Author Topic: When do you exercise/work-out?  (Read 13936 times)

Wadiman

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When do you exercise/work-out?
« on: May 16, 2015, 06:25:06 PM »
Hi -

In recent years I've found it very difficult to get back into a consistent exercise regime. 

Interested in hearing from fit MMM dudes and dudettes - when works best for you?  Do you have a routine or is it ad-hoc?  What little things have you done to make sure that you keep exercising?

Here are my thoughts:

Early morning: I love the idea of an early morning workout but find it hard enough to wake up let alone work out (I always wake up feeling very tired no matter when I go to bed) so this doesn't sound like a good option and it's dark in Winter.

Early evening: When I come back from work it's too easy for me to make excuses not to exercise.  There are a million things to do and I help my wife with feeding and looking after our child plus often prepare dinner.  After dinner is not an option I think.

Lunch time (weekdays):  I think that doing something in my lunch break 3 days/week could work well if I plan it out, book appointments with myself and make it a habit. 

Weekends:  I could undertake some sort of activity on the weekend (as long as I plan it before) which would help.


Mathew675

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2015, 06:52:05 PM »
I can't wake up in the morning either but it's really the only time I can go. I found that to do something like this I need to turn it into a habit. So every day for 4 weeks I resolved to at least get up 3 hours before work. Most of the days I went and worked out but some I just read the newspaper or this forum. After a month of strict discipline I let myself off the hook and found that I couldn't wait to go to the gym the next day. In a lot of ways it was like developing the discipline to save money. Now they are both habits I am thankful I have.

Spork

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2015, 06:59:56 PM »
Usually once on a day in early June.

MDM

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 07:00:09 PM »
Thanks for the reminder.  Time to go....

PJ

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2015, 07:42:57 PM »
I'm very bad about exercising, and I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't go to a gym.  The only time I regularly exercised (other than walking the dogs) was when I rode my bike to and from work every day.  Other people I know who take public transit do the same kind of thing by getting off X number of stops early, and that kind of thing.

Eric

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2015, 07:47:45 PM »
Bike commute!  15 miles a day built right in to the daily routine.

Jon_Snow

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2015, 07:58:53 PM »
Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm...works out well in that I can get any investment stuff done in the morning and then by the time I get to the gym at 10, it's pretty empty.

Elderwood17

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2015, 08:09:58 PM »
I too struggle waking up early enough to do anything and typically am in my office at 7am.  But once or twice a week I try to get up and walk the dog a mile before work.  There is no opportunity to do anything at 'lunch' so my options are making sure a couple of times a week I get out at a reasonable enough hour that I can run or bike in the evening.  On the weekends I use the early morning to get a run in each morning first thing.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2015, 08:11:15 PM »
Studies have shown you're most likely to keep to a morning workout routine. Like you mentioned, afternoons or evenings, it is too easy for life to get in the way.

Honestly, rather than being concerned with working out, I would try to figure out why you have such a hard time waking up. If you're in good health and sleeping enough, you should wake up most mornings quite functional. Maybe try a sleep tracking app on your phone. Do you snore? If you do, get checked for apnea. Etc, with possible sources of sleep disruption.

As for me? I work out MWF mornings, and hike on the weekends. Routine changes as my schedule does though. For a while last year it was afternoons.

zinnie

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2015, 09:05:13 PM »
Lunch break at work is best for me, cause I have no problem wanting to leave my desk in the afternoon. I try to do five days a week but meetings and stuff come up so I usually stick to about three. Weekend mornings work well too b/c there is time and it is fun to get out and exercise anyways! Edit: If you do lunch workouts I find it is very helpful to actually put your workout time in your calendar--it helps both in sticking to it yourself and prevents others from scheduling meetings during your workout time.

Also, I really try to make my life more active so it isn't a matter of making time to "work out." Instead it just happens as a result of my normal activities. We walk to get groceries, to the farmer's market, to the hardware store. We bike for coffee and going downtown. We do all our yard work, cleaning, gardening ourselves. It seems like it isn't hard (for me) to be pretty active on the weekends since I have structured where I live and what I do to be generally active.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2015, 09:06:59 PM by zinnie »

Kriegsspiel

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2015, 09:09:05 PM »
I work out in the afternoon, once I get home from cutting my way through underbrush and sweating balls hiking up hills. If it's important to you, you'll make time. Just be consistent.

big_slacker

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2015, 09:47:03 PM »
For me I LOVE to work out so it's not a problem of finding motivation, just time. Job + wife + 2 toddlers. I have some rings in the basement and do pullups, dips, L sit, etc... a kettlebell, barbell, dumbells. I just do it throughout the day. That plus biking plus maybe once a week in the gym keeps me fit.

