One thing in life many of us would like more of is time. As a trainer, the top complaint I hear from people about not working out is that they don’t have enough time or money.
You could probably argue that in today’s economy, we don’t have the time because we are working more hours to make ends meet.
But it is the quality of the small amount of time we have that is important. Exercise can help improve our quality of time, make us stronger for our families and enhance our productivity at work.
I am definitely learning a lesson in time management as a new mom. However, I’ve discovered that after a workout, I am energized and can check more things off my “To Do List.”
On EverydayHealth.com, writer Leigh Crews reports on tips the American Council On Exercise offers for fitting in a 30 minute workout. One tip says to “schedule it like an appointment” and not depend on “the right time” to exercise.
Teaming up with a friend or family member to work out can help you stick to your fitness goals.
“For many people, an exercise partner is the glue that helps you stick to your commitment,” Crews said.
It is important to be in the right frame of mind while working out. You also want to encourage your workout partner even though they may be achieving results quicker than you. Don’t act discouraged or let your partner down.
Another tip suggests easing into a workout by first going for a slow walk. For me, this is a good way to get clients moving. It is even more successful to walk outside and enjoy nature because a mind-body focus can help motivate you through terrain, various sights and sounds in nature.
When you do not have 30 minutes to spare, it doesn’t mean you get a break from exercise altogether. Fifteen minutes provides enough time to see results, a 2011 study said.
The study was conducted by Taiwan’s National Health Research and discovered that 15 minutes is sufficient time for daily exercise.
“Just 15 minutes of moderate exercise a day increased life expectancy by three years compared to those who remained inactive,” researcher Chi Pang Wen said on Reuters.com.
Wen believes that the reduction in daily exercise time will motivate people to start moving.
"We hope this will make it more attractive for inactive people, that they can allocate 15 minutes a day, rather than 30, which is more difficult," Wen said.
I am also confident that once people start being active for 15 or 30 minutes a day, they will enjoy the benefits of exercise and want to make more time to get moving.
Resources:
“How to Exercise in 30 Minutes or Less – American Council on Exercise – EverdayHealth.com.” Every Day Health and Nutrition. Web 17 May 2012.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/american-council-on-exercise/how-to-e...
“15 minutes of fitness a day can add 3 years to your life – Reuters.com” Reuters. Web 17 May 2012.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/15/us-exercise-taiwan-idUSTRE77E6...
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com/ She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband and son, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed May 18, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith