The Gym

[Sina]

Please, tell me where I have an extra 45 minutes every day.

I get up 5:30/5:45 AM so I can leave the house before 6:45.

Drive 1 hour (minimum, if there is no traffic snarl).

Work - because of the nature of things, I am tied to this desk until at least 6 PM each night. I have time to leave the office for lunch maybe 2 X per year.

Leave 6- 8 PM, depending on what is going on. Drive 1 + (traffic is usually clear by that late) home. I live way out, so, I’m 20 minutes from the nearest Gym/Y.

To be optimistic, let’s say I leave work at 5 PM. Because of traffice, I’d get home at 6:30.

Change clothes - 15 minutes. - 6:45

Drive to gym - 20 minutes - 7:05

Work out 45 minutes - 7:50

Shower and change again - 15 minutes - 8:05

Drive back home - 20 minutes.

Okay, now it is 8:30.

In order to get 8 hours of sleep, I need to be in bed by 9.

I have one half hour to have supper, spend time with DH and DS, check evening email (I work across many time zones and have to check in during the evening).

Not everyone has an extra 45 minutes 3X per week.

What are you doing at lunch time??

I don’t have time to work out much either, but I walk 30 mins to walk and back 30 mins. This will only last awhile since I won’t be living in the inner city for much longer when I have my baby. I will be out in the suburbs Then I plan on walking along the river at lunch time when I am back at work

Try to make your commute part of your excercise. It might not be possible where you live, but my husband drives 3/4 of the way to work and then parks ( for free, in a nice park setting ) and jogs the rest of the way to work. You kinda need showers at work for this to work…

 

[Sina]

PS Cycling to work is a fantastic idea if you can do it. How environmental too! Even parking halfway to work. It will cut down on stress too.

 

[whatevergirl]

See you there. And I promise not to refer to food products in a disparaging way. Especially pork or pig related or products derived from that animal.

Yes–that would be a wise idea…there are men and women over there, who have become great support to one another–me included–so just join in…and be a thoughtful poster, and you will fit in great

 

[whatevergirl]

I guess no one read my past posts… sigh

Catholic SAM…I totally agree with you…

however…just an added thought.

Exercise itself should not be a higher priority than family, but remember, exercise HELPS us pray better, and we are healthier so we can be active with our families, and live longer.

If you all read my past posts about balance… we honor God by giving time to our family, and we honor our family by going to work, etc

I also think when a family works out together…not necessarily at the same time-but tries to follow a plan together–they stick with it, and the kids learn good habits, too. My son plays football…and my dd bikes to school…so they make sure me and dh get it together…even if we don’t always want to. I admit, I can be a little lazy at times…but I’m trying to stick with walking, and getting back into running…which I do like. Important to pick something you like, because if we don’t…then, it’s tough to stick with it. I wrote about balance, too…I read your posts, btw.

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

Some men like that!

why yes some do. (like bigger women)
and some just love their woman regardless.

---

for me?
i think the entire notion of forced exercise is silly.
people should have active lives and most just don’t.
they drive to the corner grocery store instead of walking the whopping 5 minutes
they use a grocery cart instead of carrying a couple gallons of milk to the counter or home the 5 minutes
they buy a vacuum for upstairs and another for down stairs so they don’t have to carry it up or down (yes, my mil did this for us withOUT my asking)
they have a rider mower for that patch of grass they own instead of a push mower

---

I’m sure everyone can list several other examples.
bottom line is people used to not ever need to excerise. LIFE was enough.

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and if we just take a more scenic route less mechanical route more often we’d all be healthier for it, imho.

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and drink water dg it! quit drinking calories! (so says the woman who love, love, loves her extra large mocha rochetchinos! )**

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**or you can have 8 kids in 12 years like I have:thumbsup: **
**they are a combo of cardiovascular and personal diet plans because heavens knows it seems like I never get to sit down for anything much less to eat and even when I do, someone is eating half of what’s on my plate! And we all know that kids are worse than cats to a can opener if you are opening a crinkle bag of just about anything, chips, cookies, anything! **

 

[kage_ar]

What are you doing at lunch time??

.

trying to scarf something down while I work. This year, I’ve made it out of the office to eat lunch twice and made it to Noon mass a few times.

I cover a large region, when it is noon here, there will be a conf call/meeting in another time zone.

 

[CatholicSam]

why yes some do. (like bigger women)
and some just love their woman regardless.

---

for me?
i think the entire notion of forced exercise is silly.
people should have active lives and most just don’t.
they drive to the corner grocery store instead of walking the whopping 5 minutes
they use a grocery cart instead of carrying a couple gallons of milk to the counter or home the 5 minutes
they buy a vacuum for upstairs and another for down stairs so they don’t have to carry it up or down (yes, my mil did this for us withOUT my asking)
they have a rider mower for that patch of grass they own instead of a push mower

---

I’m sure everyone can list several other examples.
bottom line is people used to not ever need to excerise. LIFE was enough.

---

and if we just take a more scenic route less mechanical route more often we’d all be healthier for it, imho.

---

and drink water dg it! quit drinking calories! (so says the woman who love, love, loves her extra large mocha rochetchinos! )**

---

**or you can have 8 kids in 12 years like I have:thumbsup: **
**they are a combo of cardiovascular and personal diet plans because heavens knows it seems like I never get to sit down for anything much less to eat and even when I do, someone is eating half of what’s on my plate! And we all know that kids are worse than cats to a can opener if you are opening a crinkle bag of just about anything, chips, cookies, anything! **

:clapping: Wonderful post!

 

[rayne89]

Some men like that!

Actually, maybe I am wrong- I mean, large people do reproduce, and according to my logic, they wouldn’t.

Shrug. Well, I still say taking care of yourself is a good thing and if you willingly let yourself go then that is a gravely immoral act because you’re violating the 5th commandment.

Taking care of yourself is a good thing. Please show me where being over weight is listed as gravely immoral?

Now I guess I fit into your exemption since I have congestive heart failure due to congenital defects and can not “work out at the gym”. My husband works 12 hour days, many times 7 days a week, he could not fit working out at the gym in his schedule -at least not without taking away from our family time. He certainly would not have the energy or inclination to work out on his way home from work and since he usually get’s off work at 4 a.m. finding an open gym could be trickey.

And my husband isn’t into being intimate with me because he likes bigger women because for one his desire was the same when I was a size 5. He desires to be intimate with me because he loves me -amazing concept huh?

Your projecting your strong feelings about exercise and turning it into a commandment. Yes exercise is good for you, but not exercising is not a mortal sin. You don’t need the fear of hell fire to make a point.

 

[MCGar]

You need to go to the gym or figure out some other kind of exercise. Of course, this excludes those who are not physically able to do so for various reasons.

I think people are not noticing this part of the OP. Either that or they are diliberatly ignoring it. I hope not .

We don’t know all the reasons why people are overweight but for a % it’s because of a combinaton of gluttony, sloth and sometimes a sense of pride and or entitlement. Not everyone is like that, but some are.

I think the OP is speaking to the ones that do fall into sin regarding this situation. It really shouldn’t push buttons with those that those sins don’t apply to.

 

[Catholic90]

Well, exercise is not working with my schedule.

Up at 6:30, driving kids to school. Back home, working on computer from 7:30 - 9:30. Quick shower and off to school until 2:30. My lunch break (25 minutes), if I take it, is spent either supervising kids during their lunch or working through it with checking my school emails and catching up on paperwork. I leave school between 2:30 and 3 and run an errand or 2 (grocery shopping, post office, etc.), pick up kids from school, and back home by 4:30. Work for an hour and supervise kids making dinner. Eat from 6-6:30, clean up dinner. Back to work from 7-9, provided kids do not have evening activities for me to attend. Quck homework check, help study for tests, catch up with DH, get kids to bed, etc. from 9-10. Back to work from 10-12 or 1 am, depending on how many interruptions I’ve had, activities to attend (Christmas concerts this time of year are a real killer), etc. Fall asleep while watching TV from 1 am to 6:30.

In there, I also have to manage to take care of the dogs and cats, check in here periodically, answer phone calls, pay bills, etc.

I really do not see a “free” 45 minutes in my schedule.

Saturday - No school, but I do work my computer job, and kids often have activities. A bit of a social life is nice.

Sunday - church, religious ed, laundry, a bit of TV time (Family Guy, Simpsons, etc.)

Free time?? Uh, no, not at this point in my life.

What do you suggest I give up?

 

[PaulinVA]

Wow, it seems like every topic we discuss makes some people feel defensive and others feel like their way is the only way.

Well, the reason that I stay in my present job, in spite of payroll be late lately, is that we have a corporate membership to an upscale gym that, by coincidence, is in our building. No travel time.

i drop the kids off at school, go to work in my gym clothes, open my office, drop off my briefcase, and head to the gym. It’s great!

So, I guess I should really thank God for this “blessing” of a job!

To everyone who doesn’t have time - YES YOU DO!

Make a commitment to be healthly for your kids/spouse. Get them to go, too. Create a lifestyle in your house that gives your kids good habits for the rest of their lives, so that they don’t find themselves in our place, in the middle of life thinking there is no time to exercise.

