When it comes to staying fit, regular exercise is an important part to achieving your fitness goals. Finding time to fit in exercise can be challenging at times. One way to help ensure that you get the exercise you need is to develop a fitness schedule. This can help you make time for exercise, while helping you develop a positive habit at the same time.
Step 1
Meet with your doctor. Before creating any fitness routine, you should have at least a basic physical performed. This serves two purposes. It ensures that you are healthy enough for your exercise schedule and gives you starting statistics for your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This allows you to keep better track of your overall health improvements.
Step 2
Find a consistent time to exercise that fits your schedule. Part of a fitness schedule is developing a habit. To develop a habit, you have to be persistent and consistent in your routine. One way to do this is to schedule your fitness activities at the same time every day. This can be before you go to work, after you get off work, during a lunch break, during nap time for your children, or you can even divide your fitness times into two shorter periods during the day if you rarely have more than 15 minutes of free time.
Step 3
Divide time between aerobic and strength training. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, when developing a fitness routine, you should aim for at least 150 minutes of of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (30 minutes a day for five days) each week. On top of that time, it is recommended that you spend at least two days a week working your major muscle groups with strength training.
Step 4
Make time for fun. Not all fitness activities have to take place on a piece of equipment in the gym or on a running track. Make time in your fitness schedule, at least one day a week, to do something that is both physical and fun. For example, you can take one day a week to go for a hike, play sports with friends or family, go swimming, rock climbing or any other activity that raises your heart rate and changes up your regular daily routine.
