Objects in Motion: How to Make Time for Exercise

by Mariana Bozesan

Many people cite a lack of time as the number one reason for skipping workouts, but the reality is that there are few things more important in life than exercise. So, let me ask you a question. Would you ever leave home without brushing your teeth or taking a shower in the morning? I obviously can't hear your reply, but I don't imagine that you would. Now this is the kind of commitment you would have to give to yourself with respect to exercise. It's not only an essential component of any weight loss plan, it also boasts an impressive range of benefits including mental clarity, stress reduction, better sleep, and even better sex! And let’s be honest, there is no way around exercise if you are truly committed to yourself and to leading a life of meaning, service and contribution to yourself and others. Using the following tips and techniques described in Diet for a New Life can help make space in our busy lives for exercise. These helpful hints and many more are available in Diet for a New Life. A valuable online network comprised of expert opinions in weight loss and overall well-being, solution driven testimonials and many other advantages. You can join by simply clicking the above link to be introduced to a wealth of knowledge and information to assist you on your path to lasting weight loss. Don’t hesitate - start the first day of the rest of your life now!

Schedule It. Our lives are so hectic these days that it's very important not to assume that exercise will just "happen." Most peoples' busy schedules make it necessary to schedule specific times to exercise in order to ensure that it actually takes place. Regarding exercise with the same level of seriousness and respect as we treat our obligations and appointments with others can go a long way toward making it a regular part of our daily routines. Writing down an appointment to run in our calendar helps to put exercise in the same light as brushing your teeth and helps to solidify the commitment.

See the Subtleties. Sure, it'd be great if every day presented us with a chance to go on a leisurely morning run, followed by a long, hot shower and extended primping time in the bathroom. Not only does this rarely happen, but many of us subconsciously use this lack of luxurious chunks of time as way of postponing our workouts. Adjusting to the idea of more compact, brief workouts can help us to move from the soft, flabby world of what-if to the heart-pounding excitement of being in shape.

Videos! Though getting out into the great outdoors is preferable, it can be delightfully convenient to pop in a video and do a workout before showering and dressing for the day—particularly on those cold, dark, blustery days on which it's really difficult to imagine going outside first thing in the morning. There are a wide variety of video workouts available¹, and having a selection to choose from can prevent boredom. Yoga offers a particularly morning-friendly workout, as it emphasizes stretching, strength and mental clarity. Another valuable strategy is to look for videos that offer a short 15 or 20 minute routine for those times you need a quick workout.

If All Else Fails. One way to ensure that we're getting at least one solid workout a week which ensures we are doing the right exercises to support our building strength, endurance and structure is to make use of a personal trainer. Aside from giving us their expert advice on how to exercise, a trainer can perform the very basic function of simply knocking on our doors every Wednesday morning for a run.

Love Conquers All. By far the most effective way of making sure that we always find time to exercise is to get to a point where we genuinely love doing it. This method ensures that we won't see it as a duty or an obligation but an integral part of our day-to-day activities—something we wouldn't want to skip any more than we would want to skip talking to friends, dining on delicious foods, or listening to beautiful music. For those of us who haven't yet experienced such amorous feelings for our workouts, we might try experimenting with new kinds of exercise—running, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, climbing, hiking, biking, soccer, swimming, strength training...the possibilities are truly endless. Being around others who truly love exercise helps us to feel more excited about it, and increases the likelihood that we will "catch" their enthusiasm. Get yourself an exercise buddy and commit to him/her to do it together.