{"id":11678,"date":"2012-10-23T21:32:16","date_gmt":"2012-10-24T05:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=11678"},"modified":"2013-10-02T12:15:21","modified_gmt":"2013-10-02T20:15:21","slug":"how-to-find-time-to-exercise-however-busy-you-are","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/how-to-find-time-to-exercise-however-busy-you-are\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find Time to Exercise \u2013 However Busy You Are"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/a><\/p>\n

We all know we should get more exercise … but most of us don\u2019t manage to be nearly so active as we want to be.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to blame busy lives. If your boss expects long hours \u2013 or you run your own business, or you\u2019re a stay-at-home parent \u2013 it can feel like there really is no time at all in your day for exercise.<\/p>\n

However busy you are, exercise is important. <\/strong>It isn\u2019t just a way to cut your risk of future health problems \u2013 it also gives you more energy on a day-to-day basis, and will help you feel on top of things in a hectic life.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to find time to exercise — without letting busyness stop you.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Step #1: Don\u2019t Fixate on the Gym<\/h2>\n

Some people equate \u201cexercise\u201d with hour-long gym sessions, or organized team sports. You don\u2019t need an expensive, complicated or time-consuming routine, though, in order to get the health benefits of exercise.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re too busy to get to the gym, try a brisk 20 minute walk in your lunch hour and a few stretches in front of the TV during commercial breaks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If possible, have a more active commute: if your workplace is fairly close by, ask yourself if you could you walk or cycle instead of driving?<\/p>\n

Do it:<\/strong> Look at your typical daily schedule, and find a way to get at least 20 minutes of exercise. You might find this easiest if you break it into two 10 minute sessions.<\/p>\n

Step #2: Make Exercise a Priority<\/h2>\n

Even if you don\u2019t consciously prioritize your tasks, you almost certainly have a sense of what\u2019s important and what\u2019s not. When you\u2019re busy, you can\u2019t handle absolutely everything that comes your way \u2013 you need to decide what truly matters.<\/p>\n

Exercise does<\/em> matter, even if it feels like a luxury (or an unnecessary chore!) If you tell yourself that exercise is a priority for you, you\u2019ll find it easier to make time for it. <\/strong><\/p>\n

One good way to do this is to get active, at least for a few minutes, first thing in the morning \u2013 even if that makes setting your alarm ten minutes earlier.<\/p>\n

Do it:<\/strong> Write down at least three reasons why exercise matters to you. Now, look for a way to make exercise a priority in your life. (Remember, this doesn\u2019t have to mean long gym sessions \u2013 it could simply mean doing 10 minutes of yoga every morning.)<\/p>\n

Step #3: Track Your Progress<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s very easy to start off an exercise program with great intentions … only to let things slide after a couple of weeks. You\u2019ve probably noticed how busy gyms get during January \u2013 yet most of those new faces disappear by February.<\/p>\n

One good way to stick with your plans is to keep a record of the exercise that you do.<\/strong> This could be as simple as putting a check mark on the calendar for each day that you successfully do 20 minutes or more of exercise.<\/p>\n

If you want something more involved, you could keep an exercise log in a little notebook or spreadsheet, recording what you did at each session, and for how long.<\/p>\n

Do it:<\/strong> Decide on a way to track your progress: something that will work well for you. This could involve being accountable to friends, if you want \u2013 a great way to boost your motivation. Don\u2019t make your tracking system so complex that you put off using it, though.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And there you have it: three steps to better health and more energy.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re truly so busy that you can\u2019t find 20 minutes a day to exercise, look for ways to cut back on some of your other commitments.<\/strong> Can you make a point of taking a proper break at lunchtime, instead of working at your desk with a sandwich? Could you get your partner and kids to help out more around the house, so you\u2019re not spending so much time on chores?<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll leave you with a quote that always helps motivate me…<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThose who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.\u201d \u2013 Edward Stanley<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you have any great tips for exercising, even when you\u2019re busy? Let us know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ali blogs about getting more from life at Aliventures<\/a>. She also freelances for a number of other blogs and is taking a postgraduate degree in creative writing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all know we should get more exercise … but most of us don\u2019t manage to be nearly so active as we want to be.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to blame busy lives. If your boss expects long hours \u2013 or you run your own business, or you\u2019re a stay-at-home parent \u2013 it can feel like there really is no time at all in your day for exercise. However busy you are, exercise is important. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":11680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[24,9,17,6],"tags":[450,2110,4631,81,4639,4629],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Find Time to Exercise \u2013 However Busy You Are - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"However busy you are, exercise is important. 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