Real people, real answers, real life. Here are the profiles of some people who have full schedules and still find days to train and exercise consistently. I know it is hard to allocate time and difficult to get started. But the real inspiration, motivation, and tips come from the people who work full time, are parents, and are in the same boat as you. There is nothing wrong with following a professional athlete’s advice, motivation, and inspiration. However, they get paid to train, and you don’t. So, their advice might be on the same level.

 

 

CHRIS K.

AGE: 50

LOCATION: PENNSYLVANIA

JOB: LAW ENFORCEMENT

 

 

How many hours a week do you work?

35-40 hours a week.

 

How many days a week do you train or exercise?

4 to 6 days a week.

 

What type of training or exercise do you do?

Weights, strength training, and cardio.

 

How much time do you allocate for exercise each day or workout?

One to two hours.

 

Why do you exercise?

Exercise means something different to everyone. I exercise primarily because of how it makes me feel. For me, it relieves stress, makes me feel good, and younger. When I train, it boosts my mood and gives me a lot of energy that creates my motivation. And, of course, it strengthens my body.

 

Working a full-time job, how do you incorporate exercise into your day?

I work exercise and movement in around my job and daily tasks. I shorten my exercise routine and duration when I have limited time. And on my days off, I extend it to make up for the lost time. The most important thing is to make sure I exercise daily, whether in a condensed or extended version.

 

What inspires you to keep continuing your exercise routine faithfully?

I like having an advantage, an edge, physically, as I age in my career and life. In addition, I enjoy promoting and showing others that exercise can be done each day easily.

What motivation can you share with others who don’t exercise because they say they don’t have time to do it because of work or family?

Exercise can be achieved in various ways. You don’t need to follow a set routine. My routine is always mixed up and different. The body’s anatomy is made up of muscles, bones, and joints that need to keep moving. The more you move, the better your body will feel. Also, if you eat a healthy diet, it will enhance the effects that exercise produces.

 

 

MARILYN EATON

AGE: 56

LOCATION: POTTSTOWN, PA

JOB: HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

 

 

How many hours a week do you work?

Between teaching, coaching, and teaching night school, I work around 50 hours a week from late August to early June the following year.

 

How many days a week do you train or exercise?

Seven days a week.

 

What type of training or exercise do you do?

I run every single day, a minimum of 20 minutes a day. I try to average 3 miles every time I go out to run. Some days I run longer, and some days are shorter, but never less than 20 minutes. I also enjoy weight training to stay toned and strong.

 

How much time do you allocate for exercise each day or workout?

Running, a minimum of twenty minutes. Overall, each day I would say I average 50 – 60 minutes. During the school year, it is more because I jump in and do warmups and activities with my classes.

Why do you exercise?

I exercise to stay fit and maintain my weight. I also understand the long-term positive effects exercise has on my quality of life – both now and 20 years from now. My goal is to be active and enjoy life into my 70s and 80s. I also like food. And while I watch what I eat and try to eat healthily, I don’t always do that, and exercise helps balance that.

 

Working a full-time job, how do you incorporate exercise into your day?

I make exercise a priority. I make sure to select a time that will work for me (mostly in the morning before work), and I dedicate that time to my workout. Also, if I can find some time during my prep period at work, I will try to slip in exercise. And whenever I can, I join my students during their workouts. It’s important, I think, for my students to see that I practice what I preach. Also, so they can see at my age, I can still do the workouts I want them to do as well.

 

 

 

What inspires you to keep continuing your exercise routine faithfully?

Two things inspire me. First, I grew up with parents that were obese. I promised myself I would never allow myself to get to the point they were. I know that sounds harsh – but both of my parents did not live as long as they could have because of their sedentary lifestyles. And they didn’t enjoy the quality of life they could have had.

The second thing that inspires me is I set goals. Right now, I am in the middle of a challenge where I run every day – that’s right – every day. No excuses. It started as a 365-Day Challenge (my second time doing such a challenge). I completed the 365 days (my son is doing it as well) and then set a goal of 2 years. That came and went, and now the goal is 1,000 days and then three years. I am currently on Day 971. At 56 years old, I can see retirement sneaking up on me, and I want to be able to enjoy it – hike, travel, compete, etc. I want a quality of life that allows me to enjoy my golden years.

 

What motivation can you share with others who don’t exercise because they say they don’t have time to do it because of work or family?

You have the time. Everyone has time. The difference is the priority. In the middle of this running challenge, I have been on and have run in the weirdest places – hospital parking lots, major league stadiums, you name it. You must decide if it’s a priority in your life and then make it just that. You don’t have to exercise or train for hours upon hours, just keeping your heart rate up at a minimum of 20 minutes is perfect and enough.

