How to balance fitness with a career?
 

I seem to have no time for fitness...and it shows.

I have a demanding job, family life, I'm also a musician.

When do I get exercise in?

:hmm:

make time. thats it.

Right on the money with that one. Time wont find you, you have to find it.

It's all about priorities. You have to make working out a priority. Eventually it will become a part of your lifestyle and you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

Examine what you do with any extra time you may have throughout the week and utilize that time to do your workout. Your work out shouldn't last longer than an hour each time you do it, anyway.

Play with your kids--depending on how old they are, that can be a workout in itself :) Take the stairs intead of the elevator, at work or wherever. Take a walk after dinner with your family, if possible....all little things, and not as much of an impact as a full-on workout, but fairly easy to fit into your schedule--and definitely better than nothing at all.

HIIT takes about 20 minutes a day tops, and can be done anywhere. As long as you have room to run. Look it up on this board, its been explained in full in other threads.

I have a very demanding career, too. I workout during lunch. My gym is 2 minutes away in a car. I realize that may not be an option for you, but it is for me.

Everybody has time to squeeze 30 mins to an hour dedicated to exercise per day. If you think otherwise, then you are lying to youself :p.

I do much better now, but my career is far from demanding (any more). I now work out of the house, and I make time 3 days a week to hit the gym. However, a tip that I can give is what I did before this period of my life... well, I did a lot of saying "I really need to get to the gym" to myself, but every time before I start trying to "get back into" exercise, I do the following:

1 time a day, either morning or night, or when you have a chance do some simple floor routine exercises for 15-20 minutes. You would be AMAZED what 2-4 sets of 10 push-ups and 2-3 sets of 10-20 crunches can do for your body if you do them every day. You can also do these while watching TV, or spending time with your kids (if you are so enriched) - kids love to watch their parents do exercies, and it is a good way to be a role model for fitness to them - cause lord knows they'll need it later.

Other tips:
Take the stairs at work (if possible)

Walk to lunch if you work in an area with close restaurants

Flex your stomach muscles while in that morning/evening traffic on the commute home.

Take a 5 minute break at the cubicle/office periodically (2-3 times) during the day and do some quick stretching and maybe a few push-ups for the heck of it -if it's inconspicuous of course.


None of these stress your cardio system enough to be considered a good workout by most standards, but some exercise is that much closer to a healthy lifestyle than not.

Another tip: push-mow your yard and sell that hulking rider mower that takes up so much space. Your body can use that exercise.

Personally, I fit in needed household activities in between sets of weightlifting. I built a home gym in the basement, and I will do laundry and other cleaning in between sets. That way I get my daily exercise in while still getting the house maintained.

Also, I totally agree with st33lr4t. Make time. Period

These are some really good suggestions. Make your workout fit into your lifestyle. Find a time when you are doing an activity when you can combine what you are doing with exersize. You can read while you ride a stationary bike or walk a treadmill, etc.

I used to do baby lifts while I was home with my daughter and couldn't otherwise get out and exersize. We both had fun and I think I've impressed on her the need for getting some exersize......

What are your goals? They should be realistic, especially for your busy lifestyle. HIT and HIIT are built for the busy person. A lot can be done with a little time set aside per day.

Oh, by the way, turn the TV off. I recaptured a lot of time by not having it on. I was amazed.......

You really have to schedule it like it is an important appointment, which it is. If you had a doctors appointment or a job interview you wouldn't miss it so you have to think of your work-out that way. Don't think of it as an option but something you must do at a specified time on a specified day. It might seem difficult at first but eventually you'll really start to look forward to it. Good Luck.

I spend a minimum of 30 to 40 minutes on cardio every single day (whether I have to get up early, stay up late, etc.). My wife and I plan 3 trips together to the gym every week where we weight lift together. You find time for what you want to do.