Do You Work Out After Getting Off Work?

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7/13/12 9:22 A

I feel for you! I don't have near the schedule you do... but I go everyday after work. I don't want to but I force myself.... just keep forcing yourself even if they are small workouts.

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7/13/12 8:50 A

3 to 4 days a week for 1.5 hours per workout. If I skip a day during the week, I usually make it up on the weekend.

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7/13/12 8:47 A

I used to try to workout after work- and i ended up skipping quite a few workouts! What works best for me is to get up early and workout- the gym is only a mile from my house so it's not a long trip for me. Do you think you could sleep a little earlier and wake up half hour early to do a workout video/yoga/etc in the morning?

The other thing I used to do was step on my wii fit when I watched TV in the evening- I bought step raiser for the wii board and set it on the fastest pace for 30 min - 1 hr! It's nice because you can watch tv while you do it so you almost forget :)

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7/13/12 8:41 A

Yes, it keeps my energy up at the end of my shift!

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7/13/12 8:21 A

Yes, if I haven't fit it into the day earlier. I prefer to do it mid-day, but can't always make that work. So, after work it is. I just don't like to miss a workout.

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7/13/12 7:51 A

It sometimes takes some personal butt-kicking and motivational speaking to myself...but yeah. I have to be up at 5-5:30 to get to work anyway, so fitting in a morning workout is just NOT going to happen...I'm not a morning person, anyway.
What made it easier for me: I got a recumbent exercise bike and put it in my TV room--then I set out to watch every movie on the AFI Top 100 movies list. I love movies, so it's an extra motivator--and if I just sit there, the bike is staring me in the face, almost whispering 'come on, woman!! get off the futon!!'

LIVE_N_LEARN1 is right--once you start moving, you won't want to quit!

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7/12/12 11:34 P

Always! Its not as bad as you think!! The hardest part is just doing it...once you start moving.. you usually dont wanna quit!

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7/12/12 7:50 P

Yes, that is what I usually do. Right now I am dressed to head for the gym. Just filling up on water before I leave.

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7/12/12 7:26 P

I always work out at night usually after I get off work regardless of what time that may be. The one time I tried to work out in the morning I got sick.... night just works out better for me. It is also a good way to work out any frustrations or stresses from my day!!

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7/12/12 7:11 P

Yes, I work out in the early evenings. Prefer to start my mornings mellow. =)

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7/12/12 6:08 P

I like to fit some walking in during the day (as a de-stresser and to get my circulation going) but primarily work out after work. It really helps me work the kinks out after a long day at the computer and is very refreshing. I've tried AM workouts and it just doesn't suit me as well.

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7/12/12 4:14 P

Some days

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7/12/12 11:44 A

Hi XStar! You sure do have a crazy work schedule. With my job I work 8-5, Monday-Friday. I am not a morning person so working out at night is best for me. As soon as I come home, I change clothes and go. The gym I go to in only 5 minutes from my house.

Good luck reaching your goal!!!

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7/3/12 2:25 P

I ride my stationary bike at home most evenings while dinner is cooking and try to do it again some time between dinner and bed.

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7/3/12 9:53 A

before I retired

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7/3/12 9:11 A

All the good classes are after work. Plus I teach fitness classes after work so I don't have a choice

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7/3/12 12:32 A

I'm not a morning person, so working out after work is a must for me. If something comes up where I can't go to the gym/exercise, I'll move my cardio day to a different day. My best time is from 5-7 pm. Any later than that, I can't fall asleep.

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7/2/12 8:16 P

It was hard at first to get up the motivation to work out after work, but that's the only time I *can* workout. I'm not gonna lie, the first two weeks were very hard. The next two weeks weren't easy either. Then I started getting better energy, found that I had more focus, slept better at night, and that started making me want to workout MORE.

There are so many things you can do in just 20 or 30 minutes. You can even turn vacuuming into a cardio workout - just make sure you alternate which arm you use!

