Finding the Time
Busy, busy, busy. Everyone is fighting the time crunch these days, and in the rush to fit in the rest of our lives, our workouts often get the short shift. Don’t let your exercise routine fall to the bottom of your priority list—making time for exercise is not as difficult as it seems. When you break down your day you will be surprised at how much physical activity you can fit in—even if it just means 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

Tricks of the Trade

1. Put it on paper. When you have a dentist appointment, you write it in your planner. It’s the same with business meetings. Why not schedule a time for your workout? Put it in your planner and stick to that time slot.
2. Look for small blocks of time. You don’t need 60 or 90 minutes to get a good workout. A simple fitness routine can take as little as 15 minutes. Search your daily routine for small periods of downtime, and then make them count. 
3. Early bird workouts. Set the alarm one hour earlier and go for a walk. It may take a while to become accustomed to the new schedule, but you may discover that early morning workouts compliment your schedule the best. 
4. Walk ‘round the block. Sometimes the best time to exercise is at home after work. Taking a walk around the neighborhood is convenient and inexpensive, when compared to the time and money put into a gym membership.

Workin’ It In At Work

1. Plan A: Join Healthy Together’s Group Walks – Beginning at noon on Friday, Oct. 3, Healthy Together will be hosting group walks that start at Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa, and take you to one of the compass points. Walks are between 1-1/2 and 2 miles and they will take you to parts of the city you may have never know about. Cheering stations, give-aways, music… what more can you ask for. Come out and have some fun.
2. Lunch ‘n burn. Instead of using your entire lunch hour to eat, try splitting the time you have to squeeze in a quick walk. Not only do you get the added benefits of exercise, you may also be more energized for the afternoon ahead.
3. Take the scenic route. Whether it’s to the restroom, water cooler, or copy machine, take the longest way possible to get there—even if it means going to another floor. 
4. Walk it out. Rather than holding a sit-down meeting or brainstorming session, try having it over a walk. You may find that being on your feet can stimulate good ideas. 
5. Every bit counts. Climb the stairs to that meeting instead of taking the elevator, park your car farther than you normally would and walk the extra distance, or walk down the hall to talk to colleagues instead of calling them on the phone. It all adds up.

© 2001 Wellness Councils of America