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Time for Exercise??
Ok - I have a question. I see posts where some of you spend an hour or more daily on your exercise routine. I think that's great if you have that much time every day. I usually don't!!
For example, this past week I had to work 10 hr days beginning at 5:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm. In order to get to work by 5:00 am, it was necessary for me to get up at 2:45 am, which meant that I had to go to bed no later than 6:30 pm in order to get enough sleep. Even though I got off at 3:30 pm, I didn't get home until after 4:00. That means that I had a whole 2 1/2 hrs from the time I got home until I had to be in bed.
During that 2 1/2 hrs, I had to walk the dogs, cook supper, eat, do laundry, clean up, etc, then straight to bed. I certainly didn't have time for any type of exercise routine. Granted this past week was exceptional, with the 10 hr days, but even during normal weeks when I work 8 hr days, I still have to get up at 3:30 am and be in bed no later than 7:30 pm. By the time I get my household obligations taken care of, get supper, etc I just don't have that kind of time to spend on exercising.
Ok - all that said - I'm not looking for sympathy.(lol) I'm sure there must be others who have similar obligations/stumbling blocks. I know an hour (or more) daily is best, but for those of us who just don't have that kind of time, I'd like to know if anyone has any ideas for scaled down routines that will give the most "bang for the buck"??
For instance, if I only have 15 minutes, what's the best thing(s) to do to strengthen muscles and burn the most calories?
For example, this past week I had to work 10 hr days beginning at 5:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm. In order to get to work by 5:00 am, it was necessary for me to get up at 2:45 am, which meant that I had to go to bed no later than 6:30 pm in order to get enough sleep. Even though I got off at 3:30 pm, I didn't get home until after 4:00. That means that I had a whole 2 1/2 hrs from the time I got home until I had to be in bed.
During that 2 1/2 hrs, I had to walk the dogs, cook supper, eat, do laundry, clean up, etc, then straight to bed. I certainly didn't have time for any type of exercise routine. Granted this past week was exceptional, with the 10 hr days, but even during normal weeks when I work 8 hr days, I still have to get up at 3:30 am and be in bed no later than 7:30 pm. By the time I get my household obligations taken care of, get supper, etc I just don't have that kind of time to spend on exercising.
Ok - all that said - I'm not looking for sympathy.(lol) I'm sure there must be others who have similar obligations/stumbling blocks. I know an hour (or more) daily is best, but for those of us who just don't have that kind of time, I'd like to know if anyone has any ideas for scaled down routines that will give the most "bang for the buck"??
For instance, if I only have 15 minutes, what's the best thing(s) to do to strengthen muscles and burn the most calories?
Barb135
Maybe it might help to schedule your time differently. Maybe you could cook more on the weekends and then just quickly heat up meals during the week. This could save time. I do that a lot. I am cooking today. (Paella)
That's all I can think of. I feel for you......I have worked a lot of 10 hr days myself and weekends too. I hated it. After a while, you get so tired and rundown, Then the weekends seem like "errand" time instead of a time to unwind and relax.
Just remember, you come first. What do you want to make time for in your life. Write it down and then try to figure out a way to make it a priority. Hope I don't sound like I'm preaching. Believe me - I have to remind myself of these same points all the time.
Maybe it might help to schedule your time differently. Maybe you could cook more on the weekends and then just quickly heat up meals during the week. This could save time. I do that a lot. I am cooking today. (Paella)
That's all I can think of. I feel for you......I have worked a lot of 10 hr days myself and weekends too. I hated it. After a while, you get so tired and rundown, Then the weekends seem like "errand" time instead of a time to unwind and relax.
Just remember, you come first. What do you want to make time for in your life. Write it down and then try to figure out a way to make it a priority. Hope I don't sound like I'm preaching. Believe me - I have to remind myself of these same points all the time.
Okay, we were typing at the same time and I didn't see yours before I sent mine. Let me know if this helps!
Here's the sad news: My dad is a retired letter carrier. His was a walking route, so he walked 3-4 miles/day in his job. BUT, that was NOT considered exercise because his body was used to it. His doctor told him he needed exercise outside of work. BUMMER.
God news: I read a tip for very quick toning: keep a set of dumbells by your bathroom sink and every time you are in there, do a set of 10 - 12 on each side. One time, do regular bicep curls. The next time, do front arm raises (elbows no higher than shoulders). Another time, do side arm raises (again, elbow no higher than shoulder). There are shoulder presses, triceps to work, kick backs, ALL KINDS OF FUN! Google some upper body exercises. You could always do 2 sets on each side, too!
God news: I read a tip for very quick toning: keep a set of dumbells by your bathroom sink and every time you are in there, do a set of 10 - 12 on each side. One time, do regular bicep curls. The next time, do front arm raises (elbows no higher than shoulders). Another time, do side arm raises (again, elbow no higher than shoulder). There are shoulder presses, triceps to work, kick backs, ALL KINDS OF FUN! Google some upper body exercises. You could always do 2 sets on each side, too!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thanks a bunch twehner - my wisdom would seem not to be as great as yours, but this is what I was wondering. Hmm - maybe I need to spend less time on MH and more time on exercising; but then during the week, MH is normally time to relax before bed.
