I specialize in working with busy individuals. Most of my San Diego personal training clients are entrepreneurs, high ranking executives, professional working moms, all very busy individuals. And all of them come to me with the same problem; I don’t have time to exercise. They let everything else in their life take precedence over exercise and eating right that before they know it they have gained weight, feel lethargic, and have trouble sleeping at night. They wake up one morning and realize that they put their health on the back burner and let relationships, work, and other obligations out weight their dedication to their health.
It is my goal within my San Diego weight loss programs to help my clients learn how to make time for exercise. Because let’s face it, at the end of the day, all you have is your health, and everything that you stress over and put as a high priority really doesn’t matter if you are in poor health. I understand you’re busy; however, I promise that no matter how busy you are, someone even busier than you are is working out right now. If you look closer, you’ll discover that you do have the time to work out—and you deserve to do that for yourself. So without further ado here is a list I compiled of ways to make time for exercise.
1) Wake up Earlier. Sleep is important, and I am not asking you to jeopardize that. But could you make it so you go to bed 30 minutes earlier the night before? That way you still get the quality zzzzs you need but still have time to workout before your day starts. This way you check it off first thing and won’t have the possibility of work, family, or social occasions coming up and keeping you from your best intentions to workout in the evening.
2) Cut down on your daily media time. Over the course of the next few days, observe how much time you spend checking emails, surfing the net, playing on Facebook, playing words with friends on your blackberry, or watching TV. I am sure you could condense some of that time and put it towards exercising for 15-20 minutes, because every bit counts.
3) Actively Watch TV. We all watch TV. But why not take the time during your favorite shows to stretch, do some core exercises, push ups, or jumping jacks. No reason you can’t plug in a little exercise while watching Modern Family.
4) Try an active commute. If you live close enough to work, consider biking to work a few times a week. You would be surprised how many extra calories you burn a day, plus you will be helping the environment!
5) Make it part of your daily routine. Brushing our teeth every morning takes time, but we do it, because we know it is important for our teeth’s health and has become part of our daily routine. In fact, it has become so routine that we don’t even think about it. Include some type of exercise as a daily routine, like taking the dog on a walk, doing 15 minutes of yoga, etc. Once you make it a habit you will always make time for it.
6) Mix socializing with activity. How many times do you go out to the movies, sporting, events, or restaurants with friends and families as a way of spending time together and socializing? What if you changed those activities into something that will get your heart pumping? What if you went for a hike instead, or played some tag football, or tried something new like paddle boarding or wall climbing?
7) Find an activity you love. Think of your favorite pastime or hobby. Do you ever struggle to make time for those activities? It’s easier to put off and skip out on things we don’t enjoy doing. So find some physical activity that you do enjoy, so that it will be easier for you to put the time aside.
8) Every Minute Counts. I had a San Diego personal training client of mine who kept a kettlebell in her kitchen. And every time she walked by it she had to do a swing. Imagine how much that added up to over a course of a week. I had another client who would run 3 sets of stairs after every hour of work at the computer. It didn’t take much time out of their schedule but added up to a substantial amount of exercise through the course of weeks, and months. Just remember you don’t have to make time for an hour worth of exercise all at once.
9) Schedule it as an appointment. This is a big one. You wouldn’t dare miss a work meeting or a dentist appointment would you? Treat your exercise appointment with the same respect. Do not schedule anything else during that time. If you need to be held accountable consider finding a workout buddy or hiring a personal trainer. My clients know that if they miss an appointment with me, they miss a session. So it’s in their best interest to make it. The only excuse they can use is they are sick, everything else doesn’t count.
10) Say no. If you’ve gone through this entire list of tips and don’t think a single one will work in your life, then it’s time to look at your priorities and responsibilities. Do you really have to bake cookies for that fundraiser? Babysit for your sister? Take on that extra project at work? Attend that wedding shower of your second cousin? Remember that there’s nothing wrong in saying no. Yes, we all have obligations to others, but don’t forget about the obligation you have to take care of your body and your health!
San Diego fitness trainer and holistic coach, Andrea King, specializes in working with busy individuals, and helps teach her clients how to make time for exercise and healthy eating. If you struggle with making time for exercise and nutritious eating in your life give her a call at 858-877-0787.
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