When do you steal time to work out?

I get up at 5, work out until 6, shower and dress to be out the door at 6:45. I can only do this 3 days during the work week and I workout at more reasonable hours on the weekend. I have given up on the idea of working out more than 45 or 50 minutes though. You have to temper things with what works in your life. It is no longer reasonable for me to think I can get an hour in 6 days a week. After work is impossible, running the kids to their various actvities.
 
I worked out Friday night as my first night back in routine just to jumpstart my momentum (Push/Pull). Everything hurts, of course, but it's oh-so-good as you all know well! I do love that my body seems to remember, and I am still pretty strong underneath the new flab layer. Monday morning will be my first day up at 5:30, w/o until 6:30 and out the door at 7:30. I have taken all your hints to heart and plan to get my clothes and the dvd ready in advance. I am really enjoying my new life, I feel like I've stopped and taken time to experience some really wonderful moments and it was good to take a break from the rigid workout routine I used to follow. Now I'm ready to find a happy medium, respect my body and take time for me, while enjoying the rest of my life.

Thanks for all your feedback, it's really been valuable to get me motivated to see it really can be done.
 
Doesn't it feel so good (for the early morning workout people here!) when you know that you are done working out for the day? I love to work out, but coming home at night to do this is dreadful for me.

After a long day of teaching young children, I just want to go home and cook dinner (can't forget about that one glass of red wine a day!) and relax.

Good luck to everyone!

:)


"Life is too short - Be the best you can be every single day!" :)
 
I often tell myself, "I will do what others will not, so I can have what others can not."

Wake up and say that to yourself a few times and that should get you up.

And, remember...you don't need 90 minutes of exercise to get the benefits. What I've started doing is getting up and exercising for about 20-25 minutes (sometimes 15), and then squeezing in another 15 or so minutes (or more if I can) after work. Now, surely you can find 15-20 minutes in both the a.m. and p.m., right?
 
Update: Well I got up today and did my first cardio back in the game... Step Blast, one of my old favorites. When I started my warmup at 5:35 I thought of all of you ladies out there stepping with me! I feel good but I have to be honest, I didn't go to bed early so I didn't prepare well, I'll be kicking myself later as my day of meetings won't end until 8pm today and I'm sure to be yawning by then. I don't feel all that fantasitc now because I didn't get enough sleep, but I know as I set up a better bedtime and get in a groove in the weeks to come, that will change.

Thanks guys & Happy Monday!
 
I am struggling with the same issues... Well, about the time. Right now, I am an at-stay-home-mom, but I am planning to start working next year. Its still a way off, but I am already agonizing on what am I going to do for the workouts. I don't think I can do the early mornings because I have to get up early enough as it is to get everyone ready and out the door.

My energy is up in the mornings and in the evenings I am in my way down regarding energy levels.

However, I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to, so maybe I CAN do the evening workouts. I am going to get the Timesaver DVD's from Cathe.

I can do WEIGHTS anytime of the day, but all that jumping and skipping and hopping, well, I am not sure that I can. :-(

To help, I am also thinking of making extra big meals, so that there is leftover food for a couple of days. That way, I can come from work, workout, and then get done with the kids homework and stuff.

But, I sure will miss working out in the morning. Getting up at 4:00am sure doesn't appeal to me.
 
Another 5AMer! Alarm goes off at 4:40, a cup of coffee and chatting with DH then down to spend some quality me-time with Cathe. ;) I find it very difficult to get moving for the day if I don't start out with a workout first. :)
 
i love working out in the mornings. when i'm doing full time school (i'm a dpt student) i get up at 4:45 and workout till 6. when i'm on break my best time is 9a.m after a good breakfast, otherwise i do it on an empty stomach. no matter what time you do it bottom line is you have to make yourself do it. i've done evenings and afternoons and am tired but make myself go just as i make myself get out of bed at 4:45. you just do it. i find that not dwelling on what time it is and just get going helps the most. focus on how great your going to feel after not how tired you feel right when the alarm goes off. now when i wake up i will think all of you ladies are with me doing a workout to cathe
 
I fell off the workout wagon between the ages of 28 and 33. I had my daughter when I was 28 and had a very troubled pregnancy, so I could not work out per the doctor's orders.

One day when my daughter was 5 years old I took a look in the mirror and said, "If you don't begin being physically active NOW, you never will." To this day, I have never regretted my decision.

And I was a single mother, so to speak, since my now ex husband was never home. He liked drugs better than his family.

You may not have 1.5 hours to devote to working out, but I almost can bet that you can squeeze in 30 minutes to devote to yourself.