Try it out... it is so worth it!

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7/2/12 8:14 P

I get up at 1:30am for work- I work 55 hours a week. I find working out as soon as I come home works well for me- it actually helps me de-stress from work. It's easy to want to snack as soon as you hit the house, especially if it's been a stressful day. But I know I'm lifting, doing tabata or running when I come home, so it wards off those after work munchies:)

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7/2/12 6:12 P

I work full time, 5 days a week, and I have a young son - that kind of limits how much I can do. When I'm at work I try to walk on my breaks and lunch every day and when I get home I force myself to do at least 30 minutes on my stationary bike before I do anything else. If I have more time later (after my boy is asleep, usually!) and I feel motivated, I can always do more :)

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7/2/12 12:52 P

Sometimes. But if I know it's gonna be a hard, long work day, then I'll do my strength workout before I leave in the morning.

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7/2/12 10:29 A

Yes it helps my stress

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7/2/12 9:43 A

If I am just going to the gym to get on the treadmill/elliptical/bike - then yes - otherwise I won't want to go once I get home.

But, if I am going to a class (CXWORX, Zumba, etc), then I go home or run errands after work before heading to the class since I am done at 3:30 and the earliest class is 5:30.

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7/1/12 12:26 A

Definitely. I am not a morning person - and even if I WANTED to exercise in the morning, I wouldn't have the energy. At night, I can go on and on. Works for me - but I have been a night person since babyhood, according to my Mother.

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7/1/12 12:21 A

yes

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6/30/12 10:15 P

Yes, I do, I either take a walk, ride my stationery bike or dance the Zumba.

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6/30/12 10:29 A

I do. I did CrossFit in the mornings for a long time, but then I changed jobs & it was no longer convenient. I discovered aerial work last fall (think Cirque du Soleil) & those classes are almost exclusively in the evenings. I sit at a desk all day, so getting the blood flowing & muscles moving after is always nice.

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6/30/12 8:28 A

no

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6/30/12 7:31 A

no, I get up at 4:30am to work out before my day starts. Otherwise, I lose my motivation. You make me feel grateful for my schedule. Good luck to you. I know you can figure out how to get your exercise in.

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6/30/12 5:49 A

Only if I am going to do yoga. I recently added yoga to my "plan" at the advise of my doctor. Sooo, since it takes so long to do a routine, I have to either do it on the weekends or after work. I routinely work out in the morning, yoga is so different for me!

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6/29/12 10:14 P

yes,,I try to do it immediately after work. If I wait around for too long, tireness sets. I do prefer exercise in the early morning.

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6/29/12 4:57 P

I used to work out in the morning but, while my work schedule stayed the same, my home schedule changed. Now I'm trying to move my workouts to evenings. When I worked out in the morning, I can use dvds and stay movtivated. When I work out after work, though, I have to workout in a group/class or with someone else to help get my energy going.

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6/29/12 4:16 P

Like you, I'm up way before the rooster's crow; therefore, I go to bed very early. So YES, I exercise directly after work on the days I choose to go to the gym. Otherwise, I might hula-hoop while enjoying a favorite TV show or do a brisk walk shortly after dinner(30 min isn't that long) It works for me. Good luck on finding a routine that works for you.

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6/29/12 4:06 P

The days I get off at 4:30pm I work out after work because I have all kinds of time. The days that I don't get off until 9pm I try to work out in the mornings before work.

If I had a crazy schedule like the original poster or some of you others that seem very busy, I would try to find short workouts that you can maybe do during a break (10 minutes out of a 20 minute break isn't too bad).

My own jobs can sometimes get really slow (one of them is a receptionist at a realty office where it is usually just me at the office) and I do yoga a few times a day if I am there and no one else is. 10-15 minutes of yoga is a nice change from sitting at a desk and waiting for the phone to ring or doing paperwork.

