When do you find time to workout? I need some motivation during my hectic schedule, personal stories?

[Anonymous]

With work in the morning and then 8 hours of classes after, I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to hit the gym. But I know a lot of you wake up extra early or stay up extra late. Where do you get your motivation? l just need some inspiration. Or maybe you split it up throughout the day. What does your routine look like?

[snowangle]

Honestly, if you find an exercise you love, you make time for it. I was working 65 hours a week when I picked up running. Then I had to take about two months off because I promptly injured both my knees 😂 I had to get back into running very slowly, but now I run 2-3 days a week and I go to the gym once or twice (I don't have my own membership, so I go as a guest with my dad). And once a week I go out dancing, which is great exercise!

Basically, just start with any exercise you want, and commit to it. Once you start seeing improvements - whether you notice yourself getting stronger, faster, or more lean - you'll want to keep going. And before long, it'll be part of your lifestyle.

It wasn't long after I resumed running when I noticed my legs looking leaner. My calves got firm and my thighs stopped rubbing against each other so much. Then I noticed how I could run farther and farther before getting tired. And in everyday life, I felt better and not as fatigued as I used to. Then, a couple months later, I was noticeably thinner (it could have happened sooner if I didn't love ice cream so much). And I'm still going! I never thought I'd be fit and now I'm watching myself achieve it.

Anyway, that probably wasn't very helpful haha. Basically, you're not gonna make fitness a priority unless you love it. Just find something you love and then make time for it! Alternatively, you could just do small exercises throughout the day, like 10 squats/pushups/etc between classes or whatever. Good luck!

[Asker]

I love that answer!

[rgb008]

I lost over 50lbs. I would never wanna gain that back.
that's enouch motivation for me.

At school I woke up around 5 and got ready and ate breakfast. Then went to the gym. Working out in the morning is easiest for me. And its also when it's the least crowded.
Now, working full time and living at home. I work out as soon as I get home from work in the basement of my house.

[Asker]

Wow, that is definitely inspirational! Way to go! How long did it take you to lose the 50?

[rgb008]

a long time. I messed up a lot along the way. I guess I started in 2013 and reached a healthy weight in 2015. But I am still trying to get to my target weight, which is maybe 15-20 lbs lighter than I am now. Even though I am at a healthy weight for my height, but at the heavier end of it. If that makes sense haha.

[Asker]

No I totally understand that. That is basically where I am at too. My goal is 15 more pounds, but I had a lot more time before. So I want to stay on track!

[Anonymous]

I prefer to go in the morning, because there is no one else there. So I'll get up at 2 or 3, hit the gym, come back and hygiene, maybe eat something, and then go to work.

The past few days, my motivation has been that my friends with benefits (who wants more but isn't going to get it) talked shit on me for 'having standards for women but none for yourself'. Yeah, my standards are "Don't be fat, and don't be a cunt". If I had any more standards than that, I definitely wouldn't be fucking HER. She;s the wrong side of 26, AND a single mother to boot. Haha, 'standards'.

I do have standards for myself. When you're stuck working 18-21 hours a day for two months, it's hard to find time to go to the gym. And you end up eating pretty much whatever, just to get some food in you. That's changed, though, and I'm working out again and doing the keto diet along with a nice mixture of supplements I call my Feelgood Powder. Unfortunately, the scale at the gym here is stuck on 216 apparently, because I know I was 230 at home. Oh well, I'll be home this weekend, and I've got a better gym there anyway.

[Truthatanycost]

I don't go to the gym, I do my own routine using an Isokinator Green Giant at home or where ever I feel like doing it. I don't limit myself to relying on a gym, that may suit some but it's not the only way.

I do a full body workout 3x a week. I know someone else that works your hours and has little time that does an 'Lady Isokinator' routine as well. Most don't want to pay the high cost for one of those but you could buy some weights, resistance bands, an Iso-Bow, or an Elastitone / Bodylastics set. You could also do Calisthenics or get a Dip-Bar and do body-weight routines.

Like I said, it depends on your goals and budget.

[TCJ1234567]

There is no motivation. Looking for it is why you aren't going to the gym. Don't look for motivation, just do what you know needs to be done.

Let the people who accomplish nothing worry about motivation.

[Prof_Don]

He's right, the people who are very motivated to stay fit, put working out as a priority as much as work or school.

You're still putting the workout as a lower tier of importance than the other two.

[Asker]

I am going to the gym. I have two gym memberships. I didn't say I wasn't going. Its just becoming hard with my work load. So I wanted to hear what other people do. Not for people to try and shame me. But thanks

[TCJ1234567]

And I wasn't trying to be mean, although rereading my post I sound that way.

The truth is that there is no motivation. I hate running, but wanted to run a marathon. For a year I got up every day and ran. I hated it and I was never motivated to do it. I just did it.

Sorry if I came off as shaming, but I think a lot of people waste their lives waiting for some outside force that will make it easy to do what is hard. It doesn't happen. Its always hard.

[Asker]

No I definitely understand that. I think I overreacted to your post because a few of the responses were starting to get kind of rude. I didn't necessarily mean motivation, obviously with anything in life no one is going to force you to do something, hence free will. I work out because I need to or want to, to achieve something, not always because I love it, as you said with running. But bottom line I just wanted to know if other people had 15 hour days like me and when they found time to workout. Not really looking for a lecture as if I'm just a lazy bum. But I get the concept.

[TCJ1234567]

I average 90 hours a week and my three jobs, go to the gym 6 times a week and still have a little social life. Not much TV or sleep though.

[Asker]

Yeah I cancelled my Netflix and Hulu account because there isn't any time Haha. I just don't function well with less than 6-7 hours of sleep so I'm trying to work around that. But I get your point. I was just feeling guilty only making it to the gym 3-4 times a week. And so I know you don't believe in motivation, but hearing people say they work 90 hours, where as my week only equates to about 75 hours, and you go twice as much as me, it inspires me in a weird way. Like if you can do it, I can do it kind of perspective.

[TCJ1234567]

Sometimes I look at it like changing your kids diaper. You don't want to, you don't have time to, your are not motivated to, but you get it done anyway.

75 is a lot. Far more that most. Good luck.

[Asker]

Thanks (: that's actually helpful.

[idiotmanchild]

Well, I get motivation by how good it feels after the workout and how good I look afterwards, lol. I know the struggle, I work 80 hour weeks and I'm usually drained by the end of then day, but for me, it's a nice change up from the typical routine that is my work life. If I were you, I'd start small, go maybe a couple of times a week for just an hour to get the juices flowing and then ramp it up once you get the high from it. Also, don't just run around on a treadmill the entire time, go out and lift a little to mix it up. It will be sore early on, but after a little, you'll feel the pump up and I promise, as long as you're not getting steroids, you're not going to get buff...

[idiotmanchild]

Using steroids*

[N192K001]

I weight-lift every Tue.-Thu.-Sat. (or Sun.) just before going to bed.

Since I don't like to exercise, I force myself: "You're NOT going to bed until you finish all prescribed rep.'s or each exercise. There are no passes, exceptions, or excuses."

So, I exercise.

[kambo_trick3y]

I have a crazy fucking schedule as well, I work two fairly heavy jobs. I just ended up using my funds and bought and built a home gym.

[Asker]

That is a future dream of mine. Once I finish paying off my loans 😫

[kambo_trick3y]

I got this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvEl-S5j8Y0

And this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvEl-S5j8Y0

And also a Power Rack.

Though honestly you could easily just well do with just a Power Rack. Easily.

I just decided to splurge because honestly, I rarely spend anything on myself so I said fuck it.

[kambo_trick3y]

Woops, I meant to post my Power Rack instead of posting same video twice. Ah well, you know what a power rack is so, there ya go.

[Truthatanycost]

I thought that Powertec looked great but this one looks even better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwLrIRz-vSQ

[kambo_trick3y]

@Truthatanycost Oh shit man, thanks for the heads up, that looks great actually.

[Truthatanycost]

Someone said it cost up to $9000, how much did the Powertec cost?

[PoorCollegeStudent]

8 hours of classes my god you poor soul. I try to go 5 times a week but with my schooling I sometimes have to abandon my workout to finish my homework. My schedule is pretty slack in terms of classes as I only have school Tues Wed and Thurs with Wednesday being at 530 at night. I do Back on Sunday, Chest on Monday, Arms on Wednesday, Shoulders on Friday, and Legs on Saturday, usually takes me an 1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes each time and I usually go at like 1130 because I like my sleep :)

[Prof_Don]

Most gyms are 24 hours, so there is no excuse for not working out.

To be blunt, you don't care enough about exercise and staying fit. You are putting the workout on the back burner, BELOW school and BELOW work.

Those who really care about staying fit, prioritize their workout just as much or MORE than school or work. To them, the mentality is "keeping my body in good shape, is the groundwork for doing well at school or work".

[kelvinmed]

I have a hard time finding time and I'm finding that since my classes start a little later in the morning (11) I can wake up early and hit the gym and either go to the one close to my house or the one to my school and shower there. But I have horrible insomnia/wired so I'm fucked

[BlazeCatGirl]

Hmm motivation is EASY, watch a video of some skinny models having a great time and then start running for 15min a day. And make sure every day!!! That's how I motivated myself. I just started last month and I already lost 8 pounds.

[Fightingspirit]

in my opinion
You have to make it part of your schedule and it has to become one of those things you cannot take out like work or going to classes.

[Prof_Don]

Yup I agree, her lack of importance for the workout is setting her back.

[Shaft50]

5am is workout time... great way to wake up and it's first thing in the morning... very hard for those plans to get railroaded by something else because most other people are still sleeping :-)

[Ravxn]

Watch my 600lb life and then you will get your motivation

[Ahrixxa]

You know you can work out at home doing stretches and weight training.

[Anonymous]

before going to bed I stretch and "dance" (more like freestyle aerobics) for an hour or two, keeps me slender and elastic

[akadatank44]

Right after I wake up. Been part of my daily routine since... basically since I have been an adult.

[Dude2000]

I have really bad ADHD so it's honestly it's something I enjoy doing

[JamesDylan1990]

I have cerebral palsy so I don't work out but I'll go for walks sometimes

[Xfitchick]

Take a bike to the class.