{steps off soapbox and quietly backs up}

 

[Catholic90]

i drop the kids off at school, go to work in my gym clothes, open my office, drop off my briefcase, and head to the gym. It’s great!

So, I guess I should really thank God for this “blessing” of a job!

To everyone who doesn’t have time - YES YOU DO!

Well, you see my schedule above. You tell me WHERE I have time?? I would LOVE to know.

NO, I DON’T!!

 

[MCGar]

Well, you see my schedule above. You tell me WHERE I have time?? I would LOVE to know.

NO, I DON’T!!

Um, I’m not who you quoted, but I think mayhaps your reaction is a little bit too angry?

Exclamation marks can do that

I had a nice post earlier to you in regards to your time situation but the evil posting demon ate it, so this is the shorter version.

First, props to you being a mom and wife is a big job in itself!

Sometimes though there are a few things that mom’s tend to overextend themselves in order to have a more fullfilling family experiance.

I don’t know if this suggestion will induce wrath but I’ll chance it . Maybe you could let the kids take the bus once in a while. I took the bus most of my grade school career and I turned out pretty cool . (average time home from end of class was about 45 min.-1hr. Gave me time to read and/or chat with friends outside of structured school time)
Please keep in mind that I don’t know the specifics of your situation so please don’t blast me if you happen to have an infestation of gangs or organized crime on your school districts buses.

Depending on age, even children as young as 5 can help clean up after dinner.

I know that falling asleep infront of the tv may seem very relaxing but in truth it’s a bad habit. It’s extra outside noise that your brain has to process when it really needs to have a more calm environment and more quiet time. Studies show that while watching tv, people’s breathing rates and brain activity become disturbingly low (not good).

Also, watching tv on the weekends is probably a relaxing time to spend with the family. But I can promise you I did that tons with my family growing up and I REMEMBER the best the times that my parent’s set up a net in the backyard and we ran around trying to get the birdie over the net. That’s excercise and bonding and it will help you be able to relax more. I promise you I don’t remember any of the episodes I used to veg out infront of.

Maybe no time to go to the gym but you CAN buy or rent a workout video and get your kids up and dance around with them, or jump up in down and see who can do the most jumping jacks. Atleast twice a week.

please don’t blast me, I was just responding to your question, honest.

Also I know that running around for activities for your children is something that is part of nurturing their interests and socialization BUT I also promise you that there have been many generations of children that didn’t have such things to go to and grew up healthy, active, with great imaginations and very fullfilled. Maybe cutting back on some of those things can releive some of your stress and in turn it might benifit your kids more (they get affected by other’s stress even if they don’t know it.)
I remember my mom scrounging around for time to get me to ballet or gymnastics or piano (not all in the same year) and it used to stress me out, I’d rather have spent that time with her and my sisters even though I did have fun trying to do a cartwheel or getting applause at a recital.

 

[PaulinVA]

Well, you see my schedule above. You tell me WHERE I have time?? I would LOVE to know.

NO, I DON’T!!

How about walking around the neighborhood from 7:30 to 8:30 three times a week to start?

Use the time to pray or sort through how you are going to attack the rest of the day.

 

[Catholic90]

Um, I’m not who you quoted, but I think mayhaps your reaction is a little bit too angry?

Exclamation marks can do that

Sorry!

I had a nice post earlier to you in regards to your time situation but the evil posting demon ate it, so this is the shorter version.

First, props to you being a mom and wife is a big job in itself!

Sometimes though there are a few things that mom’s tend to overextend themselves in order to have a more fullfilling family experiance.

I don’t know if this suggestion will induce wrath but I’ll chance it . Maybe you could let the kids take the bus once in a while. I took the bus most of my grade school career and I turned out pretty cool . (average time home from end of class was about 45 min.-1hr. Gave me time to read and/or chat with friends outside of structured school time)
Please keep in mind that I don’t know the specifics of your situation so please don’t blast me if you happen to have an infestation of gangs or organized crime on your school districts buses.

Well, no bus to their school. They attend a Catholic high school in another suburb, so it is either pay another $2000 a year for bussing on top of their tuition, or drive them. Since they often stay after school for extracurricular activities and I would have to pick them up anyway, I drive them.

Depending on age, even children as young as 5 can help clean up after dinner.

My kids are 16, 14, and 12, so yes, they clean up. However, have you seen what 3 teens will do in a kitchen unsupervised while cleaning up?? As five year olds, they actually did better jobs!

I know that falling asleep infront of the tv may seem very relaxing but in truth it’s a bad habit. It’s extra outside noise that your brain has to process when it really needs to have a more calm environment and more quiet time. Studies show that while watching tv, people’s breathing rates and brain activity become disturbingly low (not good).

