While it is recommended we get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity daily, no one ever said it had to be all in one go. You can break up your exercising into chunks, and still get the same benefits as one extended session. Just aim for at least 10 minutes at a time to make sure you get things moving enough to make a difference. Perhaps you can take a quick walk during your lunch break, some jogging in place while watching TV and a quick powerwalk around your neighborhood after dinner.
Ditch the Transportation When Feasible and Walk Instead
The ease of cars and other forms of transportation means we tend to use them whenever available. If you live in the suburbs, for example, you probably need to do a lot of driving because things are more spread out. But, this means that you probably automatically hop in your car even to go somewhere that is in reasonable walking distance. Try to break this habit. If you regularly go to the convenience store that is just a couple of minutes ‘drive, you can probably walk there in 10 to 20—hardly an arduous trek, and doing that on a regular basis really adds up.
Pay for Workout Classes That Meet at Set Times
Find some classes that appeal to you, whether it be dance, martial arts, or standard aerobics that meet at set times. Between being able to schedule your workout as a set event in your schedule, and the fact you are paying money to take these classes, there is a good chance you will feel more motivated to attend. Give some thought to what types of classes would be best for you, and pique your interest. Perhaps martial arts, and the discipline and mental strength it helps instill, may be a good fit. You can find karate, taekwondo, judo, muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu classes in Portland, New York, and other major cities as well as in many suburban areas.
Decide You Will Make Exercise a Priority
Here’s the thing…we always have time for what is important to us. We do a very good job of convincing ourselves otherwise. Sure, things come up and you may miss some sessions here and there, but you can work exercise into your life if you decide to. It may mean reorganizing some priorities—if you have time to watch TV, you have time to exercise. You could get up 20 minutes earlier than you do now. You can start managing your time better.
Once we get clear that we want something in our life, it is amazing how all of sudden time opens up—it was always there, we were just putting our energy elsewhere and we were kind of blind to it. So, it is time to start being honest with yourself about this. Are you really as busy as you say you are, or do you have the time but have just been spending it doing other things?