I know how busy life can get. One thing that really helped me was to stop expecting to get a "full" workout every day, but to insist on doing *something* every day. So, even if I only did a 5 minute warmup, it counts as a success... Usually, once I start, I'll keep going... ;-)
It's easier on my head to find 5 (or 15 minutes like flylady sez) than to try to figure out an entire hour to set aside...
I'm not posting with hints but just to make you feel better :)I don't get exercise in every day every week. I have good weeks and not so good weeks.If I had to work off the farm I'm not sure what I would get done.I really admire those of you who do it before work or come home after work and do it.On the weeks I do really well you can look at my house and tell where my focus has been and where it hasn't been.There aren't enough hours in the day to get it all done and I just don't get crazy about it any more.
I decided a couple weeks ago that I had to focus on what mattered to me.Exercise makes me feel great so it is a priority for me.Some people veiw exercise as frivolous time. I don't , I veiw it as worthwhile time spent on my health. Both mental and physical.But at the same time if I'm making my self crazy because my exercise doesn't allow me to do other things I need and want to do, then it's not worth it. I get it in when I can, even if that sometimes means doing weights at 9pm.But when life gets in the way I let it go and move on.I really believe balance is what it's all about.
Oh yes! That was a big hurdle for me - viewing exercise as "me" time. It's not. It is but it's not... I am happier, cheerfuller, less prone to illness and injury, stronger, and therefore more productive and pleasant to be around when I'm working out. So, I'm not *just* doing it for me, I'm also doing it for my family and sweetie.
It makes it *so* much easier to commit to taking the time to do it, if I think of it as doing something good for me *and* for them... It feels less like taking time away from them...
As for work, I used to be really good if I could make a date with myself to workout immediately after work every day. I would come home, change immediately into workout clothes and do my weights or aerobics right away before I got enmeshed in household stuph - or I would stop at the gym on the way home. I stopped worrying about the "I'm too exhausted from work" voices after I worked out anyway a few times (I'll only do it for 5 minutes... and realized I'd just done 45)in spite of them and found out how energized and refreshed I felt after a long ugly day of work. It worked better than taking a nap. Kept me going through dinner and into the evening... So I had much more energy and attention for my family.
Nancy - I'm no saint about exercising. Some days (ok - most) it's in the plan, and some days it might or might not happen. When I've slacked off, I try to pick up the pace for a couple of days until I'm back in some kind of routine that approaches 6 days. I don't know if there's any logic to it.
You make it sound like you don't have anything else to do out there but exercise! I imagine driving some of that equipment gives your arms and legs a good workout that you don't even recognize. Plus you work a second job, and all the errands and such that you need to do, not to mention the unexpected situations that arise, aren't exactly a short hop from your home.
Possible solutions: Is working out while dinner is cooking an option for you? Or just before dinner most days? Could you maybe take a look at your typical schedule on days 1) when you're working in town and it's planting/harvest time, 2) when you're working in town and the planting/harvest is done, and 3) when you're not working in town and planting/harvest is done? Look at all the scenarios and schedules, work in time for those long-distance errands you have to do, and see how working out fits in.
Opportunistic workouts - on those days when you just feel like retiring to a comfy chair with a good book (like I feel most of the time), head to the tread for 10 minutes; by the time you're done with 10, you might want to go 20 or 30.
HTH. Give yourself a little break, ma'am. Maybe 6 workouts a week aren't feasible - but 4 hard workouts might be.
Oh wait maybe I do have some hints.Phyllis once suggested to me that I workout while waiting for supper to cook or a cake to bake. Sometimes if something has to cook awhile I do jump on the treadmill.That is a big help.Also I like what Donna said about 4 really good workouts.Lately if I don't have time for a longer workout I hit the treadmill for a fast paced 20-30 mins.Shorter more intense workouts have helped me get more workouts in.
And I completely agree with Donna about how much you do on top of workouts.I never let DH read your posts cause then he'd realize just how much some wives do on the farm!!!!:)
Nancy, I agree with everyone who has posted about you doing alot on the go - you're burning calories & toning in your day to day functions, Missy! You always seem to get something in each week and 4 workouts a week is good, I think.