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6/29/12 3:41 P

I actually work after I put my kids to bed at night. It's the only time I have to myself, and it's been working for me. If it's not to hot out durring the day I will go for a walk on lunch, other wise it's after the kids are asleep.

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6/29/12 3:17 P

I can relate to your post, TRIM40. The higher my anxiety or stress level, the more important it is for me to work off my tensions at the gym. I sometimes work out like a maniac and feel much better afterward. Works so much better than a pill or a psychiatrist.

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6/29/12 1:46 P

Today was my first day back at the gym since the middle of March. I ripped my hamstring and could not go to the gym. I like to go to the gym when I get off work in the morning. I work third shift, during the week I get off work at 9:30 and I will go to the gym until about 11:00. It makes me feel great and keeps my mood stable, thats why I like to work out, besides the weight loss that has come along with that! I like looking at exercise as an anti-depressant. When my son went to Iraq last August, 2011 I was very anxious and depressed. I made a point to go and help my mood and I did great. I will say it is nice to be back to the gym! Especially after sitting on my butt 10 hours a night while I am at work.

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6/29/12 12:33 P

On the days that I have to be at work at 7AM, that is the best option for me. It makes me a little late in getting home to feed my sis, but at least it gets done and she gets to eat by 7PM. Easier in the summer than in the winter.

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6/29/12 10:50 A

I either do the eliptical and strength exercises in the morning, walk for 1.5+ miles during lunch or I do something to make myself sweat afterwork, but I never "work out" after work. I'll clean the house, do some yard work (always lots of options there) or work with my husband on a remodel project.

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6/29/12 10:40 A

I tend to only work out after work. My work has a free gym I can use so I just go there for an hour a couple days a week after work.

The gym is old (it's in a really old building without A/C on campus) and so sometimes it does get up to about 90 in there!

I always want to try running in the morning before work, but I get up at the last minute before I have to leave now, I couldn't imagine getting up 1.5 hours before that!

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6/29/12 8:58 A

Even at my heaviest weights I have always loved working out. I am long retired now, and I often marvel to my husband at how we used to manage to go to the gym after long, exhausting work days. We would leave for work while it was still dark and leave work for home when it was dark again. We would eat dinner, rest a bit, and head out to the gym. I do not think we would be able to pull this off at our ages now, so we are glad that we don't have that kind of pressure to deal with any more.

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6/29/12 7:32 A

Love your quotes! the one about the length of the days is my goal setting mantra for my summer - there's never enough time so I'll work out first thing in the morning since I have some vacation time & see how that works 'cause I usually have to wait until after

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6/28/12 11:53 P

Not sure what kind of work you are talking about
But caring for my DH is a full time job
And do find time to get in a few minutes of exercise when I can
One day at a time

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6/28/12 11:34 P

Yes almost everyday I workout with my Wii games

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6/28/12 10:55 P

Sometimes I would go for a long walk around the parkbut my best exercise is done in the mornings. However I am contemplating doing floor exercise in the evenings after I get home from work

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6/28/12 10:42 P

I do my workout after my work day. No time in the morning to swim, then shower, dry, dress and get to work. Logistics. So I go after work, and I arrive whipped. I do an appropriate snack as soon as I get in the car, and when I get to the wellness center, I am starting to feel like I want to do this, but I am tired. Then I get in the pool and start laps. And the longer I swim, the better I feel. Only problem is I am late to get home, hardly have any time to share with DH, then it is bed time. Because the alarm goes off at 5 AM. On weekends, I swim one day or the other, not both. Before work at home, I try to get in some strength training or do a video. Swimming is my reward. It is rough to get in during the winter, as it is dark before I leave work. Long drive to swim, and longer drive home.

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6/28/12 10:26 P

I workout straight after work. Make sure I am hydrated and energized. I'll do cardio for 30-45 minutes then 30 minutes weights. I tried getting out of bed before work. Which was 5:00am. Felt I wasn't getting a better workout then I do after work. I think it was because of the stress feeling of getting ready for work after my workout. Shower etc.....

