Busy schedule? Here’s how to find time to work out.

Do you want to get fit, but can’t find the time? Work here, kids there, school/hobbies/friends somewhere in the mix. It’s like life literally doesn’t want us to be toned and muscular. Busy bees rejoice: there are ways you can work out, even if you constantly find yourself running out of time. With a little strategy and creative planning, you can fit workouts into even the busiest of schedules. Here are some creative ways you can find time to incorporate fitness into your schedule. Take that, life.

Wake up 20 minutes earlier.

We all need around 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night to keep our brains and bodies running at optimal capacity. So still make sure to get around that much. But, if you find it hard to find time during the day to work out, waking up just 20 minutes earlier in the morning can still make a difference in your fitness routine and overall health! Studies have shown that HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) tends to reap the same, or even better, cardiovascular and weight loss benefits as steady-pace running. So try throwing on some running shoes in the morning and incorporating HIIT into your routine. The beauty of HIIT is that it’s meant to be done over a short period of time! Perfect for a busy schedule.

Working from home? Invest in a standing desk.

We spend so much of our day sitting. Standing desks have become more popular in recent years for those that have desk jobs that require them to sit for eight or more hours a day. Standing desks not only improve your posture, but they make it easy to combine the effort of working out and working beautifully. Stay tuned for our next article about workouts you can do from a standing desk! High fives for efficiency and multitasking.

Work out while meal prepping or cooking.

Okay, so maybe you’re so busy that the idea of having time to cook is laughable. That’s fine. But if you do—this tip is for you. Find yourself with 10 to 30 minutes to spare while roasting something in the oven, simmering on the stove, or even waiting for a pot of water to boil? Get a quick workout in! Do some strength exercises, HIIT, jump rope, dance… whatever workout you’d like, but get yourself moving and motivated!

Get creative with your daily activities.

Park father than you need to, to get a little more of a walk in. If your place of work is close to your house, consider walking or biking instead of driving. Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator/escalator. Get little workouts in on your lunch, if you can. Little activities add up! If you have to sit at a desk all day, maybe try setting increments of time to get up and moving as the day goes on. Do stretches or mini-workouts every hour for a couple of minutes—it’s better than not doing anything at all. Plus—it will give you a chance to refresh!

Keep your workout clothes handy at all times.

This is more of a “just in case” kind of strategy, and is helpful if your schedule tends to be erratic. Keep some workout clothes and shoes in your car, along with the essentials you might use often: headphones, baby wipes, hair ties, a water bottle. If you end up getting more free time than you anticipate—get a workout in! Take a run at a nearby park or maybe go to a fitness studio or gym if there’s one nearby.

Understand that an effective workout doesn’t take that much time.

When it comes to fitness, you don’t have to “go hard or go home.” Sometimes, people have a misconception that “starting their fitness journey” means that they have to do cardio in the morning, weights in the PM, and all the while crushing it in every other aspect of their busy lives. That’s simply not sustainable. If you can do it, and you have been doing it, great. However, often people think “oh, I have to work out hard for an hour to see results,” intimidation or burnout sets in, and they simply don’t work out at all. That is FALSE. An effective workout is one that is done consistently, for 20 to 40 minutes a day. Longer if you have time or want to go longer.

Schedule your workouts.

Specifically setting aside a time to invest in your physical fitness, no matter the time window, is better than not doing anything at all. Even if you only have 15-20 minutes to spare, a quick strength or cardio workout is still better than doing nothing at all. Making a genuine effort to work it into your schedule will likely get you to stick to it, regardless of what you have going on that day.

There you have it! No need to let a busy schedule keep you from living your best fitness life. Hopefully these tips were helpful for you. Stay tuned for future posts about how to incorporate fitness into your daily routine!