Ah, the age-old question of how to exercise without giving up everything else of importance in your life. Can it be done? Is there a secret to fitting workouts into your schedule without losing hours every day? The answer is yes (although the exact way you do it will vary based on your situation), and I can show you how. Let’s start by thinking about what we mean when we say “making time” for working out. It doesn’t mean strapping on a headlamp and running 5 miles before work every morning or spending two hours at the gym after work every night. We all have busy lives, and while exercising consistently is important, it’s not more important than being a good parent/employee/partner/etc. So if you’re feeling guilty about skipping workouts, or if you’re just trying to be healthier but feel like something’s got to give, this guide is for you.
Have a plan.
Planning is a key ingredient to success. It can help you avoid procrastination and excuses, as well as waste time that could be spent on your goals.
To make workouts part of your routine, start by creating a plan and sticking to it. You’ll want to prioritize the most important parts of your workout over other tasks or activities, making sure they’re scheduled first before moving on to other things that aren’t as urgent or important.
Just get up and do it.
Just get up and do it.
Don’t think about it too much, don’t worry about how long it will take, or whether it will be good enough, or what other people will think, or how you feel. Just get up and do it.
Do something that’s not time consuming.
If you’re trying to decide whether an activity is time consuming, you’ll want to look at how much preparation it requires. If you can simply throw on your workout clothes, head out the door, and start working out without having to do anything else first—like driving somewhere or setting up equipment—it’s probably not time consuming. On the other hand, if there’s a lot of prep involved (like showering) or if it involves getting ready for hours before your workout begins (like curling your hair), then yes! That activity will probably be considered time-consuming.
The best way to determine whether something is not time consuming is by asking yourself these questions:
What does this activity require?
Can I do this by myself? Or do I need someone else?
Put exercise into your calendar.
If you want to be successful at making time for your workouts, it starts with putting exercise into your calendar.
It’s one thing to say “I’m going to start working out after work.” It’s another thing entirely to schedule that workout on your calendar. If you do this, then it becomes a priority for you—and if something else happens and takes priority over your workout, well, that’s okay because it was already in the calendar!
If you’re busy but you want to exercise, you can!
You can make time for exercise, even if you’re really busy.
Exercise helps you sleep better and feel more rested.
Exercise can help relieve stress and anxiety.
Exercise improves your mood—it’s a natural antidepressant!
Exercising boosts your energy levels, which makes it easier to be productive throughout the day.
Exercising can also improve your creativity and focus by boosting dopamine levels (the brain chemical that makes us feel good).
Conclusion
Following these four tips, you can get the most out of your time while also making sure you’re taking care of yourself. By being more efficient and using exercise as a way to take a break from your day, you’ll be able to get everything done without spending all your time on it. And if at first it seems too hard or like something isn’t working for you, try something else instead!
