Fitting exercise into your everyday routine can be difficult. Add in the craziness of work, children, and spouses and it can seem near impossible to get your daily sweat on. But fear not. Read on for some easy and fun ways to fit exercise in during the holidays.
1.Treat Yourself
Dreading the gym is not unusual. Most people think of working out as a chore that must be completed. If this is the case, it’s most likely because you’re doing a workout you don’t enjoy. Hate the elliptical? Try something else! Your workout doesn’t have to be at the gym — it can be a walk with the kids, a hike with a friend, or a bike ride jamming to your iPod. Whatever it may be, find something that’s enjoyable and fun for you.
2. Make a Schedule and Stick to It
It’s easy to skip a workout when there is only a vague idea of when and where it will take place. Make a schedule — including your social obligations, grocery runs, and other activities — and stick to it. Exercise doesn’t have to be a priority every day but aim to exercise at least two to three times per week. Knowing when and where you will conquer your workouts (as well as other errands) will help to minimize stress, allowing you to stick to your schedule.
3. Something is Better than Nothing
Many people think that if they can’t work out for an hour then it isn’t worth it. But any exercise is better than no exercise. (Some argue you only need 7 minutes!) Regardless of your time constraints, even 10 minutes of a quick walk or jog, jumping jacks while watching your favorite TV show, or squats while cooking dinner can be helpful. So next time you’re standing around waiting for your soup to simmer, try a couple of lunges.
4. Treat it as a Priority
Everyone has priorities in their lives; the things they won’t miss no matter what. Picking up the kids from school, a dinner date with a significant other, or brunch with friends. Treat your workout as you would other priorities in your life. If you need to move things around to fit it in, do so. If you really want to complete a workout, you can, so do what you need to do to make it work.
5. Trim Down Your Media Time
Social media is great. It serves as a way to keep in touch with friends, share photos, and even keep up on the latest news. But all of that time spent in front of the TV or computer screen can add up quickly leaving you without the time to fit in your exercises. Try cutting down on your media — even 15 minutes a day will get you a sufficient workout. And if you can’t separate yourself from a movie marathon, use the commercials to do push-ups, crunches, and squats. By the time you’re done your third movie, you could be seeing a whole new you.
