Making Time to Exercise
Many people struggle to find time to exercise, eat right and do self care. It’s probably the #1 excuse we hear—and occasionally have ourselves. Between the responsibilities of family, work and/or school, chores and errands, our friendships and community, it’s no wonder. But, it’s really a mindset rut and you gotta get out of it! It’s crucial to take care of our body and soul so we’re more present, do better, and live longer. Here are our favorite tips for making time to exercise that we’ve found work really well for us.
Time is a Commodity
time [noun]: the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.
We all have a finite amount of time—in our every day and on this earth. None of know how much of it we have to spend. We start each day clueless as to whether there will be another one tomorrow.
Time is a commodity—once you use it, you don’t get it back and you cannot recycle time. Once it’s spent, it’s gone. Period.
You have abundant choices about how you can spend your time—and there isn’t a more valuable way to spend it than on something that will most likely give you MORE of it.
Time spent on living a healthy lifestyle—including nutrition and fitness—is time INVESTED. Once you make this mindshift, it’ll help you significantly with making time to exercise.
How Much Exercise?
Before we start making time to exercise, it’s helpful to know how much time you’ll need, right? The good news is not as much as you think! All you need is four to five 30 minute sessions per week.
The keys to making time to exercise are your mindset, multi-tasking, flexibility and these tips:
TIP #1 — Exercise at Home
We hope you are already a member of the Fit Club Network and understand what a huge timesaver working out at home is. If you’re not, you’re missing out on one of the most impactful and easiest ways for making time to exercise!
The ability to live stream your workouts ANY time and ANY place you want that Beachbody on Demand gives you is truly priceless and is a no brainer way to create time to exercise on your terms. It’s also a huge money saver, which is why we totally prefer working out at home versus the gym.
TIP #2 — Schedule Exercise Time in the Early Morning
One of the ways I protect my workout time is by putting it on my calendar and treating it like every other appointment by NOT skipping it. I’m rarely interrupted by people or other demands if I get up BEFORE everyone else in the house gets going for the day. There are some days it’s a bit tough to get out of bed, but when I push through that, the feeling of accomplishment I start my day with is awesome.
(Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I’ll even sleep in my workout clothes so I can sleep a little longer.)
TIP #3 — Walk/Run/Bike Instead of Drive
Instead of driving your kids to school or yourself to work or on errands, walk, run or bike instead. If you think you’re too far away to do this, consider taking public transportation for part of the way.
TIP #4 — Exercise During Your Lunch Break
Don’t waste your daily lunch break! This is a great time to get in a workout. If you have Beachbody on Demand, you can workout outside, in an extra room, wherever there’s a bit of floor space. Do NOT be embarrassed—you’re a positive example and an inspiration to everyone who is watching you! Hopefully, you’ll get some of them to join you!
TIP #5 — Exercise with Friends & Make it a Date
Combining your social and/or romantic life with your exercise time is a super fun way of making time to exercise! Instead of going out to happy hour or a movie with your friends or partner, go dancing Shaun T style, do some yoga, or one of the MANY other workouts in the Beachbody on Demand library instead.
Rather than go out to a (high calorie) dinner with your partner, cook a healthy dinner from Autumn Calabrese’s Fixate cookbook together instead. You can also start a healthy meal prep “club” and split up the job of preparing your week’s worth of healthy meals!
TIP #6 — Exercise With Your Kids
Mamas, exercising with your kids, but you’re teaching them AND setting a healthy example for them by taking care of YOU. Invest in a jogging stroller or live stream a Beachbody workout when you’re at the park. And, don’t just sit around waiting for them to finish their activity—with your phone or tablet and Beachbody on Demand, you can use this time to workout. This is multi-tasking at it’s best!
TIP #7 — Replace TV & Social Media Time with Exercise
Give up television and/or Facebook and voila! You have several hours a week to do something that benefits you SO much more.
TIP #8 — Always Take the Stairs
Just say NO to elevators! ALWAYS TAKE THE STAIRS.
TIP #9 — Get Help from Us
We’ll help you make an efficient plan so that making time to exercise will no longer be an issue for you. Click below for more info:
