I come to you at 9:45 p.m. from the couch. We just finished dinner. Tanner is cleaning the kitchen and I am just getting to blog stuff for the first time today. I got tied up at work today and ended up skipping my workout in favor of a) walking the girls and b) going to the grocery and cleaning the house. My mom guilt kicked in something fierce after being gone all day so I used the window I had to run to walk them instead. And then after I taught my evening yoga class, I could have stayed and practiced in another class or gone for a quick run but I needed the grounding of making dinner and tidying my nest.
The perception is that because my job is centered around fitness that I must workout all the time but the reality is that I have to fight almost every day to carve out the time to get it done and 50% of the time it’s not exactly what I planned or hoped it would be.
It is HARD to juggle working long hours, being a dog momma, a relationship and a social life. I can’t even imagine adding a child into this mix. The number one struggle I hear my post-partum students and clients speak of when it comes to fitness is fitting it in.
So…
One of the women in my PBR Facebook group posed the following question this week.
Hi everyone! I have a question that’s been on my mind a lot recently that I’d love any and all feedback on! I just got a new job as a hospital social worker at a hospital in Boston and work 8:30-5 Sunday’s through Thursday’s. I live about 30 minutes from work, but in rush hour that turns into about 40-50. My question is for those who work busy schedules/long hours and still find the time to work out: how did you find the right balance/meet your goals/stay active even with long working hours?!
I am really stressing out over how I’m going to work a full-time job, plus work out 5-6 days a week, plus feel like I have time to be with my fiancé after work. Him and I also just recently got an older dog, who needs to be taken out/attended to once we’re home from work…so there’s just a lot right now. Does anyone have any particularly helpful advice or stories of their own that could help me out?
So far I belong to a gym and yoga studio…I just am someone who really prioritizes working out/staying active throughout the week, and I’m concerned that working out after work will mean I come home and pretty much eat dinner then go to sleep. Can anyone relate to this?
I thought that we could all benefit from the responses to this question. There was some really great advice offered.
1. Something is better than nothing.
My mantra is always something is better than nothing. It’s a bit easier for me because I’m a morning person but I find getting my workout in before work (which is 8 a.m. for me) is so much easier. I get up and go around 5-5:30 but I also make sure that I’m in bed by 9ish. Don’t kill your self over it. Do what you can on work days, even if it’s 20 minutes, and maybe do longer ones or yoga on days off? If I’m short on time it’s high intensity or HIIT to maximize. – Courtney A.
2. Join a gym near work.
When I had this situation I joined a gym near my office. I would workout or go for a run right after work (when I would be sitting in traffic anyway). By the time my workout was finished some of the traffic had died down and I was getting home only a little later than if I’d gone straight home. – Casey G.
3. Communicate.
Dedicate one night a week after work to yoga or a run. Tell your fiancé in advance. “Every X I will be home late because…”- Anne Marie R.
4. Give yourself time to adjust.
It really is about what works for you! I also think once you are settled into your new job, you will be able to manage your schedule better too – give yourself time to adjust! – Jessica S.
5. Preparation and habit.
I used to have a regular 8-5 and it was so hard but I did the early mornings. The key for me was preparation and habit. If you prepare a breakfast like over night oats or something you can heat up quick when you get to work then you have that taken care of. Also, prepare your lunch the night before. Have your gym bag ready to go so that all you have to do is get up and go before you even have time to think about it. And definitely a gym close to your work! When I would get up early the first week ended up being a lot of failed attempts. Give yourself a break but keep trying. It’s always hard to get out of bed but once you realize how good you feel throughout the day and happy you already got your workout done then it will start becoming so much easier. You may feel more tired at first too but that will get much better! – Kristina M.
6. Know you’ll never regret it.
Through trial and error I learned working out early in the morning works best for me. I go to crossfit at 6a but if I want to run 6 miles before class starts I’m out of bed by 4:30a. I never wake up with energy (nor excited to leave my warm bed) but I know it’s what I have to do. Afterwards I always feel great and never regret it. – Kristin R.
7. Use your lunch break.
I have found that the last thing I want to do after commuting home is work out. If you can workout near your office before or after or during a break I would recommend that! Luckily there is a gym in my building so I workout during my lunch break. I save yoga and outdoor running for weekends. – Katie H.
Have something to add? Comment below on how you balance a busy work and personal life with working out.
