Even if your current life means you’re busier than ever, this could be the perfect opportunity to really make a workout schedule that works for you. Here are some tips to making fitness fit, no matter how little time you have.
Set your goals. We’re talking long-term goals. Want to build more muscle mass? Train for a half marathon? Balance your diet and exercise? These are the things you need to write down. Once you have one or two clear goals, you’ll be more motivated to make time for them.
Create a long term timeline. Do some research into how much time it will take to achieve your goals. It may be a longer time than you want, but it’s better to take it it slow then to try to fit in more time than you have. Look into the training required for a half-marathon, or how long it typically takes to transition from a high-calorie, high-sugar diet to one that’s healthier for you. If you can, ask a professional for help in creating a timeline for your goals.
Create a short-term timeline. Make a schedule for your week, if you don’t already, and make sure that your workout is on it. If you lay out what you need to do every week, it will actually seem more manageable than just thinking “I need to work out this week” in the back of your head. If you have a phone calendar, set a reminder the day before or the day of your workout.
Bring workout clothes to work. This is something that I do all the time. Often, if you plan to work out after you get home, you lose momentum when you get there. Bring your clothes with you, and you always have the option to work out. ##MN_RESP##
Multitask. This one really only works if you do your exercise at the gym. Bring an e-reader, a book, or a simple game or task on your phone that you can focus your attention on while on the elliptical or stationary bike. That way, you feel like you’re accomplishing something, not wasting time that you could be spending on something else.
Group exercise. Group exercise is a great way to fit exercise into your schedule. Try to find a group fitness or two that has a set time every week. That way, you see the same teacher and the same people at the same time every week. It holds you accountable for making the class, and offers support, since all the people in the class have set aside time for this as well.
