In my introductory “Ask the Trainer” post, several of you asked how I have been able to fit workouts into my already busy days.
I truly didn’t think I had time for exercise before this year – and I certainly wasn’t very eager to shift my schedule around much to make time for it. Now if chocolate is involved in an activity, I can make time f0r it – no problem. But exercise? That hasn’t made it consistently onto my priority list since high school. And that was, you know…way back in the 1900’s. ;)
So, how did this happen? For starters, I had to just decide that I was going to be consistent with exercising – plain and simple. I found that it really helped that I was going to be working out with a friend. Accountability is key for me.
It wasn’t long before I started seeing results – mainly a huge increase in my energy level! Then I started noticing that my muscles were more toned. My lungs started to feel stronger. My endurance level increased. My belt needed to be tightened.
Somehow, since I have discovered that I love exercising, the time needed for it has magically appeared. I’m guessing that this is because I’ve decided to make fitness a priority in my life. I’m not really sure what I took out of my schedule in order to add in the workouts, but I have consistently been able to exercise four to six days each week since mid-January. Somehow, I’m still able to get everything else done each day. That probably has something to do with that increased energy I mentioned earlier!
Keep in mind – my children aren’t babies anymore. I think that most people can find at least a little bit of time to exercise each week, but I know that I would not have been able to work out at my current level of intensity a few years ago when my boys were littler. Could I have done something though? Yes, I believe I could have – at least two or three days each week. I sure wish I would have. If I would have only known how good I would feel!
At this point, Jen, my friend and work-out buddy/personal trainer, and I try to work out five to six days a week. Some days we get in about 30 minutes of resistance training (lifting weights). Other days we take long walks – sometimes up to eight miles if we have time. Occasionally we jog part of that walk. Some days we do a 45-minute intense work-out video. Some days, we can’t find time for a workout at all.
Our workout times vary from day to day. We just try to grab those minutes that fit into the schedule, even if it means we can’t start a workout until 9:30 at night. Ha! Recently at a soccer game, she and I decided to go for a jog/walk while we waited for Justus’ team to warm up. Then we took advantage of half-time too. Hey, you gotta make it work whenever you can make it work. And sometimes, while running around a soccer complex in front of dozens of people, you just have to realize that you’re a little bit crazy. (Um, that would be me…not Jen. Although she was with me, so…)
Here’s what Jen (from Getting Fit With Jen) has to say about finding time for fitness:
If fitness and exercise are a priority then it does become easier to find time for it. But that doesn’t mean it is always easy to fit it into your day. You will still have other priorities and responsibilities that you will need to take care. Sometimes exercise has to be fit in around those responsibilities. Sometimes it just needs to be “scheduled” into the day like everything else.
Here are some possibilities for times that might work for you to fit exercise into your busy day:
- Get up a half hour to hour earlier! Sometimes it works to get your workout in first thing so that you can continue with the rest of your day like normal.
- If you have little ones, maybe you can get your workout in while they are napping. You could also take them with you on a walk or if they are old enough to play at the park let them play while you workout nearby….Read the rest of Jen’s article here.
I totally love point #4 that she shares! That’s how I find that this exercise thing really works most days!
What have you found to be the best time for you to fit in some exercise?
I have little ones and have tried fitting in treadmill time and other things with no luck. What finally worked for me is a Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD. It’s a 20 minute workout and after only 2 weeks (10 workouts) I’ve dropped around ten pounds and am noticeably more toned. The first few days I thought I might die, but it got better. And it’s super easy to fit a 20 minute at home workout into my schedule most days.
How well I remember thinking that I might die – and now it is so much better. Way to stick with it!
I just started a T Tapp challenge. It’s been motivational to have the accountability from other ladies on the forum. I have been feeling good too as it stetches me and each day I feel a little stronger, and it does feel better to work out. Charlotte, at This Lovely Place, homeschools 12 kids and talks about how durring different seasons she sed on different things, like teaching a child to read, or bringing a child up to speed in math, and for her getting into shape was a season too, though now she can maintain much easier. That made me feel better about taking time for exercise.
You’ve mentioned that several times – I really need to check into it!
I’ve been using Fit Yummy Mummy since March 2011 and I’m finally a size 6! I’ve had four babies and I used to be the cardio queen until my weight loss stalled. Seriously. I will never use another workout plan again. And it’s just an inexpensive e-book I take with me to the gym! The website is a little annoying and gimmicky but man, her intervals and supersets WORK!
I took a look at the website, can you really do this at home? Do you need weights or equipment? Thanks!
Good job getting down to your desired size. I love working out from home – so convenient!
I’m totally with you on point #4! Makes it seem like it’s doable and not quite so overwhelming. Now I just need to find a work-out buddy. :)
Yep, for sure, just snagging those few minutes here and there makes exercising very doable!
Good points. A buddy would be nice, but I nearly always am solo when I exercise, except for walks, where I have my trusty dog with me! My walks are in the 2- to 3-mile range generally. Just curious, how long does an 8-mile walk take you? I’ve only done hikes that were in the 6- to 7-mile range, and that took far more time than I have on a typical day. I think even a 4-mile walk would be a stretch for me time-wise on a daily basis. And yes, some of my cardio workouts are done at 9 or 9:30 at night. Not ideal, but that’s when I can fit them in–and my kids are much older, although I do work full time also. When my kids were young, I ran 3 times a week. Two days on the weekends when my husband was around and one morning when I ran at 6 a.m. before he left for work. It was hard to get up that early, but it was a great way to start the day. I think anything you can do is good to some extent–even 10 to 15 minutes–because you’re making time for yourself and doing something that’s good for you.
