Making Time for Exercise

As a certified personal trainer and editor of a popular fitness site, FitnessGear101.com, I’ve heard every excuse in the book when it comes to why people don’t exercise. However, the one that takes the pardon-my-pun, “fitness cake” is lack of time. 

A day doesn’t go by without one of my clients professing that they simply don’t have time for exercise. Well, I’ve seen people who want to lose weight badly enough. They will restrict their diets, exercise vigorously for an hour a day, and even swear off alcohol – gasp – and chocolate – double gasp! So, don’t give me that bull! 

People shy away from exercise because they think they’ll have to spend hours in a gym. To maintain good health all you need is a healthy diet and a daily walk that can be broken up into increments throughout the day. 

Still don’t believe me? I’ll show you how easy it is to fit brief walks into your day:

1). Is Sex and the City a rerun again? It breaks my heart when that happens. Why not go for a 30-minute walk. If it’s a new episode that you simply can’t miss, jump rope during commercials or run on the spot.

2). Does carting the kids to hockey or baseball cut into your exercise time?  Take some inspiration from Jr. and stay on your feet during the game. You’ll get kudos for being the team’s best cheerleader, and your butt won’t expand to the size of the soccer field.

3). Are you dying to get your hands on the next best-seller? Buy it as a book-on-tape and take it walking with you. It might have you extending your stroll to finish a chapter.

4) Instead of a sumptuous brunch with the girls, try a brisk 30-minute walk with your BFF. Catching up on all the latest gossip can be just as delicious during a walk – plus it won’t tempt you to cheat on your healthy eating plan. 

5). Remember when people used to “run” errands? Well many of us still take that term literally.  The next time you need a quart of milk, walk to the local grocer. 

6). Use your lunch break as an exercise break. I go work out and then eat lunch at my desk. A brisk walk around the block will leave you more refueled for the afternoon than that third cup of coffee. 

7). Do you complain about how slow your apartment elevator is? Take the faster route – the stairs. You’ll burn calories in the process. 

8). It’s always ironic that those who circle the parking lot looking for the closest spot are often the most overweight. Park farther away where there are spots o’ plenty. You’ll burn extra calories by lugging your groceries back to the car.  

9). Have you ever heard the phrase “hurry up and wait!”? Well, it’s not just a humorous observation it’s a great way to stay moving.  The next time you’re waiting in a long lineup don’t take a chair, pace the floor or do a little stretching.

10). If you have no time to exercise, chances are you don’t have time to clean the house either. Housework – such as dusting, vacuuming, shoveling, and raking – is multitasking because it counts as exercise.