Fitting Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule

Every week you swear you're going to exercise, but your busy schedule crowds out the possibility? If you let go of the expectation that "working out" means spending all your evenings at the fitness center, you'll find inventive ways to get in all the exercise you need.

Make the most of your lunch hours. Schedule lunches far away from your desk. Spend a good part of your lunch break walking to and from your lunch designation, making the trek as challenging as possible and inviting coworkers to join you if you must work over lunch.

Commit yourself to at least ten minutes a day exercising. Make ten minutes of exercise--sit ups, planks, push ups, squats--a part of your bedtime routine.

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.

Think of ways to make chores and errands more physically challenging. 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. You can do the same with household chores. Use your whole body as you vacuum, push your arm muscles as your scrub, and do squats while folding laundry.

Make sure your relaxation times are also active. Instead of reading, meet a friend for a hike. Instead of surfing the web, do something outside. 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.