Finals weeks..no time for workout

Hi..I am trying to maintain my weight at 122 pounds right now. I am 5'3". Im a graduate student and have my exams and submissions coming up in the next two week...so I wont have time to hit gym during these days...I still want to maintain my weight....any suggestions?...i was eating 1200 cals during weight loss and 1400 during maintenance..Am I likely to gain some weight at this level because I used to burn 300 cal in the gym 3 - 4 times a week lately...any ideas for exercises which I can do at home...for half hour duration preferably.

Well, for something uncomplicated that'll let you maintain fitness, try Rope Jumping - though uncomplicated, it's not easy and you'll burn a lot doing it. Or general bodyweight calisthenics if you're into weight training - that should let you maintain strength if that's your goal.

You're a grad student. So I presume you're counting the minutes you walk to and fro from your dorm to the classroom vice versa. As Melkor suggested, Rope Jumping w/o the rope is good. Situps is another option. Make sure your drink a lot of water.

 

Thanks for the suggestions....rope jumping w/o the rope sounds like a good idea...and situps too...I dont know what bodyweight calisthenics is as im not into weight training yet....

Far from me to offer a lot of suggestions, but I would say remember to make sure you finish strong in school.  I was a grad student and I had no time to get fit.  I used to be when I was getting my BS, but the MBA kept me busy.  My wife started to work out and loose pounds, but I was not able too.  But, staying happy that you did well in school is very important. 

i know exactly how you feel... i want to drop 5 lbs by new years, should be easy, except for papers due and finals and phd candidacy exam stuff.  i actually went out and bought a little stepper for my living room at dick's sporting goods.  it was $100, little investment but not beyond doable.  i can do about 150 calories in half an hour and could easily read while i'm exercising.  it's working for me :o)  my conclusions about grad school and getting in shape are that gym schedules suck and i'm the only person i know who's lost weight...  good luck on your exams!!!!

makes sense....i think ill try maintaining walking in my schedule....so if I dont get exculsive time i'll still be fine...im conscious of my grades generally...so ill make sure i dont compromise on them this time with weight management in my bag of things....hope these weeks go by soon....

Try taking little mini breaks and walking around the building.  Not only will it help you maintain, but it will help you retain the information you've been studying.  Little breaks are good for your brain too :)  Getting up and stretching will also allow your body not to get as stressed, and will reduce your stress (every little bit counts!)

I checked my weight today and it is 120....i.e. dropped a bit...which might just be fluctuation or actual loss...atleast I didn't gain any...so its been a week without a workout and I've managed to maintain..following your suggestions and eating carefully....I dont mind getting late for my bus and then having to run for it....coz that gives me free exercise......another question...I started maintaining a month back.....I was curious...in the long run when I maintain..how often is it good to hit the gym....I just burn 300 per session (1/2 hr) With a moderately active lifestyle....would 2 - 3 days of gym be good enough?..I hope to eat atleast 1500 cal while I maintain...I know I'll get to know this as time passes..but wanted to know how others' experience has been with maintaining...

I'm a grad student too.

I find that I must allow that hour every day for the gym; it's the only way I won't go crazy during finals. 

Even if you don't go to the gym, you could just take an hour, bundle up if it's cold where you are, and go for a walk.  Taking a break will probably make your studying go even faster.  I'm just an undergrad, but I know if I sit and stare at stuff for too long my brain starts to hurt and then I don't retain anything!  Good luck!

Ya..that makes sense...

dm84...i agree workout is a great way to release the stress....just that i need to squish the time for it....wat I can do is aim for atleast a couple of days in week....and the rest of the days i could keep active by walking more....

good luck to both of you for your finals too!

I'm in law school, finals week.  Working out does take up time, but you should still try to hit the gym.  There are studies that exercise helps you focus and concentrate better.  I use my workouts at mental breaks from studying, then I return to the lib refreshed and focused.  Sometimes I even bring my notes with me and look over them while doing an incline ramp on the tredmil or something.

 

Its tough to keep up good habits while under pressure, but do-able!

 

good luck on finals :)