Quick Fitness Solutions

If you are short on time and struggle to fit fitness into your hectic schedule – you are not alone. One of the biggest obstacles in committing to a healthy lifestyle is the lack of available time. While your life may not allow for 90, 60 or even 30 minutes of exercise each day, you can still find ways to stay healthy and active.

Short Exercise Sessions - The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular physical activity each week. Broken down, that is equivalent to 30 minutes five days per week. If you do not have 30 minutes do not worry, you can break your exercise sessions into 10 minute segments. Try walking for 10 minutes at a time, three times a day. While you may not have 30 minutes to yourself at one time, chances are, you probably can squeeze in 10 minutes somewhere in your schedule.

Exercise While Waiting - If you get annoyed waiting in line at the bank or in a department store, why not put that time to good use with exercise. There are exercises you can do from a standing position without drawing attention to yourself such as, standing calf raises and isometric abdominal contractions. Also, if you have children that play sports, organize other parents to form a walking group while the team practices. It could be as simple as walking laps around the field on which they are playing. That way, you can still watch the kids and get some exercise.

Lunch Break Workouts - If you are fortunate enough to have an hour or 30 minutes for your lunch break, try using part of that time for exercise. Pack workout clothes and use the first half of your break for walking, calisthenics, resistance band workouts or yoga. If showers are not available at your facility, pack some hygiene items so you are able to clean up before returning to work. Recruit your co-workers to get involved. If you have a break area with a television or laptop connection, play workout DVD’s or upload one of the many workouts available on the internet.

Create an Exercise Rule - An exercise rule is a requirement you set for yourself which involves completing an exercise before you do something else. It sounds confusing but it can be quite simple. For example, set a rule that you have to complete 10 pushups every time you enter a different room in your house. If it sounds ridiculous, give it a try. You will find that it does not take long to drop and give yourself 10. By the end of the day, you may have completed 100 pushups.

How do you fit exercise into your daily routine? Please share any suggestions or comments. We would love to hear from you!

Also, please check out my video which demonstrates a short sequence that incorporates strength, flexibility, cardiovascular and core training. If you have any questions please leave a comment. I look forward to connecting with you!

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