Tips for making exercise a priority when you work

When you have a hectic work schedule or busy social calendar, the first thing to slip down the priority list is usually exercise. We make excuses about time, or promise to go another week, but it never happens.

It’s time to take action, and make your health a priority! Exercise is important for your physical and mental wellbeing, and the government recommends adults do 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week.

Change your attitude
It’s important to make time for exercise, and incorporate it into your daily routine. You don’t have to go to the gym every single day, but try to be more active in general. Make healthier decisions, and try to avoid sitting for long periods of time. Every little bit of physical activity you do adds up, so go to the gym for whatever time frame you can and as regularly as you can, but just don’t forget about going.

Invest in a fitness tracker
Tracking your fitness journey can help to provide you with the motivation to carry on when you feel like giving up. It will help you to track your progress, and inspire you to be more physically active if you haven’t done much on a particular day. A fitness tracker provides personal accountability, and can create individually-tailored goals, meaning everything you do is focused around you.

Find an exercise buddy
Creating a little bit of healthy fitness competition with a friend, family member or colleague, can help to encourage each other with your goals. Why not go to a fitness class together, not only are they fun but it gives you an incentive to keep returning. Going with an exercise buddy means you will also be less likely to bail on one another, and more likely to keep it up.

Take advantage of lunch time
If you don’t have time to exercise in the morning or after work, then lunch time may be the perfect time for you to workout! You could go for a run or walk near your office, or go to a H.I.I.T. class as they don’t usually last long. Making the most of the time you have for your lunch break, could free up your mornings or evenings more.

Make it fun
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore, or something you dread doing every week, it can actually be fun and enjoyable. Make it more fun by doing activities as a family or with friends! There are lots of fun activities including trampolining, swimming, cycling, ice skating, roller blading or dancing.