WWYD: Keeping Up with Fitness and a Demanding Work Schedule
This week I get to do my first What Would You Do series, and I seriously want to know: What would you do if your job were getting in the way of your fitness?
One of my cases at work is steamrolling towards a trial in March. The 12-hour days and work on the weekends is great for my wallet because of the overtime pay. That money will pay for the new furniture Zac and I need because of our recent move. On the other hand, the increased workload is a horrible thing for my waistline. Or at least, so I worry.
Aside from the obvious health benefits, many wonderful things in my life can be credited to my physical fitness, one of which includes keeping my cool on the job by burning off work-related steam at the gym. However, it has taken me years to get in the habit of eating healthy and sticking to a gym routine on a schedule I can manage. My fitness has been hard earned, but I’m starting to worry it’s at risk.
Work demands are forcing me to take public transportation instead of doing my usual (and meditative) 2.7-mile walk to and from work. I now go out to eat more often than I want instead of cooking healthier options at home. Dust is collecting on my gym bag. I also have less time to run errands, do my share of the chores, rest, regroup, or even see friends (Hey guys, I miss you!). Sleep is starting to become a forgone luxury to me.
Physical fitness takes time and dedication. I’m starting to wonder, with so much going on, should I just relax and throw in a workout whenever I can during this crunch period? Or considering how important fitness is to me, should I find some way to cut back on work? Perhaps there are some other timesaving things I can do to that will carve out more room for heading to the gym.
My search for helpful tips on the internet didn’t quite provide sufficient information that addresses the lifestyles of the uber-busy and religiously fit. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there in this situation. How do you cope?
Just as a follow-up to this post, the idea of cutting back on work was met with laughter by my co-workers. Looks like I’m going to have to adapt to some long hours…
My job is getting in the way of my fitness–I find myself eating continuously in response to frustrations. What I am doing is: a) walking more during my commute and lunch break, b) trying to make sure that what I am eating continuously is at least halfway healthy, c) looking for a better job, and d) continuing to save for early retirement. Mostly I am just staying too big.
Here are some suggestions to you, though: a) spend some of your extra money buying some time–hire a housekeeper or personal chef, etc. b) Make sure your sleep time is efficient by making sure your bedroom is restful (dark, comfortable, not used for stressful activities, etc.). c) Combine some things–instead of just hanging out with friends, make appointments with them for eating real food at home or exercising. d) Cook double-batches of things when you do cook so you can have several meals almost ready for the future. e) Occasionally walk to or from work anyway, especially if you need to burn off some work-related steam. Or bring a change of clothes to work, change into them before you leave for home, and then jog home with your clothes in a knapsack.
I was in the exact same situation last year; working long hours at a contract job, getting good overtime pay, but putting on weight. At the same time, I was on the brink of buying a house. My free time was spent house-hunting. Just like you, I knew I was going to need the money I was earning for furniture! I admitted to myself that there were only so many hours in the day, and fitness wasn’t my highest priority. I was a marshmallow for about six months – but a busy marshmallow. During that time, I wrapped up the contract, got a new full-time job, bought a house, moved into the house, and did some work on the house.
Now I’m getting a grip on my fitness and weight again, and with all these stresses resolved, I’m seeing results. Part of this is because my house’s location is very fitness-friendly, walking distance from several nature trails. My new job’s culture is also very fitness-oriented, which helps, too. And having paid-for furniture to sit on after exercising is very nice.
How much time does public transportation really save you over walking? Would increasing your speed (and net exercise) a little make the time difference more tolerable?
How about finding a strip-mall gym near the office? Head out around 5pm, rejuvenate yourself for 30-45 minutes (something’s better than nothing, right?), and head back to the office bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to finish off the last few hours.
How about lunch, try grabbing something portable and eat it while wandering around.
There are plenty of ways to cram in little bits of fitness, but the key is remembering that exercise doesn’t mean a minimum of an hour at the gym. You may need to reduce your exercise windows, but it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition.
Well, to sound trite which is more important – money or health?
Okay, that’s out of the way. Sadly there are many many opportunities to do things which can take up alot of our time. And ironicly trying to chose becomes more difficult the more affluent one gets. Having money to spend on wants instead of needs can do that.
Exercise I think is one of the few things that get slipped in everywhere though, limited only by what we think exercise actually is. I came across your site today from elsewhere, so I don’t know what your current habits are. I will say though that even if you can get 10 minutes a day, everyday, of brisk walking or something is beneficial because it will get your heart rate up. At the same time it will also help when you get back into things since you haven’t lost as much body efficiency.
I have personally always put my health & fitness above any work load. Work can always wait, health cannot. It is built with consistency over time. It is not a project where you can “crunch” then “relax” except maybe in terms of intensity if you’re planning for a race to “peak”. But then it’s not a stopping, it is a planned peak and baseline sort of thing.
You don’t have to be at the gym all day long to care for your health & fitness. Aaron has that right.
Money and career cannot buy health and it cannot buy happiness. And without health, a whole lot of the other stuff really doesn’t matter. This perspective allows me to keep my workout rouine intact regardless of what is going on in my life or work (and I am working fulltime and building my business while having a life, relationship, etc.)…so I know about time crunch.
I’m grateful for all the helpful feedback to this post. Aaron made an excellent point about the “all or nothing” approach which I’m actually quite guily of having towards many things, but exercise in particular. I’m working on changing that.
Debbie also provided some good timesaving ideas such as cooking double-batches of meals, and combining appointments with friends to do cooking or exercising.
Everyone provided wonderful encouragement, and I’m very thankful. Queercents is a great community to have around!