Finding The Time To Get In Shape

Exercising is so important. We need it for our physical and mental health. It gives us the strength and energy to take care of our families, our jobs, and ourselves. For busy parents, it’s critical for providing us the energy we need to keep up with busy kids

But it’s tough for very busy people to find time for regular workouts. The combined demands of all the things they do leave little opportunity for exercise. If this sounds like you, consider these creative ways to work around the demands of the clock.

Explore Your Schedule

Blocking out an hour for exercise is tough. We all know that. That’s why the tip after this one is helpful–you can squeeze in a little activity almost any time of day. But more on that later.

It does take some bigger segments of time to really break a sweat, get that heart rate up, and maximize impact. Fitness 19 locations operate with extended hours, giving many communities a place where you can supplant a late-night snack with a late-night workout, or even stop in after school to get some reps in.

Of course, it doesn’t even take that. If you find that your lunch hour really only requires about 15 minutes of eating, use the rest of that time to walk the stairs or circle the parking lot. If you have 20 minutes left before work after you drop off the kids, you can get some exercise then.

You can also generate some time by building efficiency. Get a good gym bag and have it ready the night before. Make sure the kids have school books together, shoes located, and outfits chosen. This will simplify your morning routine and potentially buy you more time for exercise before the workday begins–and the reduced morning chaos will be good for your health, too!

Waste Effort For Your Waist

It seems that we’re always trying to save time and effort in our daily routines. This is great when those resources are in short supply, but in a roundabout way, we might be better off to use a little too much effort so that we can steal some quick exercise.

For example, we all try to park reasonably close to the buildings we’re going to, whether it’s the workplace, a store, or even the apartments where we live. But if we take a more distant space for our vehicle, we can get in some extra steps to help burn off a few calories.

It’s important to note that this type of exercise is beneficial in weight loss but it’s unlikely to have a cardiovascular impact, unless we park really far away. Like in another town. But any activity at all burns calories, and when weight loss is the goal, it’s always good to burn even a few calories.

So park across the lot, down the street, or over the hill. You’ll see the impact on your pedometer. And find other ways to make your day harder. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. At home, deliberately make extra trips to the basement or second floor. Ditch the riding mower for a push mower. Keep your focus on increasing physical activity by decreasing convenience.

Rethink Your Workout

As we noted earlier, a calorie burned is a calorie burned, regardless of the method. So it stands to reason that you can either spend a long time burning calories slowly, or a short time burning them quickly.

So maybe you don’t need more time for your workout, you just need more workout for your time. Why walk for an hour when you can run for 20 minutes?

Turning up the intensity can help you accomplish more in a limited time frame. That’s going to give you a kick-start on your fitness progress, motivating you by avoiding canceled workouts and shortened sessions. You hit it hard for the time that you have and make the most of it.

Of course, increased intensity presents increased concerns for your health, so make sure that your doctor clears you for turning it up to 11. Once you have the all-clear, start with your condensed workouts and watch the progress.

Everybody has a different solution for the crowded schedule fighting their workouts. Whether you use one of these tips or cook up your own strategy, just make sure to do something. Everybody needs exercise to be the healthiest and happiest they can be. Now go make it happen!