career and working out...

[torie224]

hey everyone. I'm starting my first full-time teaching job in less than a month. I'm curious to hear how everyone finds the time to keep up with their workouts while working full-time. I'm a little nervous about not being able to do both successfully, so basically i just need everyone to reassure me that this is possible :-)

[Revmachine21]

First off, congrats on the new job!

Sometimes the balance is tough. I'm not good at fitting in too many big things into my life. I tend to throw myself into a few small areas & end up ignoring others... unfortunately fitness sometimes ends up being one of the things that I ignore.

Now for the good news, it *IS* possible to balance work and fitness. As a teacher, you will have summers off right? There's a good couple of months of a year where you can be dedicated to health. Teachers also have Saturday & Sunday's off generally. There is two days out of seven where you can be dedicated to health. So basically you need to find 2 or 3 additional days days a week for only around 9 months of the year to maintain your fitness level.

It's a matter of priority & scheduling!

[toronto2006]

I agree, it is tough. I am a consultant so have very unpredictable hours which makes it very hard to plan ahead. I also often work late and on weekends, but I have found that if I miss workouts, I feel really crappy mentally and physically, and that is motivation enough to make sure I get them in. Sometimes I have to split up workouts more becuase there is not enough time, but still managed to get it all in somehow.

Congrats on the job and good luck. It may be even harder when you first start your job, especially for new teachers who often create lesson plans and stuff from scratch (My mom was a teacher).

Keep coming on these boards for motivation too, you can do it!

[exnihillo]

Congrats on the new job..
It can be tough at times I work around 60-70 hours aweek. Plus I have two sons and one more on the way..I work out 5 days a week so if I miss a day I pick back up the next day. I think about why I am doing it and get the motivation to keep going..

[Sunshineslynn]

Hi here is a day in my life. If you are determined anything is possible.

I am a wife of military man who is gone 6 months out of the year, raising 3 kids 17,12, 7 and work fulltime and workout 5days a week.

I usually get up around 415-430am eat a small snack then off to the gym at 500am. Workout and do cardio then shower get dressed and head back to the house at 645-7am. I do everything I need to the night before lay out my clothes for the gym and for work, pack my morning meals. I usually get home in the after noons at 445pm. Cook dinner and head to bed by 8-830pm.

Once you get use to getting up that early and going to bed early its no problem. Being organized really helps. I write everything down from meals to workouts. It helps me stay focused on the goal and motivated. Hope that helps and congrats on the new job.

S

[Pilotgirl29]

I feel your fear. Going from college schedule to a full time job was scary. After packing on some BF during the transition, I started working out in the morning. Working late, difficult days, etc made it too unpredictable to rely on getting a workout after work. Plus in the morning, I have nothing weighing on my mind yet, just a good workout. Hardest part was going from starting my day with 9 am classes to starting with 5 am workouts, but after a month you do adjust quite nicely. Good luck!

[Jordyn]

its tough but defn doable. i was working 50-60 hrs/wk. i just cut my sleep to 6.5-7 hrs instead of the usual 7-8+. i woke up earlier to go the gym. and sacraficed personal time at nite after work.

[imperfectly_lou]

I started my first full time job last February in a law firm after graduating. I would get up at 4:45am, eat breakfast, dress, walk to the gym (25min walk), do my approx 2hr workout, shower, dress and walk to work for arrival at about 8:30am (I live right near the city hence all the walking). Provided I was organised the night before and laid out all my clothes, food etc, I was fine.

[BIBI72]

Yes, it's definitely possible! I work at least 40 hours/week. I get up every morning 5:15-5:30 (I have a gym at home which really helps). I workout for about and hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Get my 12 yr old up (if he's not up already)Jump in the shower and roll. I lay out everything the night before from workout clothes to work clothes. My meals are already planned out and if there's anything I can cook the night before, I do it. On Sundays, I cook all my chicken and bake my sweet potatoes (yams for the yankees) for the week. This helps a LOT.

It really is a matter of priority and organization. If it's important to you-you will find a way. Good luck!

[fmr_trackstar]

You can do it!!!! I personally am not a big fan of morning workouts. I work full time and go to law school part time at night. So I wake up at 6 at work at 7 off at 4:30 class at 6 and work out at 8:30. Biggest advice is to prep everything the night before and go to the gym STRAIGHT from work or where ever.

