How do you manage to fit exercise in?

[Queen Bean]

How much exercise do you do?

If you are a busy person, how do you manage to fit it in?

What is the absolute minimum you would do a week?

[Dimond]

By combining it with spiritual practices and/or making it extremely fun. By making it a priority. Exercise is even more important to me than raw (if I had to choose). I prefer to exercise daily, often several times.

[Eva]

I agree with Dimond re: making it a priority. It's kind of like raw food... how do you fit it in? It takes more time until you're past that first learning curve...

but both exercise and healthy food make up for the time in the energy they give you! I get so much more accomplished in a day than before I was committed to getting 2 hours or so of exercise every day. It's a catch 22 when you don't make the commitment.

Also -- running is super easy to fit in. You just put the running clothes on and step outside! Even if you only go for 15 minutes, it gets the heart and blood and muscles pumping enough to help your body's functioning...

[Revvell]

How do you fit everything else in that keeps you so busy? Same thing. Choose what's important. If it's your health so you can maintain your busyness then, you've got to move! For me, first thing in the morning. If I put it off, I'll always have excuses ~ too hot; just ate; gotta do this or that.. blah, blah, blah.

[mel_s12]

I used to think the exact same thing, but really for me it was just an excuse to not exercise.
Now I HAVE to exercise to be fit for work, and my work schedule makes me busier than I have ever been.
I wake up most weekday mornings at 5am and do a quick 45min weights workout, and do 20-45minute runs 3-4 days a week. I also try to fit in 1-2 days of Bikram Yoga a week.
I am so glad I got into exercising. It's a lot easier than you think to fit it in! Just space it out and keep the workouts short and effective!

[spicyfull]

By doing it the First thing in the Morning and also making it fun.

[Cerellia]

You may also mix bussiness with pleasure: go to work by bike, skates or whatever suits you, leave your car at home when you go shopping (considering that finding a parking lot might take more time than just going on foot).

[Jehote]

I have to fit it in at night due to a commute. I just don't go home until I get it in. I keep my gym bag loaded in the car.
M

[T-Bird]

I'm soooooooooooo thankful I have access to a gym at lunchtime now! Just started this Feb.

Without that - I've be nowheresville!

As a single, professional mom - it's TOUGH to put anything about yourself on the priority list. But it does need to be done. I went without any exercise for almost 5 years following an accident riding my bike to work (and I will never do bicycle commuting again!). Trying to get back in shape after total fitness meltdown of multiple years is VERY difficult.

So - my advice to anyone is just start somewhere. If all you can do is 20 jumping jacks before getting in the shower - do it! some things I did in the "lost years" to get a little exercise in were dancing while brushing teeth or doing dishes. If I need to go upstairs - I would run up the stairs full tilt with arm movements to try to make my heart beat as fast as possible. Talk a walk at lunchtime at work.

just doo eet!

[RawLibrarian]

Exercise has to be as much of a priority as taking a shower or brushing your teeth; something you just wouldn't think of skipping.

Aside from my daily exercise routine (primarily yoga, but I also do weight training and calisthenics), I try to sneak additional exercise in by getting off the subway a stop or two before my destination; taking a 10 minute break to climb stairs in my office, etc., taking walks during my lunch hour, etc. I walk to and from my house to the subway too.

I exercise when I get home from work. It is a really nice way to decompress and relax after work. During the week, my workouts are usually 30 to 45 minutes. On weekends I have more time so they are 60 to 90 minutes.

[Queen Bean]

Thanks for all of your responses.

I suppose my schedule is particulary busy at the moment. I'm leaving the house at 8:30am and some nights getting home at 10pm. Then I have to eat, spend time with my boyfriend etc. I tried getting up earlier to exercise, but felt too tired.

I have committed to a minimum of 20 minutes per day and 3 Salute to the Suns.

[T-Bird]

I have committed to a minimum of 20 minutes per day and 3 Salute to the Suns.

Sounds good, keep the habit alive. Once you stop, and time slips away, very hard to start up. Tomorrow or next week or first of the month or news years resolution always seems the time to "start"!

[SmilingRawDancer]

I just make it a commitment.
I have a "fitness calendar" that I print up and tape above my computer screen - and I put big orange X's (plus the workout details) on the days when I workout. I like seeing 22 or more days in the month that I KNOW I spent an hour or more in physical activity.

[theresaann]

I have to do it at 5:30 or 6 am to get my kids to school on time. If I don't do it then its highly unlikely I will have time later in the day. of course, this means my "workout time" starts the night before, making sure I get to sleep early enough, which is sometimes the biggest problem! I have just had to commit to getting to sleep by at least 10 pm.

I workout at home also with really tough free wt and cardio dvds. Collagevideo.com is a GREAT resource for those. Check out Tracy Effingers squeeze workouts-these are incredibly effective-like nothing else I've ever done!