A normal day for most busy people consists of a constant string of tasks: go to work, get the kids ready for school, unload the dishwasher, mow the lawn, etc. The problem is, there isn’t any room in the day for exercise! At least, it seems so. Students in college, professors, businessmen and women, and others from all fields of work often confront this same dilemma. There are many pressures on how we spend our bit of free time. However, the quality of the exercise done often trumps the quantity of it. Here are some ways to get the most out of your few minutes of exercise time.
1. Take a walk
If you have few options, taking a 10-15 minute walk over your lunch break is a nice way to relax and get your daily quota of exercise. It also has the added benefit of not being terribly strenuous, so you shouldn’t come back to the office dripping with sweat.
2. Forget the gym
It takes both time and money to dedicate to working out at a gym. If you don’t mind the great outdoors, pick up your running/walking shoes and step out your front door. This is, perhaps, the most relaxing way to unwind after a stressful day, especially if you live in an area with pretty scenery. Drivers are one thing to keep in mind if you are exercising on the road in the evening. It might be a good idea to keep a runners’ reflective vest on hand for the times you can’t get out before the sunset, and be aware that motorists may not always see you, even with the vest.
3. Skip the elevator
This is perhaps the easiest way to get some good, quick exercise. Simply wave goodbye to the elevator and take the stairs each day. There is a reason athletes run up and down stairs all the time…
4. Back to school
One other way to make sure you are able to exercise is to take a college or community sponsored class. Many of the prior two institutions have classes for pilates, some sports, dance, yoga and weight training. Any of these would be an interesting way to try something new and keep exercise fun! Another benefit is that taking the class will make sure that you have time already set aside for your daily routine.
5. Walk to work
If you live close enough to work, one other option is to walk or ride a bicycle to work for the day. If the weather is warm where you live, it might be a good idea to keep your work clothes at your destination and change once you are there. That way you don’t have to worry so much about working up a sweat. An added bonus for this is that you don’t use any gas that day. This could save a sizable amount of money in a few years.
I found a great replacement for the gym. I started using the dusty weight bench in my garage. After two days I was feeling motivated and the dust was gone!
Sit on an exercise ball instead of your office chair to tone your core muscles
My first year in college, some 25 years ago, I started gaining weight (Freshman 15). I decided to take an exercise class every semester. That way, exercise was built into my day plus I learned about a particular sport. I did this all through college and never had a weight problem.
As an adult, a step counter and walking outside works well.
Great Tips!
Before my daughter started college she read a book with college survival tips and it warned about the freshman 15. So she made time to exercise a few days each week. When she was a
senior she and some friends started a performing dance group. Had she not been warned about the freshman 15 it probably would have slipped up on her like it did me.
My daughter is now into the habit of exercising on a regular basis. I haven’t really started yet, but I am practicing holding my tummy in off and on daily to flatten it. I also drink more water.
@Dream Mom – Where I went to college required everyone to take an exercise class and run three miles every semester. To get an A on the running part you had to do the three miles in 21 minutes. Females got a few more minutes. You could also bike, walk, swim or use some hand powered device.