! I hope you can make some changes regarding this part of your life so that you can get your life back, too.
donnamarie
Cathlete
Excuse some advice from a grouchy old Italian who has no time to pussy foot ... the family needs to get off it's butt and if old enough, be assigned jobs ASAP. If there are kids involved (old enough as stated) they can do ALL (and I mean ALL) of the laundry given sorting instructions. Dinner? A basic salad of greens in an oversized tupperware bowl and then add tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms; something different each night. Get the grill out and add a meat/fish/poultry course to that with a simple carb of some sort. No one is going to starve here. Take it from "been there,done that", you need to make time for yourself and get the family VERY involved.
Just curious, what is the family doing when you are working two jobs?
Just curious, what is the family doing when you are working two jobs?
My schedule is similar to yours. I'm up at 5 AM, commute to work 1 hour and 1 hour (or more, depending on traffic) home. By the time I get home, I have about 2 hours before I get ready for bed and do it all over again the next day.
I cook enough food for the coming week on the weekends, so when I come home from work, I don't have to spend too much time preparing dinner. I just heat up leftovers. Yes, I have the same thing every day for dinner until the next weekend when I have to cook again, but at least it saves me from having to cook dinner DURING the week, and since time isn't on my side, and by the time I get home, I'm too tired to do too much of anything else anyway.
As for a workout, I sneak one in as soon as I get home from work. I usually choose Cathe's Timesavers workouts from Body Blast or the Hardcore series since they're less than 1 hour. I'd rather do a full Cathe workout, but I feel the timesaver ones are better than not getting in any workout.
I cook enough food for the coming week on the weekends, so when I come home from work, I don't have to spend too much time preparing dinner. I just heat up leftovers. Yes, I have the same thing every day for dinner until the next weekend when I have to cook again, but at least it saves me from having to cook dinner DURING the week, and since time isn't on my side, and by the time I get home, I'm too tired to do too much of anything else anyway.
As for a workout, I sneak one in as soon as I get home from work. I usually choose Cathe's Timesavers workouts from Body Blast or the Hardcore series since they're less than 1 hour. I'd rather do a full Cathe workout, but I feel the timesaver ones are better than not getting in any workout.
Lots of great ideas here!
A slow-cooker is also a real time-saver; you can drop everything in in the morning, plug it in, and dinner will be ready as soon as you walk in the door at night - no "cooking" involved!
Since you are away from home for so many hours, look for one you can pre-set, or purchase an appliance timer to go with it.
I have used mine for vegetarian dishes with great success, and my sister tells me they are even easier with meats.
Good luck with this.
A slow-cooker is also a real time-saver; you can drop everything in in the morning, plug it in, and dinner will be ready as soon as you walk in the door at night - no "cooking" involved!
Since you are away from home for so many hours, look for one you can pre-set, or purchase an appliance timer to go with it.
I have used mine for vegetarian dishes with great success, and my sister tells me they are even easier with meats.
Good luck with this.