I'm hoping I will have more time to be flexible with my workouts, but right now I have no advice. I have to squeeze it in early a.m. or it doesn't get done, usually. Gosh, if I ever get weeknights off regularly, I will go check out our local Jazzercise to see how I like it. I like group stuff and knowing other people might wonder where I am makes me do it. I love walking in the early a.m. with my friends, and I wish you had some neighbors to go walking or biking with. Does your dh still like to get out with you and bike?
Nancy, I highly commend you for doing 4 workouts a week with all you have going on in your life. To me, it's outstanding, and I would be thrilled if I could say I did as well as you do. About the only tip I have is that I sometimes do squats or lungs while drying my hair. Since, I haven't been able to boogie board this summer, the bulk of the exercise I get is from walking or physical labor, which isn't really as targeted as I'd like it to be, but it is load bearing to help prevent osteoporosis, works muscles and joints, and gives my heart and lungs a workout.
It's easier on my head to find 5 (or 15 minutes like flylady sez) than to try to figure out an entire hour to set aside...
HTH
Anna
I decided a couple weeks ago that I had to focus on what mattered to me.Exercise makes me feel great so it is a priority for me.Some people veiw exercise as frivolous time. I don't , I veiw it as worthwhile time spent on my health. Both mental and physical.But at the same time if I'm making my self crazy because my exercise doesn't allow me to do other things I need and want to do, then it's not worth it. I get it in when I can, even if that sometimes means doing weights at 9pm.But when life gets in the way I let it go and move on.I really believe balance is what it's all about.
Miss P
It makes it *so* much easier to commit to taking the time to do it, if I think of it as doing something good for me *and* for them... It feels less like taking time away from them...
As for work, I used to be really good if I could make a date with myself to workout immediately after work every day. I would come home, change immediately into workout clothes and do my weights or aerobics right away before I got enmeshed in household stuph - or I would stop at the gym on the way home. I stopped worrying about the "I'm too exhausted from work" voices after I worked out anyway a few times (I'll only do it for 5 minutes... and realized I'd just done 45)in spite of them and found out how energized and refreshed I felt after a long ugly day of work. It worked better than taking a nap. Kept me going through dinner and into the evening... So I had much more energy and attention for my family.
HTH
Anna
You make it sound like you don't have anything else to do out there but exercise! I imagine driving some of that equipment gives your arms and legs a good workout that you don't even recognize. Plus you work a second job, and all the errands and such that you need to do, not to mention the unexpected situations that arise, aren't exactly a short hop from your home.
Possible solutions: Is working out while dinner is cooking an option for you? Or just before dinner most days? Could you maybe take a look at your typical schedule on days 1) when you're working in town and it's planting/harvest time, 2) when you're working in town and the planting/harvest is done, and 3) when you're not working in town and planting/harvest is done? Look at all the scenarios and schedules, work in time for those long-distance errands you have to do, and see how working out fits in.
Opportunistic workouts - on those days when you just feel like retiring to a comfy chair with a good book (like I feel most of the time), head to the tread for 10 minutes; by the time you're done with 10, you might want to go 20 or 30.
HTH. Give yourself a little break, ma'am. Maybe 6 workouts a week aren't feasible - but 4 hard workouts might be.
Donna
And I completely agree with Donna about how much you do on top of workouts.I never let DH read your posts cause then he'd realize just how much some wives do on the farm!!!!:)
Miss P
I'm hoping I will have more time to be flexible with my workouts, but right now I have no advice. I have to squeeze it in early a.m. or it doesn't get done, usually. Gosh, if I ever get weeknights off regularly, I will go check out our local Jazzercise to see how I like it. I like group stuff and knowing other people might wonder where I am makes me do it. I love walking in the early a.m. with my friends, and I wish you had some neighbors to go walking or biking with. Does your dh still like to get out with you and bike?
So many great ideas have already been posted.
Live With Passion!
Phyllis
"Make Choices that bring you joy" cl-Patty
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
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Give yourself the credit you deserve, woman!! ;-)
Rhonda
~~Rhonda~~
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