Ynari

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2015, 10:19:08 PM »
When I am exercising on my own, I tend to prefer late evening.  9pm or so. I've tried morning, and it doesn't work for me.  Mid-day sometimes works, but for some reason I find it easiest to bust out a simple 20-30 minute workout before getting ready for bed.  (I believe I've read that as long as there's a half hour after a workout and before bed, it doesn't affect your sleep negatively.)  A large part of my motivation for "working out" comes from a goal I'm pursuing - like I may be working towards a certain trick like a pull over or chest stand and therefore I do lots of pull ups or backbends to get progress. So they tend to be short and efficient, where the bulk of my other movement is done from activities.

I really like incorporating playful or functional movement into my week.  Biking to work is a workout that's hard to miss. Classes at a fitness studio (my favorites are aerials, dance, yoga, and tai chi) are fun and have a social aspect to them that make it more interesting. Athletic social activities are also super great (ultimate frisbee, hiking, what-have-you).

Mustachianism seems to be as much about lifestyle design as it is about finances.  I find lifestyle design - making good habits and activities easy and natural while avoiding the trap of hard ones - just as applicable to movement.

Wadiman

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2015, 05:03:17 AM »
Many thanks folks - lots of ideas there!  Will respond in more detail shortly.

captainawesome

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2015, 05:13:53 AM »
The earlier in the day, the better. A few reasons behind it. One, no matter what else happens that day you know you already worked out. Sometimes the stress of "I still have to fit time to go to the gym/go run/etc" makes you not go at all (forced decision rather than the desire to go). This also plays into effect if you have kids and a wife at home. They generally want your attention at night, and your willpower diminishes exponentially at that point. My recommendation, either in the morning or at lunch. Anything after that unless you have good motivation is going to be hard to stick to. The key is developing that consistent pattern. And although you may not like the morning workouts at first, you might get used to them.

gt7152b

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2015, 09:57:34 AM »
"Working out" is something I do pretty sporadically. I'll go through phases where I'm into it or trying to recover from n an injury but that root word "work" takes most of the fun out. Riding my bike is something I want to do everyday but realistically it's about 5 days per week. No work involved, all play. My advice is to find a physically demanding hobby and you won't have to worry about finding time for it.

ijingle

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #16 on: May 17, 2015, 01:00:10 PM »
Bike commute!  15 miles a day built right in to the daily routine.

Me too. I really like building exercise into my daily routine instead of carving out dedicated "work out" time and mix it up between walking home and commuting by bike.

RFAAOATB

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #17 on: May 17, 2015, 01:43:09 PM »
PT is the most important part of the day.  I wake up at 0430, take my preworkout, and train for about an hour before personal hygiene and getting to work at 0800.  Of course that means I have to go to bed before 2100 to get enough sleep, but you can make that adjustment soon enough.  I am a little more relaxed on the weekends, but in general adding a consistent diet along with a consistent exercise plan should get you above average results.

retireatbirth

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2015, 01:45:54 PM »
I can't wake up in the morning either but it's really the only time I can go. I found that to do something like this I need to turn it into a habit. So every day for 4 weeks I resolved to at least get up 3 hours before work. Most of the days I went and worked out but some I just read the newspaper or this forum. After a month of strict discipline I let myself off the hook and found that I couldn't wait to go to the gym the next day. In a lot of ways it was like developing the discipline to save money. Now they are both habits I am thankful I have.

Thats a fantastic idea. Great first post.

I've been trying to get back into a 3-4 times per week routine for a long time, but I've only been going once on the weekends. This idea might help. Setting my alarm back an hour right now.

Zikoris

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2015, 02:27:03 PM »
I have ballet class Saturday morning and go hiking with my boyfriend every Sunday morning/afternoon. Those two are set in stone. I also do exercise videos (with weights or resistance bands) a couple nights a week, and we walk or bike everywhere. That's good enough for me.

ltt

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2015, 02:49:10 PM »
I like to exercise and try to at least 5 days a week--either riding a stationary bike or some other type of movement/dance while listening to music or watching tv.  And typically it is in the morning, fairly early.  If I don't exercise, then I consider doing yard work/gardening exercise and could spend hours doing that.

rocketpj

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2015, 11:32:26 PM »
Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 11 and 1230.  I go to a 'MMA Fit' circuit training thing, and the only time it is open to men is in those times.  The gym is excellent, run by my friend's kid - every workout is different and intense.

