Do you feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to fit in a proper workout? No more excuses, use these five tips to stay active even with your crazy schedule.
1. Use your weekends:
“I confess, when I’m seeing patients from 7am to 7pm, I don’t exercise. But at weekends (including most Fridays), it’s priority number one. I take an hour these days just for me and have a quality run or workout. Then I find a smaller chunk of time two more days of the week. The trick is preparation: I always have my gym bag with me, so if I suddenly have 30 minutes free, I’m out the door for a walk or jog!” says Dr Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Yale University School of Medicine (US).
2. Make it a family affair:
“I have three school-age kids, so my life is out of control. I still exercise at least four days a week, but I don’t lock myself into a routine. I take advantage of my children’s desire to play outside. I run while they bike, I play tennis with my son or we all play soccer. It’s so much better than watching TV,” says Dr Miriam Nelson, associate chief in the physiology laboratory at Tufts University (US) and author of Strong Women, Strong Bones (Perigree Trade).
3. Have a plan B:
“I start the day with an exercise plan. But as a doctor, my plans are routinely disrupted. So I have a plan B and plan C. For instance, I always carry exercise bands. If I can’t make it to the gym, I can do resistance training at home, in my surgery or in my hotel room. I also carry my trainers. If I have lots of meetings, I take short walks in between to clear my head. Every five seconds counts!” says Dr Pamela Peeke, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (US).
4. Focus on the benefits:
“I practice what I preach: I exercise every day or almost every day. One way I keep myself on track is by focusing on the rewards of my efforts: that time spent exercising will help reduce my risk of heart disease, control my weight and handle stress more effectively – and I can eat dessert now and then without worrying or feeling guilty!” says Dr James Blumenthal, professor in the department of psychiatry at Duke University (US).
5. Give it top priority:
“It would be easy to put off working out until the house is clean, more writing is done, or I’ve gone through the mail. But I still put on my shorts and get going. The endless household and work duties will always be there. And if my exercise actually helps me live longer – I’m gaining time,” says Dr Christiane Northrup, co-founder of the Women to Women Health-Care Center, and author or Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause (Bantam).
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