Finding Time for Fitness in A Busy Schedule

As we get into the groove of a new school year, our calendars and planners fill up quickly, leaving very little room for personal health. Finding time for fitness classes or the hour you need for a good workout can be an intimidating jigsaw puzzle in which the pieces are the time slots in your planner. As adults have a longer life expectancy when they do more than seven hours of physical activity per week, try these tips to fit that puzzle together to make sure you stay healthy.

Use Work As A Workout

The time that you spend at work is typically what fills up the bulk of your schedule. If you spend most of your workday sitting at a computer, try fitting in fitness with exercises that you can do at your desk. You can switch out your chair for a stability ball, which will work to strengthen your core as you sit on it throughout the day. If you prefer to have a seat with legs, keep dumbbells at your desk and squeeze in 12 to 15 reps of curls while you work.

You can combine two exercises into one when you work on strengthening as you’re using the treadmill. Using dumbbells, do shoulder presses, biceps curls, and side laterals as you jog. If you do have a little time in the day to go to the gym, this is the perfect way to maximize that time.  If you can’t get to the gym, consider a home treadmill from NordicTrack, Sole, ProForm or one of the other affordable residential brands.  Some of these cardio machines even have built-in fitness apps with on-demand personal training.

Treadmill Multitasking

You can combine two exercises into one when you work on strengthening as you’re using the treadmill. Using dumbbells, do shoulder presses, biceps curls, and side laterals as you jog. If you do have a little time in the day to go to the gym, this is the perfect way to maximize that time.

Stay Active While In Line

We spend a lot of time waiting in line at stores and coffee shops, so use those precious minutes to keep your body moving. Fitting in fitness is easy when you sneak in some lunges, toe raises, or squats when you’re in the checkout line. You might get some strange looks from your fellow shoppers, but don’t let that stop you from getting in your workout.

Take Your Little Ones With You

When it’s a struggle to exercise because of parental responsibilities, one solution is to bring the kids along. Invest in a jogging stroller and strap in your little one as you run a few miles. One of the best ways to make sure you exercise consistently is to do workouts that you actually enjoy, so if running isn’t your favorite thing to do, find other ways to work out. Some fun alternatives are to do squats with your child in a carrier or to have your kids do an at-home yoga session with you.
Devoting entire blocks of time to your workout may be impossible with a hectic schedule. Exercise without rearranging your entire calendar by sneaking in these workouts throughout your day and the minutes you spend on fitness will quickly add up to hours.