There are many mentally active people who are not also physically active. But I always have a slight to great feeling of dissatisfaction and laziness when I am not fit.
These rules will be modified from time to time depending on the semester schedule. This schedule assumes the 11:00am start time for all my first classes on Monday through Thursday.
Maintaining a workout habit that last for more than a few consecutive weeks has proven difficult for me, however. Since I began teaching, I will maintain good practices at the beginning of the semester, and sometimes at the end of the semester. But when I start receiving papers to grade, managing gym time becomes increasingly difficult. I begin telling myself that I need to sacrifice a day’s workout in order to grade papers, and then another, and then another. Before I know it, my habit has changed into not going to the gym. When I am working out, I am better at going on Mondays through Wednesdays, and then often drop my good habit by the end of the week and through the weekend. This results in about two workouts per week. This is not satisfying to me.
The purpose of the rule is to have a rational law set down so that when my bad habits and volitions kick in (as they are doing this Thursday morning: I simply want to lay in bed all day), the rule reminds me of what I ought to do, according to my own rule.
Preparation: During the “Coffee” phase of the morning, or before 6:30am, change into athletic clothes. I find that this is the biggest part of the habit-battle. If I manage to change into my athletic clothes, then I almost always go to the gym. Sometimes, I have been in the habit of getting dressed, then surfing the internet or some other distracting and addicting activity, and then realizing it is too late to get a decent workout and get to work on time.
Workout: At 6:45am, march to the gym. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are devoted to strength resistance. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are devoted to long-distance running. Sundays are for rest. On Mondays through Thursdays, or other days on which there is a schedule to maintain, the workout lasts until about 8:15pm. The specifics of each workout are determined outside these rules, since they are very specific and change rapidly from week to week.
Transition to Work: Arrive back at the apartment no later than 8:30am. The next phase is critical. I am tired and have a number of small things to do in order to prepare for work and make it there on time. I historically become easily distracted during this time.
1.Immediately upon entering the apartment, go directly to the kitchen and consume the post-workout meal. Place toast in the toaster.
2. DO NOT turn on the computer or phone. There is nothing important there.
3. Strip and shower. Move quickly. Long restful showers are reserved for the weekend.
4. Dress, pack bags with school supplies. Have a book or other material in an easy to reach pouch in the bag, in order to easily read something on the bus.
5. If it is Monday or Wednesday (long work days), make two sandwiches. If it is Tuesday or Thursday, make one sandwich. Pack the sandwiches in the bag.
6. Get on the express bus. To catch the express bus, leave at 9:03, 9:12, 9:21, or 9:31. Aim for the 9:12am time.
When I arrive downtown, grab coffee and get to the office. This should provide an hour of prep time for classes. This brings us to the next phase, which involves conduct at school/work.
Natural Causes 
Hey Kamron,
After reading this post, and from the looks of it, it seems evident that the desired physical activity you aim for is not far-fetched at all, especially during those busy work weeks. You say “managing gym time becomes increasingly difficult” during busy work weeks, but who says you necessarily have to go to the gym to get a satisfying workout? As a student at Harold Washington College, I get an ample amount of physical exercise just by actively attending.
My morning catalyst consists of a good morning stretch, eating a some fruits (namely a few bananas, or some apples or a few oranges), and a cup of hot (or sometimes cold) tea. Since I live on the south side of Chicago in a safe, clean, working-class neighborhood, following a walking-route to the bus stop where I can get a good exercise does not put me in peril. I leave an hour early to walk five-to-six long blocks to the bus stop, then after nearing my destination—Harold Washington College—I get off the red line a few stops back so I can walk four-to-five more long blocks and accumulate, at least, 4/5 of a mile before stepping foot in the building. Once I enter Harold Washington through the revolving doors, press my thin leather wallet on the sensor to pass through the security gates, I take the stairs up to the assigned floor of my classroom. For a more rigorous workout, I climb the stairs two-to-three steps at a time which gets my heart pumping so that my brain gets the sufficient amount of oxygenated blood cells it need for me to be mentally active and awake during class.
No gym, no contract, just strategic planning and assessing of the daily routes I take and routines I adhere to. This can work for anyone, and no one should spend money to get the physical exercise they need to be fit, no matter how busy one’s day/week may be. So Kamron, do not worry about not getting enough gym time for a good physical workout, because you can get a good workout by assessing simple habits and implementing new approaches in your daily activity—like walking faster, taking the stairs and “pushing” doors open. Plan strategically, save money, and like I always say, “Age kindly.”
P. S. I will not disclose my name.
Regards,
ThatOneHeadGuy