How do I squeeze in exercise to my schedule?

Mguy92 · 09-20-2008, 11:06 PM

Well, because of the large amounts of work I receive from school, I just can't seem to fit in exercise. Also keep in mind that my idea of exercise is doing Dance Dance Revolution for one hour a day and occasional push ups and sit ups. (also, I lost about 40 lbs off of DDR last year, so I know it works) Thing is, my metabolism is quite slow and if I don't exercise then weight gain is inevitable. I really, really don't want to gain any weight, since I've packed on a few after the holidays were over in 2007. I refuse to weigh myself because I know it will discourage me, but I'm about 5'8" - 5'9" in height. I'm in the mindset that a half hour of cardio a day just won't suffice, and that my exercise absolutely NEEDS to last an hour, but I think I may be wrong. Because of that thought, I completely avoid exercise. So...what's a good way to squeeze it in?

kuiks8 · 09-20-2008, 11:10 PM

studies have shown that you can get the benefits of exercise even when you do it in 10 min increments so try to get your cardio in 10 min intervals through out the day.
WHat is your eating like?
You need to change your mindset b/c avoiding exercise because you think you have exercise for an hour is not going to do anything...something is ALWAYS better than nothing...
20-30 mins a day and you would notice a difference...
eating healthy can do a lot for weight loss as well.

Mguy92 · 09-20-2008, 11:20 PM

Let's see, I'd say I eat fairly healthy. I only have soda on special occasions, I eat low-cal junk food to satisfy my sweet tooth, and that's not constantly throughout the day. I eat 28 almonds per day and drink a V8 vegetable juice practically everyday. The only day I don't eat healthy seems to always be Friday. I eat two Steak-and-Cheese without the top, and a 310 calorie dessert for dinner. The only other times would be Saturday when I smother my bagel in whipped Cream Cheese. Other than that it's fine.

kuiks8 · 09-20-2008, 11:22 PM

ok...well do you want some help? why don't you go thru the last 3 days what you have eaten...either write it out or PM me about it...if you could include the times when you eat it would be helpful...just an offer...

lostandhurt · 09-21-2008, 01:40 AM

I will leave nutrition to kuiks....
It is amazing how much time we each waste in a day. If you can shave 10 minutes off a few things you do everyday then you can find the time. If you enjoy the exercise you are doing it will help in this endever. Sleep is important so don't cut any out unless you are sleeping to much. There are tons of things that distract us from our daily activities all the time making them take longer than needed. Try and avoid distractions and wasted trips. Manage your time and see if you can MAKE time to get in the workouts you want to do.

lost

just M.E. · 09-21-2008, 08:14 PM

Get up 15-20 minutes earlier and do an earlier morning workout of push ups and sit ups.

Then, throughout your day build in different things that make you exercise.
Park as far away as you can from a building, walk in farther.
Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
Always walk the grocery cart to the farthest cart corral for extra exercise.
Pace your home while reading or on the phone, by an inexpensive phone headset so you can do another task while on the phone, laundry, walk, light exercise.
If you have steps in you home, go up and down them a number of times.
When you are at school and go into the rest room, do some touch the floor stretches before you leave.

It is amazing what these little changes in your day will make in your weight.

bobbyp · 09-21-2008, 08:24 PM

I lost a lot of weight, and got a body I'm pretty proud of, and it definably wasn't pretty about 6 months ago, check out my thread for some pictures!

What you want to do is to shed body fat, keep a high metabolism and one which isn't time consuming, well lucky for you...I know of a way.
HIIT - Google it, I used this form of cardio to lose my weight. The beuty of it is, it takes less than 20 minutes a day, perform it 3 times a week and due to the way it works, you will also lose weight when you sleep! or do anything. Just google it, and research about it.

Good luck

sidehop · 09-22-2008, 02:31 PM

Don't go for quantity

Even a moderate exercise for 20 minutes in a cardio zone will burn fat. Have fun! Hey if it's 20 minutes of DDR, it's worth more than just sitting around.

thebuckets · 09-22-2008, 02:39 PM

i say get it over with first thing in the morning, not only you won't have to stress about finding time later in the day, but it will also help you in class (you'll be more awake)...

make it part of your routine in the morning..

bobbyp · 09-22-2008, 04:00 PM

Quite alot of debate about doing cardio first thing in the morning, any form of weight lifting/resistance training is a big no no first thing in the morning, but cardio is different.

The advantages of doing cardio first thing is, that your body has to burn off fat instead of carbs so it maximizes results, but it could also take a negative effect on your body, due to the lack of energy. I'd say have some sort of protein drink before, and then eat after.

