Lack of time is one of the excuses for not exercising. But it has been found that those who exercise daily are just as busy with their families, jobs, and other responsibilities as those who do not exercise. If you look closer, you will discover that you do have the time to work out, and you deserve to use the fitness plan for yourself. Squeezing in just a few minutes of exercise a day has huge benefits on your health, provides you energy and perks up your mood. Whatever your age or fitness level—even if you have never exercised a day in the life before—you can find simple ways to add more movements to life and begin to look better, feel better, and enjoy the life more.
Importance of Physical Activities in Daily Life
Physical activity is one of the most important things one can do for one’s health.
- Fitness exercises can immensely help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss.
- Regular exercise decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Fitness workout stimulates the brain chemicals that can leave one feeling happier and more relaxed.
- Exercise enhances chances of living longer.
- Fitness workouts can help one fall asleep faster and deepen the sleep.
Best Ways to make time for Exercise in your Busy Schedule
Here we have listed below ten helpful fitness tips to fit exercise into your busy schedule.
Wake up earlier
Sleep is important for weight-loss and overall health, but can you hit the sheets 40 minutes earlier so that you can get up and work out before your day begin? Working out in the morning has various benefits including boosting energy, regulating appetite, and may be the biggest benefit of all – an A.M.
sweat session ensures that your exercise is checked off first thing every day! Because, how many times have you had intentions to work out in the evening, only to have to work late, help kids with homework or generally just feel too tired to get off the couch? With morning fitness exercises, the time problem is solved!
Cut down on media
For a few days, record how much time you spend checking personal email, surfing the Internet, playing video games and watching TV whether it’s on your phone or your computer. You might be astonished at how much time you spend on Facebook. Cut out some of that screen time and you suddenly have time to squeeze in at least 15 or 20 minutes of fitness workouts into even the busiest day.
Be an active TV watcher
It’s unrealistic to shun the Internet forever or never to watch TV. When you do, try to incorporate some physical activity. When watching television, make it a point to do some push-ups or jumping jacks during commercials.
Doing little workouts during commercial breaks can add up to almost 15 minutes of fitness for each hour of TV you watch. And instead of sitting in the chair when on the computer, try sitting on a stability ball or stack the computer up on the books so that you have a suitable standing desk to surf from. Try not to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time!
Try an active commute
One of the effective ways to fit exercise into your life is by incorporating it into your work transportation routine. If you usually take a bus, walk to the bus stop that is an extra block or get off the bus two stops sooner than usual and get a few more steps in. If you drive to the workplace, park as far away as you can—even a few blocks away if possible.
Make it part of your routine
One reason it is so challenging to fit exercise into a busy schedule is because we are not used to doing it. Start making some form of exercise—whether it is walking the dog, doing 10 minutes of workouts or going for a bike ride after dinner—a regular tradition, just like brushing your teeth, showering, or hitting coffee shop on the way to work.
It is easy to fit in exercise for a few days here or there, but by incorporating it into your routine like you would your hygiene, you take the process of working out away from willpower and into habit.
Mix socializing with exercising
Do you spend time with family by going to lunch, going to movies or watching sports on television? Make social time more active by planning events that get all of you moving.
Go for a family hike on a Sunday morning, play a game of football with friends during halftime, or make a date with the beloved or friend on the treadmill. There are many options for squeezing more physical activity into your social calendar!
Turn chores into exercise
Cleaning is something we all have to do, and it can be a workout if you want it to be. Set a kitchen timer for about 30 minutes and see how much of the house you can clean. Try to be as quick-paced and efficient as possible. If you are doing lighter housework that is harder to get your heart rate up, throw in some push-ups or lunges every few minutes to start feeling the burn!
Schedule an appointment
If you had scheduled a heart specialist’s appointment, you would not miss it would you? Working out is as important as going to a doctor or any other obligation that you prioritize, as it helps you perform better as a parent, worker, volunteer or student, and keeps you in perfect shape. So whether it’s investing in personal training sessions, or scheduling in an hour to go to that group exercise class, write it in pen in your calendar and treat it like any other appointment you can’t miss!
Find an activity you love
Think of your favorite pastime or hobby. Do you have troubles finding time to do it? Most likely, you make time for it as you enjoy it so much. Choose a physical activity that you immensely enjoy and look forward to. Not only are you more likely to do it, but it also adds more fun to the life. We all can use some more fun in our busy lives, right?
Say no
If you have gone through this entire list of tips and don’t think a single one will work in your life, then it is time to look at your responsibilities and priorities. Do you really have to cook chicken for that fundraiser? Take on that extra project at work? There is nothing wrong with saying no. Yes, we all have obligations to others, but do not forget about obligations you have to yourself to take care of your health and your body!
Exercise provides you energy and keeps you healthy to keep going in that busy life of yours! Therefore don’t think of exercise as another to-do to squeeze in on your already busy schedule. Instead, think of it as the maintenance of your health and a way to de-stress and do something for you!
