5 Tips to Stay Active with a Busy Lifestyle
We’ve all been there. Life gets busy, and before we know it, exercise is one of the first things to go when our calendars fill up. If you’re finding it more challenging than ever to make time to commit to staying active with your busy lifestyle, don’t worry: you’re not alone!
If there’s anyone that can relate, it’s definitely me. Here is my story, and a list of five tips that have helped me stay active – even when life gets crazy busy!
My fitness journey
Physical activity definitely hasn’t always been a part of my life. Six years ago, I was a full-time student working diligently to complete my university studies. I found it extremely difficult to find a balance between work, school, friends, family… sleep – the list goes on!
With this busy lifestyle, I placed my personal health, nutrition, and fitness goals at the bottom of my to-do list each day. Neglecting these important aspects of my life made me unhappy, and I knew I had to make physical activity a priority. By making time for fitness, I knew it would increase my mental energy and help me become more productive at work and school.
Staying Active with a Busy Lifestyle
Here are some tips I learned that helped me make activity a part of my daily routine.
Tip #1: Plan Ahead
I’m sure you’ve heard this quote: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” It may seem slightly cliche, but this couldn’t be truer when it comes to planning for success. When we plan ahead, we’re less likely to lose focus of our goals when the going gets tough.
Too busy during the week to prep meals? Dedicate some time to it on the weekends. Write down a list of groceries on Sunday to prep your meals for the upcoming week.
Skipping your workouts? Try writing them down in your calendar. When you treat your workout schedule like an important business meeting, you’ll be less likely to cancel!
Tip #2: Join a fitness class
Working out in a group environment can give you the extra support you need to achieve your goals. When you’re surrounded by a fun group of like-minded people, it helps keep exercise inspiring and motivating.
There are many group activity options to choose from – kickboxing, spinning, running groups, CrossFit, and more! And, who knows – you might just meet some friends along the way!
Tip #3: A few minutes is better than nothing
Remember, we’re striving for balance, not perfection. Some days you might not be able to get that full workout in, and that’s okay. Try to remind yourself, a few minutes is better than nothing. It doesn’t always need to be a full hour, or even a half an hour of activity to reap the benefits. There are many ways to squeeze in just a few minutes of exercise throughout your day.
If you don’t have time to get to the gym, try a workout you can do at home, or even on your lunch break. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an extremely efficient workout you can do in a short period of time.
Tip #4: Find an activity you enjoy
When you find an activity that you love, you’ll be much more likely to make time for it in your life. If you’re finding your workouts are getting boring or starting to feel like a chore, it’s probably time to spice it up! The key to sticking to an exercise program is to get creative and keep it interesting and enjoyable.
Try experimenting with a few different activities to see what you like. It might take some trial and error at first, but once you find something you enjoy you’ll find it easier to make it a priority. For example, if you’re an outdoors person, take your workout outside and explore a new hiking trail. Or If you prefer a low-impact activity and working out solo, try swimming laps at your local pool.
Tip # 5: Pack your workout gear
This is one tip that is truly a lifesaver. Keeping a pair of running shoes, and workout clothes in your car or backpack will certainly come in handy on those busy days. When you pack your bag ahead of time you’ll be better prepared to stick to your exercise plan that day. Some essentials I like to keep in my gym bag include a water bottle, headphones, running shoes, socks, and post-workout snacks of course!
Get Started Being Active Today
The Kintec Blog is a place to read all the tips and tricks about staying active on your feet. If you have questions about getting started as a runner, get in touch – we’d love to help you out!
Brittany Hanson
Marketing Specialist at Kintec
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