We all know that we would have more energy, be happier, and healthier if we led more active lifestyles. However, life is busy enough—with work, family, and other social obligations—oftentimes, working out is last on the list of priorities.
Luckily, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here are eight tips for effectively fitting exercise into your already busy life…
Keep Workouts Simple
You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to get a workout in so forgo the need for a large treadmill or elliptical machine in your living room. Keep your workout equipment simple—a yoga mat, a skipping rope, or a simple pair of trusty running shoes that you can grab and lace up at a moment’s notice.
Take Exercise On-the-Go
Choose a form of exercise that you can do and take with you—anywhere! This is ideal for those who travel a lot for work or personal life. For instance, you can do a series of body weight, interval training moves in your hotel room (i.e., Tabata training with lunges, burpees, pushups, and jump squats).
Choose An Activity You Enjoy
Don’t force yourself to do an exercise that you hate—for example, I’m nervous on a road bike and would find every excuse to stay in bed. Instead, focus on activities you do enjoy so you’re more apt to actually do it regularly! There are so many to choose from—like yoga, swimming, kickboxing, or cardio, weight lifting, tennis, and spin class.
Schedule Workouts
Make exercise a priority by actually putting it on your daily calendar. This way being active becomes an actually priority in your day—along with taking the kids to soccer practice, buying groceries, and getting that work report finished.
Block Off Time
It doesn’t have to be an entire hour if you can’t spare it. Even getting out for a 20 or 30-minute power walk at lunchtime is beneficial activity. Don’t take an all or nothing attitude when it comes to physical activity. Find those free minutes in our day (that 30-minutes between meetings) and fill it with a speedy workout.
Give Activity Importance
Most people don’t make working out a priority because they don’t see it as important to their lives. However, it can sure boost the importance of physical activity when you consider the benefits of just 30-minutes per day for the mind (i.e., better focus) and body (i.e., more energy).
Keep a Journal
For many people, if you don’t record a goal—it never becomes a real goal. That’s why putting your exercise goals in writing can make them real. Even if it’s just making a quick note in your calendar and then adding up the hours at the end of each week. This will help you monitor your progress and stay on track!
Implement Rewards
Hey, it works with the kids so why not put a little incentive behind your exercise motivation. For instance, if you exercise 4 times per week, you can get a pedicure so your feet look snazzy for yoga class. Putting merit behind workouts will give you extra incentive to stick with your goals.
