I remember the first time I got a full-time job. I was a little overwhelmed by the hours in the beginning; I was going from a part-time job at a local business to a full-time gig pushing 50 hours a week. It was certainly a big jump for me and I never worked so many hours, so the copious amounts of free time I was accustomed to disappeared overnight.
Once I started working long hours, I had to make a serious adjustment to my priorities. I rarely saw my friends, but the thing I missed most was my beloved time working out. I’m a total fitness nut; working out was my getaway.
While it might seem impossible due to the long hours at work, you need to make it happen. Exercise isn’t just good for your physical health, it’s good for your sanity. Plus, it can play a major role in relieving the heavy stress from work.
For anyone else who struggles balancing exercise with a full-time job, these three tips are for YOU.
Develop a Routine
The first step in any successfully managed day is creating a routine to follow. This stems from the infamous quote, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” There are plenty of arguments over who actually said that first, but there is no argument of its validity. Whether it’s a simple yoga routine or a full-blown heavyweight workout session, creating a daily routine will help you get in the habit of working out every day regardless of any excuses you might have to skip it.
There are two parts to this as well. First, you have to decide when you’re going to workout. Would you rather jump-start your day with a morning workout, or end it with a nighttime session? Take a look at your work schedule a decide which works best for you – but once you’ve decided (for example, 6:00 am Monday-Friday), stick to it and don’t deviate from your plan.
Once your workout times are planned, it’s time to plan the specific workouts. Spend some time at the beginning of each week to decide what you’re going to do. For example, yoga on Monday, weights on Tuesday, cardio on Wednesday, etc. Planning ahead will get you straight into the workout without wasting time.
Use Effective Equipment
Working out at home is at an all time high. That means there is a HUGE selection of home fitness equipment to choose from. With everything from a set of dumbbells to a full-blown home gym setup, there are thousands of pieces of equipment for you to choose from. With that said, choosing effective equipment can be insanely time-consuming trying to sort through the massive sea of products.
If you’re looking for just the basics, we created a guide to home workout gear to help you find cost-effective solutions that will keep your health and fitness in check. If you want to get more serious with your workouts, take a look at this list of essential home gym equipment for more ideas on highly effective equipment that will push your workouts to the next level.
Create a Dedicated Home Workout Area
Setting up a specific area dedicated to your workouts can get you mentally in the zone to workout. It’s like going to the gym, except your gym is in the other room. This is great for focusing on your workouts without getting distracted by what is on TV. Plus, more focus means more effective workouts.
If you do decide to set up a workout area at home, be mindful of your surroundings. If you have kids you need to make sure your workout area is safe. Consider purchasing equipment that’s child-friendly (no sharp edges), or make sure that the area isn’t easily accessible to children.
Conclusion
The long hours of work can be tough, I’m the first one to agree with you on that. But giving up precious workout time will only harm your physical and mental state of being. Following the tips above will help you create a healthy habit of working out every day.