Well, probably true. That is my down time after I am done working. The kids are asleep, and DH is snoring LOUDLY, so…

Also, watching tv on the weekends is probably a relaxing time to spend with the family. But I can promise you I did that tons with my family growing up and I REMEMBER the best the times that my parent’s set up a net in the backyard and we ran around trying to get the birdie over the net. That’s excercise and bonding and it will help you be able to relax more. I promise you I don’t remember any of the episodes I used to veg out infront of.

I don’t know…we sure laugh at Family Guy and enjoy Bear Gryls!

Maybe no time to go to the gym but you CAN buy or rent a workout video and get your kids up and dance around with them, or jump up in down and see who can do the most jumping jacks. Atleast twice a week.

Uh, my boys are 16, 14, and 12. I GUARANTEE you they will NOT be jumping around and dancing with me!! In summer when school is out, I do ride bikes with them and ride with my runner, but when school is in session, it is a whole different story.

please don’t blast me, I was just responding to your question, honest.

Also I know that running around for activities for your children is something that is part of nurturing their interests and socialization BUT I also promise you that there have been many generations of children that didn’t have such things to go to and grew up healthy, active, with great imaginations and very fullfilled. Maybe cutting back on some of those things can releive some of your stress and in turn it might benifit your kids more (they get affected by other’s stress even if they don’t know it.)
I remember my mom scrounging around for time to get me to ballet or gymnastics or piano (not all in the same year) and it used to stress me out, I’d rather have spent that time with her and my sisters even though I did have fun trying to do a cartwheel or getting applause at a recital.

Well, I have one in high school theater. It is his PASSION. He loves it. His shows were a few weeks ago. Can’t NOT go watch him perform, can I?

My other son loves to run. It is his passion. He runs high school cross country and track. I go to support him and cheer him on. My other son is also doing drama.

This is the season of Christmas concerts - band and choir, junior high and high school. Of course, they are not on the same nights! Can’t skip those either.

As far as other “organized” activities, my kids are beyond that. They join what they choose to now, and they love doing it. Why would I say they can’t, especially since they keep their grades high and are on the A honor roll? What they join, I support.

 

[turtle18]

Mr.Crank–
How often do you go to Mass each week? How often do you spend in prayer? I tell people, if they can find a half an hour each day to workout, surely they can can find a half and hour each day to attend Mass. GOD COMES FIRST!! Your first priority should be attending Mass and exercising your spirit & sould. Then and only then should you go to the gym & exercise your body.
Could you please show me in the marriage vows where you promise to keep a hot bod for your spouse so they will be eternally in lust for you?
I am not against going to the gym. I love to exercise. But I know where the priority is in my life. I am not going to worship the treadmill just so I can leave the lights on!

 

[MCGar]

Is it okay to simply stop praying? No!

 

[CatholicSam]

How about walking around the neighborhood from 7:30 to 8:30 three times a week to start?

Use the time to pray or sort through how you are going to attack the rest of the day.

Cause that’s when I’m getting ready for Mass But wrestling 2 toddlers in the gathering area certainly IS exercise, although it’s not in a gym! (Besides, right now the weather is really horrible in a lot of places, making walking around the block not a very realistic exercise form)

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

How about walking around the neighborhood from 7:30 to 8:30 three times a week to start?

Use the time to pray or sort through how you are going to attack the rest of the day.

**I TRY to do that! I take ONE child on my walk with me. It’s great. We talk and walk. I need to get better about doing it almost no matter what the weather or time is though. I used to be vary particuliar before we moved for safety reasons, but this is a different neighborhod… I should do it more. And I actually enjoy it, so it’s just being willing to let the dishes wait and just GO DO IT. **

**I highly recommend this one. Don’t look at it as excerise. You’re just taking your kid for some quiet one on one time. **

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**Strap those littler ones all bundled inthe stroller and slap a cd in a headset and go too. that’s what I woudl do when it was a littler one’s turn to go. **

 

[dulcissima]

I think one important aspect that is being overlooked here is that putting on weight and not caring about your appearance can be signs that something is wrong. It could be that the person doesn’t care about themselves because they feel like they are not worthy of being cared about. Hate to say this, but when one spouse puts an inordinate emphasis on the physical appearance of the other, this tends to make them feel less cared about as a human being. It is the couples who really care for each other and are emotionally healthy that don’t tend to have weight problems or lax standards about their appearance.

To the OP, I hope you won’t make your wife feel like an object that is there to just be sexually attractive and that if she were to lose that she would lose your love. That’s kind of dehumanizing. I think the message that you would want your wife to take to heart would be that you are crazy about the way she looks because you are madly in love with her and not the other way around.