How do I try to get fitter, when I'll have very little time to do it in?

[RodAtHome]

Almost 9 months ago I was laid off from a job I had been in for 18 years. Continuing budget cuts has reduced staff at my old job by 60% over the last 7 years. I and a few others were downsized at the end of the fiscal year.

This time of unemployment has been one of the hardest experiences I've ever undergone. I'd never experienced anything like it before. Unless you've also experienced it, I doubt you can fully understand. The impact upon my family has been huge. And in unexpected ways my lengthy unemployment has effected my health (all of our health) in ways I didn't expect. Of course I had to drop my gym membership early on, I knew that would happen. I had to drop my wife's membership as well. But what I didn't expect was just how much weight my wife, kids and I all gained. We ate less than before, for obvious reasons. But what I didn't realize was the harmful effect of what we could do, would have on us. I continued a routine of walking 6 days a week, of at least 50 minutes a day. I also used the small dumb bells that I have for a pitiful weight training program. However, it didn't help. We had to give up things like fresh fruit, vegetables and things like yogurt. We would get fruit or vegetables when we could, which wasn't often. Unless you have experiened prolonged unemployment you won't understand this, so I'll tell you that at the end of the day unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food. At least that has been our experience.

As an aside, I realize that the health of the unemployed isn't exactly a sexy issue. After all, they can't afford to buy a FitBit anything. I was fortunate enough to have purchased a FitBit One a couple of years before the bottom fell out for me. However, now that I've been through this I wish people would pay more attention to the dispossessed. I know that it hurt me emotionally so much to have my family and I no longer be as healthy as we once were. Yeah, there will be no sales of FitBit anything to those unemployed for a long time, and certainly there are some who don't want to be healthy, but I'm sure there are several who do.

Back to the issue I'm asking about. My unemployment benefits ran out at the beginning of January. Our savings were running out. The job I took is the only job offer I've gotten since being laid off. I had to take whatever I could, so I took this job. It has the most horrendous commute I've ever had because the job is very far away from my home. I'll be away at work or commuting for a minimum of 14 hours a day, if I'm lucky. I wanted to try and get healthy again, but honestly this is going to be a really huge challenge. While I'm at work I am required to take a 1 hour lunch, what can I do?

[JustBMe]

Very brave of you to share so transparently. My husband and I went through the same experience a number of years ago!  It is an experience that has to be lived to be understood.  Your career is central to self image and self respect.  Extended unemployment and the impact it has on you and the family is a crushing experience for a man who is a commited protector and provider.  My husband was unemployed for 14 months -  long, demeaning and disheartening months. He finally accepted a position that paid about half of his former salary and required about half of his skill set because we were unwilling to move away from where we were settled. It took years to re-establish his career to what he formerly had. We both agree we had blinders on when we refused to look for jobs where the demand was. 

After reading your post, I felt compelled to share this hard earned bit of advice: Be willing to move yourself and your family to where the good jobs are. If you can't find a good job (good pay, decent benefits, good/acceptable work non-work life balance, decent happiness while at work) being close to family and friends, not uprooting your kids from school and friends, staying in your "dream" home, etc., won't matter. People who are adaptable will survive and thrive despite adversity. People who won't adapt...well, they will suffer, be angry, and continue doing what is not working for them any more. 

If you are serious about wanting to work and have a good, balanced emotuonally and physically healthy lifestyle .... look for jobs in Nebraska and Iowa. Squash your first reaction of "Yick - the Plains - nothing there. The end of the earth - never going there".  That reaction is based on ignorance not fact.

We now live in Omaha Nebraska, which is just short of a million population in the metro area. It has one of the highest standards of living in the US, unemployment less than 4%, excellent public schools, very affordable housing, decent climate (we did not have over 10 total inches of snow in he last two winters and the summer temp rarely breaks the high 90's), affordable arts, sports and activities and many corporate headquarters. It is a great place to raise a family- safe, affordable, friendly people, and lots of building and jobs for people in the trades. The average population is much better educated and wealthier than the national average. Fitness is a focus - most of the employers cater to employees to retain them due to competition. Due to competition for qualified employees, corporations offer very good salaries and benefits. My work place has a full gym, with free fitness classes and personal trainers on site and give/encourage employees to go to the gym throughout the work day. They have weekly mental and physical health educational offereings on site by guest speakers. My work place sponsors health and wellness events constantly and employees qualify for 50% health benefit cost discounts by participation in events and maintaining healthy weight, BMI, and other fitness parameters. There are miles of connected running trails and biking trails everywhere. Space is no problem, so neighborhood houses have real yards, and there are tons of neighborhoods with parks with basketball courts, tennis courts and soccer fields. Crowds and traffic are much less than most comparable cities. The air and water is clean - not much manufacturing here. Major publicly traded corporate headquartered here including Conagra, Gallup, Union Pacific, TD Ameritrade, ADP, Valmont, tons of large banks - I work for First National Nebraska Inc (aka First National Bank of Omaha). 

Be brave. If you have exhausted opportunities where you are located, be willing to move your family to where good job opportunities are. Do not become resigned to 14 hours of commuting on top of a long work week. You and your family deserve better. 

