Not having making time is one of the top reasons people skip out on daily physical activity. I get it… people are busy, but I still can’t entirely sympathize with those that use this excuse continually. I, on the hand, have the opposite problem and have been known to procrastinate my homework play at the WREC for hours.
With a new semester right around the corner, life is going to get a bit whole lot busier and going to the gym twice in one day (ahem, today) isn’t going to be practical… or necessary.
The fitness and health benefits of exercise aren’t only found from running 40-mile weeks. Quick ‘n’ dirty workouts — such as HIIT and cross-fit — are all the rage these days.
Here are few tips to get you moving in the middle of your busy schedule and #makeitcount.
Stay Single
Exercising with a friend can be fun and encouraging, though it can often be distracting. During the busy school and/or work week, set aside personal time to workout and save the chatty long runs for the weekends.
Plan Ahead
Before you get to the gym, have a plan of what you’re going to do while you’re there. If you’re unsure of what to do, browse a magazine or Pinterest for inspiration, write the workout on a notecard and slip it into your gym bag. Then You won’t waste time trying to think of what exercise to do next.
Speed It Up
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and the tabata method are proven methods of burning fat fast. If you want to get sweaty in a second, try one of my 6 HIIT treadmill workouts.
Break It Up
There’s no need to try to do a full-body workout every time you’re at the gym. Designate specific days to workout different muscle groups. This is also important in giving your body adequate rest and recovery time.
In addition to a blissful yoga class this afternoon and doing 2 sets of the Tone It Up Lean Arms routine (above), I tried the tabata treadmill workout that Tina posted yesterday, modifying it slightly.
I’ll admit I was bit nervous running at this speed, imagining another treadmill crash heaven forbid, but I enjoyed the speedy run and hope to find the courage to do it again.
What’s your secret to squeezing in regular exercise?
To a fit, fast and healthy January weekend (almost!),
Hillary
20-minute Tabata Kettlebell Workout
10 Ways to a Fitter February
HIIT to FIT: Plain Jane Intervals
Holiday HIIT Challenge
Weekly Workouts: All the Planks
Great post, Hillary! I’m a big fan of HIIT! A HIIT workout might be half the time that I’d normally work out for, but once I’m finished, I’m twice as sweaty! ;)
Great tips! I am using that lean arm one for sure :D
I like these tips! I schedule in my workouts so I know they will happen. It’s just part of my daily routine, like brushing my teeth (but longer) :)
Great tips! I have such a problem planning out my workouts before hand. I’m going to start looking at Pinterest for ideas!
I totally agree with the quote above, I’m just as busy as the next person, but I always make time to go to the gym (and always have). Once you get in a routine of it, you don’t even think twice about whether you’re going to find time to go to the gym or not, you just do it.
Good ideas, I need to remember these!
I’ve been wanting to try BodyPump or CrossFit and keep putting it onto my schedule, but the only time I can go is on the weekends and I have been lazy, skipped the class to sleep in, and worked out on my own :-Z Maybe this weekend?! My biggest problem is breaking up workouts to focus on one part of the body one day and another part the following day…
I love the tips! My one and only way to make sure I fit in working out every day is to do it in the morning before anything can get in the way. If I wait until after work, there’s a much bigger chance that I won’t feel like it or something will come up.
The only problem is that now that it’s so cold, I’m having a much harder time getting out of bed in the morning :-)
Great post Hillary. I am glad to hear there are others that also procrastinate on homework to be able to get extra workouts in.
Planning ahead is key. Keeping yourself accountable to a schedule always helps me to keep up my mileage for the week.
Great tips — planning ahead is always important. And, making no excuses, of course! ;)
Great tips! I’m all about the no excuses lately! I’ve let them cripple me for far too long, I’m in control now :)
This is perfect with another semester on the horizon. It’s always hard making time, I’m glad this semester I only have class on T/Th! :)
Oh, how nice! I have class Mon-Fri — do it, to it!
Great post!! My secret to squeezing in a workout is to get there super early right after waking up before my mind can figure out what I’m doing. Once I get there, it’s easy!
Hey :) I love your tips! I was just curious what you did during the “rest” time in the HIIT workout? I can’t imagine stepping off and then jumping back on :P So did you change the speed or…? Keep posting your amazing workouts! They really help when it’s rainy outside and my practice is cancelled ^_^
I did, in fact, straddle the TM and then “jump” back on. To be honest, that method wasn’t my favorite – I was a bit scared of another TM face plant – so, even though I like the tabata idea, I’ll probably stick to HIIT and regular intervals.