Health Blog

Last week I discussed ways to fit fitness into a busy schedule, such as looking at your work environment for ways to incorporate fitness. This week I wanted to provide some tips on carving out time each day to exercise.  If you are someone who constantly says you are going to exercise and have not been able to follow through, consider these five steps below (adapted from a Ladies Home Journal article).

1. Commit to exercise by making it a priority. Exercise should be as important as your other daily activities, like working, eating dinner and watching TV.  If you need more incentive then the clear health benefits of exercise, it can help you sleep better and relieve stress.

2. Find an exercise routine you can live with. Starting with smaller steps is always the best way to start an exercise routine. For example, you can start with 10 minutes of activity (like walking) three times a week. Once you are comfortable with this routine, it becomes easier to add to the 10-minute intervals and expand to new activities.

 

3. Get help from the family. If it’s possible, ask your family – like kids or spouse – to help with household activities, like cleaning and making meals.  Use this time you’re saving to exercise.

 

4. Take a look at your work schedule. If you regularly work long hours, you may want to talk with your supervisor about prioritizing your projects and managing your workload and time. Your supervisor may have ideas to help prioritize projects, giving you time to exercise – and he or she may even want to join you for walking meetings.

 

5. Exercise in the morning. Morning exercise may not be for everyone, but getting it out of the way early in the day is a smart move. For starters, you don’t need excuses not to exercise since you will have it out of the way.  And exercising in the morning will give you more energy throughout the rest of the day.

 

Rebecca