According to the National Center for Disease Control, only one in four U.S. adults meets the recommended daily guidelines for physical activity. That’s not surprising. We live in one of the most sedentary eras in human history.
And it’s killing us. Diabetes. Obesity. Cancer. Heart Disease. These are just a few of the conditions seeing a surge in prevalence as a result of our unhealthy lifestyles.
We simply weren’t made for sitting. We did not evolve as an inactive, immobile species. Human beings are meant to exercise.
On the other hand, who has the time to work out anymore? There are so many other things that need to be done. In a perfect world, everyone could take an hour or two off to hit the gym.
But we don’t live in a perfect world, do we?
Even still, that doesn’t mean a workout schedule is beyond you. It’s perfectly feasible to fit a workout routine into your day-to-day. And you don’t even need to leave the office to do so.
Here are a few tips to that end.
Make Your Commute More Active
If you don’t live at the other end of the city, you might consider ditching the train, bus, or car in favor of a bike ride or jog – either in the morning on your way to work, or at the end of the day when it’s time to head home. Not only will you be healthier, but you’ll also be saving money – and doing your part to help save the environment, too!
Invest in a Treadmill or Exercise Bike
Most of us, when we’re done work for the day, want nothing more than to lay down in front of the TV and veg out on Netflix. You can still get that downtime without sacrificing screen time, though. Get yourself an exercise bike, treadmill, or similar piece of equipment that lets you get your workout in while you binge “Stranger Things.”
Before long, you’ll start going straight for the bike instead of the couch when it’s time to watch TV.
Start Small
One common mistake we see fitness first-timers make is trying to go all-in way too soon. They expect that they’ll be able to spend several hours running their body into the ground the moment they set foot in the gym. When they’re not able to do that, they get discouraged and ditch out.
Given you already have a busy schedule, your best bet is to fit in your workout whenever possible. A half-hour of light to moderate exercise a day is a great starting point. If your schedule is so busy that you can’t even accommodate that, then maybe it’s time to consider a career change.
Do Something You Enjoy
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to fitness. Everyone’s going to have different exercises and workout routines that resonate with them. For you, maybe it’s running or biking. For someone else, it might be rock climbing or weight training.
The important thing is that you find something you like doing – because the more you enjoy your workouts, the easier it’ll be to stick to them.
Set a Schedule and Stick To It
Slot your workouts into your calendar. Let your associates and colleagues know you’ll be unavailable when you’re working out. And make it clear that this is non-negotiable.
Granted, we understand that not everyone has the kind of pull for this to be feasible within the workplace. As such, you might also consider scheduling your workouts outside of office hours. In the morning before you have to be in, or in the evening after work’s let out.
In either case, make it clear to your family and friends that this e is set in stone. You cannot, nor should you be expected to, reschedule on a whim. That consistency is critical if you’re to develop a routine.
And the more you stick to it, the easier it’ll get.
Conclusion
Believe it or not, there’s a close link between productivity and physical health. The better you take care of your body, the sharper your mind will become. And the sharper your mind, the more capable you’ll be in the workplace.In short, there’s literally no reason not to get in shape. So what are you waiting for?