“I don’t have time.” This has to be the number one excuse people give for not exercising. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day activities like work, school, picking up the kids or running errands, all of which can cause your workout to fall by the wayside. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months and, for some, months turn into years. Eventually, working out becomes something you feel you’ll never have time for again. But, we all want to be healthier and in better shape, right?!
You have to rearrange your schedule to allow time for workouts. People who exercise regularly don’t have more time than those who don’t. They are just determined to make the time for it – it becomes an appointment they can’t afford to miss. They feel it’s something they need to do, something that is more important than watching TV, checking Facebook, sleeping or going out and having a few drinks with friends.
I used to think that if I didn’t have an hour and a half to get my cardio and weight training in, then there was no point of working out at all. Well, studies have shown that shorter bouts of exercise (as little as 10 minutes at a time) can help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and burn calories to help you look and feel better the same way that long-duration exercise can. Some exercise is always better than none at all. Sound more appealing? Of course it does.
So, if you’re looking to get back on track, don’t overwhelm yourself by feeling you have to be in the gym for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. Start out small, and before you know it, working out will become a part of your daily routine again. You’ll be fitter, healthier and happier, and then it will be you who wonders why others can’t find the time to do the same.
Here are six ways to make time for exercise:
1. Schedule it in your calendar like you would a work meeting or a doctor appointment that you can’t miss.
2. Try to work out at lunchtime. If you can’t get to a gym, try to fit in a 30-minute walk. This will help with the afternoon slump by giving you a surge of energy!
3. Skip one TV show a night, and stream it later. One less show can give you an extra 30 to 60 minutes to get your workout in.
4. When watching TV, do crunches, push-ups, jumping jacks, squats and lunges in place during the commercials.
5. Take your dog for a walk.
6. Find something you enjoy doing. You will be far more likely to stick to it for the long haul and it won’t seem like another chore you HAVE to do.
Motivational Tip: Focus on becoming a better you – not trying to be someone else. Find happiness within yourself.
Nicole’s Recommended Food: Jicama
Check Out Its Health and Nutrition Benefits
Jicama is a crispy, sweet, edible legume. It is excellent raw, can be used in salads or salsa, or can be eaten as an on-the-go snack by itself. Jicama has the texture of an apple, is a great source of vitamin C and is also fat free! Peel off the coarse brown outer layer to reveal the white insides before eating. Enjoy!
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