Bad times do not last forever for someone who does not give up. On the bright side, unemployment and under-employment was very character building and valuable for all of us desoite the pain of the many adjustments. I learned how to stretch a dime like no one else. We learned how to have "free" fun and took advantage of free events. We are far more generous to charities and really appreciate things we once took for granted. My kids are very hard workers, and appreciative of what we give them and they have earned. 

 Best wishes.  

[trainer · Accepted solution]

My husband and I experienced this just after our second child was born. Having a toddler and a newborn and no money was hugely difficult for me. We live in the middle of nowhere so I wasn't able to take advantage of anything local (no parks, no sidewalks, no neighbors, etc) and our newborn had medical issues. We kept cobra for this reason and reduced in any area possible. I was relegated to the 'stay at home' parent (a role I hated and wasn't planning on taking on) because daycare was no longer an option. My husband got a job after 7 months! What we did to stay in shape during the lay off was very much what you describe. We ate terribly and tried to get in as much walking as possible. Once he got his job it was about 1/2 pay of his previous job. Our only options at the time were lots of walking whenever we could fit it in, wild dance parties to music in the LR with the kids (watching a new walker trying to dance is definitely a great way to spend an evening!). My husband also had an hour lunch break and used it to walk/jog in good weather. In bad weather he did body weight exercises (plank/push up, crunches, squats, lunges) anything to get his HR up. It wasn't ideal, but it did allow him to be healthy enough. Finally, about 12 years later, he is in a higher paying job and I own my own business. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, just keep stepping.

[RodAtHome]

Believe me, I don't intend to stay there. This is a job to stop foreclosure.

I am very open to relocating. In fact, that is my preference, but I was surprised at how hard it is to get a job elsewhere. I applied and interviewed for a couple of jobs elsewhere, but nothing happened.In fact, my favorite interview was with Amazon in Seattle. I really loved the area and wanted to go there so badly. The company impressed me greatly. But it didn't happen. and believe me I was devastated.

I've got to admit that I haven't given the mid-west much thought. Perhaps I should give it another look. I'm a .NET developer. Much call for people with my skills there?

[dancefoxtrot]

Rod

Sorry for your difficult year. You can walk, or run, for 1/2 of your lunch hour. Veggies and fruit, even frozen, are essential for your family now that you have work again. Log every morsel that you eat. Read labels as the cheap processed foods are full of junk. Making healthy bean & veggie dishes are super expensive. Get up and move every hour to keep your metabolism revving. Best of luck to you. Keep searching for work with a shorter commute. 

Best to you,

Barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

JustBMe

Wow. What an inspiring post! Omaha sounds great. I picked up my 9 yr old son & self and in 1970 moved from NYC to San Anselmo, CA north of SF. I have never regretted it. He had a safer place to grow up in, lovely weather. I took student loans, got an MSW and never looked back. We made new friends and now I own my home in lovely Sebastopol, CA and I'm stilling working happily at 74. I'm blessed to teach Fitness to older adults which is great for me. Yes it was scary but it worked out wonderfully. My grandkids now live and go to school in San Anselmo. 

Taking sensible risks make all the difference. 

Thanks,

Barbara 

[RodAtHome]

You're very inspiring DanceFoxTrot! I intend to work into my 70's as well. I can't imagine retiring to just sit home. Day time TV - ugh! Even when I was unemployed I never turned on the TV during the day. My job was to find a job, not goof off!!

[RonnieP]

Rod...best of luck to you.  I've been in your shoes so I know how devastating and difficult this time can be.  One thing I remember from my job search is never miss an opportunity to share that you're looking for work.  While this may not be the right forum, would you tell me a little about you and your background?  You never know who may be in a position to help.  In fact, feel free to reach out to me and I'll help any way that I can.

[MrsTWombat]

Hi Rod, we've lived your experience as well and still in recovery mode. I know it's hard and you just have to keep determined and I agree your tactic of treating job hunting as a full time occupation is the only way. Now you have work you are in a better position to keep on looking for better paid roles. As far as economising and eating cheaply, with a family of three teenagers I have a few ideas hope there is something that might help.firstly look out for. in season fruit and veg and imperfects. Making hearty stews and vegetarian options including soups are healthy and filling and can be very cheap and enable cheaper cuts of meat to be used ( think of our grandparents who got through the depression on such fare). I definitely concentrated on making food from scratch. No take away or obviously eating out. A slow cooker is great for cheaper cut, beans and pulses and helps with time management. Jamie Oliver has a cook book (and online for free) with lots of ideas to use up any leftovers. Stick to cheap but healthy cereals like porridge or oats. I hope there is one or two ideas. Good luck to you and your family.

[bklynite]

I have never been unemployeed for long (2 weeks) but I do know what it is like to try to feed a family on a single limited income. You can make better choices still. Shop sales, clip coupons, by frozen instead of fresh. Get a water filter like Brita to stop buying bottled water and visit food pantries. There are ways to eat healthy but it will take more creativity. Your children will remember this as a tough down trodden time based on your attitude through out the matter. Try your best to keep postitive and use the time that you have with your children and have free quality time. Stress can kill you so keep that in mind because gaining weight can be the least of your problems.

