Too Busy to Workout: Tips for Fitting Exercise Into a Hectic Day

By: Sue Pasqual

We know that maintaining an active lifestyle is important for health and weight control, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy when you’re busy.  Fitting in exercise may feel like a chore to many of you, but there is hope! Believe it or not, there are fun ways to make sure your health doesn’t fall victim to a hectic schedule.

We know that your days are busy and exercise can just seem too far out of reach after work, cooking, running errands, cleaning, and prepping for tomorrow.  It becomes a sort of paradox: we’re too busy to workout because we need to be productive to stay ahead, but not being active can affect our health so that being productive just gets harder and harder. There has to be a way around this, right?

How to Exercise with a Busy Schedule

Walk for Lunch

Most people get between 30-60 minutes for lunch, but how often are you eating for the full 30-60 minutes? Try using that extra time to get up and move, even if it’s just for 10 minutes, adds up over time! Not to mention it gets you away from your desk and gets your blood moving! This helps boost your productivity and creativity.

Get Personal

Instead of sending an email, try walking to the person’s office to explain something or drop off a file.  If your office has stairs, even better!  Small breaks like this can help add steps to your day and give your brain little breathers throughout the day.

Park Further

Instead of driving around the parking lot looking for an open space up front, try parking further away from the door.  Not only will you save yourself a few minutes, but you’ll probably save yourself a few dings on your car door as well!

Make Commercials Work For You

A great tip to add additional exercise in while at home is the 20-20-20 rule! Pick a TV show you like to watch and each time a commercial comes on, you do 20 jumping jacks, 20 sit-ups, and 20 squats.  You can easily switch these exercises up depending on what you enjoy,w hat you need, and any accommodations you may need to make for your body’s abilities. Imagine how much you do during every commercial break in your favorite hour-long show!

 

Weights between a measuring tape and yoga mat for exercise on a busy day.

 

These are all great ways to sneak little workouts into your day.  Maybe a 30-60 minute gym session or jog is going to break more of a sweat, but some days it just isn’t possible.  On those days, take control of your fitness and add in what you can! It’s persistence and dedication that form habits for a lifetime, so what are you waiting for?

 

Do you have any tips for quick daily workouts? Tell us in the comments below!