With your busy schedule, it may be hard to allow time for exercise. But there is nothing better you can do for your health and well-being than to exercise regularly. Here are some tips to help you fit in fitness.
Evaluate how you spend your time
If you think you can't possibly fit one more responsibility or activity into your day, sit down and take a look at how you spend your time. How much time are you spending watching TV or doing other sedentary activities? Trim that up a bit. Fit in a home exercise session while your kids are napping, at school or at activities. Look for ways you can reorganize your daily schedule to allow more time for exercise. Even 10-minute bouts of cardio three times throughout the day helps.
Set goals and a timeline
Whether you want to lose weight, increase muscle mass, or boost endurance, goal setting is important. Set realistic goals, write them down and put them where you can readily see them. It's easier to make time for exercise when you have a clear sense of your fitness goals. Set up a timeline of when you expect to reach your goals, also, to help keep you motivated and on track.
Enlist help
If you have young children, see if a trusted friend or relative could watch them for you at least three times a week. Perhaps, ask another mom is she wants to partner with you. You watch her children while she works out and then she can return the favor when you want to work out. Or, search out a gym that provides daycare services. Ask your spouse to cook dinner on workout days, and give your children the responsibility of doing some extra household chores. Better yet, take the family along on hiking, swimming, and tennis outings. Single? Plan an exercise date.
Make it convenient
Join a gym that is close to your home or work so it's easier and less time consuming to fit in your workout. You could also do push-ups, planks, wall-sits, crunches and jumping jacks during commercials breaks while watching TV at home. Watch for sales on dumbbells, resistance bands, and stability balls at local discount and sporting goods stores, or use items around the house such as chairs, benches, canned goods and sacks of flour as substitutes for equipment. Use the equipment that's included in the Actlive Life subscription boxes.
Wake up early
Starting off with exercise will help keep you energized throughout the day. Begin setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual, so you can get a good workout in before the day gets busy. Don't skimp on sleep, though. Change your schedule gradually to allow more time to exercise at the beginning of the day and turn in earlier at night. Feel accomplished before the sun comes up because you've checked exercise off your to-do list for the day.
Double up
Combine exercise with other responsibilities such as walking the dog, mowing the lawn (with a push mower, not a rider), gardening and walking while talking on the phone or cooking dinner. You can also look into "walking meetings" at work.
Get moving
Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk with a friend at lunchtime. Walk in place and do squats while waiting in line. Walk to a friend's house instead of driving. Walk, bicycle or run to work instead of driving. Park further away from stores. Swim, play racquetball, play tag with the kids, go on active vacations--whatever you do, just get moving for health.
Fitting in fitness might seem like a nuisance, but it's much better to get moving now to help avoid dealing with possible health problems later. And if you already have health concerns, exercise just might help alleviate some of your symptoms. So, get going and have fun getting fit!
Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate exercise routine. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your healthcare provider.