I've known a few people who've quit because of the limited availability, but it really works for me.  I cannot put it off, procrastinate or otherwise be a slacker - if I don't go in by 11:45 I won't get a full workout in, and then I can't go back.  So no bullshit allowed - and excluding work issues I've only missed one in the past 1.5 years (lost track of time while working).

That and cycling to work pretty much exclusively for the past 20 years, but it's such a habit for me that I don't even really see it as exercise.  I'd hate to see my body if I hadn't been doing that - I am a big guy and tend to a belly, if I didn't ride, work out and eat carefully I'd probably be enormous.

cerebus

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #22 on: May 18, 2015, 01:19:53 AM »
I work above a gym so it's easy to fit in over lunch. I bike commute in, then change without showering - then by lunch I have plenty of motivation because I'm feeling a bit rank and the shower is in gym. If I have no energy I'll just shower and sit in the steam room and sauna to wind down, but at least 3 times a week I'll do a half  hour routine. That combined with the biking is plenty I think.

Cookie

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #23 on: May 18, 2015, 02:39:27 AM »
I go for a run or do some sort of circuits weekday mornings around 5 am. In the evenings three days a week I also go to a yoga class. All of this is in addition to biking to and from work and walking 6-8 miles during work. On the weekends I don't workout.

Boganvillia

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #24 on: May 18, 2015, 02:59:11 AM »
About 4pm i go for a run around my suburb. I knock off at 2.30pm, and collect the kids from day care about.five, so this timeslot is generally free.

After dinner i sometimes fit in a 45min walk too, especially in summer.

I hate exercising in the morning and would never bother trying, even if it weren't always chaos at home then (which it is.)

Wadiman

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #25 on: May 18, 2015, 04:24:01 AM »
Thanks everyone.

What a splendid community we have here!

Great to read about the many and diverse ways that you're keeping fit.

Some good takeouts for me - try to form a regular exercise habit, explore why I am feeling tired in the morning - if I can address this then I will have a better chance of committing to a pre-work workout, ride/walk to work, add in some other activities that I used to enjoy that will also help me keep fit. 

bb11

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #26 on: May 18, 2015, 08:10:27 AM »
Monday: Basketball at 7:30pm with some other dudes at the community gym

Tuesday after work +Thursday after work + Saturday morning: Lift weights

Sunday as soon as I feel up to it: Go for a run


Feels pretty automated, which makes it easy to stick to a routine. The biggest key for me was finding a way to make it fun. That included finding good music for running and having defined lifting goals. Been doing this for about 3 years now; lost and kept off 40 pounds while gaining quite a bit of muscle.

Weyfarere

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #27 on: May 18, 2015, 12:32:28 PM »
Early evening: When I come back from work it's too easy for me to make excuses not to exercise.  There are a million things to do and I help my wife with feeding and looking after our child plus often prepare dinner.  After dinner is not an option I think.
If the child is small, you could put him into a baby carrier, strap it on, and go for a good brisk walk.

iamlittlehedgehog

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #28 on: May 18, 2015, 12:53:20 PM »
I'm very overweight but I'm getting there. I aim to walk 5 miles a day 4 days a week and I'm hoping this week to start incorporating some strength training in the mornings.

TRBeck

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #29 on: May 18, 2015, 01:02:36 PM »
I alternate between running and weight training; I do both early in the morning and work out every day. That said, when we had a newborn, it was tougher. As for what to do, I don't think you need to worry too much about that. Unless you have a specific goal, fitness is as simple as:

1. pick something to do
2. do it consistently

Or, to be even more succinct: Keep Moving

That said, sometimes the particulars can be hard to get a handle on. Given your life situation at present, I recommend finding something that's simple, efficient, and effective. Being able to do it without hitting a gym sounds like it would be a plus. I had good luck with Simple and Sinister, a basic kettlebell workout that is good for people new to kettlebells but excellent for anyone. One kettlebell and you're good to go. I also enjoy running, and it can be done with no equipment investment other than shoes. Finally, you may want to look at a bodyweight strength training workout, which also requires no equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime. Your Body is a Barbell is one I have used with good results.

Ultimately, you have to decide what works for you. For me, a consistent workout time every day is best, but you may do fine on a more ad hoc schedule. Whatever helps with adherence is the way to go, both in terms of workout frequency and in terms of the type of exercise you choose.

