Cramming in exercise....

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Cramming in exercise....
6
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 11:16am

With the busy lifestyles we have sometimes it's just difficult to find the time to exercise. Miranda posted some one minute tricks yesterday, and I found this on Yahoo! this morning. Just some ideas to think about....


Making Time for Fitness


Staying in shape would be a whole lot easier if we had more time. Cramming workouts into a busy day can challenge even the most efficient of us - but it can be done.

The key is to be creative.

Squeeze in bits of activity whenever you have an opportunity - before work, at lunchtime, on your way home, late at night.

We found six busy people who make it happen; they shared their secrets for working workouts into their lives.

Morning Glory
Janine W.
Atlanta, Ga.
Territory manager for a large HVAC company

"I'm not a morning person, but the ideal situation for me, as a working woman who needs to 'primp,' is to work out in the morning. I don't have to shower twice, blow-dry my hair twice, apply my mascara twice, etc.

"I keep my treadmill in my basement in front of a large TV. On a good day, I watch the first half-hour of "Good Morning America" while walking briskly, at a slight incline, on the treadmill, with my coffee in a non-spill travel mug. It's a good thing no one can see me, since I'm usually in a nightshirt with my running shoes and nothing else! The disheveled morning hair is also quite a sight.

"Three nights a week, I do weight training at the neighborhood gym. I go between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. - the after-work crowd is gone and I can use all the weight machines without waiting. I get through my routine in less than an hour."

Home Body
Christopher L.
San Francisco, Calif.
Technology editor at a news magazine for information executives

"I work from home four days a week. I have a chin-up bar and some free weights in my office, and a basketball hoop in the backyard.

"I usually make a point of doing 20 minutes or so of exercise before I break for lunch, and spend another 20 minutes in the late afternoon playing basketball. Our dog, Jenny, loves chasing the ball around. Keeping it away from her is great exercise for both of us.

"As for the chin-ups, I started doing them because I never could as a kid. It always used to be embarrassing when we had to take those dumb President's Physical Fitness and Humiliation tests. Now I find them kind of fun."

Walking in the Midday Sun
Karen C.
Boston, Mass.
Director of the resource center at a public TV station

"I've started walking - about 2.5-plus miles in 40 - 45 minutes - at lunchtime with co-workers. Sometimes we talk shop, sometimes it's casual personal chat. It's great because it gives me time outside the office (literally) to talk more informally with my employees. I have two children now, so the days when I can go for a beer with them after work are gone.

"Walking with co-workers is good because we all push each other to get a real workout from it, and not be too casual about it. If I had to depend on myself to go alone, I probably wouldn't do it as often - it's too easy to find an excuse or wait until a little later, and then the opportunity is gone.

"We check our schedules in the morning, decide when to go, and then block out the time. I try to make a point of going at least three days a week. It means we have less time to eat, but it's worth it to get out and exercise. Then I feel more energized for the afternoon.

"When the weather isn't cooperating, I use a treadmill at home to run or walk. The best time is just before dinner if we get home early enough, or right after dinner.

"My least favorite time is after the kids are in bed. Although that's when I have the time with no other commitments pulling on me (ha!), by then I'm exhausted and ready to go to bed myself, so it's easy to find an excuse not to do it."

Going the Extra Mile
George L.
New York, N.Y.
Technical manager for a large insurance company

"I commute from New Jersey to Manhattan for work. Several times a week, I walk about a mile and a half to the train station in the morning. It means getting up earlier, but it's good exercise.

"When I get to Manhattan, instead of taking another train, I walk the three-quarters of a mile from the train station to my office. Unless I'm late or it's raining, I like walking through midtown Manhattan in the morning, and I usually pass by the "Good Morning America" studio in Times Square, which is fun to see.

"I also ride my bike after work and on weekends, whenever I get a chance. It relaxes me and helps me get rid of my stress."

Havin' a Ball
Ann O.
Chicago, Ill.
Producer for an entertainment Web site

"Since I often work late and go to bed at around 10:30 p.m., I have resorted to early-morning workouts during the week.

"Three times a week, I get up around 6 a.m. One day I'll go to the gym and run for 20 minutes, walk fast for 10 more, then jump rope for five minutes.

"The other two days I make myself some coffee, turn on the "Today" show, and do strength-training exercises for an hour using one of those exercise balls. This is my favorite thing to do; it's a lot of fun and I get to be in my living room with my coffee and TV. I end up working out longer in the morning because I'm trying to put off leaving the house.

"I go to the gym on Saturdays for an intense circuit training class (five minutes of cardio alternating with five minutes of strength for an hour), and I try to take an hour-long walk on Sundays."


http://health.yahoo.com/search/miavita?lb=s&p=id%3A38136

~-~ Moderation is Key ~-~

cl-vi_islandgirl
Getting Fit in Your 30's

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 12:21pm
These are great ideas... I have found that exercise is SOOOO much easier once I realize that it allows me to eat the way I want. I have also found that exercise is the only way I really feel like I am losing weight. It is so much more effective. Thanks for these tips!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 12:54pm

Thanks IG, I know I'm horrible for making the excuse "i don't have the time", when it is easy to fit it in if you really want to!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 4:02pm

Hi & Welcome!


I agree with you on feeling great when you exercise, and feel like you are losing weight. I have a couple of friends on different 'diets' and not a word of exercise. I bite my tongue and keep my thoughts to myself, but think how do they think they'll lose w/out exercise. Sure you can lose lbs.....but won't they creep back on easier afterwards if you're not using that fabulous body of yours/theirs? Oh well....


Now if I could just listen to my own words!!


Once again, welcome- this is a great supportive board ~IslandGirl

~-~ Moderation is Key ~-~

cl-vi_islandgirl
Getting Fit in Your 30's

_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-14-2003
Thu, 07-29-2004 - 5:59pm
Hey girls I have been MIA in action for awhile now. its been hectic at work and home and of course exercise has been non existent, this describes me to a t I kep putting off working out for a month. Excuses no problem, to hot to tired, next week will start etc. Well I finally started monday and just like the article I decided to do it first thing in the morning. I am not amrong person and its probably pretty funny. i'm half asleep for the 1st ten mintues on the treadmill, heck bed hair and eyes closed just running shoes. But I have no excuse so far so good. Let see how much I continue.

Rainey



proud owner of:

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 8:16am

Good for you Rainey! I know for me my body needs to wake up a little before working out. Plus, the bed head thing, lol! You should see mine!!


Anyone find that their hair has changed as you get older?


Mine used to be straight-striaght. Now it's wavy, and in the mornings.....boy who got the curling iron at it in my sleep- and then back combed it?? Dreadful!


Once again Rainey- good for you :-)

~-~ Moderation is Key ~-~

cl-vi_islandgirl
Getting Fit in Your 30's

_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 07-30-2004 - 2:58pm

Hey Rainey, good to see you back!!!