Not that I have anything against gyms, I just don’t like them enough to drag myself there. I’m also not one of those people who can get up at 4 am to fit in a workout like other working parents do. I’ve tried and failed too many times, so I don’t try anymore.
Instead, I manage to squeeze 30 minutes of exercise into each day, using other various free methods.
Over the past week I documented those methods, and here they are for your Hipstamatic vewing pleasure.
1. On Mondays I go to the Gym of Mom and Dad (aka my parents’ house) and use their elliptical machine after work.
2. Though awesomely free, one of the hazards of Mom’s house is her toaster that’s constantly stocked with scones, muffins and pumpkin bread. On Mondays I feel strong enough to avoid them. Later in the week, not so much.
3. More hazards of Mom’s house.
4. And more hazards (this is why I only use the elliptical once a week).
5. On Tuesdays I take a 30 minute walk around my office complex during lunch.
6. I wear my Fitflops, which I carry around in my car at all times. Yes, they do make me work harder for each step. The resistance is similar to walking on sand.
7. On Wednesdays I go straight home, lock myself in our home office, and do a 30 minute walking routine. Leslie Sansone, all the way.
8. On Thursdays I sneak in a quick walk over at the duck park by my office before picking up the kids from school.
9. Watch out for duck poop.
10. In the spring, the swallows live here. Walk fast, or they’ll dive bomb you. The park is an adventurous place. Either that, or my life is pretty boring.
11. I take Fridays off, but on Saturdays and Sundays I usually do more workouts at home. MTV Yoga featuring Lori from Real World 10. I’m not ashamed.
12. Occasionally have to skip one of the above workouts if my day gets too busy. If so, I have my Wii Fit as backup. I do it at night after the kids go to bed.
Now it’s your turn. How do you get your 30 minutes a day?
Further Reading: 9 Free and Simple Ways to Stay Healthy and Fit Without a Gym Membership
January 30, 2012 at 5:33 AM
I like how diversified your workouts are, at least in different places.
I have to admit I don’t do thirty minutes everyday. I run three times a week and then I try to do a yoga DVD once or twice a week. I am lucky enough to have a treadmill and my yoga DVDs are not a hip as yours. They’re Wai Lana, it’s super cheesy with music and Hawaii in the background, but it is super relaxing and it kind of takes me away.
I have even tried a couple workout videos on Netflix, that is convenient.
January 30, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Well, running three times a week counts as double the time in my book, so you’re actually getting more than me. :P
I think by nature all workout DVDs have to be cheesy. It’s a rule.
And workouts on Netflix?! Did not even know about that. I’ll have to check those out.
January 30, 2012 at 5:34 AM
Wow!
Answer: I don’t.
January 30, 2012 at 8:52 PM
I forgive you.
Ask me in June and I probably won’t be getting 30 minutes either (too hot!).
January 30, 2012 at 6:36 AM
I’m like you and have several types of workout and I don’t like the gym (although I go in the winter).
I too wear fit flop!!! In the warmer months I keep my running shoes in the trunk of my car. If I’m out and have a few extra minutes I take a quick jog.
The other shift I made a few years ago was ‘training’ my friends. A few of us have switched from meeting for lunch we meet to work out (like a hike or a swim).
January 30, 2012 at 8:53 PM
I like your method of friend training. I may have to try that. ;)
January 30, 2012 at 7:00 AM
I love how you do something different every day! I go to the gym 4-5 times a week but it gets super boring. I need to take a page out of your book and mix it up a little a few times a week!
January 30, 2012 at 8:53 PM
Variety is the only thing that keeps me interested. If I try a routine that’s the same every day, even if I like it I get bored within a few months.
January 30, 2012 at 11:26 AM
5 to 6 days a week at the gym! Boo! But 30 minutes is not enough for me and my mental health. I’m more of a 45 min to an hour kinda gal.
I do however love my noon time walks, also watching out for duck poo hazards. I try to switch it up by running with my dogs and doing quick 20 minute strength training sessions in the evenings at home (before dinner). Just for something different.
I love the hipstamatic tour though! Good job!