Helvegen

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #30 on: May 18, 2015, 01:24:29 PM »
I use the gym at work during breaks and at lunch. I come in on either Saturday or Sunday too for about 2 hours.

Giro

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #31 on: May 18, 2015, 01:30:25 PM »
The absolute best thing about my work place is that there is a gym in the building's basement.  I workout from 11-130pm or so.  We also have a membership to a local gym for our Sunday workout.  We take Saturdays off.

I also sneak down sometimes during the day and lay in the sauna if it's cold in the building. 

:)


Schaefer Light

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #32 on: May 18, 2015, 01:51:13 PM »
Right after work is the only time I can consistently stick with it.  There's no way I'm getting up an hour earlier than I have to in order to do something that doesn't generate income.

Gyosho

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #33 on: May 18, 2015, 01:59:10 PM »
Bike to work 2-3 days a week (4 miles each way).

Shovelglove (swing 10 lb sledgehammer around vigorously for 14 minutes) 3-4 days a week, usually when I come home from work to work off frustration of the day. http://www.shovelglove.com/

Run 3-4 times a week usually in the evening.

Long hike one weekend day, weather permitting.

If you're having trouble getting motivated, you should find a workout partner! I go running once or twice a week with a friend of mine; it's a great chance to catch up and also brings us closer. Sometimes we even go out for a beer afterwards!

TheContinentalOp

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #34 on: May 18, 2015, 02:03:32 PM »
Gym in the morning (6am)  M-F. It's a half-mile walk to get there.

Bike to work

Bike after work (weather permitting)

On the weekends gym in the morning one day and a long bike ride on the other.

NoraLenderbee

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #35 on: May 18, 2015, 02:04:47 PM »
Right after work, but before I go home, has always worked best for me. It still takes an effort of will some days, but I can manage it, and then I'm always glad I did. I forget the strains of the day and go home feeling relaxed and refreshed. And I really like not having to go back to work afterward.

Some people are just physiologically slow to get started in the morning. I couldn't manage a morning workout routine if my life depended on it. If that's the way you're built, then morning isn't the best time for *you*, even if it works for other people.

otter

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #36 on: May 18, 2015, 02:38:49 PM »
My exercise is substantially built into my day since I ride my bikes everywhere for everything. But before I was able to do this, when I drove to work, I would go on rides immediately after I got home from work. You're right - it's easy to think of excuses not to when you get home and want to relax. But if you push yourself through that inertia, the high feeling of whatever your chosen form of exercise is will take over and you'll be glad. Getting up early in the morning is tough, but it is a nice feeling to know that it's 10AM and you've already gotten a bunch of stuff done. Early-morning yoga or something is good for this.


cbgg

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #37 on: May 18, 2015, 04:26:56 PM »
For me, it works best to go after work.  I do NOT go home first (if I do, all is lost!).  Instead, I pack my workout clothes with me and hit the gym for a quick session on my way home.  I chose a gym that's extremely convenient for this purpose. 

That's what works for me (right now), but it's all about figuring out what works for you.  Right now I have a full-time job and long commute to contend with, but no kids.  I already have so many of my waking hours dedicated to work/transportation, that I'm focused on a workout plan where I can get 2-3 good, challenging workouts in a week that take only about 45 minutes each.  I just don't have the time or energy to do a big workout 5-7 days a week like I used to (try) to do. 

I do supplement my focused workouts with trying to be moderately physically active in my recreational time.  For example, my husband and I like to go for a walk when we get home from work, walking and biking make up parts of my daily commute, and we do a lot of hiking and biking (at more of a fun rather than a fitness pace) on the weekends.

GuitarStv

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #38 on: May 18, 2015, 05:00:52 PM »
I've read that lifting weights early in the morning is hard on your spine (something to do with natural decompression that happens as you sleep overnight), so I usually hit the weights in the evening, immediately after work and before supper.When I bike to work I get my 11 miles in the morning and again on the way home.  Little things can help too . . . I take the stairs at work (usually 14 - 20 floors over the space of a day) and do a couple sets of dips on the stair railing during the day.

druth

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #39 on: May 19, 2015, 08:17:47 AM »
I take (un-mustachian) aerial dance classes, and go to the climbing gym with a group of people.

Like you, I will not wake up any earlier than absolutely necessary, and there are always a million excuses in the evening. 