Do you have any particular routine(s) that you would recommend - aside from the walking? I would guess that throughout an 8 hr work day, I probably get between 1-3 hrs of walking, which comes in segments lasting anywhere from 5 min at a time to maybe 20 or 30 min; duration and speed, along with strength activities vary - depending on the project I'm working on. I probably have that covered.
I'm not into "floor" exercises, but would like to find simple things I can do to help tone up more. I do have a Wii Fit, which I love and yoga dvds, which I also love, but when I have so little time, by the time I get everything out and ready to go, it's almost time to put it away again.
Ok - I'm done whining now, but any more ideas you have to offer are welcome.
Do you have any particular routine(s) that you would recommend - aside from the walking? I would guess that throughout an 8 hr work day, I probably get between 1-3 hrs of walking, which comes in segments lasting anywhere from 5 min at a time to maybe 20 or 30 min; duration and speed, along with strength activities vary - depending on the project I'm working on. I probably have that covered.
I'm not into "floor" exercises, but would like to find simple things I can do to help tone up more. I do have a Wii Fit, which I love and yoga dvds, which I also love, but when I have so little time, by the time I get everything out and ready to go, it's almost time to put it away again.
Ok - I'm done whining now, but any more ideas you have to offer are welcome.
Well, a Pittsburgh study has found that women who performed 10-minute bouts of exercise throughout the day lost nearly a third more weight than those who exercised in one 30- to 40-minute chunk 3 times a week.
Get this: You'll cut your heart attack rick in half! All it takes is accumulating an hour of walking a week (you can do that!). Other studies show that multiple short workouts are MORE effective at lowering triglycerides and raising "good" HDL cholesterol than a continuous 30-minute bout.
You'll shrink your belly in less time. Women ages 31-57 who squeezed in three 10-minute walks most days of the week lost nearly twice as many inches off their waistlines as those who did single 30-minute sessions, according to British research.
AND, you'll get fit faster. Men and women who did two 15-minute workouts 4 days a week improved their cardiovascular endurance twice as much as those who worked out in a single 30-minute routine 4 days a week.
So, Barb, I've heard you mention you have dogs. Can you squeeze in separate walks for them - in between imparting your wisdom to us???
Get this: You'll cut your heart attack rick in half! All it takes is accumulating an hour of walking a week (you can do that!). Other studies show that multiple short workouts are MORE effective at lowering triglycerides and raising "good" HDL cholesterol than a continuous 30-minute bout.
You'll shrink your belly in less time. Women ages 31-57 who squeezed in three 10-minute walks most days of the week lost nearly twice as many inches off their waistlines as those who did single 30-minute sessions, according to British research.
AND, you'll get fit faster. Men and women who did two 15-minute workouts 4 days a week improved their cardiovascular endurance twice as much as those who worked out in a single 30-minute routine 4 days a week.
So, Barb, I've heard you mention you have dogs. Can you squeeze in separate walks for them - in between imparting your wisdom to us???
COMMUNITY LEADER
Frankic, I work with potable water quality issues and am on school campuses all the time. I work outside most of the time, and I manage to get in approx 2-5 mi/day on a daily basis (this distance includes walking my dogs when I get home). I wear a pedometer every day, so every step I take is being counted. I am very seldom in one place for more than a short period of time. My job gives me a ton of exercise, mostly walking, although a lot of my responsibilities require physical strength. Apparently this is not enough considering my age/medical issues/etc. I've tried cutting calories even more, but if I get too few (or not at the right times) I have issues with low blood sugar, in spite of making sure that each meal/snack has plenty of protein and complex carbs.
I agree that all this walking, along with household chores do count as exercise and I have lost a bit during the past month. I was mostly wondering what type of exercises everyone does to get the most out of a very short exercise period in case there was something I could do that would have a greater impact.
gokuangel - you do NOT sound like a broken record. Thank you for the suggestion on spark people. I am a member, use the food journal, etc and recommend that site all the time for various things, but I have not really had the opportunity to check it out fully as far as the videos, etc are concerned. I will try to make a point of doing that very soon. Thank you.
I agree that all this walking, along with household chores do count as exercise and I have lost a bit during the past month. I was mostly wondering what type of exercises everyone does to get the most out of a very short exercise period in case there was something I could do that would have a greater impact.
gokuangel - you do NOT sound like a broken record. Thank you for the suggestion on spark people. I am a member, use the food journal, etc and recommend that site all the time for various things, but I have not really had the opportunity to check it out fully as far as the videos, etc are concerned. I will try to make a point of doing that very soon. Thank you.
Barb, Can I ask what you do for a living? Is your job abn active one and if not are there times during work when you could take even 10 minutes for a walk?
However, I think your dog walking and household chores count as exercise too. Try concentrating on tightening your abs when you are cooking, dog walking etc.
However, I think your dog walking and household chores count as exercise too. Try concentrating on tightening your abs when you are cooking, dog walking etc.
http: // exercisetv.tv/ browsevideos.aspx?filter=776655091
I also have this site which has tons of different vids including minis but i dont know how effective as i have not tried them but its worth a try too!!!
I also have this site which has tons of different vids including minis but i dont know how effective as i have not tried them but its worth a try too!!!
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