“I want to work out regularly, but I just don’t have time.” Sound familiar? I constantly hear this from clients. Then starts the list of reasons why they can’t even start exercising.
Incorporating physical activity into your life doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. If you’re not exercising at all, any level of activity is more than you’re currently getting! But how do you start?
What are you doing right now?
Are you at home? Can you do 5 pushups, situps, or jumping jacks right now? It takes 15 seconds. Do it.
“That’s it?”
Yep, that’s it. If you can’t spend 15 seconds of your day on your health, ask yourself why not. If you’re not sure, contact me and I’ll help you figure that out.
No equipment, no cost workouts
My favorite activities can be done at home in my pajamas. While this list includes cooking and sleeping (not at the same time!), it also includes body weight workouts which use your body weight and gravity for resistance to build strength. Some you already know:
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
- Squats
Others may be less familiar like planks, tricep dips, lunges, and calf raises.
For a great introduction and challenge, check out One Hundred Pushups (or the spinoffs, situps, squats, and dips). Apps are available to guide you.
Start from where you are: your couch
If the lure of the remote is stronger than the siren song of sweat, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are ways around that.
- Work Out Anywhere: Couch Exercises from Woman’s Day are activities you can do during commercial breaks.
- The Couch Potato Workout from CNN’s Fit Nation
- Get OFF the couch with the popular Couch to 5K beginning runner’s program
Incorporate more movement into your day
This doesn’t mean running laps around the building, but it could mean actually walking to lunch!
- Park your car in the middle or far end of the lot so you have to walk to and from it.
- Who needs a StairMaster when you have actual stairs? Use them. If you work in a highrise, take them the first or last flight.
- It doesn’t have to feel like work to be a workout! Go for a walk with your friend/sweetie/dog/kid, play catch, take a walk in the park, or have a little dance break while you’re doing dishes. Moving your body should feel good!
What could you do to incorporate more movement into your day?
