Exercising can be tough to fit into your day when you have a thousand things going on. Between working 40+ hours a week, taking care of your kids, spending time with loved ones, or running errands constantly; exercising can completely fly under your radar. Some people believe that working out consists of vigorous exercise for one hour a day, every day. Well, I’m here to say that does not always have to be the case. Changing your mindset about exercising is key. It is possible to stay active throughout your days without having to spend hours in the gym. Although it is important to take some time to hit the gym and get in your more vigorous workouts, it does not need to be an everyday task. For those periods of time when you can’t squeeze in an ideal fitness routine, you shouldn’t become completely inactive. Here are some tips to stay active throughout your busy days to ensure you are still getting some exercise in:

Wake Up 20 Minutes Earlier

Add in a quick 20-minute workout in the morning. Set out your clothes the night before for convenience. If it’s nice outside, go outside for some sprints or a brisk walk. If you choose to sprint, sprint for 30 seconds and then rest for 2 minutes. Continue with this for the full 20 minutes. Doing this every morning is a great way to raise your heart rate, burn fat, and boost your metabolism. If it’s not a nice day outside, do a quick 20-minute workout from YouTube in your living room. YouTube has an array of quick yet effective workout videos.

Commute to Work

Although this is not possible for everyone, if you can walk or bike to work; do it! This is a great time to get your exercise in. If you cannot walk or bike to work, you can do some ab work while sitting in your car or on a train/bus. Simply tighten your abs for 10 seconds and do this on and off until you get to work. This will help strengthen your core and improve your muscle tone.

Get A Standing Desk at Work

Standing desks are becoming extremely popular in offices. These desks have the ability to prop up so that you can stand while you work. Standing more often enables you to burn more calories, lower blood sugar levels, reduce back pain, and lower your risk of heart disease.

Park Far Away / Take the Stairs

Parking far away from your destination forces you to walk more. Taking the stairs helps improve your cardiovascular fitness and strengthen your muscles. Both walking more and taking the stairs will help you get to your recommended goal of 10,000 steps a day.  

Get Moving While Watching Your Favorite Shows

At night when your favorite shows are on don’t just sit on the couch and watch. Walk in place, do yoga, lift some weights, or walk on the treadmill. Being active while watching TV can help you think less about the workout and just get it done.

There are so many things you can do throughout your days to stay active even when you don’t think you have time. Like I said earlier, the key is to change your mindset about working out. Don’t look at exercise as a horrible thing, think about it as just having to move your body a little more than you’re used to. Over time you will get into the habit of moving your body more even on your busy days.  This will result in having more energy, sleeping better, and being overall healthier. Don’t forget to also fit in your more intense workouts when you have time. Group training classes are a great way to get a vigorous workout while having fun at the same time!