So, I mentioned that last week and this week have been a big of a juggle — I’m very spoiled in that Lucas and I split the household duties (including cooking, thank goodness) and that because he’s been working a night shift for the last year and a half (and was my house husband for 9 months before that), I haven’t really had to think twice about scheduling trips to the gym or social events.
(I know. I hate myself a little, too. And again…I don’t have kids. Someday, this free-for-all lifestyle I have will change.)
But Lucas is currently training for his awesome new gig, which means more time out of the house and out of town. And it means I am in charge of keeping things running.
Most importantly: mitigating the damage done by or to my dogs if they are left alone too long.
They are crate-trained (and love it, I promise) so it’s just a matter of putting them “to bed” before work and rushing home to let them out. But since they have a window of pre-bladder-explosion time, I have to leave as late as I can and get home as early as I can. Not easy with a full-time job, and not easy when I would normally go to the gym first.
So, this has been a week of walking the walk. (I certainly talk the talk, what with my posts on having no excuses and fitting in fitness.) And it’s a humbling reminder that life really can get in the way of an ideal healthy lifestyle.
I also posted about this on the Growing Bolder TV blog (“Redefining Lunch ‘Break‘”) as I try and figure out what will work best for me. I’m fighting several things:
- A severe lack of motivation or ambition to work out once I cross the threshold of my house.
- Two rambunctious dogs who are stir crazy when I get home and make it tough to do anything except play with them.
- My missing 30 Day Shred DVD (seriously, this is a disaster).
- Limited access to weights and equipment (I have 5-, 10- and 15-pound weights as well as an exercise ball and a pull-up bar, as well as a stationary bike trainer).
If you read the GBTV post above, you’ll see that I am trying to fit in workouts during my lunch break (I normally take walks with my colleague) but I’d still like to have some better plans for working out at home.
So, help me help…me. What do you do when you are limited to working out at home?
About Katy
Katy, we had a similar issue with our dogs so I finally started looking around and found an older man who would come in and let the dogs out to play in the backyard for a few minutes and then put them back. It is actually really cheap about 5 a visit and saves me a lot of clean up. Great job though getting everything in. It isn’t always easy to walk the walk.
Water aerobics in your pool; hitch the pups up and take them for a walk or to the dog park for some frisbee?
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Do you have a smartphone? If so, download the Nike Workout App. It’s free and has all these great workouts that will basically tell you what to do and when to do it, so you don’t have to keep looking at the phone.
Bodyrock is also good, although it’s hard.
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I use dvd’s that I got at the library, Like Jillian’s shred it with weights or her burn fat and boost metabolism kick boxing workout. Or I make up my own circuit using the weights that I have and body weight and throw in plyometrics also Youtube is a great place to find workouts as well as the tone it up girls!
I’m a huge fan of lunch break workouts! I regularly go for a short run with some co-workers. Thankfully, we have a pretty decent shower option in my office building, and my boss doesn’t mind if I extend my lunch break a little once or twice a week. On the days that I don’t run, I go for a short walk around noon.
And I totally agree, once I’ve parked my butt on the couch, it’s next to impossible to get up again.
Sue recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday – Veggie Love Edition
I run! Seriously, not having enough time/access to the gym is what got me into running. Now I wake up at 5am (or earlier) to run — or I’ll go at night after I eat dinner/put the kids to bed. If I run 5 miles it’s generally between 45-50 minutes — I can fit that in somehow!!
Michelle recently posted..Weekly Menu & Work Outs
Funny, I just bought 2 Jillian videos because I’m so sick of leaving the house all the time to workout. I just wanna be done and jump in the shower and not worry about a drive somewhere and back.
You’re gonna have to get past that lack of motivation before you work on anything else. That’s the only thing that keeps me working out. Why don’t you take the dogs out on long walks or short runs together. When they stop to pee or poop, you can do lunges.
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted..Future Lazy
I worry about the furballs first. I take them on a walk and make sure they are happy, then either do a short run or a DVD.
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First off, your dogs are adorable! I have a dog too, so I hear you about carving out time for them to make sure they’re active & happy. My current routine is waking up earlier to walk Rocco for the day, that way I leave him nice & tired when I head to work.
Carolina @ Peas in a Blog recently posted..Giveaway: Orlando Ice Cream Social.
Your pups are so cute! They both have a guilty look in their eye haha. That second picture reminds me of my puppy. She totally ate my boot last week! Guess it’s time to go shoe shopping..darn!
