I work 12-hour shifts (7p-7a) and am finding it extremely difficult to make time to exercise. I've tried taking my dog for a brisk, 30 minute walk in the mornings right when I get off, but I don't feel like I'm getting a good cardio workout. I try to sleep from 9a-5p (might wake up for a light lunch) and then it's time to start getting ready for work. How can I incorporate exercise into my schedule?

i usually get up 45 min early and head to the gym to get my 30 min of cardio and weights in...then get dressed at the gym..Is a gym accessible? Can u get up earlier to do 45 min of intense? How about the weekend?

The gym is about 30 minutes away, and with gas prices... However, the gym is free (on a military installation). I'm not always off on the weekends, but I do get at least 3-4 days a week off. On those days, I'm trying to catch up with chores, errands, etc.

Destinationbride07, thank you for your response. I just read what I typed and realized it was full of excuses! I think I just need to suck it up and start going back to the gym! I used to be a gym rat....

I don't work shifts and never did, but if I did I would go on the days I have off for sure, I am a gym rat too and can't go very long without a weight workout ... I would personally take an hour of my "chore" time and go workout I think my health is more important than chores, but that's just me, my house isn't spotless

i switch 12 hour days/nights.

if i start at 645am... i need to leave my house by 6am. so i get to the gym at 4am, work out for an hour - hour 1/2, shower and get to work.

i also will use my lunch break to go for a run and will generally combine my 1/2 hour lunch and 2, 15 minute breaks into a full hour to take that full hour sometimes.

and if i feel good, i go to the gym immediately after work and just try to be back in bed by 10. doesnt allow for much of a life though!!

I've never worked 12 hour shifts, but I've taken night classes, which had me going straight from work to school several nights a week. I'd leave home at 7:30 am and get back at 10:00 pm. The only way I could exercise on those days was (if you're in a decent area) ride my bike to work/school and/or run on my lunch hour. It helped that my office had a shower. LOL But you can always do a mini bath in the sink if yours don't.

BTW, do you have stairs at work? That's always a good workout.

Do you have a lunch break? With my commute I am gone 11 hours so I walk during my breaks and lunch, and also work out at the pool when I first get home. However, I am single and no kids, so that does help a lot.