4 Tips for Merging Fitness into a Busy Lifestyle

Everyone is busy nowadays, so it can be hard to get workouts in on a consistent basis. While hard, it is not impossible, especially if you use these tips...

Maximize Training Time

Most experts recommend training a minimum of 30 minutes three times per week. The logical times to workout are in the morning before work, at lunchtime, or in the evening after work, However if you do shift work, adjust your workout schedule accordingly.

If you are only training a half-hour three times per week, you can maximize the amount of time you have by incorporating some type of interval training into your routine. Interval training consists of compound exercises that target multiple muscle groups, thus increasing not only the intensity but also the effectiveness of your limited workout time.

Make Workouts a Habit

When life or work get in the way, it is easy to lose your workout time. However, once exercising is part of your daily routine – a habit – it is much harder to skip it. Most experts agree that if you do something on a consistent basis every day, it becomes a habit after 21 days.

But how do you find the time to exercise? Keep a journal of your daily activities in half-hour increments. Once documented, you’ll see where you are “wasting” time and replace that lost time with exercise. 

Set Goals

People tend to focus more time on something if it leads them to a goal. If you exercise just to exercise, that may not be a lofty-enough goal to stay with it. However, if you exercise with a goal to lose 25 pounds by January 1st for example, now you have a definite purpose to exercise. If that goal seems too far away, break it down into smaller goals, such as one pound per week. Be sure to reward yourself when you reach each goal; just don’t pick a reward that sabotages your efforts. 

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Routine

There are many opportunities in our day where we can get some exercise. For example, if you drive to work, park at the far end of the parking lot and walk in the rest of the way. Once inside your office building, take the stairs to your office (or at least walk up a few flights) instead of riding the elevator.

If you take public transportation to work, get off a few stops before the one closest to your work and walk the rest of the way. Do the same thing after work on the way home.

By incorporating these four strategies into your daily routine, you’ll find you do have the time to exercise.