The Monday Meeting: Balancing Health and Work
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Hey guys, I’m busy cramming for my two finals that I have today so I’ve arranged a guest post. Please welcome Jess, today we will be discussing tips and tricks for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while balancing a 40+ hour work week.
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Hey everyone. This is Jess from over at Run Girl Run and I’m writing today’s guest post for Amber’s Monday Meetings series. Today’s topic is how we can continue to maintain healthy lifestyles when making the switch from full-time student to full-time employee.
In college, I remember how much easier it was to fit in workouts. Sure, I was super busy with class and work and my five million and one extra curriculars, but my schedule was more flexible. Some days I had a few hours here or there between classes where I could work out in the afternoon. Other days I had to wait until all my classes were over, but I was always done with workouts and class by 7 or 8 most nights, which left me with plenty of time to finish homework, study and catch up on all my TV.
Now that I’m working, flexibility is gone from my schedule. I’m in the office from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. most days and have a commute that takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
Finding time to be healthy by fitting in workouts and planning and cooking healthy meals was a real challenge once I graduated. But I’ve somehow managed to make healthy living and the 40-hour work week go hand in hand for the most part. Sure, I have my lazy, unhealthy days, but not everyone is perfect.
Here are a few of the things I’ve found helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
1. Make good use of the weekends. I do all my grocery shopping over the weekend so I’m not totally rushed and I can pick good foods that I can use to make quick, healthy meals during the week. Plus on the weekend you can fit in a longer work out that you might not have had time for during the week.
2. Workout DVDs are your friends. I’ve found this especially true in the winter when the days are short and I don’t have a ton of motivation to leave the house after work. Most DVDs are short, but still provide lots of variety and a good workout. I’m a big fan of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred.
3. Go for a run (or walk) during lunch. A lunch break is a great time to sneak in a little bit of activity. I’ve found if I run when it’s chilly out, I don’t sweat enough to need a full shower. So I can save time with just a quick rinse, some deodorant and a pony-tail. (Note: I only use the run during lunch plan if I don’t have an important meeting in the afternoon.)
4. The DVR is your friend. In college I could fit my workout and shower in before my favorite shows came on. I can’t do that anymore, but I don’t mind missing shows because I know I can watch them online the next day. If my coworkers as me about them the next day at the office I tell them I missed the episode but I plan on catching up that night.
5. Pack your lunch. It’s healthier for your waistline and your wallet.
What other tips do you have for maintaining a healthy lifestyle after you graduate?
Wow, that’s so interesting! I’ve found that i have SO much more time now that I’ve graduated, rather than less. My schedule is pretty regular now, too.
Doesn’t mean I’m working out though – I need to start some sort of regular exercise, no matter how small…
For me, when I was working full-time vs. going to school full-time I found that it wasn’t that I had MORE time, I just had more flexible time when I was at school. I would often get my workout over with at the oddest hours like 11 am or 2 pm, because that’s when I had a break from classes. Whereas when I worked full-time I had two options – before work or after work!
Vitamins and OJ.
I have WAY less time to work out now v. when I was in college. Makes it a challenge but it’s so important to fit it in. I always pack my gym bag the night before so I can go on the way home from work (and have an afternoon snack so I don’t get too hungry!). I do shorter work outs during the week (30-50 minutes) and then do my longer runs on the weekend.
It’s not easy and there are definitely days where it’s a struggle to get there since I am so exhausted from working 10-12 hour days, but I never regret getting a work out in so I think of that when I am having a hard time finding the motivation!
Good luck w/ finals! The finish line is in sight!! Woo hoo!
I agree. A wise friend told me once, “You have a finite number of weekends, don’t waste them sleeping. Think about it–if you get up at the same time you do during the week, you can go for a run, grab the paper, have coffee, & hit the farmer’s market all before most people are even awake.”
I do big batch cooking on weekends–chili, spaghetti sauce, curries, whatever, and portion them out and freeze them for easy lunches or a dinner when I’m too lazy to cook.
H =)
I find I ENJOY my weekends so. much. more if I actually get up and make use of them!
I’m ALL about the packing your lunch and using the lunch our to do *something* productive! I actually use my lunch to grocery shop – since i Live in the city but work in more of a suburb-type area (yes, thats backwards from most people
) !