I am not nor have I ever been one to work out in the mornings. I need my sleep. I tried morning workouts and almost puked every time I attempted it despite a light snack . (I aplogize for for being crude).

Most women sacrifice their own sense of self and indulgence. Some women feel guilty and selfish if they do one thing for themselves.

I once read than more men than women were physically active. It is a double standard. The man comes home, dons his workout gear and does it. Meantime, the woman is catering to kids and husband at the expense of her own health and well being.

Cathe's videos have so many time saver options, there is Cross Train Express, and the Time Saver workouts.

I always treated my workouts as necessary to my health and hygiene as taking a shower, brushing my teeth, or going to the doctor and dentist for regular checkups.

Just do it! If you do not do it, you might end up resenting your new role as wife and mom without even realizing it.

Working out is like saving for retirement -- it is a necessity for a healthy future.

Good luck and I wish you all the best!

Cheers!

Amy
 
I totally feel your pain here. I used to "try" to do PM workouts, but they really are not practical with respect to consistency.

I have found that MY workout time really is some of the most precious minutes for me. I get up at 4am (actually 3:50am)...I set my clock ahead to fool myself. Believe me, there are some mornings I can't get it together well. These are usually the mornings after BIG UGLY meals that are probably still lying in my belly. On those mornings, I admit I do use an energy drink to pick myself up (make sure you eat a few grapes to be kind to your stomach). I can truly notice a big difference when I eat a beautiful CLEAN meal the night before...what a great workout.

I am usually back upstairs at 5:30am to shower and begin the big rush. I truly have found that this whole process makes my day go sooo much better. I am happy and alive when I get my children up to eat. Plus, I have already accomplished such a big task at the beginning of the day...and that is a WONDERFUL mindset to start off with.

There have been days that I feel too tired, lazy, whatever, and I will sleep until 6am when my husband is finished bathing. I can honestly say that I feel like a big grumpy slug when I get up. And my day is just not the same. I guess it is that exact feeling that keeps me getting up at 4am.

Keep on keepin' on!
XOXO, neicebug :7
 
Hi Ladies,

Great Subject!! I had to chime in. I am on the pregnancy forums these
days since I am 7 months along with my second child. Since becoming
a Mom now 17 months ago it has been more of a challenge. I decided
the one way to make certain to fit exercise in is to get up early
in the am. I work full time so I get up and start exercising by 6am.
This way I know my daughter is still asleep for another 2 hours or so.
It is a little harder these days if I don't sleep well at night due
to the pregnancy but it's still getting done. If I am unable I
live close enough to make it home for a lunch hour to exercise.
I was always a early evening exerciser but my husband resented
my one hour of exercise at this hour so I felt guilty. I think
sometimes he feels a tad badly that I don't sleep in which in my
opinion is not worth me feeling rushed at night. I feel so good
as most of you can agree mentally and physically being in such
good shape helps self image, etc. I know having a newborn
will result in juggling but I know I can find 10 minutes here and
there for first few months at least.

Take Care
 
When I worked, I did 30 min. cardio during lunchand washed up in the bathroom after words. Then ate finger foods during work. Cut up apples, oranges, carrots, celery, bean dip to dip finger foods into.

When I got home, If my scheduled called for weight lifting, I would say hi and hug the kids, excuse myself for that length of time, then I was all theirs after that.

This is where very simple meals come into play. Salads, fruits, if you are a meat eater, then chicken, fish, or what ever is in the oven, while you chop, dice....kids are great if they are old enough and if you would allow them to help.

Don't forget the man of the house, he could help as well.

You can do this, it might take some creativity, but you can do this.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible

www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey

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I get up at 5:30am and work out before waking my kids. Then I get them and myself cleaned up dressed and out the door. I do 30 minutes cardio at lunch hour too in the conference room 3 or 4 days a week with the girls at work.

I play racquetball once or twice a week and my husband watches the kids while I do that. On the weekends he watches them for me too so I can get my workout in.
 
I steal time to workout WHENEVER POSSIBLE! I homeschool my kids, work part time, and run them to their sports activities 4 nights a week! Things get hectic. If the weather is going to be bad in the evenings so I can't walk while their doing their sports, I'll try to get a workout in at home earlier in the day.
 
I work our right after dinner - from about 6 to 7 or 730 pm. Not the best time, but hubby watches our son - who is 6 - and doesn't need constant watching - and does the dishes. I love my Cathe, but I am so not a morning person, and I am NOT NOT NOT getting up at 5 am!! Plus, it keeps me from eating so much at dinner. Drill Max on a maximum full belly - I don't think so!!! I just have to thank my lucky stars for a flexible, wonderful husband for this one!!

Nan
 
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