with all your exercise time, how do you find time to do anything else?

[imgoingtodisney]

the laundry isnt getting put away, the books arent getting ready, umm im sure I can think of other things too so

How do you schedule your exercise time?

 

[tiggerlover]

I struggled with this when I incorporated weight training to my cardio, it seemed like I was always running with no time for the house or only time for quick jobs (and I felt guilty). So I sat down and figured out what would work for me so that I would have time for my house and time for my body. What I have committed to is three mornings a week (M-W-F) is my gym time, I like to be at the gum when it opens at 8 and I am usually there until 10, getting there early helps me save a good portion of my day for other things. Then I reserve Tu-Th for other things, with Sat-Sun being family time. I have finally found a groove and it seems to be working. Good luck!

 

[tlgoblue]

Tiggerlover,
I'm glad to see you've found something that works! I'm still having trouble balancing home, family, and exercise. It was much easier when we all were doing things together, i.e. walking, going to the gym, swimming, etc. I'm pretty much on a one woman crusade for the time being. I keep hoping we will all decide that what I'm trying to do is good for everybody, but I can't foce the rest of my family to do this until they are ready.

Barb,
It is hard, especially when you can see the results of your changes, and you want to keep the pace up because it is working. Maybe a frank discussion with DH and DS about some of the positive changes you are trying to incorporate into your life. You do a lot for them, and maybe DS could do the dishes on some nights while you exercise, and DH could, HMMM? I don't know, find some way to help you as well. I'm sure DS does things for himself, as well as DH. I'll bet they are suffering because of yor new attitude, and they may be resentful. (I'm speaking from my own experience ) If you sit down and actually ASK for some help, you may be surprised, and get some.

I've been inconsistant with my program lately, (though I am getting better) and now that the kids are out of school, I'm getting them up and going to the Y for a swim every morning. They'll just have to deal with that. The way I look at it is, all through the school year, I do EVERYTHING to make thier lives easier, so they can focus on school. Summer vacation is time for them to help me get things back in order, not time to sleep through the day and have maid service. Part of that is fitness! They need it too.

Good luck Barb. Balance is what makes this endeavor so difficult. Anyone can stop eating or exercise, but life tends to get in the way of all our best intentions.

Hey, did the sun ever come out over ther? We finally got some today!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[froglady]

I'm fortunate as I only have one child at home full time. During the school year, I would drop him off at 8AM, then walk my 2 -3 miles, then go to curves 3X a week before noon. I then "erg" (a sort of rowing machine) or do abdominables, weight training, etc. for 20 minutes while watching Judge Judy at 5PM.

Now that school is out, I walk from 6:30 - 7:30, leaving before my husband leaves for work, and my son is still sleeping. He's 10, so I feel comfortable leaving him alone for 1/2 hour. Usually, he's still sleeping when I return. He'll be starting sailing camp soon, so I'll be able to stop at curves on my way home from dropping him off at 9AM. (curves is only 1/4 mile from the marina) I'll continue my evening activities.

I found it to be helpful to have some indoor exercise activities, considering typical Florida summers!

I've found that exercise has increased my metabolism/energy levels to the point where I can work twice as fast, so I can still accomplish everything I did previously.

 

[tiggerlover]

I also wanted to add that my DH has been a great big help, he has been taking it upon himself to do the laundry for me a couple of times a week. This is something he has started in the last couple of weeks, I think he see the progress I am making and wants to help out. With this help it leaves me more time to clean our four story house and all the other things that go with it. So as tlgoblue said, talk with them and ask for their help, point out that you are not only trying to get healthy for yourself, but for them too!

Also, when school gets out next week I will stick with my gym schedule, however we will probably adjust the time to a little bit later in the morning so we can sleep in. And I am fortunate enough that I can bring my DS to the gym with me because there is a playground attached to the gym where he can play while I work out.

The problem I will face is when I come to the states for a month this summer, I won't have my gym to go to so I am going to have to come up with other means of working out.

 

[PAdisMOM]

I used to walk for an hour each evening with my sister. But I got home at 4:00, had to make supper, do dishes, walk, bath my DDs, etc. And I went to bed at 9:00. it just didn't leave much time.

So now I get up at 4:30 (6:00 on weekends) and treadmill. I still walk 2 -3 time a week with my sister (spring-fall only). But this really helped my time management. 4:30 AM isn't for everybody, but I don't mind, plus I get more time with my family.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Currently I work M, Tu, Th & F 930-5 and Wed 130-8
In the summer I'll be working 930-5 Tu, W, Th & F
Still hoping to get out there and walk the "gerbil track" before I head to work. The circle is right in front of my house and DS knows if he wakes and Im not in the house just to look outside. And I like to get back out there after dinner to walk again unless I need to mow the grass.

But everything else seems to be piling up.

 

[CamColt]

I get up early and jog and ab crunch before anyone else is up. I usually go for a walk with DS in the stroller anytime during the day where it fits into my schedule. Sometimes neighbors join me on their days off too, so we have to coordinate a time.
When I worked, I would jog right after DH got home from work around 6:00pm and I would walk during my lunch hour.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I get up earlier than I would have to, at 5:30. I start work at 9. If I cut out exercise, showering, hair/makeup, getting my daughter, up, fed, dessed, and ready for school, picking up the kitchen and bedroom, and the taking her to school I probably wouldnt have to get up until after 8!

 

[blanq]

I always had a hard time exercising regularily, until I finally got into a schedule that worked for me. I tried all different times, and nothing was working. I always felt like I was cutting into family time, or something else. I work full time, have a child I shuttle to and from activities, and I volunteer too. Finally, it hit me! I am at work all day, and I have a lunch hour that is all mine! So, about a year ago I started using that lunch hour to work out. Most often it means walking 4 miles, but if the weather is crappy the backup plan is aeorbic tapes in our conference room. Since I started WISH in 4/03, I also get up at 5:00 am every day, and work out then. It used to be aerobics or weights, but now I joined Curves. So, by the time I leave work each day, I am all done with my exercise and can devote time to my family and home.

I do think that making time for ourselves to exercise is so important. Not just for our physical health, but for our mental health too! I really do feel that I am more focused and less stressed because of including exercise in my life.

Okay, off my exercise soap box for today!

Linda