10 Tips for Staying Active When Life is Busy

Let’s face it: when life gets busy, one of the first things to go out the window is fitness. After a long day of rushing around work, caring for the kids, or just doing everything for everyone but yourself, the easiest choice is to skip your workout and crash on the couch.
But while this may be acceptable occasionally, cutting out your daily workout time can quickly make the problem even worse.
Why? Well, for starters, working out increases your endurance and energy levels. The longer you go without working out, the more naturally tired and sluggish you’ll be. On top of that, exercise is often directly linked to your mood, stress levels, and self-esteem—not things you want to mess with. Lastly, the more often you skip your workouts, the harder it is to make them a habit again, and the cycle continues.
So, how can you avoid these problems and stay active even when you feel like you don’t have enough time in the day? Check out these 10 tips to help you make it happen.
1. Make exercise a priority.

The best way to ensure you get in a daily workout is to tell yourself you can’t miss it. Add it to your schedule like an appointment, and do your best to “attend” every day. You might even consider signing up for an in-person class. This will motivate you to a) set aside a specific time during the week to work out and b) get your money’s worth.
Now, we understand that life gets in the way sometimes, and you have no control over issues that pop up. When that happens, be kind to yourself and see if you can reschedule or fit in a shorter session at a different time that day or week.

2. Try short HIIT workouts instead of skipping

If you struggle to find an hour (or even 30 minutes) to consistently do your regular workout, try switching things up for the busy season! HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is a fantastic way to burn lots of calories and work up a sweat in just a few minutes. This workout style utilizes bursts of intense exercises followed by short recovery periods.
These are short enough to fit in during your lunch break or even in the morning before work. And since many of the most common HIIT exercises are all body-weight based, you don’t even need to go to the gym. Just find a clear space and hit it!

3. Find ways to add more movement to normal activities.

For many women, day-to-day activities can be pretty inactive—sitting at a desk, watching TV, driving—you get the picture. But some simple, thoughtful changes can make a huge difference in your daily fitness goals. Here are some easy tips to incorporate movement into your daily routine:
· Choose to take the stairs rather than the elevator.
· Park further away from your destination.
· Put a pedal exerciser underneath your desk.
· Create a TV show workout game or do bodyweight exercises during commercials.
· Ride your bike to work rather than drive.
These choices may not fully replace a good workout routine, but they’re better than nothing when life gets crazy.

4. Get your family involved!

Exercise is a wonderful way for families to bond and develop healthy habits together! If you’re struggling to fit in workouts because you want to spend time with your family, why not bring them along for daily fitness?
While kids may not be interested in running or weightlifting, they may love going for a bike ride, trying yoga, or even a dance session! If nothing else, a family walk around the neighborhood or a local park is always a good option.

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5. Make technology work for you.

If old-school fitness sessions aren’t working, consider using an app or online workout video. The internet has tons of resources with quick workouts for busy schedules. You’re just about guaranteed to find something that piques your interest in both time commitment and workout style.
This also opens up the opportunity to try a new kind of fitness routine. If you can’t make it to the gym to lift weights, you can try dance, yoga, or Pilates from the comfort of your home! As a bonus, many apps will send you daily reminders, which is just one more way to help you stay on track.

6. Invest in workout clothes that make you feel good.

It turns out that having the right wardrobe for working out can affect your motivation and excitement for exercising! It’s mostly mental, but convincing your brain that a workout is a good idea is half the battle when life is busy.
Here’s why the right clothes make such a difference:
· Having dependable workout staples makes it easy to grab an outfit without worrying about what to wear—no analysis paralysis or wasted time.
· Knowing that your workout clothes make you look and feel good can boost your confidence and mindset toward working out.
· Proper workout gear helps you enjoy your workouts more by keeping you cool and comfortable, which boosts motivation.
So, where can you find good workout gear? Stelle, of course! We specialize in creating comfortable and functional women’s activewear that helps you do your favorite activities in style and confidence.

7. Find a workout buddy for accountability.

It’s easy to skip workouts when no one knows. But when someone holds you accountable, that decision is much more challenging.
Whether it’s a friend or partner, ask someone to support you and help keep you accountable and motivated. This could be as simple as a daily/weekly check-in to ensure you’ve prioritized your fitness routine, or you can plan to meet several times a week to do a workout together.
Whoever you pick, make sure it’s someone who will follow through and you can depend on to motivate and encourage you.

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8. Reward yourself for reaching goals!

Life’s always more fun with celebrations. Reward yourself for all the successes rather than beating yourself up for missed workouts! The easiest way to do this is by setting goals you can work toward.
These goals could range from fitting in a certain number of workouts each month to losing a targeted amount of weight. Pick realistic goals, and be proud of yourself when you achieve them!
Rewarding yourself for fitness goals and choosing to focus on the positives will help motivate you to keep going and reach more goals.

9. Get plenty of rest.

When life is busy, sleep is often one of the first things to be pushed to the back of the priority list. But that’s a big no-no if you want to stay fit and healthy. If you’re trying to get a lot done each day, it’s important to be well-rested so you have energy for your to-do list and can make good choices!
Now, we realize that there are just times in adult life when you have to stay up late to get something done. But in most cases, getting a good night’s rest is the better choice so you can wake up energized and ready to tackle anything in your way.
So, how does this apply to fitness? Starting each day with good energy will help you finish your other tasks faster and leave you with more energy and time for a solid workout. Since working out naturally increases energy, it’s a great cycle that you’ll want to keep going.

10. Pick workout routines you enjoy.

The less you enjoy your fitness routine, the more likely you are to skip it. After all, who wants to rush through the day and then force themselves to do something boring? But if you enjoy the type of fitness you’re doing, you’re more likely to find a way to fit it into your day.
The good news is there are so many ways to stay fit! For example, if you want something low-impact and chill, you could try elliptical training, yoga, Tai Chi, or swimming. For something more intense, tennis, dancing, or kickboxing might be good fits. And for those who really want to sweat it out, jump rope, plyometrics, or HIIT workouts are great options.
We suggest doing a quick Google search for some ideas that suit your desired activity level and then picking out a few you want to try. When you land on one that makes you happy, stick with it and make your fitness journey more enjoyable.

Now that you know how to stay active when life is busy, make a point to incorporate these tips into your life and be proud of yourself for every step you take toward a healthy lifestyle!

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