An eight mile walk usually takes us just under two hours. We can only work those in every once in a while, typically sticking with 5-6 mile walks. I think your 2-3 mile walks sound wonderful – great job!
I struggle with bursitis in my hips and fibermyalgea. I used to take meds to help with pain, however, I am off everything and try to maintain my pain with yoga and sometimes water aerobics. I struggle alot with being motivated because when I do exercise it’s just to painful. Since Jan. I have lost 20 lbs, with 20 to go. I have good days and bad days, but eating healthier has been a huge asset. I know if others can do it, so can I. Being healthy is a life journey and with God’s help it is getting easier. Thanks for all the great information on your site.
Sounds like you’re doing a great job finding exercise that fits your needs – that’s great. Way to go on the weight loss!
Thanks for the motivational tips and encouragement! Something that has worked for me when I don’t have as much time is to use my kids as weights. I “bench press” the baby in the air and she giggles and thinks its fun. Then I put her on my legs while I’m laying down and do leg lifts. I can gradually move up to the next bigger child and do them again. (It’s like adding another 10 lb weight) They think I am “playing” and doing “airplane” with them but I am working out at the same time. Who knew we’d have a built in weight set at home with our children! I think finding the time is the hardest thing but once you do you will be blessed and refreshed!
Those are things Jen has mentioned to me many times as great options for women with babies. Smart thinking – and I love that it’s such a win-win, since the kids think you’re playing with them!
There are several things that are key for me. I’m a SAHM to 3 kids. I joined a gym to participate in the exercise classes. Workout machines bore me. Included in my gym membership is childcare. Also, I have a workout buddy who helps me GET to the gym. We do our own type of workouts but it helps having someone to be accountable to. For now, I make it to the gym 3 days a week…I can’t commit to 5 days a week in this season of my life.
Your three days at the gym are great – way to go!
Great job with the exercise program! As a mom of 4 kids, I find the value in regular exercise not only for my own health, but my kids then see me and want to join in! That is a great thing for my kids to start to learn! Thanks Laura!
Yes, I agree. My kids have been super impressed and inspired when they see me working out. I love it that my teenager thinks I’m cool for lifting weights. :)
I don’t mean this in an unsymphathetic way, but I think we all make time for what is important to us. Whether it be prayer, exercise, eating healthy, or serving our families it can seem like we don’t have time to do it all. If we determine to stick to those things that God has called us to do (and it looks different in every season of life) and just keep at it despite challenges, we can often do more than we think. As Laura said we don’t have to be perfect in every area, but that’s not an excuse to not try! Start small, and remember God is our ever present help in all areas! One last thing, I personally have to examine my expectations of myself. I can be hard on myself because I can’t do all that I could before kids. But children are a blessing, and they grow up mighty fast! Be kind to yourselves!
Yep, it’s about priorities, and yep, we do have to be kind to ourselves and have realistic expectations – great points!
One idea that has worked for me is to do a workout playdate. I bring my kids to my friends house and she watches them while I go run, then she runs while I watch all of our kids. Then, we both get to workout and our kids get to play. We do it once a week so its a guarantee workout.
Very good idea – I hope other moms see this and try to make it happen for them too!
Great job!! I love exercise…oops, sorry…didn’t mean to say that.
I do though; I love to walk, run, lift weights, etc. However, living way out in the sticks means no gym for me. I have purchased a treadmill, a weighted ball, and some hand weights. I also have several Leslie Sansone DVD’s.
My kids LOVE to exercise with me. You should SEE my living room when we are all in there doing a video!! I am sure we are a sight; but what better way to teach them physical discipline than to do it with them? I have the cutest video of my youngest doing his “steps” when he was just over a year old!
Anyway, that is what works for us for now. I would love to lose a couple of dress sizes for sure, but for a 44 yr old lady, I don’t look too bad. LOL!!
That’s so fun that you have your youngest on video exercising with you. :)
This is very encouraging. I have been needing to get back to working out and you gave me the push I needed. I started yesterday after reading this. I live out in the sticks too so no Gym for me. I have handweights and loads of videos just need to get motivated and do them. So today I woke up with a sore rear end which is a good thing to me. I checked out Jen’s sight, but not so sure about the shakes?? What do you think of the ingredients?
Good job getting started! The shakes Jen recommends are actually very good. I don’t say that about many shakes, because I don’t often trust the ingredients. But the Shakeology she recommends are very healthy, full of ingredients I feel great about consuming. I use it sometimes as a meal replacer, often at breakfast to get my day off to a good start.
Most of the parks my son plays baseball at have trails. Usually during warm-ups for games or during the entire practice I will do a run/walk combo. I love it! Last night I went 4 miles. I am going to have to be at the park anyway, my son is too young to leave, and rather than sitting in a chair doing nothing I am getting exercise. I slept so much better last night too!
one mom mentioned using the fit yummy mommy method. Anyone else use that? It almost sounds too good to be true. 15 min. a day for flat tummies and toned bodies? I would try it if I knew somebody who actually uses it and says what it all involves. Anyone care to comment about this?
http://www.weighttraining.com/ is a great sight to help you get workout plans! There are free ones and ones to do at the gym or at home. It’s a great resource.
Get your fitness report card in just a few minutes!
Check it out!