Why having no time is a barrier to exercise?
A busy schedule involving work, family, travel, school, and other essential obligations is a common trend for many people today. With the tight commitments and realities of daily life, most of us have not been able to create time for exercise and live the desired fit life. People often argue that their busy schedules have left them with little to no time for workouts.
Lack of time is a common barrier to exercise. But the bigger question is, should we all give up our healthy lifestyle and blame it on lack of time for exercise? This would then leave us to suffer the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle, including developing chronic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol, among other risks. So, what is the way forward? You don’t need to worry because we have detailed research in this article to help you understand the strategies you can apply to help find time to exercise in the gym despite having a busy schedule. So, relax and read on!
Do we not have time, or is it just an excuse?
Many people argue that lack of time is a common barrier to physical activity. However, is it clear whether we don’t have time for exercise, or is it just an excuse? And the truth is, ‘No time for exercise’ is just an excuse. The problem is in our time management and priority planning. You need to revisit your daily to-do list and re-plan, prioritizing exercise. Another problem lies in the perception of what is an ideal exercise. Exercise does not just involve working out for hours in the gym every day of the week. Understanding the recommended exercise duration will go a long way in helping you re-plan and find more time for exercise.
If you are committed to living a healthy life, it is time to stop the ‘no time’ excuse and incorporate exercise into your busy work schedule, family, school, travel, and other social obligations. Whether you are a busy career person, business executive, student, or juggling between work and family, all you need is to decide what you want and commit to adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Tips on how to manage your time to fit in exercise?
Managing time to fit in and exercise is the first step to a healthy lifestyle. Here are some applicable tips to help you manage your time to fit in exercise:
- Organizing your diary
To create time for exercise, you need to start by organizing your diary and planning how to create time to exercise. And in setting your exercise time, you do not need to stress about exercising every day for long hours. The recommended exercise duration is 150 minutes per week, representing approximately 1% of your time. And the good news is that you could plan to go to the gym 3 times per week, cover your workout period, and you’ll get the best results. Be sure to put your committed exercise days on your to-do list.
- Schedule your workouts the same way you schedule your meetings
The main problem we face is that we ignore scheduling time for exercise. Purpose to start putting your workout on the calendar to help ensure it gets done.
- Prior planning
The key to managing your time and getting time to exercise lies in all that happens the night before. If you intend to wake up early and get to the gym to exercise, you must lay out everything you need to work out, including your gym wear and any other gear you might need. Have them ready before you sleep. It would help if you also made a plan for breakfast to ensure you save time in the morning.
- Join the most convenient gym possible
Being busy and with limited time for exercise, you need to focus on looking for the most convenient gym to help fit your schedule. For instance, it is essential to consider going to a gym close to your residence if you intend to work out early in the morning. If you want to exercise during lunch break, a gym close to your workplace is more convenient.
- Keep your workout clothes handy at all times
Running a tight schedule makes it challenging to keep up with specific workout times. You could have planned to get to the gym early, only to wake up to an urgent work demand or family commitment. But that does not mean you will not be able to create time in the course of the day and exercise. Therefore, consider having your workout wear ready at all times. You can keep a pair in your car or your bag. That way, you can cover up any inconvenienced exercise time whenever you get free time.
Ways to fit in exercise when you have a busy schedule?
We understand that a busy schedule can make it hectic to get time to exercise. After a long day engaged with work, family commitments, and other social activities, it is tempting to head home and watch a TV show to relax and sleep. But the challenge is we will neglect an essential aspect of our lives, living a healthy life. But the good news is you can plan yourself well and incorporate exercise into your busy schedule and don’t have to give up your daily activity or social moments by following the below tips:
- Wake up even earlier
How badly do you want to keep fit? If exercising is at the top of your to-do list and you have a busy day ahead, why not get up earlier and head directly to the gym? And you only need to sacrifice a few minutes for 3 days a week. A morning workout will leave you energized and even more productive during the day.
- Lunchtime escape
Do you have a lunch hour break? This is an excellent opportunity to make precious use of your 60 minutes by hitting the gym. Head direct to the gym and engage in a speedy HIIT session. This will help rejuvenate you mentally and physically. When you return to work, take some vegetables and a protein shake or meal bar. You will have decreased your calorie consumption and burnt some calories quickly.
- Make it a date
Are you committed to achieving your fitness goal? Why can you commit to social dates with a spouse, friend or relative and not your exercise time? What about planning fitness dates with your spouse or friend? Instead of meeting in a restaurant, meet in the gym and work out together. It is not only fans, but you will also be more accountable.
Why do you only need strength training 3 times per week to manage weight and improve body composition?
Starting your fitness journey can be exciting, and most of us find ourselves wondering how many times we need to strength train within a week. Most think strength training many times per week would help achieve the desired weight loss, build muscle mass, and stay healthy. But the truth is, strength training just 3 times per week is enough to manage weight and improve body composition. Although exercising regularly is essential in achieving results, overtraining makes it difficult for your body to recover between workouts. This can lead to fatigue, burnout, and possible injuries. Therefore, consider strength training 3 times per week and focus more on quality over quantity.
