Finding time to work out is a struggle for a lot of average folks. Many have lived a sedentary lifestyle for years making it twice more difficult to have an active lifestyle. For others, having a busy schedule doesn’t help when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Given all the reasons not to work out, how do you ensure that exercise is going to be part of your daily schedule?
Keep in mind that activity done as a routine is more powerful than something that you do simply because you’re motivated. It means that the long-term goal of these tips is to make exercise part of your daily schedule regardless if you’re highly motivated or not.
Start small
A lot of beginners often think that they should start running right away. That’s a common mistake because not everyone is in shape. If you have to start by walking for 15 minutes in your neighborhood, then do so.
Do something relatively “easy” for the next five days before you even try something different. If done correctly, you’ll notice that you’re walking farther than your usual route. Also, you’ll notice that you won’t catch your breath the way you used to. The Cardiologists suggest that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as walking on most days of the week is good for the heart.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate-intensity activity is when you hit 50% to 70% of your maximum heart rate.
If it’s your first time to be doing exercises in a while, make sure that your first week is your measuring stick to how difficult your workout is going to be for the coming weeks. Just be sure that you will be realistic.
Find like-minded individuals
There are many reasons why you should be doing group activities instead of solo workouts in the gym. According to a 2017 study, group exercise participants showed significant improvement in the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of their lives. It also showed that those who do group workouts have 26% less stress compared to those who do their workouts on their own according to researchers at the University of New England.
Group workouts can also be a good way to get motivated. It can give people a sense of community. This is why a lot of people prefer doing group cycling classes and CrossFit.
Fix your schedule a week earlier
No matter how busy you are, you will still have some downtime throughout the week. One common misconception is that you will need to spend 2 hours in the gym to be able to see good health benefits. All you need is a 30-minute workout at least 4 days a week.
Try to fix your schedule ahead of time. This way, exercise will slowly become a priority in your daily schedule. For some people, they make exercise part of their morning routine. Some people do their workout right after drinking coffee. Some people go for a quick jog the moment they finish their mug.
Walk your dog to a park
If you don’t want to feel like working out but still want to stay active, then perhaps you should be getting a dog. There are dogs that you will have to walk every day to drain their energy and to make them happy.
So what happens if you don’t walk your dog daily? Dogs often become destructive biting on furniture and other random things inside the house. This will be enough motivation to walk your dog around the block for a few minutes.
Apart from helping you stay active, having a dog can have several perks. Having a furry friend in your home can help lessen stress, improve your mood, and lower your blood pressure according to experts.
Make small changes in intensity and time slowly
Let’s admit that a lot of people stop staying active because they feel bored with what they do. A lot of people often feel that the activity is no longer as fun as it used to be. To challenge your mind and body during exercise, it is a good idea to make small tweaks along the way.
Prolong the duration of the workout or make it a bit more intense. The next thing you know, you’ll be fully committed to a healthy lifestyle. If you’re working out at home, you can even try to slow each repetition and you’ll notice the exercise to become more difficult.
Find a gym nearby your work or home
A lot of people don’t have the time to go to the gym anymore because the gym is too far from their work or their home. What you can do instead is to find a gym either near your home or your workplace. This will give you access to gym equipment without completely changing your way to work or to your home. Better yet, find a gym that’s open for 24 hours.
Final Thoughts
There are instances when people still haven’t made exercise part of their daily routine. In these instances, working out feels forced. And sometimes, it’s easier to just stick to activities that you’re used to doing. These tips will help you to organically include exercise in your daily routine no matter how busy your schedule might be.