09-20-2008, 11:06 PM	#1
Mguy92 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 203	How do I squeeze in exercise to my schedule? Well, because of the large amounts of work I receive from school, I just can't seem to fit in exercise. Also keep in mind that my idea of exercise is doing Dance Dance Revolution for one hour a day and occasional push ups and sit ups. (also, I lost about 40 lbs off of DDR last year, so I know it works) Thing is, my metabolism is quite slow and if I don't exercise then weight gain is inevitable. I really, really don't want to gain any weight, since I've packed on a few after the holidays were over in 2007. I refuse to weigh myself because I know it will discourage me, but I'm about 5'8" - 5'9" in height. I'm in the mindset that a half hour of cardio a day just won't suffice, and that my exercise absolutely NEEDS to last an hour, but I think I may be wrong. Because of that thought, I completely avoid exercise. So...what's a good way to squeeze it in?

09-21-2008, 01:40 AM	#5
lostandhurt Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California Gender: Male Age: 45 Posts: 2,150	I will leave nutrition to kuiks.... It is amazing how much time we each waste in a day. If you can shave 10 minutes off a few things you do everyday then you can find the time. If you enjoy the exercise you are doing it will help in this endever. Sleep is important so don't cut any out unless you are sleeping to much. There are tons of things that distract us from our daily activities all the time making them take longer than needed. Try and avoid distractions and wasted trips. Manage your time and see if you can MAKE time to get in the workouts you want to do. lost __________________ Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace and happiness; Trusting that I may be reasonably happy in this life and forever.

09-21-2008, 08:14 PM	#6
just M.E. Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Gender: Female Age: 57 Posts: 1,741	Get up 15-20 minutes earlier and do an earlier morning workout of push ups and sit ups. Then, throughout your day build in different things that make you exercise. Park as far away as you can from a building, walk in farther. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Always walk the grocery cart to the farthest cart corral for extra exercise. Pace your home while reading or on the phone, by an inexpensive phone headset so you can do another task while on the phone, laundry, walk, light exercise. If you have steps in you home, go up and down them a number of times. When you are at school and go into the rest room, do some touch the floor stretches before you leave. It is amazing what these little changes in your day will make in your weight. __________________ Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. "Life goes not backward, nor tarries with yesterday" - Kahil Gibran

09-20-2008, 11:10 PM	#2
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,271	studies have shown that you can get the benefits of exercise even when you do it in 10 min increments so try to get your cardio in 10 min intervals through out the day. WHat is your eating like? You need to change your mindset b/c avoiding exercise because you think you have exercise for an hour is not going to do anything...something is ALWAYS better than nothing... 20-30 mins a day and you would notice a difference... eating healthy can do a lot for weight loss as well.

09-20-2008, 11:20 PM	#3
Mguy92 Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 203	Let's see, I'd say I eat fairly healthy. I only have soda on special occasions, I eat low-cal junk food to satisfy my sweet tooth, and that's not constantly throughout the day. I eat 28 almonds per day and drink a V8 vegetable juice practically everyday. The only day I don't eat healthy seems to always be Friday. I eat two Steak-and-Cheese without the top, and a 310 calorie dessert for dinner. The only other times would be Saturday when I smother my bagel in whipped Cream Cheese. Other than that it's fine.

09-20-2008, 11:22 PM	#4
kuiks8 Offline Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver Gender: Female Posts: 3,271	ok...well do you want some help? why don't you go thru the last 3 days what you have eaten...either write it out or PM me about it...if you could include the times when you eat it would be helpful...just an offer...

09-21-2008, 08:24 PM	#7
bobbyp Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds, UK Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 61	I lost a lot of weight, and got a body I'm pretty proud of, and it definably wasn't pretty about 6 months ago, check out my thread for some pictures! What you want to do is to shed body fat, keep a high metabolism and one which isn't time consuming, well lucky for you...I know of a way. HIIT - Google it, I used this form of cardio to lose my weight. The beuty of it is, it takes less than 20 minutes a day, perform it 3 times a week and due to the way it works, you will also lose weight when you sleep! or do anything. Just google it, and research about it. Good luck

09-22-2008, 02:31 PM	#8
sidehop Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH USA Gender: Male Posts: 1,599	Don't go for quantity Even a moderate exercise for 20 minutes in a cardio zone will burn fat. Have fun! Hey if it's 20 minutes of DDR, it's worth more than just sitting around.

09-22-2008, 02:39 PM	#9
thebuckets Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7	i say get it over with first thing in the morning, not only you won't have to stress about finding time later in the day, but it will also help you in class (you'll be more awake)... make it part of your routine in the morning..

09-22-2008, 04:00 PM	#10
bobbyp Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds, UK Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 61	Quite alot of debate about doing cardio first thing in the morning, any form of weight lifting/resistance training is a big no no first thing in the morning, but cardio is different. The advantages of doing cardio first thing is, that your body has to burn off fat instead of carbs so it maximizes results, but it could also take a negative effect on your body, due to the lack of energy. I'd say have some sort of protein drink before, and then eat after.