Good luck with the exams, Amber!!
I just realised how good workout DVDs are! I got a few recently, one cardio, one yoga and one abs – I can fit them in while I’m waiting for supper or before bed (I tried the getting up early thing – FAIL) . Batch cooking is awesome too for freeing up evenings.
Good luck Amber!!
I have no problem fitting in workouts when I am just working … but working full time at my career as a teacher, and going to school full time makes it pretty impossible to workout. I am so glad I am almost done school (again) in 2 days!!!!
Today I have two finals and this semester is over and then I only have ONE more semester and I’m done my undergrad – which means I’m done school for at least a couple of years. I’m SO EXCITED!
I didn’t work out that regularly when in college, but it was definitely easier.
I found that i was busier in college, i would usually have 2 jobs and going to school. While i just have my 40 hour week job, and i was finding that i was simply bored, and needed something to do. So working out was the answer.
Getting up in the morning to work out is easier than going after work, and i only have to take 1 shower, versus 2 showers. Saves water! =)
The DVR is a life saver though!
Amber, Good luck on your exams!
I’m a huge fan of workout DVDs, anything to facilitate less running around town and more productive time at home is amazing for me.
I’ve done well with DVDs for a long time, but Mister and I are contemplating getting a treadmill just so I can really tear up the cardio if I want to. We’ll see- but it’s those little negotiations that seem to make a difference, as well as always being up for trying something new and seeing how it works.
Love the Monday Meeting!
I had more time in college, but I didn’t have the crazy life Amber leads in college
My best work out tip for myself has been waking up early to work out. I am at work by 7 most days, but I try really hard to fit in at least a work out dvd before that a few days a week. Otherwise, it’s so much harder to motivate myself after work. I am trying to get into that again because it has been getting dark so early and that makes me lose motivation quickly! Great tips!
I work two jobs and fit in most of my working out before work, after work there are just too many excuses not to do it so I make sure to pound it out before my day even begins so I can deal with anything that life throws my way.
Couldn’t agree more on taking a lunch to work! I try to stock up on healthy lunches (Lean Cuisines since they have no preservatives) and leave them in the freezer at work. Ditto for yogurt & other healthy snacks so that I’m not as tempted to run to the vending machine.
I also have found that scheduling my workouts in my planner or on a post-it will keep me accountable.
Even simple things like taking my dog for a longer walk than usual or taking the stairs instead of the elevator make me feel a bit healthier or at that I’m at least working towards being healthier that day!
Great post & ideas!
Putting your workouts on your schedule helps. And running with a group really forces you to show up because you don’t want to let others down. It also makes the exercise a little more fun.
I usually don’t have to be to work until 830-9am so I try every morning to take the dog for a quick walk, do 15 min of yoga and some pushups to start my morning off right. That way, if i miss a workout later in the day, I’ve already done a little something.
Amber, I left you an award over on my blog..
great guest post! I keep healthy snacks at my desk and bring my lunch every day.
Being in college, I realize how lucky I am to have plenty of time to work out despite my busy schedule. I arrange my schedule so my part time job and classes start at ten so I can wake up around 730 and get a long work out in and a relaxing healthy breakfast.
However, this summer I got a chance to see what the professional world was all about. I interned 40 hours a week with an hour commute. It was quite the adjustment but I didn’t want this internship to slow me down in my triathlon training or sacrifice my healthy regime.
My solution was to wake up at 530 in the dark every weekday and worked out before work. As a result, I had to go to bed at 9 o’clock every night to survive the day, allowing only two hours of down time a day. It was quite a draining schedule but somehow I managed it. However, I really don’t know if I could have kept up that schedule continuously. Those suggestions are really helpful! I think in the end its just something you have to do to take care of yourself.
I’m definitely going to save the last year and a half of my flexible college schedule…
I love your monday meetings, amber!
Its hard to fit everything in when you are working full time. The only things I have to add are:
- Go to bed at a decent hour – it really will save your sanity, health, and attitude on life.
- Make time for friends and yourself. Carve out time to call a close bud. All of my close college friends moved to different cities so now it is challenging to keep up with them. I have to make it a priority, but thanks to email and social networking it works well. Also, make time for yourself. You need downtime…the working world runs at a fast pace.
Awesome post Jess!! Loving all of the series Amber!