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6/28/12 9:34 P

I do. I pack up my gym bag with my clothes for the gym and I head there right from work and change at the gym. I try to eat a little something before for energy and then I work out. It is easy once you are there. I really find going to the gym a hobby so it is like I am treating myself after a hard day's work
I notice that I am more likely to go if I can drive straight there from work. If I have to drive home, change and then go out again I might stay in and change my mind.

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6/28/12 7:24 P

Yes.

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6/28/12 7:22 P

Yes, I go straight to the gym. Once I am there, I will go through with it no matter how tired I feel.

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6/28/12 7:19 P

Yep, always work out after work during the week. I aim for late morning or early afternoon runs on the weekend, though.

I have tried to keep a morning workout routine in the past, but I am just fighting my nature as I am not a morning person.

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6/28/12 3:02 P

I do
Gym bag is in the truck
I have a choice - at the end of work's driveway ... left turn is home... right turn is to the gym.
I pick turning right most nights :)

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6/28/12 2:52 P

I keep a gym bag in my cubicle and run down to the company gym if my husband has to work late (we commute in together since our companies are right next to each other). If I get to go home early, I usually work out in the evening after dinner and a bit of relaxing. The SP videos help break up the monotony of the treadmill. I definitely understand the lack of energy after long hour days. I used to work on a factory floor for 12 hours during the summer when I was in college. Came home, passed out until dinner was ready, ate dinner, went to bed. I don't know if you given it a try yet, but when I just don't have energy to work out, I pull out my yoga book and do a couple poses that involve sitting, laying down or whatever I feel like I can do with what little energy I have. Good luck!! ^.^

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6/28/12 2:47 P

I work out after work most days. I don't do mornings! On my long work days (14+ hours) I don't work out -- and I don't feel the least bit guilty about it! I've been known to do some tricep dips and wall push-ups while I heat up my lunch (or before I leave the bathroom). Squat holds (wall sits: holding your back against the wall, legs at 90 degrees) or lunges are good, too. They can be done quickly, too. Even 30 seconds at a decent pace can bump up the cardio.

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6/28/12 12:51 P

Yes, I carry my gym bag to work, and go there before I come home. I meet with my trainer three days a week, and do cardio the other days.
Thankfully, my schedule isn't as crazy as yours.

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6/28/12 12:27 P

1 - 2 times a week

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6/28/12 11:57 A

Yes. I sprint 3 days a week. 2 days during the work week & then on Sunday. The rest of the week I do abs & weight training in the morning before work. It's actually better for me to workout in the mornings. It energizes me & then I don't have to worry about doing it after work & it frees up some time in the evenings & I can just dive into my other responsibilities with my elementary school 3 boys.

I wish I had enough time to run in the mornings before work. However, I don't so I just do it when I get off. It's HOT here so going around 6:30 is PERFECT because it's starting to cool off. I'm usually not done until around 8:15 or so, so it make our nights run LONG.....

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6/28/12 11:25 A

Sometimes. I usually run late in the evenings but if I can get my butt out of bed, I try to work out before going into the office.

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6/28/12 11:15 A

Going to Curves is a great after work , workout and its 30 minutes!

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6/28/12 10:45 A

usually--its just easier sometimes.

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6/28/12 10:34 A

@ Karin.......WOW! YOU hit the nail on the head for me! A few of my co-workers go to the gym at lunch time, but I have to go home and take my dog for a walk, so I miss out on those daily "gym lunches." I, too, work long hours, and being at the gym at 4:30 a.m. just doesn't work for me either. It's after work or not at all. Your post was very inspirational to me, and I appreciated everything about it! Thank you for posting it....I may have to copy and paste it somewhere for my own motivation.

Edited by: GARRIE1 at: 6/28/2012 (10:35)

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6/28/12 10:31 A

I try doing some of my strength training at my desk when noone is looking. Really helps pull me out of the afternoon drag.

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