How to Make Time to Exercise

Ladies Getting some Exercise and much needed "Me Time"

Lack of time is probably the most common excuse for not exercising at all. Between family, work, and other responsibilities, our full-on 24/7 lifestyle often leaves us feeling like there is not enough time in the day for ourselves. The result is that exercise becomes a low priority and your own health and wellbeing can suffer.

Each of us has 24 hours in a day, but the ways we choose to use them differ. 30 minutes is 2% of your day. TWO PERCENT! You probably spend more time scrolling social media, surfing the internet and watching TV.

Some activity is better than none. You don’t need an hour plus in the gym to get in a good workout, there are quick high-intensity workouts that can take just a few minutes. Find a block of time in your day that is consistently free of commitments. Start the day with exercise, workout first thing in the morning before your day gets away from you. Can you wake up 30 minutes earlier or go into work 30 minutes later? Or take a workout break instead of a coffee break? Schedule some exercise in at lunch or after dropping the kids off at school. Start with something small, say 10 minutes, the following week do a bit more and so on. Soon that time will become part of your day.

If you have kids, you need to make sure your exercise time is even more of a priority. You need to take care of yourself by having a few minutes to yourself every day. You owe it to them to keep yourself healthy into old age.

· If your children are young, ask your partner to keep an eye on them while you work out, or take them along with you in a stroller for a walk, jog or run round the block.

· If they are a little older, pack your running shoes and exercise while your child is at their after-school practice. Walk briskly around the field, or run up and down the school stairs.

· Go biking with your kids, put up a volley ball net in your garden, sign up as a family for "fun runs," or just walk more places.

· When the weather's bad, try active video games like "Dance Dance Revolution," "Wii Sport," and "Wii Fit.”

· Encourage your kids to be active as well, if they are in their teens it can be a great bonding exercise doing a fitness class together.

· Plus, you’ll be setting a great example for your kids so they can grow up knowing the importance of staying active.

Don’t allow yourself to watch TV unless you are exercising, or have already exercised that day. Kill two birds with one stone, while watching TV, use resistance bands for strength training, or jog on the spot. Or listen to your favourite podcast, watch a Netflix series or last night’s sporting event whilst you exercise or pedal away on an exercise bike.

You work, a lot. Well all the more reason you need to take a few minutes each day to exercise. Not only will it help mitigate the negative effects of sitting down most of the day, it’ll help clear your mind, make you more creative and you’ll feel less stressed.

Remember, your entire life doesn't have to revolve around your workout routine, but if you aren’t making time for exercise, you aren’t making time for yourself and your wellbeing.

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