THE ARTICLE
As more and more research reveals the benefits of exercise and the dangers of sedentary living, we are becoming convinced: exercise must become a part of our life on a regular basis! The question is not if we will exercise but how. How will we fit exercise into our busy work and personal lives? It’s not always easy, but it is clear that life could become a lot harder if we don’t find a way. After all, living with obesity, diabetes and heart disease is not very easy!
In addition to avoiding those very unpleasant health conditions, remember that exercising adds good things to your life. Exercising actually gives you energy and helps you tackle your daily life with more ease and zest. Most people find they think more clearly and are able to handle stress better if they exercise regularly. Exercising helps you maintain your weight, so you can eat more without guilt. Exercising helps you look great, so you can enjoy wearing flattering clothes. For all these reasons, it’s worth finding ways to fit exercise into your busy schedule.
Here are some strategies for fitting exercise into your life:
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Be realistic about your exercise plan. Too many people resolve to “exercise every day” at the beginning of the year, only to fail and then give up entirely. You don’t need to exercise every day, especially if you are starting out. Three times a week for at least 30 minutes is sufficient. After a few months, you can up the frequency or duration to 5 times a week or 60 minutes per session.
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Choose activities you enjoy. If you hate gyms, don’t join a gym. You can exercise alone or with a friend, or join a class or join a team. You can work out at home, indoors or outdoors, as you prefer.
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Try to add activity into your daily life, even when you aren’t officially exercising. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to work or at lunch, park farther away from the store. Put on music when you do housework. Start a garden. Stretch while you watch TV. Walk the dog more often.
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Try exercising at different times of day to see which makes you feel best. Some people feel energized all day after a morning workout. Others prefer to burn off stress after work.
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Say no to sedentary activities.
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Write down the benefits you hope to feel from exercising. After 3 weeks of exercising regularly, check off the ones that have worked for you. Share your list with family members or friends who need to get exercising too.
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Get a home gym, so you don’t have to leave the house to exercise. Convenience is very important in helping you succeed.
Remember that you don’t need any special equipment or gym memberships or classes in order to get fit – so those aren’t excuses! A decent pair of walking shoes is really all you need. If you can’t find 30 minutes all at once, you can probably find two 15-minute breaks during your day to fit in some exercise.
If you are just starting out with exercise, it’s best to create a plan. If you just hope that 30 free minutes will fall into your lap one of these days, it’s not likely to happen. When formulating your plan, enlist your family so that they are on board with your exercise regimen and will help you fit the time you need into your schedule. Your family wants you healthy and fit, too! As you are discussing how you will make this change, keep in mind the following points:
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First and foremost keep in mind how you will benefit from exercise. If you think of it as only a chore, you are less likely to keep it up.
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Choose activities you enjoy doing. Be honest with yourself; there’s no reason to force yourself to do aerobic dance if it makes you feel clumsy. Again, you’re less likely to make the time if you don’t enjoy the time.
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If you’re concerned about safety, meet with a personal trainer or instructor once before you begin, to learn correct techniques.
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Convenience is everything! Whatever you choose to do, make it very easy to get to and be ready for.
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Schedule the time into your weekly agenda, rather than hope to find time for it. Make a date with yourself like you would for any other important meeting or event.
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Make sure the activity or activities you choose are within your budget. You don’t want to be stressing about money while getting fit.
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Choose activities that make you feel good when you are done working out! You should not feel exhausted or in pain, you should feel energized and good about what you are doing for yourself.
Remember that fitness is a lifetime commitment. This is not a temporary program, like some sort of starvation diet that you will suffer through and then drop when you’ve reached a number on the scale. This is an investment in your health and well-being for yourself and for your family. It’s worth making the time!
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