Cramming In Some Exercise

How to Fit a Workout Into Your Day
I like to operate at a breakneck pace, and I’ve learned that I can’t keep it up unless I exercise to replenish my energy, give my brain a break and fuel my body. When we’re busy it can feel like there can never be time to fit it in. Or the energy to go through with it. But it’s not about having the energy to exercise: It’s about getting the energy THROUGH exercise to live the rest of your day! When you exercise, you’ll have the energy to get more done more efficiently, and you’ll be doing it for many more years.

Here’s how I cram it in:

Schedule your exerciseJust as you schedule a lunch, schedule your exercise. It won’t happen on its own. You won’t accidentally end up at the gym, or the yoga studio – you have to schedule it. Set alarms on your watch. Pack your workout clothes. Ask a friend to call to nag you.

Make promises you have to keep
Find a workout partner who’s always on time; Make an appointment near the gym so you are obliged to exercise before or after your meeting; Prepay for pilates at a certain time every day; pay a little more for boxing lessons with a trainer. If you’re cheap like me, you’ll want to make it worth the money.

When Life Comes Up – RESCHEDULE
Life comes up – if your workout gets preempted, make sure it gets rescheduled. Even if that means calling your spouse to let them know you’ll be doing your weird Kundalini Yoga tape before dinner tonight. The more consistently you exercise, the more energy you’ll have to deal with life as it comes to you!

Commute Creatively
I love to bike everywhere – and a good bike ride can inspire me and get my blood flowing. Plus, the efficient side of me loves the thought that my exercise is accomplishing something – getting me somewhere! I sometimes need to get creative in my logistics: I don’t want to show up to teach a class dripping with sweat. But when it works out, it feels great. Other tricky ways to squeeze in some extra motion throughout the day: Taking the stairs, getting off a couple stops early on the train, parking at the back of the parking lot. Can you do your calls on a headset while you’re walking in a quiet neighborhood at lunch?

Take a Class at the Gym
If you gym offers classes, schedule one. I get so embarrassed to show up late that I make myself get there on time. For me, it’s best if I have a crush on the teacher…then I’m more likely to go.

A little is better than nothing
If you only have 20 minutes at the gym, use it. Don’t give up. That’s better than nothing. Some of my best workouts are the shortest ones. I keep a folder of workouts from Men’s health in my bag – I can always pull from those if I’m in a pinch. My favorite quick workout lately is The Minutes.

Pack your exercise clothes the night before
When my exercise clothes are laid out, or in my day bag, it’s hard to ignore them. For me, beyond my clothes, my toys can be a big motivator: If I learn a new exercise for my exercise band, then I’m excited to use it, and just the sight of the band in my bag motivates me.

Start your exercise before you start your Exercise
You might not be competing in an elite endurance event, but your brain can still help your body succeed. I start my workout on the way to the gym – getting psyched up while I bike there, mentally going through my plan for the day. Often, I go right from work activity to exercise with no transition time: then I know I can use my warm-up time not only to get my body going, but also to get my brain focused the task at hand. I find that exercise is often the most present I am during the entire day, but it takes a bit of work to disengage my brain from everything going on before and coming up after. But your brain will thank you for the time off, focusing on something as simple as breathing or moving a kettleball from here to there.