Tag: get fit at work

A quick glance at the title might cause you to think, “Wait! We talked about this a couple of weeks ago.” But that’s not true. We talked out HOW you can find time for fitness. Today we’re tackling WHEN you should workout during the day.

Here are two quick ways to figure out when you should workout.

Check Your Schedule

Take some time to write down everything you do for three consecutive days. Although you don’t need a minute-by-minute account, it is crucial to t least jot down what you every hour on the hour. It’s typically best to choose at least one day of the weekend in this exercise.

Why am I telling you to recount 72 hours of your week? Most people are creatures of habit, doing the same thing day after day. Our weekends are similar, too. By jotting down precisely what your days look like, you will be able to find pockets of time that you didn’t realize existed.

You will be able to schedule your work out sessions during that time without disrupting anything else in your schedule!

Stay True to You

Some experts say that it’s best to exercise first thing in the morning because it jump-starts your metabolism. Others caution you against exercising in the evening because it may negatively impact your sleep. There are even those who advocate exercising in the middle of the workday to help boost productivity.

Regardless of what anyone says is the best time to get in a workout, you have to do what’s best for you.

If you’re not a morning person, don’t commit to a 5 am run. If you’re in bed by 8:30 every night, don’t plan to workout at 7:30 in the evening.

Putting it All Together

Though it seems alarmingly simple, looking closely at your existing schedule and staying true to yourself are the best ways to figure out when you should work out during the day. In some cases, you’ll exchange downtime for exercise. In other cases, you may replace watching TV with working out. In all cases, you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Follow Get Fit with Charity on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

5 Tips for Finding Time for Fitness

Busy, busy, busy! Our days are jam-packed with meetings, appointments, and responsibilities. Finding time for fitness is virtually impossible.

We’re so concerned with everyone else that we don’t really look out for ourselves. In fact, we may have every intention of getting in a quick workout. But that intention does nothing but remain an intention.

There are those who have no problem setting aside a specific amount of time for exercise every day. Then there are those who sacrifice their work out to meet the needs of others.

If you’re having a little trouble finding time to workout, I hope you find these tips helpful.

Tip #1: Use Your Lunch Break

Regardless of where you work, you get some type of lunch break. If you’re a teacher or you work in an office, chances are you might have a tendency to work through your lunch. If you’re a stay at home mom or homeschooling parent, your lunch may be surrounded by little ones of a place of solitude. If you work from home, you might forget to take time for your lunch, but we’ll address that another day.

However, you can sneak 15 to 30 minutes of fitness into your day by splitting your lunch break in half. Take the first half to work out. Take a brisk walk around the building (or outside, if the weather permits). Find a quiet space to do some yoga or pilates. Do a couple of my six minutes workouts.

It doesn’t really matter what you do, just get moving for half of your lunch break, then eat a light, sensible lunch before heading back to work.

Tip #2: Have a Walking Meeting

We sit down A LOT when we’re at work.

Instead of sitting in the conference room or the classroom when it’s time for your team meeting, why not take it outside and have a moving meeting.

Research indicates that exercise stimulates your mind, so you may come up with solutions to a couple of problems while you’re moving. Plus getting as little as thirty minutes of daylight can help improve your sleep.

Tip #3: Skip the Elevator

Waiting for the elevator – and the subsequent ride to your floor – wastes some really awesome calorie-burning time.

By simply taking the stairs instead of riding that elevator, there’s no telling how many extra calories you can burn each day. You can even incorporate some strength building by taking the stairs two or three at a time. Doing so is very similar to doing a set of lunges.

If you work in a high-rise office building, it might not be feasible for you to take the stairs the whole way. Consider taking the elevator a portion of the way and walking the rest of the way.

Tip #4: Skip the Email

It is so easy to shoot an email to a colleague while you’re sitting there working on a project.

However, walking from your workspace to their workspace does two things: 1) It allows you to get a little more exercise into your day. 2) It helps build a relationship by adding human interaction.

Tip #5: Take the Scenic Route

Another way to sneak some fitness into your day is to go out of your way to complete daily tasks.

Walk to the restroom that’s on a different floor or section of the building instead of the one that’s really close to your workspace. Park in the space that farthest away from the door. Take the long way back fo your desk after a break. Do everything you can to sneak a little more fitness into your day.

Follow Get Fit with Charity on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!