[SJKduke]

Incorporate exercise into a busy schedule? I work full time (plus some!), have two small children, go to school full time and have a husband who works 12 hour shifts. I'm always tired and trying to find a place to fit in a workout. I have a gym membership and it's open 24 hours, but finding the time when I feel up to going is tough! I keep telling myself to suck it up and JUST DO IT, but I'm so darn tired!

Any suggestions, advice or attempts to yell at me are welcome!

[Rana]

For me, I had to make exercising an appointment in my calendar. I have an appointment at 6:30 PM, it lasts 1 hour, and after that I'm free again.

I wouldn't miss an appointment with a dentist unless it was an emergency, so I applied the same rules to exercising.

[Dreamer2012]

I'm back to college now and finding it very stressful as it's my last year. I feel so tired all the time and it's not due to not getting enough sleep because I have been getting an average 6-9 hours each night! I found myself not motivated enough to get off my bum and exercise even though I do have the time in the evenings. It's only in the last few days (I've been back to college for 7 weeks now) that I am finally motivated to get back in the game. I have decided to *try* get in 30 minutes 3/4 days during the week and an hour during the weekends. My schedule is busy due to projects, assignments, job application forms, exams but I am trying to still take a break and get some exercise in.

I'm just wondering if your children are that young that they still take day time naps? This could be a perfect time to exercise! Of course it would mean you would need to have some equipment in your home. Another suggestion could be to bring your children out for a walk with you which I see an awful lot of women do. What times does your husband work? You *could* try and do the early morning workouts before he goes to work? Head to the gym for an hour early before he goes to work and you have to go to school. It might take some time to think of the best times but you can do. There are some people I've come across here and they are in the same situation for you and would do early morning workouts before their partners are gone to work. Alternatively, look at the evening/night time. When your children are in bed and your husband is home from work, you could head to the gym for an hour!

Honestly, I think you just need to find the motivation. I'm sure there are times during the day when you're free for an hour. Try to think of the benefits the exercise will do. I'm always tired and and I'm back to managing my time to fit in exercise. But if I can do it, I'm sure you can too. Good luck!

[juliana77]

I have to do it at home. The extra 20 min that it would take to get to/from the gym made it a non-starter for me. I bought a treadmill, dumbbells, and some dvds. Even if I just have 5 mins, I can do pushups/planks/crunches.

[SJKduke]

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice! Dreamer, you're right in that it's a motivation thing. I beat myself up all day long for not going to the gym early, but then never do anything about it. I figure I won't be as tired if I actually get back in to a workout routine. I do pretty good with my eating for the most part, but it's become apparent that the exercise needs to be kicked into gear to make a difference.

Yes, I do have children that *mostly* still take naps, but I usually do homework during that time. I need to get creative!

[Radiojane]

I paid for 3 months of swimming in advance. I don't want to waste 130 bucks, so I make sure I get there.