Fitting in Your Fitness

Did you know that exercising in 10 minute increments throughout the day can be just as effective for your cardiovascular health as if you did 30 minutes all at once? If you didn't, that's okay - alot of people don't realize that.  It's helpful information to know, though, if you have trouble fitting a workout into your day because of your schedule.

You can take 10 minutes in the morning and incorporate some calisthenics, 10 minutes in your lunch break to power walk at work, and 10 minutes in the evenings to round out your day with a few strength exercises and stretches. Don't let your schedule be the thing that holds you back from healthy habits right now. Be willing to try some different things so you can work around your schedule.

For instance, I might try something like this on a busy day:

AM (10 minutes): jog in place (1 min), high knees (1 min), butt kicks (1 min), burpees (1 min), jump squats (1 min), repeat all.

Lunch (10 minutes): keep my tennis shoes in my office, head out for the last 10 minutes of lunch for some walking around the building.

PM (10 minutes): jog in place (1 min), lunges (30 seconds each leg), push-ups (1 min), squats (1 min), triceps dips (1 min), calf raises (1 min), plank (1 min), double leg hamstring stretch (1 min), quadriceps stretch (15 seconds each leg), calf stretch (15 seconds each leg), shoulder stretch (15 seconds each arm), triceps stretch (15 seconds each arm).

Voila! There you go - exercises on a busy day! If your fitness level is not at the place where push-ups and burpees are possible, don't worry, you can still exercise! Try walking 3 times per day, 10 minutes each time, then stretch before you go to bed. Just keep in mind that it is never too late to get fit!