Fitting Exercise into Your Day
Do you feel like you just don’t have time to exercise? Do you feel stretched to the limit with all the family and business demands and stresses you confront every day? You’re not alone. Here are a few practical suggestions to help you fit exercise into your day:
- Make an appointment with yourself to get up 20 to 30 minutes earlier in the morning to exercise. People who exercise in the morning find it an invigorating way to start the day and are also less likely to cancel due to last minute work or family demands.
- Use your lunch break at work. People who exercise during the day are more productive and have better levels of concentration than those who don’t.
- Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.
- Instead of just watching your kids play in the yard, get out there and join in the fun.
- Make a deal with your partner or a friend. If they’ll care for your children while you go for a walk, you’ll watch theirs when they take time out for themselves.
- Make your exercise time a shared time with your partner or family. You can run, your partner can cycle, the kids can inline skate.
- When there’s work to be done, don’t always wait for the strongest or most capable person to handle it. Lift those boxes or move that furniture as long as you can handle it comfortably. It may take you a little longer but the job will be done and you will have done a mini workout in the process.
- If you’re volunteering at your children’s school get involved in a physical activity. You’ll be setting a great example for them and squeezing some extra exercise into your day at the same time.
- After you’ve settled the children in bed for the night get in 20 minutes on the treadmill while watching your favourite TV show or listening to music.
- Perform a five minute stretching and strengthening routine just before climbing into bed. It will have a positive effect on your muscles and also help you drift off to sleep more quickly.
- It takes time and commitment to ensure that exercise is a part of your daily life. The reward for your efforts is an improved quality of life and a healthier, fitter you.