There are 24 hours in a day. That’s 1,440 minutes. Sounds like a lot. So how come we can’t find 60 of them for healthy exercise? Or even 30 of them for a quick workout? While we all have great intentions, unfortunately, life sometimes (oftentimes) gets in the way and finding the time for exercise can feel impossible.
But you CAN do this! You can find ways to get that workout in by following these simple tips.
1. Schedule your workout.
While it may sounds ridiculous, you can ensure you get your exercise done if you just make an “appointment” to do it. We schedule so much of our lives that it only makes sense that exercise, one of the best things you can do for yourself, should get high priority in your life. Even higher than book club meetings, work meetings, dinner dates, doctor’s appointments, school events. Those 1,440 minutes you get each day will fill up quickly so get that Pilates class on your calendar now!
2. Work out early.
Life gets hectic as the day wears on and by late morning, I myself have usually lost the time and energy to head to the gym for a class or to get out on the road for a run. As the day progresses, things get worse. I’m pretty good at rationalizing why I can’t work out later in the day or into the early evening. But at 5:00 a.m., well, I’m not quite that sharp and the excuses aren’t as quick to materialize. By starting my day with a workout, I not only get it done, I also find I have more energy and far fewer scheduling conflicts. And, as a bonus, I can annoy my co-workers about how much I’ve already accomplished before I even made it into the office. Trust me, they love to hear about my workouts!
3. Make yourself accountable.
It’s easy to get some exercise accountability into your life. You can plan to meet a friend for a workout. Or hire a personal trainer to train you. Or pay for a month of Zumba classes in advance. I know that I have definitely hit the snooze button on my alarm when I knew my running buddy for my early morning jog was me. On the flip side, I have grudgingly dragged myself out of bed to run with friends at 4:30 in the morning – in the dark, in the cold, in the rain and definitely when it was the last thing I wanted to do – because I knew that if I didn’t show up, I would never hear the end of it from my pals. Now if you can’t find an workout buddy and the thought (or cost) of working out with a trainer or paying for classes seems a little daunting, you can always turn to social media to keep you honest. There are lots of apps to use and sites to join to keep you connected and accountable. For example, I’m part of an on-line group that challenges members to commit to a set number of exercise minutes per month. I log in daily to report what I’ve done, get encouragement from fellow members, and share my successes (and failures). It is amazing to me how the power of a social network keeps me motivated!
4. Join the right gym.
Just because you belong to gym doesn’t mean you’ll actually go to the gym. You have to join the “right” gym. And which one is the right one? The one that is most convenient to where you live or work. This may be the absolute best quality of a gym or workout facility. Forget about how many yoga classes they offer or how big the Pilates studio is. If you don’t go, none of that stuff matters. While you can always find some kind of exercise to do at your gym, you’ll never go if it takes a thirty minute drive through rush-hour traffic to get there. Even if they do offer fifteen yoga classes a day.
5. Get a goal.
No matter where we are with our fitness level, having a goal, any type of goal, is a great way to motivate ourselves. Start with a small goal and then, very gradually, bump up your commitment. How about going for a walk three times a week? Or, if you have been successfully working out for thirty minutes per session, trying going for forty minute sessions. These small, gradual increases are easy to attempt, simple to work in to your day, and can produce real results.
5 1/2. Reward yourself!
That’s right. Reward yourself for staying committed to your workout schedule and achieving your goal. And your reward should definitely NOT be a double chocolate chip brownie or a caramel macchiatto with extra whip. New exercise gear, a massage, or a pedicure are all examples of great rewards for keeping yourself on track. These types of rewards also have the added bonus of advancing your workout and exercise goals. For me, buying myself cute, comfortable workout clothes is not only my reward, but it also keeps me feeling good while I’m exercising.
There you have it! Some sure-fire tips to keep you on track to a healthy life style and exercising when you don’t have time for exercising!
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