Are you struggling to make time for a workout in the midst of your busy schedule? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. If you’re skipping an opportunity to exercise, you’re doing yourself and everyone around you an injustice because working out improves your mood and overall health. Although you may think it’s impossible to fit in a workout, when there’s a will, there’s a way! Here are some ideas to help you fit exercise into your day.
Wake Up and Move
Engaging in a morning workout is a sensible solution if you have a busy day ahead. If you find that it’s difficult for you to get up early, simply adjust when you go to sleep. However, don’t expect this change to happen overnight.
Altering your internal clock takes time. One way to get yourself motivated in the morning is by having your workout clothes already on when you wake up. The only thing you’ll have left to prepare for exercising is to get out of bed.
When you wake up, slap on your Thrive Patch to ensure your body gets its necessary vitamins and minerals, and do some warm-up stretching before you get into the main part of your workout. Morning exercise keeps you focused, encourages you to make healthier food choices, boosts your metabolism and helps you sleep better.
Use Exercise as Transportation
If you live close to work or near businesses you frequent, take the opportunity to exercise by running, walking or biking to these locations. If you have errands to run, you can literally run to take care of them. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
Perhaps wherever you’re going requires you to take your car or another form of transportation. If this is the case, park further away or have a bus drop you off a few blocks from your destination, and avoid elevators when you can take stairs. This ensures that you’ll get some walking in for the day.
Work Out at Work
Even if you’re behind a computer all day, it’s possible to find ways to exercise. Whether you have a standing or conventional desk, there are several ways you can work out, including calf raises and chest stretches. Lift small weights when you get a few minutes of downtime. Being in one position for nearly eight hours, regardless of whether you’re sitting or standing, is hard on your joints.
Going on break is a great time to engage in light exercise. Take a stroll outside or walk to a restaurant to refuel your brain. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, consider joining a local gym for a proper workout before returning to work.
Train in Front of the Television
If you can’t miss some of your must-see shows, take your workout gear with you while you’re watching. Workouts go by quickly because your mind is occupied. Whether you’re doing jumping jacks, squats, crunches or lifting weights, you’ll feel accomplished when the show is over because you got some physical activity in rather than being a couch potato. Working out while you’re watching television also helps you to avoid compulsive snacking. If you use your time wisely, you’ll be able to achieve so much more!
Get Creative
If you don’t have time to plan a workout session, exercise in between tasks. If you’re cleaning, take a few minutes to exercise when switching from one chore to the next. Rather than standing around waiting for water to boil or food to cook, do lunges, crunches or run in place. If you have kids, take advantage of nap time. You can get plenty of physical activity when your child is asleep. A few minutes here and there adds up.
While it’s difficult to make a specific workout schedule when you’re overly busy, you can still incorporate exercise by sneaking it in any chance you get. Choose physical activities you can do anytime, anywhere and that require minimal preparation. Don’t force yourself into doing anything you dislike; otherwise, you will dread these mini sessions. Fitness should be one of your top priorities, so it’s vital to do what you can when you can to keep yourself in tip top mental and physical shape.
