How Do You Do It?

Training Bodybuilding
41

My son has been “working out” with me since he’s one and a half. Of course he doesnt really train, but he plays around watching me grunt. I work out at home obviously (80% of the time).

And of the “responsablity to provide” thing. Maybe, just maybe, your family would appreciate a little less “things” and a little more “you”. Ask them.

And anyhow, instead of shutting out possibilities about how you “have to” do this, or how “that cant be done”, ask yourself “how can I acheive the same material goals for me and my family yet spend more time with them” and find ways to do so. It may take a while but if you really put your mind at it, you WILL find.

Come on, we are FREE as very few humans in History have been. Find ways to get more $$$ AND more time. It can be done. Thousands have done it. Why not you?

I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but what’s the alternative? 80 hour weeks till you burn out and you get quality time with the family in their one a week hospital visit?

42

If you think you will be at the same place for a long time, maybe you should move closer. Your commute is really a waste.

If you hesitate because you can’t find something with a big enough yard (for the kids), remember the extra time you can give them as also valuable. Maybe a park can substitute.

43

I know everyone has different situations in life…

I’m going to have to go with the a) Get a different job closer to where you live or b) Move closer to your current job. I moved last fall and cut my drive from 18 miles one way to 2.6 miles. Smartest move I ever made. It gave me an easy 45+ minutes a day.

Fred

44

I’m probably gonna get flamed here, but what the hell…something in me can’t let this go.

Ultimately, everything is a choice…while it is good and admirable to fulfill your responsibility as a father, husband and man, you and your family are making the choices as to what constitutes the minimal fulfillment of that responsibility…what you call ‘a decent house, car, etc’.

Modern society tells us: "you need that IPod, that H2 Hummer, that plasma TV, that manicured yard, the Club Med vacation (the list can go on forever)…the expectations of what a ‘minimally acceptable’ standard of living are have skyrocketed from a decade ago. The students at the college I teach at can’t understand how some of us middle aged faculty can be content with a 15 year old car that still runs fine. Their expectations are so much higher than my own are, they are willing to go into massive debt to attain them.

I’m not saying that I’m against nice things; I like them as much as the next guy. But I see too many guys hurting their bodies and their family relationships from overwork when it really wouldn’t have been necessary. I know. I was you not long ago. But I’ve started making changes and lowering my expectations for my lifestyle. I’m working less, making substantially less money, live in a place that’s not as nice. But I have more time for my workouts, family, friends, this forum and…I’m happier.

But that’s my life. Only you can make the choices for your own. Good luck to you, and if at least you can be more efficient with the time you have to work out…following some of the suggestions here…go for it.

[quote]Gerg wrote:
Sorry, let me clarify:

Not that I don’t want to “hear” the “make it a priority”, I wanted to throw out some strategies of how to acheive. Your examples of supersets, making the most of a half hour, is a fine example.

The other part, hey where I live stuff aint cheap. The house, going to work, etc. is the gig. I am lucky enough to do something that I like and am real good at. If I have to bust my ass so my family have a decent home, car, schooling, etc. so be it. I am from the school that says thats not a choice, that my responsibility as a husband and father and a man. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have other goals.

The question is how to try and fit it all in? Is it even possible? [/quote]

45

Yes, it does suck getting up at 5am to workout. However, you can (depending on your goals) cut workout time if you can up the intensity.
Given the kit you’ve got, take a look at ROSSBOXING.com for some brutal, short workouts.

46

JT43-

maybe I’m taking some things too personally, but let me throw this out. I don’t want to belabor this point (as it has been repeated over and over in this thread) as I agree that everything is a choice. I chose my carrer (even before I was married), and I choose to stay in it. I choose to make certain things (House, family, etc) a priorty over other things such as sleep, working out and others. I stated that clearly in the first post.

That is my personal choice , just as it was others to move closer to work, take a different job, etc. We all make decisons based on the priorities at the time. Another choice would be to give it up, be unemployed, and do nothing but eat, sleep and live in a cardboard box. I know thats pushing the envelope of what we are talking about here, but I hope you see my point.