January 30, 2012 at 8:56 PM
Hipstamatic is a girl with a crap camera’s best friend. :)
45 minutes is impressive! Though, before I had kids I could easily get sucked into the gym for a good hour. It was the hot tub and the sauna that did it for me.
January 30, 2012 at 11:38 AM
I’m loving the diversity, too! I mostly do floor routines, fitting them in every time I get a spare minute. It all adds up to 30+. Every once and a while I’ll get obsessed with a work out video. Pilates or belly dancing or the like will rule my life for a couple of weeks. When it’s nice out I walk, and when it’s snowing, which I hate, I’ll try to get up to the mountains to ski. We love playing tennis in the warmer months, too. And basketball.
January 30, 2012 at 8:57 PM
It sounds like you have some good diversity going on too. I’m with you – no me gusta the snow.
January 30, 2012 at 7:52 PM
You work out more without a gym membership than me! And I go to the gym (well, scratch it) I drag myself there just because I need to stay healthy and in a decent shape.
January 30, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Dragging yourself is still going. :)
January 30, 2012 at 9:41 PM
I like your approach of staying active and fit. Much better than sitting around on one’s butt eating cookies.
February 1, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Sitting around eating cookies is what I do when I’m not working out.
January 31, 2012 at 7:43 AM
No matter what you write, you make me laugh.
I don’t get it in my 30 minutes a day unless you count the total time I spent walking back and forth to the bathroom at work (I drink A LOT of water). However, we just bought a Wii game for our daughter–Alvin and the Chipmunks dance party (or something like that). So I? Will be rockin’ it, Chipmunk style. I’m deciding it counts.
February 1, 2012 at 12:19 AM
Haha. The Chipmunk workout definitely counts!
January 31, 2012 at 7:59 AM
Love the creativity here (goose poop, not so much…haha)! I, too, hate the gym!
February 1, 2012 at 12:21 AM
Avoiding the duck poop is good for working my mind as well as my body. I hear a good workout involves both. ;)
January 31, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Well done on fitting exercise into your day and reminding me I have no excuse and must exercise! I loved the photos of hazards at Mom’s house, my mom is the same way. I’m interested to try out the walking routine dvd and will definitely check out the Netflix tip, never thought to look there for exercise videos.
February 1, 2012 at 12:22 AM
The walking DVDs are the best, in my opinion.
January 31, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Ugh, I’m not a fan of gyms either. I walk to work every day and back and run twice a week … occasionally do some situps, stretches, etc. The walking is 40 mins a day on a weekday, my runs go anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
February 1, 2012 at 12:22 AM
Walking to work is a great alternative. And wow, two hour runs? I’m impressed!
February 2, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Haha! I have the same MTV Yoga dvd! I’m a big fan of the 30 day shred workout with Jillian. It makes me sweat and it’s so short! I have P90x but I only do the Ab video and sometimes Plyometrics and Kenpo. All the others are TOUGH. I miss the gym though. When I live a life of leisure (someday!) I’ll join the gym again.
February 2, 2012 at 8:43 PM
I’ve hear a lot of people like 30 day shred. I might need to see if they have it at my library. :D
February 4, 2012 at 12:46 PM
I’ve been doing 30 day shred recently by Jillian Michael. It’s a butt kicker! Sunday’s I take my son for a long stroller ride while my wife takes a nap.
February 4, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Nice. I’d love to be the napping wife in that scenario!
March 31, 2013 at 8:14 PM
Doritos and M&Ms, that is DEFINITELY a hazard. I started being active 2 months ago and I’m slowly adjusting to my routine. My boyfriend introduced me to crossfit so its throwing my other exercise regimen out of place.
Here are my 30 min/day routing…
Monday, Wed, Fri – Running/jogging in the morning
Tues/Thur – aerobics/crossfit at the community center
sat/sun – walk with my dog and relax
I’m considering buying a treadmill since the state I live in is known to rain almost every day. It’s very uncomfortable and demotivating when running in the rain is my only option. Not safe as well. http://www.whatisrightforme.com/treadmill/ says that most livestrong treadmills would fit my needs. Have you experiences this brand before Lindy?