is this enough?

I've been having trouble finding enough time (or motivation) to go to the gym lately. I have really important exams this year, and so most of my time goes to studying, classes, more studying, school, and then some cramming.

I still try to go, but right now I havent gone for almost three weeks, and I wont be able to (very busy schedule) for atleast another two weeks.

My question is: is my daily cycling to (and back from) school for 10 minutes enough cardio? I'd assume not, but its better than nothing, right? Or is it absolutely useless as cardio excersize?

You could probably use more, especially if you want to lose with any speed.  But any cardio is good cardio, so keep it up.  Adjust your diet to meet your needs and you can lose weight by controlling food.  I think of my daily 10 min stroll to the subway as a good way to burn some extra cals, but I don't really consider it a workout.

You're probably better off than most people that don't go to the gym.  So keep doing the daily commute until you can get back into the gym, and don't worry about it, sounds like you have bigger things to focus on anyways.

First of all, exercise is a great stress reliever and is an excellent way to re-energize your brain during exam time so now is the time that you need it the most, even it is only for 30 minutes.  Secondly, 10 minutes of exercise a day is not useless, any is better than none, but it is recommended that for optimum health you get at least 30 minutes a day, even if it is in three 10 minute session spread throughout the day.  Also, cycling or walking is only helpful if it is vigorous enough to get your heart rate up.  You don't have to sprint but you need to put out some effort ot make it count as exercise.

What trhawley said. Also, lots of people take big exams and those of us who have done so successfully will tell you, you are using them as an excuse not to workout. The 30 minutes/day spent getting and keeping your heartrate up (for cardio-vascular results and stress relief, although any vigourous exercise for 30 minutes will do that) is much more important than the 30 extra minutes of studying you might have to give up. But truthfully, you probably have 30 minutes of time from puttering around, etc., and if you just made working out a priority, you'd find your study time won't be affected at all.

I don't mean this to sound harsh and I'm afraid it will come across that way. The 20 minutes of biking is good IF it gets your heart rate up. But you need at least 10 more and if the biking is just casual, then it's probably doing very little for you, albeit better than nothing.

Good luck with those exams!

not what you want to hear, but i'm with tom: exercise helps to clear your mind and relieve stress.  it will make your study time more productive.

i don't have exams, but i've been in grad school for the last two and a half years and i'm writing my thesis.  balance is absolutely key to my productivity: when i don't find time for exercise (and a social life), i have difficulty focusing and don't get nearly as much accomplished (those are the days when i sit at my desk with my thesis and check the forums every three minutes).

I honestly disagree with everyone else here.....  Your exams are a one-time thing.  Give them your all and I wouldn't worry about losing weight, exercising for the time being.  That can be done any time....... unless you really are making excuses.

I am one of those people that dive in feet first into something... I either do it WELL or don't do it.  I know others are different, but that is me.

thanks for the replies everyone!

im not trying to lose weight, but im aware of the importance of excersize, i really am! I know its a great stress reliever, and helps me sleep too. But going to the gym requires half an hour just to get there and back, so i lose alot of time. I'm not saying I'm never going to be able to go, but now I guess I just won't be going too often. Another problem is that school ends at 4, and i have dinner every day at 6 (not something that can be changed), so between the time to get home from school and then go to the gym, alot of time is lost. Some days i get out of school early, and if there is no extra cram session or activitiy or studying i have to do, then i can try to go. its not an excuse at all, i would never make an excuse for something i enjoy and see the benefits of.

Would you say once a week or once every two weeks is alright? I guess it is better than nothing. I noticed that when i dont excersize for a while, my body almost feels the need to: like i realize im involuntarily fidgeting or standing when i can sit, or flexing, or streching my legs, etc.

Im gonna try my best to get in as much excersize as possible then. I dont think my heart rate really goes up much when i cycle to school, so i guess its not too effective. thanks for the replies again.

so - don't go to the gym.  go for a run or a walk.  the fresh air will do you good ;)

i'm lucky; i have a trailhead about 150' from my desk.  not to mention a very active dog under my desk.  my student fees include membership to a brand-new, state-of-the-art, olympic-grade fitness facility; i've never been inside. 

maybe you can take the scenic route to school (or home, if you don't want to be stinky in class).  take a few loops of campus at one end of your commute.  during my undergrad i cycled to school.  it was about 30 minutes each way and somewhat hilly.  i kept a locker on campus and changed when i got there.

i have to add that yogagirl's approach sounds exactly like the eating-disordered women i'm writing my thesis on: all-or-nothing, and if i can't do it well, there's no point doing it.  balance, people!

 Short bouts of exercise might be somewhat beneficial for the completely sedentary and is at least better than nothing - this metastudy didn't find a whole lot of effect on body composition but there were a few health and fitness parameters that improved with short bouts.