Now, a little personal info:

I’m 36 with a 3 and 7 mo old. That in and of itself takes a lot of time. We just moved into a new house a year ago, thats isn’t too pricey but enough that we will grow into it over the next 20 years. I don’t have too many toys (ipod, etc), but a couple that I enjoy. I am dedicated to my job because I truly enjoy my field. My car is a 2002 and my wife drives a 2004. I actually have a happy life and enjoy myself and what I do.

The option of finding a new job for less pay, quiting work, moving closer are not real options for me as the primary bread winner of the house and the area we live in. To move out at this point so I can leave my position would actually make my commute double (those who live in the chicagoland area may be able to empathize). That is my reality. I accept it and move on. Someone posted that Waterbury only gets 5 hours a sleep a night. Far from optimal, but that is the gig. Now somehow he still works out and does his job…

The main thrust of this thread was to have people with hectic schedules (no matter what was causing it) to give a run down of their tactics to “fit everything in”. A single mother with two jobs would have an infinetly harder time budgeting an hour three times a week to work out, but there are some that do. How? There is a plan, a strategy. The mantra of “if you want it you’ll do it” and “make it your priority” only goes so far. If you have goals and a minimum time to acheive them, what “tricks” did you use to fit it in.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the balls to the wall attitude, and also with the idea that we should simplyfing our lives. I also appreciate all of the comments and constructive ideas that were given.
It is by sharing ideas and opening ourselves to new ones that we become better. God bless the internet.

[quote]JT43 wrote:
I’m probably gonna get flamed here, but what the hell…something in me can’t let this go.

Ultimately, everything is a choice…while it is good and admirable to fulfill your responsibility as a father, husband and man, you and your family are making the choices as to what constitutes the minimal fulfillment of that responsibility…what you call ‘a decent house, car, etc’.

Modern society tells us: "you need that IPod, that H2 Hummer, that plasma TV, that manicured yard, the Club Med vacation (the list can go on forever)…the expectations of what a ‘minimally acceptable’ standard of living are have skyrocketed from a decade ago. The students at the college I teach at can’t understand how some of us middle aged faculty can be content with a 15 year old car that still runs fine. Their expectations are so much higher than my own are, they are willing to go into massive debt to attain them.

I’m not saying that I’m against nice things; I like them as much as the next guy. But I see too many guys hurting their bodies and their family relationships from overwork when it really wouldn’t have been necessary. I know. I was you not long ago. But I’ve started making changes and lowering my expectations for my lifestyle. I’m working less, making substantially less money, live in a place that’s not as nice. But I have more time for my workouts, family, friends, this forum and…I’m happier.

But that’s my life. Only you can make the choices for your own. Good luck to you, and if at least you can be more efficient with the time you have to work out…following some of the suggestions here…go for it.

Gerg wrote:
Sorry, let me clarify:

Not that I don’t want to “hear” the “make it a priority”, I wanted to throw out some strategies of how to acheive. Your examples of supersets, making the most of a half hour, is a fine example.

The other part, hey where I live stuff aint cheap. The house, going to work, etc. is the gig. I am lucky enough to do something that I like and am real good at. If I have to bust my ass so my family have a decent home, car, schooling, etc. so be it. I am from the school that says thats not a choice, that my responsibility as a husband and father and a man. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have other goals.

The question is how to try and fit it all in? Is it even possible?

[/quote]

47

Well you got lots of useful info here, but a man will listen to advice only when he wants to.

I remember reading somewhere about a racecar driver that did everything possible to better his car … and finally woke up, smelled the roses, and lost 20 pounds of flab and started being among the best in his league.

All the other little things amounted to really MINOR improvements while making himself more light was a major improvement.

Listen if you REALLY LOOOOOOVVVVEEE your job and your house, dont bother with the other advice. But if not, wake up. What I’ve found over the years is that most people are SCARED of change, even if it’s for the better. They tolerate BS in their lives that dont really have to put up with and they take it, take it and take it untill it’s too late and wallow in regret.

It seems you reason that changing your job or your house = worse condition. How do you know for sure? You’re certain your experience and skills couldnt benefit somebody else willing to pay more or give you more control over your time? Or that another house couldn’t be even more fun for you and your family? If you leave out options you take yourself out of countless opportunities.

