Everyone seems to be getting busier and busier these days, and with that usually comes with putting their health and fitness on the back burner. First off, this is a terrible idea because you cannot take care of or help others if you are not first taken care of! There is so much research out there showing that eating a healthy diet and exercising can increase your productivity, make you a happier person and also allow you to live a long and prosperous life! But, I know there are times that you are just too busy or don’t have extra time to get in a workout, I have seen it first hand as an online personal trainer. So, my tips for you…
#1: Make a plan/schedule
This is going to help you not only have an idea of when you can workout, but also allow you to make the most of your time! Plan out your week ahead of time so you know what days you can fit in a workout and how long it can be. From there you can write out your program/workouts to maximize your time and make sure you are still getting results. If you find you still don’t have time for this, hiring a personal trainer or using online personal training can really be helpful!
#2: Get exercise in during your daily tasks
Things like parking further away, walking instead of taking public transportation, taking the stairs, using a stand-up desk. All of these things are still allowing you to move and get exercise in throughout the day, even if you don’t have time for a gym session. Health and fitness is not “all or nothing,” even 1 trip up and down the stairs is better than taking the elevator. It may not seem like it form day to day, but in the grand scheme of things it is helping!
#3: Keep your nutrition on track
If you can’t move your body, at least fuel it properly! I would say nutrition is 75% of the equation of being healthy. You can’t out train a crappy diet, but by changing your diet you can 100% start to turn your health around! Make sure you are eating a balanced diet of all macronutrients (carbs, fats and protein) and getting in your fruits/vegetables! Now, just because you cannot exercise everyday does not mean you should be restricting your calories to the bare minimum. Believe it or not, your body still needs fuel throughout the day to function, even without exercise. There is this thing called your BMR, basal metabolic rate, and that is the energy (calories) your body uses just sitting still. That does not account for walking around, going to work, taking a shower etc. So make sure you are eating enough food to fuel your body properly, or you will start to do more harm than good to your metabolism.
If you are someone who has trouble finding time to get into the gym, or just to workout in general, I suggest following these 3 principals. I would also suggest getting some type of coach (whether it be online or in person) to help hold you accountable and get you closer to your goals. Online personal training can be a great option for those who have a tricky schedule and can’t meet with someone in person. With that, some coaches even doing video chat or skype for training that you can do right from your home! No excuses, there is always another way if you want it bad enough!