5 Ways You Can Introduce Exercise into Your Busy Schedule

By Eric leader-Owner/Personal Trainer

 

Having a hectic schedule can make it seem like you don’t have time to exercise. It’s not that the time isn’t there; it’s more about how you look at it. According to Eric Leader, a personal trainer in Lancaster, in order to fit exercise into your schedule regularly, you have to make staying active not only a priority but a lifestyle.

Exercise, along with a balanced diet and quality sleep, gives you the fuel you need to keep up with your busy schedule. In addition, you don’t have to fit exercise into your schedule in one big chunk. You can engage exercise in bursts throughout the day, sometimes incorporating it into what you’re already doing. Here are five suggestions for

making exercise a priority despite your busy schedule. 

1. Take the Stairs

If you work in a building with multiple stories, get to work early enough to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Climbing stairs burns calories and

 builds muscle mass in your leg muscles, which help support your entire body. This is a great way to fit in exercise that takes very little time. 

2. Clean Your House

According to

House Method, you can customize your house cleaning routine to make it a workout. Make an effort to get deep stretches and knee bends in as you vacuum and wash dishes. You can also sweep faster than usual and add 10 jumping jacks between tasks. If you have a two-story home, you could run up and down the stairs twice when it’s time to switch to another task. 

3. Skip Some Stops

If you take public transportation to work, get off a couple stops early to fit in some walking time. You might even find that this doesn’t take as much time out of your schedule as you thought. By the time the bus or subway loads and unloads twice, you may beat it to your destination. This is a great way to

 burn off extra calories, as well as some steam. 

4. Find a Buddy

Sometimes, incorporating accountability into your exercise plan really helps to motivate you to suit up and show up. Even if you would have put it off had you planned to exercise alone, you’ll probably follow through with your workout because you don’t want to

let down a friend. You’ll also get the added bonus of some social time with your workout. 

5. Get Off the Couch

Think about this: do you have time to sit on the couch and watch a movie or some television? If so, then you have time to exercise. Every 15 minutes get up and jog in place or do jumping jacks for three minutes. You can also do sit-ups, push-ups, or lunges while staring at the TV screen. Do the same if you’re working at your computer.

The brutal truth is this: The time to exercise is there. You just have to want to find it. Keep these tips in mind to make fitness your priority this year.