Many people have said to me they don't have time to exercise and go to the gym, but I don't buy that. I think if you really want to exercise (and not everyone does) there is always time, it's a question of making time for it.
Me after my very first 5k!For me, I've found that going to the gym or trying to exercise in the evening just doesn't work - the moment I stop, I just don't want to do anything at all, and I'd have to get up at 5am to fit it in in the mornings, so lunch time is ideal. When I do my weekly shop, I buy about 3 weeks worth of tins of soup/baked beans, packets of coucous or rice, tins of tuna, salmon - basically healthy food that takes less than 5 mins to heat up in the microwave at work. I workout for approx 30-45 mins/day, have a quick shower (keep my hair dry) and then heat up my lunch.
I've got into such a routine now that it's become a welcome break in my day where I can release any stresses or strains on the bike, relax in a pilates class or train on the stepper machine. If you can't afford the gym (mine is very cheap indeed) then how about considering getting off the bus/train/tube stop earlier? I save myself a fortune not getting the tube and I thoroughly enjoy the walk to clear my head. Even in the pouring rain, the walk doesn't bother me.
So, here are a few of my tips to get as much exercise and healthy eating into your day as possible:
- Join a cheap council run gym - it may not have a spa or a sauna, but as long as it has a bike and treadmill what more do you really need?
- Take the stairs instead of lift
- Walk or cycle to work
- Carry a rucksack rather than a shoulder bag to spread the weight evenly then you can walk faster
- Invest in MBTs/sketchers to get a workout while you walk
- Load up some uplifting dance music onto your iPod or read a book on the bike. I find I then do more as I forget about the time.
- Join a local ramblers group - you'll meet lots of great people and get some fresh air
- Organise your lunches - heat up a soup or take in a sandwich
- Get on the Wii or XBox connect - it's fun and interactive
- Why not try a workout DVD - all of Davina's DVDs are fantastic!
I always carry everything I need for the day in my backpack, wear a parker jacket (so that I can walk in all weathers) and trainers (generally I wear these to work.
I make sure I have a bottle of water, cereal bar, apple, book/magazine, iPod, light-weight workout clothes (cycling clothes are ideal), tissues and a change of shoes, pants and socks in my bag. I also carry deodorant - that way, if I feel a bit hot and sticky from walking/cycling I can spritz some deodorant on.
I'm not saying I'm some sort of exercise guru (I'm really not), but I believe if you truly want to, anyone can get fitter and squeeze a bit of exercise into their day.
Go on, start tomorrow! x
Please do pop on over to Bluebell & Rosie and have a look at my guest post.
P.s. Don't forget to enter my lovely charity raffle here, I need all your support to raise money for Alzheimer's Society!
