Ways to Fit Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule

Mind is All

Every week you swear you're going to exercise, but your busy schedule crowds out the possibility? Let go of the idea that you have to invest hours at the gym to stay fit, and try some of these tried and true tricks to stay toned.

Seize opportunities presented mid-day. Plan your lunch meetings far from your workspace. Force yourself to walk both ways, taking the stairs whenever possible and bringing coworkers or your laptop with you if you need to work over lunch.

Promise yourself ten minutes of exercise each day. Even if your day is completely packed, you can put in ten minutes of sit ups, push ups, and squats before bed.

Sacrifice two mornings (or late nights) a week. Yes, you have to work a full day, but you can sacrifice sleep for exercise--which will energize you--two days a week. Just as some people consider going to religious services as non-negotiable, treat these two days as such and carve out some precious time that cannot be touched by anyone. Make these two days your precious workout days, where you push yourself the hardest and get the most out of your fitness plan.

Look for ways to challenge your body while running errands and doing household chores. Make yourself walk as much as possible while running errands (park far away, make yourself walk fast) and turn the loading and unloading of bags into a workout by bending your knees, lifting them high, etc. Do something similar when performing chores. Transform vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing into a full body workout by bending your knees, squatting, and using a little elbow grease.

Make sure your relaxation times are also active. Instead of watching a movie, meet a friend for a walk. Instead of playing a board game, take your kids out for a hike. Choose to do something athletic instead of something sedentary.

By thinking outside of the box, you can fit exercise into even the busiest of schedules.