Suggestions?

[winter2b]

Hi all,

I am back again...I've been so busy with school, work and home life that my workouts have taken a complete back seat. I know that there are so many of you out there with full schedules who manage to fit in time to workout - and I'd love to hear how you accomplish it! I have had no luck trying to get up an hour early to do it because no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get to bed before 11 or midnight. I am a body that needs my 8 hours. I know that some people say that after several weeks of working out, you will have more energy, but I've never gotten to that point... And if I don't do my workout in the morning, there is always a million other things I need to do when I get home. The other night I got home and changed into my workout clothes, and FINALLY 2 hours later I was finally able to workout.

Any of you super-ladies have suggestions for me? I know that the key to my being able to lose this weight is going to be eating clean AND fitting in my workouts 6 days a week...and I just need to figure out how to accomplish that!

Thanks in advance! Happy mother's day to all you mom's!
Amy

 

[smoogy]

Amy, maybe 6 days a week is too much to hope for. Go for 4 and of course more if you can. That's why I hate the 30 minutes a day 3 times a week recommendation. We are all too sedentary as it is.

Anyway, make your exercise a priority. Precook meals on your off day & if your hubby doesn't like it, too bad. I work a 10 hour shift. After I get home from work, I'll feed the dogs, let them out, And I don't unwind too much. I get my workout clothes on by 8PM & I work out. Honestly, my DH is amazed I can work out after my long day at work. Well, I'm not a morning person, so if not then, then when?

I know everyone is different. Pick the time of day, you'd rather work out then plan around it. I have always been a strong believer in preventative medicine. I make time to brush & floss my teeth, I make time to exercise, I make time to eat right.

Marla

P.S. I have no little kids so maybe I shouldn't give you tips.

 

[winter2b]

Marla,

Thanks for the tips...I have no kids - just dogs! They are pretty demanding though as I'm sure you know! I wonder if I try to do it after school and make it a "do not pass go" type of thing where I just put my clothes on and go directly down to workout... That of course requires me to not get on the computer and to have cooperation from the hubby to not sidetrack me.

I agree that I need to make the workout a priority...and treat it as such - not something that I can do tomorrow (which never comes!). I am thinking of trying to do a Timesaver rotation at least for a week or two - maybe having the workouts a little shorter will help establish the pattern... And I need to make sure to plan out my healthy meals - that would help!

Thanks for the suggestions!
Amy

 

[kathryn]

Amy, since you have dogs, why not use them as your exercise buddies on some days? They'd appreciate a walk, and you can go for distance some days, and for speed (and probably some upper body work, tugging the dogs away from the things they'd rather sniff than walk fast!)on other days.

Your schedule might not make it possible for you to get in 6, hour long workouts a week. Instead, try to get in some shorter workouts as well. Some days you could do two shorter workouts. Some days a longer workout. Some days maybe just one shorter workout. As Marla says, try for 4 days, getting more when you can.

Also remember that exercise is a stress to the body (albeit a positive one) and combining exercise stress with the daily stresses of school and work and family can lead to burn out or overtraining (even though you aren't "over working out").

Your plan to change into your workout clothes right after your get home is a good one. It's hard to not workout if you're dressed for it! A Timesaver rotation sounds good as well. Also, some people are a.m. showerers, and others are p.m. showerers. If you make your shower after your workout, you'll have more time in the morning (with some possible "spot washing" as needed!)

 

[smoogy]

Well, Amy. I have been a student, too, that tried to get her workouts in & make good grades & work 40 hours a week. I took as good as notes possible, put them on my reading rack & went over them as I jogged. Was it fun? No, but I got 2 things accomplished. I felt good about it insead of guiilty, that I wasn't giving one or the other as much attention.

I must admit, I have awesome cooperation from DH. He does not interfere with my scheduled W/O hours if he can help it. He too believes in preventative medicine. Plus, he always knew how dedicated I was from the beginning.

As far as timesaver. Cathe's CTX is an awesome series. She doesn't waste any time or mess around. So what workouts are you messing with. Maybe I can be of more help to you.


Marla

 

[winter2b]

Marla,

Thanks!!! I too have spent time on the elliptical reviewing notes for exams... It works - but I really love Cathe's workouts. I guess I have to sacrifice when needed!

The workouts I have are Body Blast, Timesaver, CTX and some misc ones that I've taped off of FitTV. I have found that I don't *love* all of the CTX workouts...mainly the ones with the hi/lo floor combos. She moves so fast that when I try to follow along, I feel VERY unsafe. In the past when I've done the Timesaver, the cardio sections felt like they were so short that I worried I wasn't getting enough. I think I make this whole thing more confusing than I need to...but I want to make sure I get a good return for my investment - if you know what I mean!

Thanks again!
Amy

 

[NicoleP]

Hello Amy,
You have gotten GREAT advice from everyone!! I just wanted to add have you thought about doing a one body part per day workout?? I had been doing Cathe rotations for the last 2.5 months, took a recovery week, and then I started doing one body part per day rotation with GS's and I added SS/PP so I am working one body part 20-35 min per day. I also have been doing 30-45 min. cardio of my choice 3-5 times a week. Some days I will squeeze in my wts in am. and do cardio later. Anyways with summer business coming along I can see this really working for me!! Hope this helps!!

Take care,
~Nicole

 

[buffettgirl]

Hi Amy,
You got expert advice already. One other suggestion is to look at your calender for the week and try to figure out which days you will absolutly not be able to work out due to other commitments. Then, as others said, make exercise a priority on the rest of the days, even if it is only 3 or 4 days a week to start. The more you get into it, the more important it will become to you. Just be flexible and don't quit all together if you have to miss a scheduled day of exercise.

 

[nancy324]

I have exactly the same problem. What works best for me is lowering my expectations on busy days. I plan to do only 30 mins. of exercise before dinner, no more. It's easier to get started if your expectations are low. Like I say "today is just S&H triceps". During the 1 min. rests I straighten up the apartment and DH starts to get dinner ready while I'm working out. Some weeks work better than others. It does help that DH is very supportive. In fact, as soon as I walk in the door he asks "Are you going to do Cathe now?" to try to encourage me. He knows that I'm much happier when I'm working out, and he likes me better that way cuz I'm easier to live with! LOL.

It ain't easy. Good luck!

 

[ColleenM]

I have 4 dogs, altho one is almost 13 and not very active. But I've learned the art of playing tug and fetch while stepping and getting ready in the morning. Multi-tasking at its best

Can you workout on your lunch hour? That works great for me. I don't sleep well so getting up early is always a struggle. Then with the 4 dogs, dog class 1 night, training every night, DH and marriage counseling another night...it makes nights hard. Weekends I'm usually at dog shows conformation or agility...so I really have to get it done on my lunch hour.

I also plan my meals a week in advance and usually do most of my cooking Sunday or Monday evenings.

Colleen