[Mcore]

Hello @RodAtHome! Hang in there, you'll see that you and your family will overcome this difficult time. I think we've all been there so I can also relate. If it's of any help, click here. 

I wish you the best! 

[JustBMe]

Thank you to every one who shared such encouraging comments to Rod and others. Reading the posts lifted my spirits and made me thankful such caring people are part of the Fitbit community...actually exist. Especially since most people only want to share things that are brag worthy.👍 The people who posted all seem like someone I would like as a friend if I met them from what they shared. Rod is right when he commented that unemployment and lack of resources & opportunities for fitness are not "sexy" conversation topics. Praise for all who have shared struggles as well as solutions. Justbme

[Mcore]

Well said @JustBMe. Thank you for joining this thread and for your words. 

[loveabull]

I've got more on my plate than I can humanly deal with too. But you know what? Keeping yourself in physical shape means being better able to deal with the stuff life throws at you. You can do this thing as well...

[Mcore]

So true @loveabull! Thank you for your contribution 

[ph-62 · Accepted solution]

keep the faith, continue to count your blessings, you have your wife, and you have a very busy active job. things will get better, walk when you can. for me its cheaper to buy fruits and veggies, just trouble to cook. easier to go by mcdonalds, or pizza and pick up food. does your wife work also? if not maybe she could do a stir fry veg ready when you walk in the door, and after this clean up dishes together, then go and walk for 30 mins. walk around the living room while watching tv. God bless.

[jlippincott]

First, Been there, done that. We were so short on money that I would make our detergent.

We also sold our plasma twice a week for 2 years. started a garden.

That said. It is possible to eat healthy on the cheap.even at Mcdonald's. Don't believe me? Watch the documentary Fat Head.

Resources: Unfortunately, it is not that easy to get on food assistance as people think, but do apply

 Also, check online for local food banks (churches and charity).

Coupons.com Print free coupons for food. Also, if a store has an app, sign up and use it for more discounts.

Great resource on eating on the cheap: Mary Hunt Cheapskate monthly

I shop by price per ounce to make sure I am getting the best deal.

In the store, that bag of apples is a good choice but weigh the bag, sometimes their is more than the 3# or 5# in there. also, bananas

next, Protein, go ahead and buy the cheap hamburger, Walmart marks down meat all the time, so are bags of Frozen Tilapia, it is not only cheap but it is high in protein.

On the hamburger, I cook it in patties, then, I rinse it off in hot water, yup you heard me right. Then I use my grinder or food processor to grind it up further. You will eat less meat when it is ground up and mixed in.

You can also add ground up mushrooms for when you are making a sloppy Joe or tacos for example

Also, Beans: pinto beans, chickpeas, purple hulled peas, black beans, red beans, white beans, navy beans. ect you can buy in bags, and cook them overnight in a slow cooker or stovetop if you are there during the day. WARNING: cooking directions cook the beans to an Al Dente (still crunchy) which is the real way to cook beans, so you may have to cook them 3 hours more to get more mushy, or use the microwave. Beans are high in fiber and protein and iron

Seasonings, seasonings, seasonings:  they make stuff taste great without adding salt or fat.

Lastly, Exercise. So, I would go to the handicap bathroom and after taking care of my business, I would do 10 standing crunches (frontal and side) Denise Austin is my reference here.

Sometimes I do squats, standing leg raises,

Then on lunch, I walk around the neighborhood for 45 min and use my last 15 min to eat

You can also do step ups using the curb in the parking lot to break up the monotany

Truly, If you could find a steep grade of street and walk up it 3 days a week for 15 min,

and for 3 days a week, use resistant bands 3X a week for 15 min. that can help you keep fit.

Planks are very good for engaging the entire body, try to shoot for 2 min in the morning and 2 min at night

There are also some great videos on You Tube that show how to workout without exercise equipement.

[Mcore]

Wow, that's awesome @jlippincott!  So many great tips. Starting a garden has been a project of mine. It's been a bit difficult but I'm starting with just spices for now since I need to make some room for vegetables and other foods. 

Working out is also a challenge when you work or when you are at the office the majority of your time, so like I mentioned in another thread, what I do is try to walk as much as I can whenever I can. If it's  either going to the bathroom or cafeteria, I like to take the long road or climb some stairs if possible. This has helped me a lot! 

I appreciate you sharing your tips and experience, please feel free to post back if you have some more. Happy stepping!

[jlippincott]

on gardens, I keep parsley in my kitchen, you must water daily,

but you can start with a few in the house.

I learned to garden by volunteering www.greencornproject.org

They use the intensive gardening style, so more bang in a small garden.

I really need to do some videos for that and post to Youtube. (sigh) so many plans

[Mcore]

Doing some videos would be awesome @jlippincott! I think that link will help me a lot. I don't know anything about gardening  so hopefully I can get the hang of it and start my own. 

Any other great ideas or tips, please post them here.