Owning my own business and working for myself along with planning a wedding can make fitting in workouts daily a challenge. I am a huge scheduler and if I did not schedule things they just wouldn’t get done. Working out is one thing I NEED to do daily. My sanity thanks me for it. I also find that I sleep better if I work out during the day.
So people ask me a lot how I go about fitting in workouts to my busy schedule.
This is how I do it:
1. I start each day knowing that no matter what I am going to work out. If you wake up with that intention than it will happen. When I used to wake up and work out at 5 AM I would lay out my workout clothes, water bottle and shoes etc at night that way I had no excuses. If you are a morning workout person this helps so much.
2. Plan it: Set a reminder in your phone or write in your planner daily what time you will workout, where, with who etc. If you make a daily to do list put it on there. You are far more likely to go through with it if you write it down!
3. Taking group classes helps me a lot. My favorites are barre classes or body pump. When I leave my house knowing I am going to a group class I know I will get pushed harder and get a great workout in. There are times I think “should I go?” “Do I want to?” Sometimes I have to force myself but it’s always worth it!
4. Having a friend or significant other to workout with is a huge help. Andrew and I try to workout together at our gym a few times a week and we are both kept accountable that way. We know that we are going to workout and we stay at the gym till the other person is finished. This also ensures sometimes a longer better workout. I also love to go to barre classes with friends or trail walks. These are great ways to spend time with a friend and get a workout in.
5. At the end of the day remember you never regret a workout but you regret not doing one. Honestly I want that as a sticker on my car hahaha. It’s true though. I never regret working out but I do regret it when I don’t.
What are your tips for making sure you work out?
I work out first thing every morning! That way, it’s done for the day! I have hiked every day of my St. Lucian vacation (except today – the first day it’s rained all day), but I will exercise indoors. I’ve spent all morning catching up on my blog. Rain, rain, go away . . .
Laying out my workout clothes helps me lots! Great tips! I want that sticker, too!
I really wish it were that easy! During the summer yes, but when the school year hits and I teach all day, then go to a PT job, there’s just no time unless I’m off from one or the other or on the weekends. I’ve caught up this summer with classes and stuff but once fall its, its all on my own.
I really need to get my butt in gear. I am just so worn out all the time – which of course would be helped if I was more active. Im going to give this a shot! Thank you for sharing!
I am hoping that when the kids go back to school, I can get back into my routine of heading out for a run as soon as my youngest leaves on the bus! I’ve also heard great things about the Barre classes and am looking into those near me.
Number 5 is something I can’t drive into my skull enough! I leave a work out so refreshed, energized and feeling so good, and then it comes time to get moving again and I struggle. My fitness tracker has been helping me immensely to get moving!
xo
Jamie
http://snapginger.com
Intention is the most important thing when it comes to fitting in workouts! If I tell myself from the moment I wake up that I am going to go for a run at some point today, I will do it. I may not enjoy it, but it will happen, and I will be glad I worked out. Sometimes life gets busy, but if I find myself thinking about turning on the TV/getting online, I force myself to go workout beforehand. I’m usually not as busy as I think I am!
I agree that my FitBit has been a huge inspiration to get moving in the midday slump! Love this post.
Absolutely true! I had to remind myself of #5 this morning, actually. Great stuff! I want this pasted to my bathroom mirror.
Ah, I can’t wait to get back to Texas and start working out again!! I need to get back on my grind!
This is a great list! I pretty much never work out because…well, because I hate working out. But maybe a list (a checklist of sorts) is what I need.
For me it’s absolutely support from my husband! Without him I don’t think I could have lost 70lbs of baby weight in 4 months!
I always try to fit a walk in with the little guy I nanny for everyday, usually in the mornings before it’s super hot. If we don’t get one a walk I work out right when I get home. It’s a newer habit I’ve started but I’m really trying to get in better shape.
Great tips! Group classes always get me going!
So true! I have always regretted NOT working out.. I have never regretted working out.
I love these! I find that workout glasses are great for pushing me to workout hard. I usually get a good workout in when I am on my own, but classes are just super motivating 🙂
Workout buddies always help! It’s more fun to work out with a friend 🙂
I need to find a workout buddy! It’s so much better with friends!
It does help! I tell myself I will work out at 11 a.m. and it helps! <3
Great tips! I know whenever I schedule my workout I’m more likely to actually go!
http://www.darlingdailyblog.com
I would love to have a workout buddy. Mine always flake lol! Great tips!
I love this! I’ve been improving my healthy lifestyle the past 3 months and have LOVED trying new workouts! 🙂
Great tips! Another way I fit in workouts or rather don’t skip them, is by not worrying about the length of it. If I waited until I had a full hour every single day before I worked out, it’ll never happen.
Flexibility is important!
Stopping by from Blog Love 🙂
YES! I agree with ALL of this. I have a set schedule of when I’ll be working out and I do my very best to stick to it. And group classes?? SO much fun and make working out much more bearable!
Fabulous advice! I am the worst about exercising… And I need to change that! Thinking maybe I should print this out as a reminder 🙂
xoxo Jess
Great list! I finally made the decision 21 days ago that I was just going to do it. Follow the Blogilates Beginner’s Calendar (I think I heard about her from you a while ago!) and just see what happens. Well for the past 21 days I’ve started my mornings with a cup of coffee and I sit here, catch up on reading blogs and talk myself into doing the workout. Some days I think my cup of coffee lasts for hours but I always get my workouts in. Thanks so much for sharing your list!
When I start the day knowing I’m going to workout, I’m prepared by the time I get home from work to kill it at the gym. It’s amazing how much mentally preparing yourself really helps!
Great tips! I definitely want to join a group class 🙂
I definitely have to have a workout partner, or at least an accountability partner. A friend and I just made each other accountability buddies so we make sure we’re both working out!
I workout every morning with my best friend, and I agree that being accountable really helps! We text each other when we wake up, and even sleep in our workout clothes. (hey, they’re comfy!)
xo, Hima
Hima Hearts
Great list! I am a lot like you… I HAVE to have a game plan for things to happen. Exercise has to be scheduled for me to actually get it in, and it definitely helps if I have a workout buddy… if someone is counting on me, I don’t want to let them down!
Great tips, especially about never regretting it – I always feel so amazing after my workout is done!
Yes! I feel like if you want to work out you will MAKE time.
Great tips! Knowing I will workout is huge for me
these are such good tips! i’m so much more likely to work out if i convince myself from the beginning of the day that i’m going to do it!
I have to take group classes otherwise I get so bored.
great plan, my husband is really into fitness so I try to do it so I can be accountable to him. I’ve never been good at working out.
Thanks for the tips, girl! I will be planning ahead from now on.
Number 5 is so true! You never regret it!
The group classes has always helped me out!
I really need to start working out again, I’m so good at finding excuses 🙂
I try to go to the gym first thing when I wake up because then I can get a shower and I just feel more awake all day!
These are some great tips! I find that when I am going to Zumba, I am more motivated because I have more fun! The same goes when I make a workout date with a friend and we catch up on treadmills.