Who isn’t busy these days? With work and family obligations, everyone seems short on time! This often leads to skipping exercise, which isn’t a great idea. This post shares some excellent quick exercise tips for when you’re really pressed for time. Remember, taking care of yourself is important!
Today, our fast-paced lifestyles mean we try to do more in less time, often making exercise one of the first things to drop off our to-do lists. However, exercise has numerous health benefits!
Let’s discuss why you should make exercise a priority and then go over some tips for squeezing in a workout even on the busiest days.
You already know exercise is worth it and can save you time during the day, yet you still struggle to fit it into your schedule. Here’s how to make it easier:
HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, is becoming incredibly popular! It involves intense bursts of exercise like sprints for short periods (from 30 seconds to 2 minutes), followed by a brief recovery period that’s about twice as long. Continue this pattern for 20 minutes, and you’ll have a solid workout in no time. It may sound simple, but it’s quite challenging. The key is to keep the intensity high for maximum benefits, which include boosting your metabolism and burning calories long after your workout is done.
If you don’t have 20 minutes, how about trying a 7-minute workout? There are many free apps that guide you through a range of exercises designed to give your whole body a workout in just 7 minutes.
Incorporate exercise into your daily routine with these simple changes: get off the bus a stop early, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and walk to the shops instead of driving. These small actions add up and can significantly benefit your health.
Walking is great for you—it strengthens bones, improves balance, increases muscle strength and endurance, helps with fat loss, and is an excellent stress reliever. Use a pedometer to track your steps, aiming for 12,000 steps a day, and watch your body transform.
If your job involves sitting most of the day, try combining walks with meetings. Walking meetings can actually minimize distractions and help you focus while also getting some exercise.
When you get up to make a coffee, do 20 calf raises while waiting for the kettle to boil. While hanging laundry, try squats each time you reach into the basket. Or, do 10 pushups against the kitchen counter as you wash dishes. These small exercises during daily chores can significantly increase your activity.
Walk to the shops when possible, and turn household tasks like vacuuming or mowing the lawn into workouts by upping the intensity.
Another tip is to prioritize exercise by scheduling it like an important meeting. Block out time in your calendar so everyone knows you’re unavailable, and make it non-negotiable. Many successful people make daily exercise a must. Even waking up an hour earlier a few times a week could give you the extra time you need.
Hopefully, these quick tips have given you some ideas on how to fit a workout into your busy day. Do you have any questions or other quick workout tips? Share them in the comments!
