Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s topic – how do you find time to workout when you’re busy? Feel free to write about this topic or any running related topic!
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I’ve been working from home for around 5 months. When I first started working from home I thought I would have more free time but the exact opposite happened. Work has been super busy and I’ve just gotten back to some normalcy over the past few weeks. Because of this, it’s been super important for me to find time for my workouts. Here’s how I do it:
Schedule my workouts for the week
Every Sunday I look at my work calendar to see how my meetings are lined up for the week. Typically I wake up at 6 and get in my workouts before logging in for work, but on occasion I do have early morning conference calls with colleagues in Asia. On those days I’ll either do a shorter workout or squeeze in a workout during lunch. I like having my workout plan written out for the week because it keeps me on track. Sure, sometimes I have to adjust, but for the most part I’m able to stick to my workout schedule.
Shorter Workouts
Who says workouts have to be 30 or 60 minutes? You can get in a great workout in 10-15 minutes. On super busy days, consider a speed intervals running workout or a quick HIIT workout. It’s a great way to get your heart rate up and burn calories in a quick amount of time. Also, I discovered this year that 10 min core workouts always, and I mean always, kick my butt!
How do you fit in your workouts on a busy day?
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Topic for next week – How do you taper for a race without goin crazy? Feel free to write about this or any running related topic.
Catrina says
Oh, I remember the days when I had calls with APAC or the US – either early morning or late at night. Or, if we had all three time zones together, it was usually in my lunch hour.
It made everything so complicated!
It’s a great idea to schedule the workouts for the whole week. I try to do the same and I find it helps a lot. I’m a fan of short workouts!
kookyrunner says
It’s so hard with the different time zones! Although our colleagues in Asia are super sweet and don’t mind, I hate that a bulk of the calls are during their evening time 🙁
Kimberly Hatting says
While I don’t do any formal scheduling, I do try to have a plan of some sort in place before the week begins. I prefer to have most of my sweating done before 6:00, which gives me time for a good cool-down and social media time before getting to the office by 8:00. Most of my non-running workouts are 20-30 minutes (max), which forces me to be focused and not wasting any downtime between the individual segments/circuits.
kookyrunner says
That’s why I love HIIT workouts – I feel like you get the most bang for your buck because its constant motion and very little down time.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Shorter workouts are da bomb! And working out before work (back when I worked outside the home) helped set the tone for my day.
kookyrunner says
I agree! I feel so much better once the workout is done and out of the way before I start my workday.
Shathiso says
Having that plan of the week ready on Sunday is how I live my life (for running and everything else). Of course things may not always go as planned but I feel you’re in with a better chance when you do that!
kookyrunner says
Yup, exactly! Of course there will be things that pop up during the week but it’s nice to have a plan in place to build from.
Chaitali says
I agree, putting the workouts down in my schedule definitely helps! I try to look at it at the beginning of the week and take a loot at the weather too, and then fit in the workouts where they make the most sense.
kookyrunner says
Yup, looking at the weather is super important too!
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie says
I’m very lucky that when my work is busy it tends to spill over into the evening rather than get earlier. It makes for some tough dinner times but it doesn’t affect my workouts. I always say that if I didn’t work out in the morning I would not workout nearly as much.
kookyrunner says
I was always a morning person but I would often do my workouts after my workday ended. Since working from home I have really embraced the morning workouts so I feel like even when I go back to the office (whenever that is), I’ll still continue with the morning workouts. It really sets the tone for my day.
San says
Yes! Scheduling your workouts is a great tool. I try to stick to the same routine/set times every week, so I don’t do a lot of rescheduling on a week to week basis, but it’s especially important if your work schedule shifts to shift your workouts with it. Great way to do it!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks San! So far scheduling has been great. I also notice that if my schedule is going to change, it’s most likely in the afternoon/evening (if a new project pops up) so that’s why I like to stick with morning workouts.
Darlene S Cardillo says
I do not work out per se but I do plan my running, walking and hiking for the week. At least my running.
Working from home does help since I don’t waste time driving to and from work.
You are great about getting it all done.
kookyrunner says
I agree that working from home has been a huge help! It’s going to be hard to transition back to regular office working, whenever that is.
Deborah Brooks says
At the moment I am kind of just winging it! I normally keep to a schedule but this whole thing threw off my whole schedule. Working from home sure has changed everyone’s schedule.
kookyrunner says
Working from home has definitely changed my schedule, but for the better.
Zenaida Arroyo says
I also make sure to do them in the morning. It is so much easier and convenient for me. I agree on the 10 minute core workouts. I did one and was sore for a few days afterwards. 🙂
kookyrunner says
Totally! And it’s nice to have the workout done for the day.
Farrah says
Ahh, these are helpful! I really need to adopt the mentality that something is better than nothing! I feel like I have an “all or nothing” approach to workouts right now that’s notttt helping at all in terms of consistency.
kookyrunner says
Yes! Always know that 10 minutes is better than 0 minutes. It took me a while to learn that though, lol.