No getting around it, being fit and healthy—and staying that way—requires discipline and dedication. But I get it. You’re crazy busy. Juggling work and family and those endless curveballs life likes to throw your way isn’t easy. When you’ve got to cut something from your day, your gym time is too often the sacrificial lamb. But that doesn’t mean you should give up trying to work out altogether. Stop the self-sabotage! Taking care of yourself isn’t any less important than taking care of everyone else around you. In fact, you can’t give your best to anyone if you’re constantly compromising your own physical well-being. So how to squeeze in fitness, no matter what? Below are a few accessible and affordable tips anyone can do.
Incorporate as much activity into your daily routine as possible.
No, I will never tell you it’s ok to just take the stairs instead of the elevator. However, N.E.A.T or “non exercise activity thermogenesis” is a hell of a lot better than nothing. This basically means stand instead of sit while on the phone or waiting at the doctors’ office. Have a walking office meeting instead of a sit down office meeting. Again, this is not a panacea, but it will add up over time.
Create a mini home gym.
Relax—I’m not talking about buying expensive equipment or clearing out an entire room in your home. All you need is an 8-by-8 square foot area of space to work in, and a few portable items such as dumbbells that adjust from 3 to 8 pounds, a resistance tube, and a yoga mat. But your most valuable tool? That would be your own body weight. Do squats and lunges to work your butt and thighs; push-ups and downward-facing dogs to work your chest, shoulders, and triceps; crunches and planks to work your abs; and jumping jacks and mountain climbers for cardio.
