We get it! We’re all guilty of making excuses when it comes to finding some time to workout. Most of us often say things like “who has time to workout when…”.
Fill in the blanks: I’m working night shifts, my inbox is out of control, I’m a working parent or someone who commutes to work everyday. There’s also the “I’ll workout after completing this task” or “I’m tired, I’ll do it tomorrow” phrases we rely on whenever we have a busy schedule or are just too tired to do anything.
At times like this your workout becomes even more important to you. This is because even a 10 minute of light exercises can significantly boost your mood, mindset and overall well-being.
Staying active is critical in preventing the acceleration of ageing in your body and muscles as well as to avoid being at risk of health conditions such as heart diseases, obesity, diabetes and others. The good news is that you don’t need to carve out extra time from your schedule to exercise.
So, how can you include exercise into your daily routine without altering your schedule? Here are six ways to keep your workouts in the rotation no matter how busy you get.
#1 Take the stairs
We’re pretty sure you’ve heard this a bajillion times! Truth be told, it can also be a little time consuming. However, taking the stairs instead of using the elevator is simply one way to include physical activities into your daily lifestyle. Walking up or down the staircase is a great way to amp up your core muscle. So, skip the elevator and start taking the stairs. Your body will thank you.
NOTE: If you’re feeling a little light-headed, have a couple of minutes of rest before continuing your walk.
#2 Meetings on the go
Having meetings over a cup of coffee or a meal is simply overrated. As an alternative, why don’t you take your one- to-one meetings on the go? According to the American Psychological Association, taking a walk may lead to more creativity than sitting.
As opposed to dropping emails or carrying out meetings in the boardroom, ask your colleague if they are open for a walk and talk. If yes, you can walk and talk anywhere within your office building or if you’re in need of some fresh air then outdoor would be good too.
#3 Park further from your destination
Your daily steps count! Walking is arguably one of the most effective exercises that can help you improve or maintain your fitness.
Use this as an opportunity to park a little further from the place you’re visiting as this is an effective way to increase your daily steps. As much as it is important to stay healthy, do ensure that your surroundings are safe while finding a place to park your vehicle.
#4 Work out while watching TV
It’s easy to just collapse onto the couch and mindlessly watch your favourite show for hours, especially after a hectic day. But, here’s something interesting you can do while watching a movie or during commercial breaks. Some of the simple exercises you can do are:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Planks
- Sit ups
- Jumping jacks
The best part is that you don’t need any workout equipment to carry out this exercise.
#5 It’s party time
What better ways to move your body other than dancing? By far, dancing is one of the most effective ways to burn calories. Plus, it is a great way to work on your balance, poster as well as coordination. So, pump up the music and have a dance party with your family while doing house chores such as cooking, folding laundry, decluttering or vacuuming.
#6 Lunge it up
Sometimes, it’s quite a challenge to find time to workout, especially when you’re a working adult with children. One workout that you can incorporate into your daily activities is lunges. You can do lunges motions as you do house chores such as vacuuming, drying clothes or watering the plants or you could try doing lunges while grocery shopping. Just hold onto your cart and do some lunges as you walk down the supermarket aisles.
Sources: American Psychological Association, Healthline, Men Fitness