People will notice if I don't show up to climbing, same with aerials, though with aerials especially if I miss something I'm missing out on learning new things, and possibly performance prep, so I almost never miss that.

I'm sure there are a lot of opportunities to join a team or club without even spending much, depending on what interests you.

Meggslynn

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #40 on: May 19, 2015, 03:55:53 PM »
We have a small child too. We use to work out right after work, before dinner.

Now I work out once he is in bed at 7:30. Usually I am on the treadmill at 7:45 and do intervals till about 8:20/8:30. Then maybe some free weights after. Its not the most sleep conducive though. I generally can't fall asleep until at least 3 hours after I have finished a workout.

Early morning work outs don't work for me as I find I am starving throughout the day and crash hard around noon.

Lunch hours don't work either as I work in a industrial park with no gyms and nothing but gravel roads.


kpd905

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #41 on: May 19, 2015, 06:31:55 PM »
Right now after work.  But once it starts getting warmer I am going to go for a 2-3 mile run as soon as I wake up about 3-4 times a week.

DMoney

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #42 on: May 19, 2015, 06:56:24 PM »
Mornings.  Only time I can almost guarantee it will happen.  I'll think I have a day coming up where I'll be able to do it at lunch, and invariably something else comes up preventing me from taking a lunch break. 

I agree with previous posters about making a commitment to do it for 4 weeks and turn it in to a habit. 

Get in bed early.  Pack everything for the next day before bed (breakfast, lunch, clothes, etc).  I do a mix of swimming, biking, running and triathlon.  On the weekends we do bike rides or hiking with the kids. 

Good luck, you can do it!

The Money Monk

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #43 on: May 19, 2015, 07:33:51 PM »
I am all but physically incapable of working out in the mornings. I typically get my workouts in at around 6 to 8 pm. For my goals I need 4 to 5 serious lifting sessions a week. 30 minutes of biking or whatever doesn't cut it for me, I gotta get SWOLE, bro!

I have set up a "muscle dungeon" on my back patio with a squat rack, bench, and a pullup bar I anchored outside. I workout 4 to 5 times a week. I use a program, I don't try to wing it.

My intermediate goal is to get to a 1000# 3-lift total. Not much, I know, even at bodyweight of 165, but you gotta start somewhere.

Exhale

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #44 on: May 19, 2015, 09:24:06 PM »
I'm very overweight but I'm getting there. I aim to walk 5 miles a day 4 days a week and I'm hoping this week to start incorporating some strength training in the mornings.

Good for you! Keep us posted on how it goes.

Exhale

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #45 on: May 19, 2015, 09:28:39 PM »
Right after work, but before I go home, has always worked best for me. It still takes an effort of will some days, but I can manage it, and then I'm always glad I did. I forget the strains of the day and go home feeling relaxed and refreshed.

+1

I do this on the weekends too since I always have a dip in energy from about 3-5PM and end up napping.

I liked The Willpower Instinct for great tips on how to reach goals.

Ynari

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #46 on: May 20, 2015, 12:05:19 AM »
I just wanted to add on to my previous post to say that I think this is a case where (at least for me) "The perfect is the enemy of the good".

Working out in the morning may be "perfect" but working out at all is "good", right?  I only found out my ideal time to work out when I joined a fitness challenge that involved doing push ups and sit ups every day (or most days). I would usually procrastinate to the end of the day, but still get it done. If I'd've said "Must do push ups in the morning, or it's not worth it" I would have shot myself in the foot before I even gave it a chance.

Don't get too caught up in the details, just go ahead and try something.

Bjorn

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #47 on: May 20, 2015, 01:38:10 AM »
I walk or bike from work and when I come home I'm already abit pumped up so I change in a hurry and do a 30-60 min workout (jogging, strength exercises, skipping ropes, kettlebells, uphill sprints - nothing complicated).

If I wait 3 minutes I'll just fall asleep on the couch so after work is best for me. And once every weekend.

2lazy2retire

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #48 on: May 20, 2015, 11:15:07 AM »
All for functional exercise when possible, currently back running to work - 4miles

stlbrah

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Re: When do you exercise/work-out?
« Reply #49 on: May 20, 2015, 11:27:58 AM »
Competitive powerlifter so MWTh evenings and Saturday mornings are set aside for training. I like to do cardio on Sunday when possible with mountain bike or pushing a sled.

Sure I could probably increase my income a lot if I dedicated that time to something income-producing, but to me the point of mustachianism is to make the necessary choices so we CAN do what we like.