Something is Always Better Than Nothing

Since school started in late August, it is suddenly very difficult for me to fit in my morning workouts. Between getting my husband off to work and two kids to different schools at different times, my own morning routine is getting pushed to the back burner.  My usual 45-minute time slot for exercise has been gradually shrinking to 30, 20, and sometimes even only 10 minutes. For a while, I was just skipping it and hoping to fit it in later in the day, but I quickly realized that wasn't a realistic solution. I finally decided I was going to do something in the time I had, regardless of how little it is. 10 minutes is enough time to run a mile, and 20 minutes is two miles. It may not be long, but it's long enough to get my heart rate up, work up a sweat, and get my muscles warmed up enough to be able to stretch effectively when I'm finished.

You may encounter this problem in your own life, thinking a good workout will take at least an hour or even more (particularly if you have to factor in travel time to the gym). Remember this: doing something is always better than doing nothing. It may seem like a ludicrously obvious statement, but when it comes to exercise, it is very easy to forget. One of my favorite tricks is to always put on my exercise clothes when I get out of bed, without even thinking about it. That way, I am already ready to do something when the opportunity presents itself. When you look at the clock and see you only have 20 minutes before you have to get ready for work, think, "What can I do in 20 minutes?" and then just go do it…even if it's just a brisk walk around the block. I promise you will feel better than if you decided to skip it.

Also, if you're constantly running short on time for exercise, think about where you can carve out an extra 10, 20, or 30 minutes in your day. If you watch even one sitcom each day, you've got extra time. And I'm sure most of us would have to admit that we spend at least an hour or more each day on Facebook or surfing the internet. Something as simple as taking a short walk after dinner can dramatically improve your health.

Making exercise a priority is a commitment and can be a drastic lifestyle adjustment for some people, but the change in your energy level and the way you feel about yourself (and maybe even your waistline) makes it well worth it.