How do you fit more exercise in?

I wear a fitbit so I make sure I stay active during the day. I walk for an hour each night for my cardiac health and the clear my head. I know it's all I need to stay healthy. There is no reason for me to try to fit in "more" exercise.

I think many of us have the "all-or-nothing" mentality. When life gets overwhelming, and we think we have to exercise for hours a day, it is easy to just throw our hands in the air and give up. Don't do that.

Hi Laura:

Sometimes I think I'm one of the people you describe in your response: "I think many of us have the 'all or nothing' mentality. When life gets overwhelming ... it's easy to just throw our hands in the air and give up."

I believe that I have the ability to change that way of thinking. Like you said, a key to alter this outlook on exercise is to fit in as much activity as I can throughout my day.

Great idea!

Thanks!

---Joyce

So I plan my workouts for the gym, same day and time before work twice a week and one weekend day. Then for walking I get to work early and try to get 20-30 minutes in before I start, I walk both 15 minutes breaks and 20 minutes at lunch time. I'm trying to currently get in at least 5 miles or 12,250 steps a day, 7 days a week. Weekend are my favorite for walking because I can take one of my dogs.

Honestly, I had to carve the time out and it took some doing but I'm so happy I did. Now it's a habit.

Liz

How do you manage to fit more exercise into your daily life?

You make your health the priority. I work full time, I run a home and school association, I have two kids (one in college one in HS) a husband and two dogs. I'm working out every day.

Because if I'm dead, I can't do any of it.

Find something you love and make time. I fence (as in en garde) twice a week for 2-3 hours. My family can live without me for those 4-6 hours. As a result, I'm much happier and nationally ranked as a fencer in my age group.

I do a group fitness Crossfit type class two nights a week and on Saturday morning. Throwing metal around makes me feel bad ass.

You make time. You put yourself first. Not putting yourself first got you to the weight that required surgery. Now is the time to put yourself first - for you and your family.

(FWIW - I'm 57. I'm ranked 27th in the US in my weapon among women 50-59 and I've been fencing 18 months. I train hard and it's all worth it.)

Total honesty here - I loathe organized exercise and refuse to do it.

I did find that as I lost weight I became more active, but with real purpose. I lost 146 lbs without fitting in any exercise.

Hi Valerie!

That's amazing! You also had your DS more than 10 years ago. Have you been able to maintain your weight loss without exercise? What's your secret?

---Joyce

I had the DS 13 years ago (can't remember how to change signature). I regained 25 lbs and lost another 15 without trying this year, so not shabby. I eat protein forward, 100g from real meat, eggs, and cheese, full fat. I don't sweat the small stuff beyond that. It's effortless now, my only secret would be having the DS.

Walking is great exercise. If you have a desire to do "more" in the future and are worried about juggling with responsibilities, I have a few thoughts:

• As other posters have said, find exercise that is at least somewhat enjoyable and IMO more importantly sustainable. There are a lot of people that come to this site right out of surgery who go fast and furious into exercise/fitness... only to find that their new way of life isn't sustainable for them. Surprise, surprise, they burn out quickly and we don't hear from them again.
• As Laura mentioned, I learned that getting rid of the "all or nothing" mentality with exercise is helpful. For so many years, I thought going to the gym wasn't worth it unless I could stay for an hour. I'm not sure where this arbitrary requirement came from; however, it isn't helpful. Since getting rid of that mindset, I can't tell you how many times I have done for maybe 15-20 minutes. Something is better than nothing and most importantly, you stay in the habit of making it a sustainable part of your life.
• Having a fitness tracker that shows your daily activity level can be reassuring that if you can't make the time to hit the gym that day, you still achieved an appropriate level of "active" throughout the day - and it could put you at ease. OR, it shows you that you've been a slug all day and a nice long walk could be in order! :)

Nikke!!!

I have been the worst about keeping up with things here. I'm trying to make a bigger effort!!

Side note - I moved to Philly a few months and am now a big city gal. It has been keeping me quite busy!!