Think You’re Too Busy for Exercise?

With summer fast-approaching and the kids home from school, it’s easier than ever to make the claim that you’re too busy for exercise. Since exercise is seldom considered the most fun thing to do on our long list of obligations, it’s the easiest to slip off. Everyone has time for exercise! Here are some tips to fit it into your schedule over the busy summer:

•  Put it in your schedule IN PEN! Making an appointment ensures other things don’t come up and take precedent. Schedule a time with a workout buddy or a personal trainer who is waiting to meet you.

• Make it fun! There is no reason exercise should be the most miserable part of your day. Find something you enjoy doing that gets you moving. Join an adult sports league or try something again you haven’t done since childhood.

• Lose the “all or nothing” mentality. You know the recommended amounts and frequency for doing cardio and strength training. If your schedule won’t accommodate it all, doing some is better than doing nothing at all. 

• Make it a part of your daily tasks. Park farther away in the parking lot, choose the stairs over the elevator, etc. Instead of sitting and watching your kids play at the pool, get in and swim with them! I promise you’ll realize how much fun it is to play like a kid every now and then.

• Get the most out of your time dedicated to exercise by working with a certified personal trainer. They can design workouts for you that work more than one body part at once, which will lead to gains in coordination and strength while keeping your heart rate elevated. 

• Don’t give up if you miss a workout. Jump right back in where you left off and keep the momentum going.

• Reward yourself for accomplishments. Establish goals and once you reach those milestones, treat yourself to something indulgent (but not necessarily edible!) like a spa treatment, some new shoes, or even just a little time to yourself.