When you have work, family and other time commitments filling up your hectic schedule, exercise can sometimes be put on the back burner. Unfortunately, skipping exercise on a daily basis can stop you from reaping the benefits, such as an improved mood and more energy. Allow exercise to set the tone for your entire day by making it a priority. The way that you fit exercise into your daily schedule can make a difference in its ease and importance as part of your busy life.
First Thing's First
If you habitually find yourself ignoring exercise when your day becomes busy, schedule a workout first thing in the morning. Getting exercise out of the way as part of your morning routine means you don't have to think about it during the rest of the day. As your day becomes busy and you find yourself prioritizing and evaluating which tasks can be done by the end of the day, exercise won't be one of the activities you're tempted to cut. Exercising first thing in the morning can also help set the tone for a day filled with healthier choices.
Can't Miss Appointment
Think about the way that you schedule appointments -- you wouldn't skip a doctor's appointment or parent-teacher conference simply because you were short on time or feeling tired. Consider exercise the same way that you would other important appointments. Write down your exercise schedule and be on time, even if you're just heading to the gym or going for a run. Making exercise as much of a priority as other appointments can help you stay on track, avoiding the temptation to skip a day.
Strength in Numbers
If you find that you lack the motivation to stick to a workout schedule, ask a friend to exercise with you. Making the commitment to meet a friend for exercise on a regular basis can extinguish the temptation to remove exercise from your daily schedule. To further motivate you, make a deal with that friend to avoid calling each other before a workout unless it's an emergency. Knowing that a friend is waiting can make exercise a higher priority. If you don't have a buddy that you can exercise with, join an exercise class or running group for the same results.
Fitting It In
Even the most perfectly planned workouts can fall by the wayside if your day is especially hectic. If you simply cannot fit in a formal workout, find casual ways to exercise throughout the day to pick up the slack. Walk or bike to work, park far away from your building or take the stairs instead of the elevator to burn calories and sneak in casual but beneficial exercise throughout the day. Avoid making casual workouts the permanent substitute for getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
References
- CDC: Scheduling
- Columbia University Health Services: Fitting Exercise into a Busy Schedule
- "The Everything Easy Fitness Book: Lose Weight, Build Strength, And Feel Energized"; Donna Raskin; 2006
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