Be creative with your workouts and get friends and family to buy into what you are doing. It is excellent support. My son, husband, and daughter-in-law will all run with me from time to time. I have also joined running groups so I could meet up with people to stay inspired and motivated. In addition, there are groups on social media that will help you with your fitness journey.

 

 

 

PAUL TRITLE

AGE: 50

LOCATION: CALIFORNIA

JOB: REGIONAL MANAGER, EVENT MANAGER, AND DAY TRADER

 

How many hours a week do you work?

50 hours a week.

How many days a week do you train or exercise?

Six days per week.

How much time do you allocate for exercise each day or each workout?

60-90 minutes

Why do you exercise?

It is a lifetime habit. Exercise increases my energy, keeps me feeling young, and healthy. It is an excellent social outlet. I also like to eat. So, I need to exercise to avoid being overweight.

 

Working a full-time job, how do you incorporate exercise into your day?

Not finding time is not an excuse. There are 24 hours in a day. Sleep 6 to 7 hours, work eight, and find 60-90 minutes to train. When I plan out my week, the day that shapes up as my long day, will be the day I skip my workout. My lighter days and when I am off are always workout days.

 

What inspires you to keep continuing your exercise routine faithfully?

My health, my increased energy, my sex drive, and that I feel young are what inspire me to keep exercising and training. I work three jobs by choice. I couldn’t maintain my weekly routine if I didn’t work out.

 

What motivation can you share with others who don’t exercise because they say they don’t have time to do it because of work or family?

One hour a day, five days a week, is not hard to find. Turn off Netflix, YouTube, and social media, and you will find a lot of time. You can wake up 2 hours earlier to do it or go during your lunch break. It’s an excuse to say you can’t work out.

 

Gym memberships are also cheap, around $25-$50 a month, depending on the gym. But you can easily drop that in a night at your local restaurant, bar, or sporting event.

 

The hardest part is in the beginning. But after you stick with it for two months, you will see changes. And become addicted. The key is consistency. Exercise and fitness are perfect social outlets you can do in groups, with your friends, and your family. Start by taking a group class, like Pilates, Body Pump, or any exercise class at your local gym. Work out with others and meet friends with the same mindset to motivate you. Working out in a group setting will make you consistently exercise and help you adapt it into a healthy lifestyle.

As for nutrition, eating healthy is as simple as carrying around a small bag of carrots to munch on throughout the day. Or have a fruit shake in the morning (cup of frozen blueberries, a cup of frozen strawberries, banana, and OJ with a sprinkle of cinnamon and blend it up). And at night, make sure you eat one vegetable like steamed broccoli.

You are always going to battle time, and time is undefeatable. However, if you are consistent and prioritize exercise, you don’t need to fight with time and your schedule. As you age, you must know how to slow down time. And that requires maintaining a few consistent healthy habits.

 

KARLA PATRICIA DA SILVA BARBOSA

AGE: 47

LOCATION: RIO DE JANEIRO

JOB: FINANCE MANAGER

 

How many hours a week do you work?

50+

How many days a week do you exercise?

Three days a week.

How much time do you devote to exercising each day?

60-90 minutes

Why do you exercise?

I used to like going to the gym. But I love to dance. I know how to do many different types of dances. So, I do that instead. It is a great cardiovascular workout, and at the same time, it is fun.

 

Working a full-time job, how do you incorporate exercise into your day?

It is easy when it is fun, and you love it as I do with dancing. You just go and do it. When you love doing something, you don’t think twice about skipping it because you are tired. You want to do it. I know that once I start dancing, even if I am tired, I will wake up.

What inspires you to keep continuing your exercise routine faithfully?

Working in finance means, I work a lot and sit a lot. So, I like and need to have fun too. Dancing is a passion of mine, and it just happens to be the best of both worlds. It is fun and exercise at the same time.

 

What motivation can you share with others who don’t exercise because they say they don’t have time to do it because of work or family?

Find something you love to do that is fun and physically active. Then, when you love it, and it is fun, like I said, you will not make excuses to skip it. And you will do it all the time.

You can even play with your child for 45 minutes 3 times a week. You can do this with your family by running around on the field at the park and playing tag. If you can’t exercise by yourself, incorporate and schedule fitness and exercise as fun family time.

Love what you do and have fun doing it. You can always find time in your busy schedule. Are you too busy not to watch TV? Excuses are just a means of not doing. Everyone has time.

Like eating dinner is essential for energy. Well, exercise is the same. No one is ever that busy, maybe just too tired. But exercise reverses that.

Instead of dreading going to the gym, where time moves so slow because you don’t want to be there, find activities you love to do so you will be sad when the time finishes, like how I feel about dancing.