You may be surprised to hear that you can enjoy the benefits of a regular exercise program in as little as three hours per week.
Monday: Half-hour of jogging, biking (on hills) or other intense aerobic exercise you enjoyTuesday: Half-hour of strength training (squats, sit-ups and push-ups for beginners; weight training with machines or dumbbells for the more experienced)Wednesday: Rest dayThursday: Repeat MondayFriday: Repeat TuesdaySaturday: One hour of exercise--any type of exercise. Go rollerblading with a friend, take the family to the hills for a hike or swim laps at the pool.
If you want to commit to getting fit, exercise must become a part of your life--a habit as regular as brushing your teeth. Try these ideas to help you stay on track:
Make a log of everything you do for a week, and identify the time slots where you can fit in exercise. Did you spend a Saturday afternoon watching the Back to the Future trilogy for the fifth time? Could you manage to get up a half-hour earlier on the weekdays? Just skip an hour of television time and go to bed earlier.
Make exercise convenient. Find a place to work out that's close to your home or office. If you're disciplined and have the space, work out at home.
Develop relationships with supportive people. Join an exercise class or go to the gym with friends. If you skip a class, your friends will hold you accountable.
Exercise at the right time. The "right time" is when you're most likely to do it. If you know your day often ends late or meetings come up suddenly, it's best to schedule your workout for first thing in the morning when nothing can interfere. If you're a night owl, fit your workout in before dinner. If you can only manage a 10-minute walk on your lunch hour--do it. Some exercise is better than none.
So make an appointment with yourself to get some exercise. Your body--and your business--will thank you for it.
