Guest post by Kaytie Elizabeth Pascale
Are you a busy woman or mom who just can’t seem to find the time (or energy) to stop at the gym after a long day? Unfortunately, this is the reality for lots of women who are juggling the responsibilities of work, life, and motherhood. But since regular exercise has countless mental and physical health benefits, it’s important to find as much time to workout as possible. Since more traditional methods of exercise may not be feasible with your current schedule, we’ve got some tips to help.
Read on for five ways to incorporate exercise into your weekly schedule.
1. Work Out at Home
Stopping at the gym after work isn’t always realistic. Fortunately, the gym isn’t the only place where you can get a good workout in. Consider doing some at-home exercises as a way to burn some calories. Whether you’re looking to do cardio or want to get some strength training in, there are lots of ways you can utilize the space in your home to help you reach your fitness goals. If your kids are old enough, you can even have them join in on the routine with you.
2. Exercise During Your Lunch Break
Do you spend most of your work day sitting behind a desk? If so, you aren’t alone. Too much sitting can result in some serious health problems. It’s important to stand up at least once every hour and move around. Instead of working through your lunch break, get up and walk around the office (or around the block) or try squeezing in a quick, 30-minute fitness class at a local yoga studio or gym.
3. Work Out in the Morning
Typically, exercise gets pushed to the end of the day because of the mounting list of responsibilities that seem to take priority. If you wake up slightly earlier than usual (even though that might mean sacrificing some sleep), you’ll be able to get your workout out of the way first thing. Exercising early in the morning will also give you more energy to get yourself and your children ready for the day ahead.
4. Take the Stairs
Taking an elevator or escalator to move between floors may be convenient, but utilizing these options means you’re missing out on a chance to exercise. Try taking the stairs whenever you can as a quick and easy way to build some exercise into your regular routine. Climbing stairs on a regular basis can help you strengthen your muscles and burn calories.
5. Park Far From the Door
Exercising doesn’t have to mean that you’re sprinting and/or lifting heavy weights. There are plenty of other ways to exercise and walking is one of them. Walking is a great way to get your blood flowing and can help reduce the negative effects caused by prolonged sitting. Research has also shown that walking can increase cardiovascular health and reduce the chances of heart disease and stroke. Instead of looking for the closest parking spot to the door, try parking a little further away so you’ll have to walk to get to your destination. You can challenge yourself to park further and further away each time so you can increase your walking distance.
No matter how busy your schedule is, these five tips can help you find ways to make sure your fitness goals don’t get lost in the shuffle.
