How much exercise?

J

jliv566

New member
I work at Sonic. If you don't know what that is, it's a drive-in diner-style fast food place. I'm a carhop, so I deliver food / make drinks all day. I'm on my feet for 6-8 hours at a time. I just started working there a couple of weeks ago (summer job, got back from college), and in that time I've found that my body is getting really fatigued. The odd schedule they have me on (I end up not getting enough sleep) and being on my feet so much is really wearing me out. Can I count this job as exercise, and if so, what does it qualify as? My legs are sore all the time... so I figure something must be happening.

I'm asking because I want to make sure I'm exercising properly because I want to be in better shape. I also want to incorporate other exercising into my routine once my legs don't feel so sore all the time. I went for a 45 minute bike ride yesterday and it was hard. Normally I don't have as much trouble as I did yesterday. What other forms of exercise would be good in addition to this?

The diet part I've decided not to worry about. I'm just eating when I'm hungry, and I eat healthy. I figure my body will tell me when I need to eat and I don't need to bother counting calories and whatnot.
 
Try to eat every 3-4 hours, even if you aren't "hungry", that way it keeps you leveled out, your metabolism up, and you don't accidentally get overly hungry and eat too much. Make sure you drink a lot of water, you probably lose quite a bit of it at your job.

If you are walking all day at your job (and carhops walk a lot), then it wouldn't be of too much help for you to get on a treadmill at a gym. :) I would incorporate some strength training in there to help build muscle (no you won't get all big and bulky). That would help to give you some strength and stamina, and shape your muscles nicely. That would probably help with the soreness from walking all day.

Side note - check your shoes. Make sure they are no older than 4-6 months (they will wear out quickly as much as you walk) - even if they still look ok, they aren't going to give you the support you need after a few months of continious use like that. Also, don't go cheap. It's not all about flashy name brand shoes, but when it comes to good support - shoes are like bras - the nicer ones really are better. :)
 
I agree with the advice above, you are getting plenty of low intensity cardio from your job, what you need now is some weight lifting. Start out 3 times a week at first, monday, wednesday, friday if you can for no more than an hour.

And seriously, try to get a handle on your sleep. It may take some effort but you have to do it. Your inadequate sleep is a major, major factor in why you don't recover quickly from your job.

And don't rely on your body to tell you when to feed it. As suggested above, eat often, every 3 hours. Alternate meals with snacks if you want to.

Good luck with that,

Omid
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top