It’s one thing to tell people to plan their workout and their exercise programs. It’s another thing to know how to do it. I know this is one of the most common questions I get – how do I make a plan that will work? How do you fit the schedule in with everything else that’s going on? Let’s talk about that so we can learn to plan like a pro.
How To Do It
Start by making a list of all the things you have to do. Put these things into three categories. The first category is all the things you have to do (it should include things like taking the kids to school, grocery shopping, going to work, after school activities). The second category should be things you want to do, but don’t necessarily need to do (catching your favorite television program, going to a movie, having a lunch date with the girls at the office) and the third part is the things you want to do (a hiking vacation, a trip to the mall, getting your nails done).
Once you have all of these events, sit down with a calendar and fill in your schedule. Be sure to include the rest of the family’s activities and responsibilities. Once you have it all out on paper, look for empty slots, times that you do not have booked for something. Once you have all of these events, sit down with a calendar and fill in your schedule. Be sure to include the rest of the family’s activities and responsibilities. Once you have it all out on paper, look for empty slots, times that you do not have booked for something. These are places where you can make exercise happen.
You can be very effective in your workout program if you are doing two sets of 15 minute workouts or 3 sets of 10 during any given day. Sometimes it can be hard to find 30 to 45 minutes to work out, but we can all find 10 minutes.
Now, once you have the times booked out. Plan what you need to have. For example, I always keep a pair of walking shoes in my car. Whether I am in an office, teaching at school or running errands, I have the walking shoes with me to do the workout I need or want to do. When I had access to a gym on a regular basis, I used to keep a fresh set of workout clothes in a duffle in my trunk. That way if I had time to swing by the gym, I always had my clothes with me.
Be Creative
My daughter takes two dance classes a week and that’s 45 minutes of just sitting there time unless I am creative with it. Most times I read my text books, my current book or work on my laptop. But when the weather is great, I throw on my shoes and start walking. What ways can you incorporate exercise into your day?