How to Incorporate Exercise into Your Day

I love to exercise, but lately I’ve found myself short on time during the work week. Question number two of Talentedly’s 67-day challenge asks me whether I have exercised daily for ten minutes. For two consecutive days I have had to answer “no,” which got me thinking about fool-proof ways that I can incorporate at least ten minutes of exercise into my busy days.

Now that the weather has warmed up, I try to slip out of the office for a lunchtime walk — usually around two miles. But that has become a luxury these days. I find that if I don’t get some form of exercise in before leaving the office it just doesn’t happen that day. So here are a few ways I’ve been able to squeeze it in. Some are unconventional, but exercise is exercise!

Impromptu dance party (in my living room): I know this might not burn as many calories as a five mile run, a barre class or two hours in the gym, but when I’m short on time (and energy), cranking up the tunes and making up a routine as I go is a great way to get my heart pumping.

Planking/sit-ups/push-ups (in front of the tv): This is a great remedy for when it’s 10 p.m. and I have completely abandoned my exercise goals for the day. I’ll alternate between holding a plank pose for a couple minutes to doing some push-up variations before finishing it up with sit-ups or crunches. If I’m really ambitious, I resort to holding chair pose during commercials.

Sun Salutation: This is reserved for those days when I’m stressed and stiff (read: in need of a yoga class!). If you are not familiar with the sun salutation poses, check out YouTube for some demonstrations. What I love about this is that I can incorporate my own variations and make it as challenging or as easy as I need for that day. It will definitely get your heart rate up and make you more supple!

Take the stairs: I try always to take the stairs, but if I know that exercise is not in my immediate future, I make an extra effort to climb the stairs multiple times a day and at a brisk pace. If no one is around, I skip steps and run up them as fast as possible.

Find a time that works for you: I would probably be able to exercise regularly if I devoted a consistent time each day to it. But since no two days are alike for me, it’s easier said than done. I like to exercise around mid-day. I find that it’s a good break for my mind and I come back ready to tackle my afternoon a bit more refreshed.

How do you include exercise in your day? Any tips for when you are short on time?