20 Ways to Find Time to Exercise
photo by Willem Tjerkstra
"Those who do not find time to exercise, sooner or later, will have to find time for illness."
-Earl of Derby
- Watch less television - Americans watch 14 hours of television per week. Cut that down to 10 and get 30 minutes of exercise a day.
- Get up 30 minutes earlier - I know, I know, you already get up at the butt crack of dawn, you're not a morning person, yada, yada, yada. Going out for a morning walk or jog will do more to energize you for the day than any cup of coffee.
- During lunchtime - Go for a 30 minute walk and use the remaining time for a quick lunch.
- After work - This works for some people, but it's very easy to get sidetracked and not take the time. If it works for you, exercise after work. If it doesn't, there are lots of other options.
- Ride your bike to work - Obviously, this isn't an option for some people depending on the length of your commute, but there are some of you who could ride your bike to work or even walk to work.
- Have a walking meeting - if you need to have a meeting with someone why not do it while walking around the building or around the block.
- Walk your kids to school instead of driving - this is probably an option for lots of people, but getting in the car is just a habit.
- If you live and die by your planner, plan your exercise time - make your 30 minutes a day a priority and schedule it in your day planner.
- Always carry work out clothes and shoes - only have a few minutes to go for a walk? Be a good Boy Scout and always be prepared. Bring a gym bag without workout clothes and shoes with you everywhere you go.
- Walk to lunch - try walking to lunch instead of jumping in your car and driving a mile.
- Find a friend to walk with - people are more likely to make an "appointment" with a friend a priority since someone else will be waiting for you to arrive.
- Let the dog take you for a walk - Rover loves to go for a walk. All I have to do is say the word, "Walk", and my dog gets her leash and brings it to me. Don't have a dog? Go for a walk anyway.
- After dinner, make an evening walk with the family a tradition - instead of crashing on the couch in front of the television after dinner, gather up the kids and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Everyone will feel better for it.
- Don't sit while your kids are playing sports, walk around the field - can't exercise because you need to take your kids to soccer? Not so fast. Instead of sitting around waiting, go for a walk around the neighborhood, or around the field during practice or the game.
- Get a stationary bike for your desk
- if you own one of these, and use it, you don't need to be reading this. You are THE MAN!
- Go out for 10 minutes at a time - if you can't find 30 minutes, what about getting up and walking around the block or your building for 10 minutes a few times a day.
- Do situp, crunches, or pushups during commercials - Squeeze in a little exercise when you would normally be sitting around.
- Write down how you spend your time each day - You probably have more extra time in the day than you realize. Keep a log for a few days and find out if there is a good time each day to get in your 30 minutes.
- Park as far away as possible - on a good day you can probably get in 2 miles of extra walking by parking as far as possible from stores or the mall.
- Instead of emailing or calling a colleague, walk to their office to give them the message - maybe this isn't the fastest, most hi-tech way to deliver a message, but it's a way to get you up and walking more.
- Stop making excuses - Someone much busier than you is exercising right now!
What's your favorite excuse for not exercising? Post a comment and let me know.
Related Posts:
0 comments:
Post a Comment