If you are living your dream life dont change anything significant. If not, try to find ways to make a few adjustments that will give you MAJOR improvements in your life, instead of looking for quick fixes to a less than ideal situation.

48

Gerg – to repeat what others have said, 45 minutes a day can really do the trick.

Also – I have been where you are re the 80 hour work week. It is something that will eventually catch up with you. For some the consequences are worse than for others. I was lucky and got to re-evaluate from a hospital bed. There are ways to make a living, even in your chosen career, that don’t require you to keep the schedule you are keeping.

I see this now that this is pretty old thread, so I have edited my earlier comments. Hope all goes well for you. GOOD LUCK.

49

At the risk of sounding redundant, i’ll add my 2 cents worth.
I currently work a 55-60 hour week, have 2 kids(12 & 11) and, of course, a wife.
When I am forced to travel, I check hotels in the area that are close to a ymca or that have some sort of fitness center(some exercise is better than none).
but, my best investment was to turn half of the 2 car garage into a gym and hit the training from home. I try to get up aound 4:30 am to train but if I want to sleep, I make time in the evening. I still get 7-7.5 hours of sleep. I feel especially better after a morning work out but the evening ones aren’t so bad. Besides, I’m right off the kitchen, so a good p/w meal is usually not too far off.
again, I read that alot of this was already covered but i wanted to share my solution to a far too common problem.

50

[quote]Gerg wrote:
Kruiser wrote:
I always exersize instead of taking lunch at work. I have flexible hours so I can even go at 10AM or 2PM when the gym is MINE. I realize you have the equipment at home but sheesh, 50-80 hours a week! They better give you some time off for lunch. I also hope you’re a multi-millionaire by now or about to cure cancer or something. You gotta have some balance in your life, that’s too much time on the job IMHO.

Good Luck!

I can’t go into what I do too much other than I run installation projects. These take me all over the midwest, and time and coordination is key. It is what it is. My lunches are usually working, or I take a half hour and “clear my brain”.

I am really shocked that 50-80 hours / week is seen as a lot. In my feild, and the ones I work with, its typical. Maybe I need to get out more…
[/quote]

I worked for years at a 60 hour min. schedule. It is not unusual for some fields. How about on the weeks that you work 50 hours, you work out for 30 hours?

51

Thanks to all for your ideas , advise and your concern. Just a follow up, I have been streamlining my workouts to a push pull leg for three days a week. I’ll throw abs in if I feel up to it, but it usually ends up something like Mike Mahler’s 5x5, and I use the full body and use the Monday and wednesday and cycle through those every other day. I can typically (depending on how intense I go) get through it in about 35 min, and i’ll do about 15 min on the bike after.
http://www.mikemahler.com/5x5.html

I have not been able to wake myself up with any consistancy to work out in the am, but I have been getting more sleep and working out at night, which seems to suit me more. I seem to be stronger and not so stiff and achey in the evening.

Anyway, still trying to do more with less. I seem to be taking the advice of changing the definition of what i cansider a workout and not tryng to exhaust myself all the time.
Best wishes to you all.

52

[quote]jm85 wrote:
The math just doesn’t add up. There’s only 24 hrs in day, 8 of which you should be sleeping. If you want more time for yourself and more time with your family think about finding another job.[/quote]

You’re right, but the truth is, sometimes you can’t do it all and get 8 hours of sleep. I almost NEVER get 8 hours of sleep. Yeah, it probably hinders my progress, but I don’t have a choice, so I deal with it. I’d rather lift 4 times a week and lose out on sleep than not workout because I can’t get 8 hours. For reference, I usually get about 6-7 hours of sleep. Work week including commute is about 70 hours. I have 3 kids and a wife that all need some attention in the evening. I own my own house (which means maintenance) and about 3/4 of an acre (which means maintenance). Throw in kids activities on the weekends, family obligations, etc, there’s not much time for all the other things to get done.