[TurbulentFluid]

I'll agree with others, balancing everything in life can be a serious issue. I myself have a full time 8-4 job as an associate engineer at a college, I am in grad school, I take some extra language classes, and work out. While maintaining some social life, it usually ends up so that I'm hardly ever at home or at rest...

I usually do gym right after work. Mentally exhausted but physically rested, I'm in the right shape for reversing the process - after gym, I'm mentally rested and physically exhausted. This allows for a few more hours of mental workout a day.
Cardio, however, I do on non-gym days, usually late at night, before bed - after a nice hot shower, I sleep like a baby and get up all fresh and ready for work.

Dieting is what presents a problem - there's often no time for meals, or I'm forced to have inadequate meals. Also, maintaining social life while trying to keep drinking and high-cal meals at minimum.

[darkangel]

Originally Posted by TurbulentFluid

I usually do gym right after work. Mentally exhausted but physically rested, I'm in the right shape for reversing the process - after gym, I'm mentally rested and physically exhausted.

Same here. I've tried morning workouts. They suck, but I'm admittedly not a morning person. Like TF says, it feels good to get to the gym after a day of sitting in front of the computer.

[reboot42]

hi torie,
It's been my experience that we can usually find time to do the things that are important to us. I work 32-50 hrs per week, and am a mom of 3. I had to give up some pc/tv time in order to fit in my workouts. I also do my lifting at home 3 x a week, and go the gym 3 X a week for cardio and swimming. Lifting at home makes it a bit easier for me to find the time to fit it all in.

You can do it!

[soon2Bgoddess]

Torie, It's DEFINITELY possible!! I work full time & have 3 children ages 2, 4, & 6. I still manage to work out 5 nights a week! If you really want to make it work, you can do it!

[nacersusaf]

Military here too... 45 minute commute to work with 10-12 hour shifts... gym before and/or after work 6 days per week...

It's hard, but once you get a routine going... it's just part of life.

[SeaSiren]

I work long hours since I own my own business. I have pushed my workout times to AM before work, which clears my day. My off day is also a weekday since weekends are easier to fit in training times.

Be sure to prepare your meals in advance and take them with you for the day. That way you won't have to worry about searching for food and possibly missing a meal. I have children and the crockpot and having some easy meals on hand is a life saver some nights. It keeps your children eating healthier (if you have children) instead of stopping off to pick up expensive low quality food on the way home.

[torie224]

thanks for sharing everyone! reading about how you all manage has renewed my faith that i can do this! i will look back to this whenever i need some motivation/inspiration. youre all amazing people, best of luck to all of you!

[MauiZos]

I was working out every evening, but found it was just cutting into my life way too much. I joined a gym right next door to my office and now I workout at lunch time. I have the option of walking to work or taking a train part way, which only cuts off a few minutes so I walk as much as I can for a little added cardio. I try not to waste a single second!

Here's what yesterday was like for me:

4:30a - Get up and run 30 mins
7:00a - at work
11:30 - Bike 40 mins
5:00p - 1 hour with trainer
6:30p - 3 hour CFA class
10:00p - Home, pack up for next day

I do all my cooking on sundays and make sure everything is portioned out into containers for grabbing on the go. The whole idea is to make life as easy as I can on myself so I can sleep as loooooooon as possible!

[NGR8SHAPE]

More or less, if its a priority, you will make the time, exnay all the excuses, suck it up and do what you have to do. I believe in ya

[BFIT]

I can really relate!! I have so many jobs..it's not even funny!
This is what I do....I wake up really early in the morning and go to the gym.....
I LOVE gettting my workout out of the way first thing in the morning.....that way I don't have to think about going to the gym after my full schedule....
it's THOUGH...but if your commited, you will find a way...make time!

Another plus to going to the gym early in the morning is.......There are only a FEW people at the gym and you can get your workout without having to deal with a very crowded gym!

YOU CAN DO IT!

[Natural316]

Torrie,
I know the feeling of trying to cram everything in. Being a bodybuilder is so difficult because your success is a direct reflection on the time spent in the gym. I work in NYC and dont get home from work until about 7:30, but manage to find my way to the gym for a few hours.

Every bit pays off and as long as you put in a little time when you can you will succeed.

Keep it up,,,,you will do/look great!

[daYDreAmErX]

Last summer, was working night shifts and around 85h/week and I managed to train. Just remember to eat properly, rest and might need some changes to your training schedule.