Erin @ livelifeactive.com recently posted..Body Fat Testing
I remember these days!!! Darn dogs! I agree with others who have said to get up early and work out (sucks, I know), or make up a routine at your house. I think you have everything you need (maybe get some heavier weights) and you could do a pretty good cardio/weight circuit!
once the bean comes and i need to get back into shape it’s going to be a battle, i still say we need to take advantage of how close we live to each other and make something happen. you are in way better shape than me so i would probably slow you down but maybe we could arrange dog walks or something.
I’ve got 2 high energy dogs also & they need to run. I like going out early in the morning & I can let them off leash in the local park (I’m lucky they don’t run away). I get my exercise in & feel better the rest of the day (even less guilty!), the dogs get some great exercise & are a little less nuts (see post below on crazy dogs).
Also, how about cross fit? I think the workouts are very short & might give you some ideas of things you could do at home or with minimal equipment.
GOOD LUCK!
Amanda @ Click. The Good News recently posted..Crazy Dogs
I have the same problem with not wanting to leave to go to the gym once I come home. Do you work near enough to your house to come home and let the dogs out on your lunch break? That way you might be able to get to the gym right after work without having to come home!
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Granted, it’s not a free option, but a small $ investment in some more home gym equipment (another set of dumbbells, some DVDs, a bench, etc.) could perhaps be worth it? We dedicated our unfinished basement to a home gym and while we put in a decent bit of money (gradually) it’s been awesome. Between running outside and that, I haven’t belonged to a gym in over 5 years.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen recently posted..Arugula walnut pesto
Ah yes, this is another reason I have a hard time working out sometimes. I love Bailey to death, but arranging my life around his bladder makes it difficult sometimes. I have him on a schedule where I can stay later at work/work out/do something after work so I don’t feel like I’m entirely tied down to his schedule.
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I love the Nike Training Club app for the iPhone. When I was working out at home a lot, I did a combo of that app and the bike trainer!
A severe lack of motivation or ambition to work out once I cross the threshold of my house. Even I have a lack of motivation in doing my household works these days. And I know how irritating it gets when you have to play with your dogs even when you’ve just returned tired from or or somewhere else. But I must say it also makes you very happy within.
I think you should start making full access to your weights now. I’m sure you’ll win the “fight” against your odds.
You have such gorgeous looking dogs. They are very cute.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
-Julie
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I love the other comments! So many good ideas. I can’t do cardio at home (I live in a top-floor apartment) but I can do body weight strength training to the workout DVDs I have. I get them from the library or record something off of Fit TV on my DVR.
Amber K recently posted..Weight Loss Wednesday : Set Point
Put on some dance music and dance around the house with the dogs!
Lynna recently posted..I am hooked…
Cool …. love this idea! It works.
I so relate to EVERYTHING in this post. My hubby and I are kid-free currently, but I have major fur mom guilt if Cooper is left alone too long. He is a 4 yr golden with free reign of the house when we are gone, but craves a buddy. However, he is my best workout partner b/c regardless of the conditions, I must walk him morning and night!
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How about finding a pet-sitter for the poochies? To take them outside ….. and even play together.
We always try to put our fur-babies first and foremost. They become really irritated and lonely being left alone for long periods of time. Not good.
In our neighborhood there are several families that have “sitters.” We see them go for walks everyday. A great doggie-sitter should take the job seriously. Pets need attention. Simple as that.
Our poochies (before and now) have no idea what a crate is! Ha. Luckily, we work from home these days. Not worrisome. I would be concerned if they had to be alone all day. There is always a good solution though.
Enjoy reading the workout posts Katy.
I can definitely relate to this situation Katy…Anyway, I still learned a lot from this too…
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Interval training!!! It works wonders and is super quick. Love the Nike app mentioned above. I also love the workouts from Bodyrock.tv Don’t be fooled. They have really hard bodyweight workouts. You may have to search a bit – they use sandbags, ugi balls, etc But usually each tutorial will provide variation with and without equipment.
Love the cute pix of the furkids! Good luck! Hopefully your schedule will normalize soon!
YogaDownload.com sessions! I love them! Even a good 20 mins makes me feel a bit better…
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Foodie for a Day
i have been into this situation too. been super busy and got no time to play with my pup. just glad lately my cousin and her dog likes to do some walking exercises with us too after work.
Ms.Amber recently posted..2012 Prophecy
oh my you can do some SERIOUS work on that bike trainer! for sure. if you want, i will totally send you some hard trainer sessions and you can get a good sweat on in an hour no probs!
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