To the OP, the only thing I can suggest is map out a typical week and find a time slot that is almost always available and fill that with your workouts. That’s why I train 1st thing in the AM (6AM). I know, it’s not ideal, particularly on spine-loading days. But, my alternative is to try to squeeze it in “whenever” and “whenever” always seems to be the time that gets sacrificed for those pesky things that crop up during the day like when you get home and your wife tells you that the hot water handle on the shower broke off.

DB

53

One of my favorites:

http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=912565

54

Try to make the days you’re away from home on business your best workout days. As long as you don’t have to go out to dinner with clients or co-workers, find a gym and go nuts for a couple of hours, you don’t have to worry about family obligations and you probably aren’t driving as far.

Had one of my most memorable workouts at the YMCA in Corinth Ms while on a business trip. 100 degrees outside, no A/C at the Y, just a big barn fan and open windows in the weight room. Couple of local guys were cranking AC/DC on a boom box, doesn’t get much better.

55

A wise man once said to think too much of any one thing becomes its undoing…

I know its in the nike commericials but the best anyone can really say is… just do it

56

After reading through the posts on this thread, I have a better understanding of your situation. My apologies if my earlier reply seemed flippant.

One thing I do is to use my work enviroment to get a work out squeezed in during the day. On Sunday morning when the world is still asleep, right after shift briefing, I check the schools in my patrol district. Schools have play grounds, play grounds have monkey bars. Monkey bars means pullups! (I love pullups!)

Under the guise of conducting a check of the school, I can get a set of pull ups completed and a 5-10 minute walk (a longer walk if I find an open door and have to check the inside of the building.)

In about an hour, if everything stays quiet, I can get 5 sets of 10 pull ups at bodyweight plus 30#s (uniform and equipment is 22#s, plus 8#s extra). I add a pound the next week if I get 10 reps for each of the 5 sets I do. Sometimes things are busy or it is pouring down rain and I miss that week. No problem, I just continue the next week where I left off.

On another day I am working an off duty job at a bank. Now sitting around waiting for bad guys to come in so I have someting to do (shoot bank robbers)is boring. I set the timer on my watch to go off every 30 minutes. Every 30 minutes I get up walk around a little and do a set of pushups. I find a back room where I won’t be disturbed and do a set.

Sometimes I just do straight sets of 10, other times I start with 10 and increase the sets by 1 rep each time. It doesn’t take too many hours before the total number of pushups really adds up.

If you take your kids to the park, run around with them. I often sneek several sets of pullups or dips in as I’m chasing the young’uns around the play ground. The only thing they care about is that dad is playing with them and they are having fun.

Placing your family first is important. Getting your workout squeezed in can be tough. Do what you can.

I hope this gives you a few ideas. Good luck.
Fred

57

[quote]Irish Grip wrote:
After reading through the posts on this thread, I have a better understanding of your situation. My apologies if my earlier reply seemed flippant.

It didn’t. No apoligies required.

If you take your kids to the park, run around with them. I often sneek several sets of pullups or dips in as I’m chasing the young’uns around the play ground. The only thing they care about is that dad is playing with them and they are having fun.

Placing your family first is important. Getting your workout squeezed in can be tough. Do what you can.

I hope this gives you a few ideas. Good luck.
Fred[/quote]

Thanks Irish. My son is now interested in “working out with Daddy” so I got him some 1lb dumbells and he mimicks me. I am also getting him his own (toy) heavy bag. This helps when he gets up with me on the weekends.

Thas a good idea re: the playground; I some times try to do the same with his swingset out back. I guess I just never consider that part of my “working out”. As I mentioned , I am trying to change my concepts of what I consider to be my “work out”. Thanks for the input and ideas. I think I will try and fit in something at work. Kinda hard in an office, but maybe the conference room is unoccupied…:slight_smile:

All the best to you.

58

Gerg,
one way to get some cardio done at least is if you ever have to drive for work. You’ll often find yourself passing parks or the odd public space or even car park. When you do, stop the car, take a few minutes and go for a brisk power walk, jog or even a few
lo-o-o-ong stretches.

You don’t have to work up a massive sweat but it will clear your head and get that blood flowing.
I’ve done this a few times and I’m always glad when I did.
Hope this helps :).