 You might want to switch to a calisthenics-based workout for the time being. Depending on your goals it could be a good fit or mildly helpful but not ideal - I'm sure you can find a bunch on FitTV or Youtube if you lack ideas for how to string together sets of jumping jacks, burpees, bodyweight squats and pushups for an efficient workout ;)

Original Post by pgeorgian:

i have to add that yogagirl's approach sounds exactly like the eating-disordered women i'm writing my thesis on: all-or-nothing, and if i can't do it well, there's no point doing it.  balance, people!

 PG - Thanks for your concern, but I assure you I am not an eating-disordered woman.  All I am saying is that finals are FAR more important at that age.  If she can't take a break from working out for finals - give me a break!!!   That is disordered thinking in my opinion.

just an observation, yogagirl, and not about you but about that phrase ("I either do it WELL or don't do it"). 

setting priorities often means that everything gets done, but not everything gets done to our highest standards (so maybe 20 minutes of cycling is good enough right now).

Yeah - but taking a break is good too.  I do it well - meaning her exam.  I think she should do her best on her exams.  Her profile says she is in the 5 pound to lose club, so I don't think it would be all that detrimental to stop for a few weeks! 

Heck - I didn't "workout" in college at all.  I did do fun activities that were exercise, but not for the sake of exercise.  I have been thin all my life.  I believe in balance.... but that means moving priorities up when needed.  When exams are done - she can go back to her normal schedule.  That is why I also said - as long as it is not an excuse.  There is a diff between using an excuse or really not having the time.

Also do it well in exercise - there is no point doing deadlifts with a half-a@@ attitude - or any other exercise.  Like Janelle on biggest loser.  If you are going to do it - do it.

i get it.  hell, i haven't been for a run since november 4 (ish) because i'm working on my thesis ;)

I think it comes down to time management and I think school is a good time to learn how to manager your time.  Exams are important but spending more time studying does not necessarily mean that you will be better prepared for the exams.  Study effectively with the time you have and take care of yourself.

It reminds me of the story of a CEO that called all of his senior managers in to interview them to be his replacement.  One of the senior execs, in an attempt to impress his boss with his work ethic, told him that he worked so hard that he hadn't taken a vacation in three years.  Instead of getting praise for his dedication, the CEO said, "Well, you'll have plenty of time off now because you're fired."  When asked why, the CEO explained that anyone who could not manage his time well enough to fit in his vacation time had no business managing others.

Learn to manage your time effectively so you can take care of yourself now and forever.  If you can't fit exercise into your life during exams you will never be able to fit exercise into your busy schedule once you are out of school and in the work place.

Tom - that's what he gets for being a brown nose.  lol

Time management is a necessary skill - agreed.  When I went to college full-time, I worked full time in retail management (yes a manager at 18) - long hours.   I also went out and partied full-time.  I played too - skated - racket ball, etc.  I really would have to give something else up to be able to fit in a workout.  I had a great body - so it was not a priority.  I actually joined a Siloette's gym that had women days and men days.... but never went.

As I got more mature...... and even though I am still slim.....  mmmhmmmm.... I needed to workout to keep all the parts, you know -  in place.  lol

If she is working out at all and is having trouble during exams... I say - she is only young once!  I still hold that it all comes down to priority setting.  PS - I am an IT director and take 2 vacations a year & do my NROLFW!

yeah, age factors into it, too.  i used to be able to function on two or three hours of sleep, could stay up all night to study, could work full time and go to school full time and still go out three or four nights a week. 

now my brain turns to mush at 1pm and if i'm not in bed with the lights out be 11, i'm useless the next day.  i've maintained better than a 4.0 through grad school, but that's with no kids, working minimal hours, and no real commitments other than school.

i will get in another lick for balance, though: since i got my dog and have been making exercise a priority, i'm far far more productive when i do sit down to do school work.  and when i realize that i'm unfocused and not accomplishing much, it's probably because i've neglected my social life and haven't had that kind of energy exchange for a few days.

I agree, when the schedule gets very tight it is hard to find the time to get to the gym.  That's why I have the rudiments of a home gym in my basement.  I can get a decent weight lifting routine in when the kids are in bed.  I get a better workout at the gym, but it's not a bad alternative.  The travel time to and from the gym, parking, locker room, waiting for machines.... all eats up time when you are crunched. I did not spend a lot on my equipment either.  Maybe that is a good option for the OP.  It was a lifesaver for me yesterday.  I worked in the morning and planned on stopping at the gym before the kids got home from school.  But I got a call at work that my daughter was sick.  I had to go get her and bring her home....no gym  :(    But I worked out in the basement and felt much better.

Laura - I have an entire gym in my basement too!  Sure does help with the time.  I make myself workout even on the days I rather skip.  In stage 5 of nrolfw it is now taking me 1:45 and that is with super-setting the ab work.  But - I figure it is a short stage and I wanted to do the 4 sets.

PG - Yeah me too... when I was younger I stayed out later...  now I am happy for a Friday night relaxation with a video rental.   Good going on your 4.0!  That is awesome!

double post

thank you!

The advice I've given above is not something I learned in college.  My workouts were a bit spotty then, it really depended on the semester. I was active but working out wasn't a real priority.  But if only I knew then what I know now...