We’ve all gone down the social media rabbit hole during a lazy Sunday afternoon. Among the sea of influencers, we’ve also probably seen one that seems to have everything – the dream job, the perfect home, and, above all, time to fit a workout into her super-busy schedule. Once you see these people, you can’t help but wonder – how do they make everything work?
While social media undeniably shows you an altered picture of reality, some people can make it work – the business, the leisure, and the exercise. However, you won’t find much about the secret behind a work-life balance from a ten-second video on someone’s profile. Luckily, you don’t need one – all you need to know about making time for exercise is right in this article!
Working out a tight schedule
More often than not, people approach workouts as an activity to be fitted around other day-to-day tasks. As a result, workout sessions are realized only when the long list of chores has been dealt with for the day – in other words, hardly ever. Treating workout sessions as secondary in comparison to other daily tasks is one of the main reasons people so often fail to go through with them.
Instead of pushing it around your crunched schedule, put your workout session into the calendar and tailor other activities toward it. This way, exercise will become a part of your day-to-day plan and not something you can easily push aside. It will make it harder for you to cancel a session, just like it would any other appointment on the calendar. After a while, a workout will become as necessary as a company meeting – turning you into a better businesswoman in the process!
Preparation is everything
As any businesswoman will tell you – preparation is everything. The same is true when trying to fit a workout into your already crammed schedule. If a meeting runs late or family errands pile up, there’s just no way to pick up your workout clothes and make it back to the gym before closing. Even though this situation may seem hopeless, there’s a quick and quite simple solution to it – an extra pair of workout clothes.
While the choice of workout attire may differ, carrying a pair of running shoes or activewear to work may be the way to squeeze in a workout even when it would otherwise seem impossible. If you know you’ve got a women’s activewear combination at hand, you’ll be more eager to try to make that late-night HIIT session at the gym. The same can be said for running shoes. Exchanging your pumps for sneakers and a jog home may be the perfect wind down from a stressful day at the office.
Get an early start (even when you don’t want to)
The early bird catches the worm and so do businesswomen who get in an early workout. Time and time again, studies have shown that early workout sessions are more beneficial than exercising during any other time of day. Alongside physical upsides, morning exercise brings mental and emotional benefits with it as well. There’s just something about waking up and being productive while most of the world is still sound asleep.
However, those eager to set their alarms an hour earlier should know one thing – it won’t be a walk in the park for the first few weeks. The body needs time to adjust to a new schedule and won’t give up without a fight. The important thing is to persevere. While your bed may be calling you back, don’t fall back into it. Once a few weeks have gone by, you’ll be wondering how you ever lived without a morning run.
Workout what works for you
It’s not that uncommon – your colleague raved about a spin class only to have you try it and leave utterly disappointed. The first thought on your mind – maybe exercise just isn’t for you. This mindset is not uncommon among businessmen and women alike. However, while common, it is also faulty.
Now, probably more than ever before, the fitness world offers an endless amount of workout regimes. From hardcore HIIT sessions to water aerobics, the list is truly endless. The most common mistake is getting caught up in someone else’s fitness journey. While crossfit may work for some, it will be excruciating for others. The point of workouts is to find a healthy activity that gives you pleasure. When you’ve found the workout for you, you’ll be bursting at the seams for the next session.
If you’ve read the article closely thus far, you’ve already found a way to fit the next workout into your super-busy schedule. Even when the going gets tough, don’t opt for the easy way out – stick to sessions that feel good and make them an appointment you simply can’t miss!