Working out should only take about an hour or so a few times per week.
So why is it so hard to find the time?
For many of us, the notion of the “9-5” is ancient history. These days, most career folks and business owners work 40, 50, 60 hours per week or more.
I reached out to a bunch of busy professionals to see how they manage to stay fit and workout while working extremely long hours.
Here’s what they said:
Mike Zschunke – Wake up 1 hour early to exercise
Mike, a busy real estate agent, says the key for him is simple:
Wake up early and get your workout in before you start the day.
He likes to start most days with a long walk.
Lay out your clothes the night before to make the mornings as easy as possible.
He also adds that it helps to have a workout partner or accountability buddy. Going it alone can be tough to stick with over the long haul.
Find more from Mike Zschunke here.
Dr. Cali Estes – Start the day in your workout gear
Dr. Cali, an addictions coach and mental health professional, says she puts on her athletic clothes first thing in the morning.
That way, she doesn’t take them off until she’s finished her workout!
She’s also a big fan of small, portable exercise equipment like bands, exercise balls, and more.
She brings these with her when she travels and uses them to squeeze in quick workouts throughout the work day.
Find more from Dr. Cali Estes at The Addictions Coach.
Steven Crane – Find ways to exercise and work simultaneously
Steven Crane recently launched a new business, learned Spanish, and leaned down to his old high school weight!
How did he do it?
Cycling while he works.
He set up a basic pedal bike by his home working desk and bikes while he checks email, runs social media for his business, and does other administrative tasks.
Find ways to integrate more movement and exercise into your day if possible. Try a standing desk, treadmill desk, or biking desk — it might work for you!
Find more from Steven Crane at Memorial Masters.
Jannah Haas – Find a workout you enjoy
No matter how many motivational tricks you use, or how early you get up, you’ll never stick with a workout program that you hate.
Busy physical therapist Jannah Haas says the key for her has been doing mostly workouts she actually likes.
For you, it might be group classes, weight training, or a mix of everything.
But don’t just force yourself to run (for exampe) day in and day out thinking it’s the only way. You’ll end up quitting in no time.
Find more from Jannah Haas at Haas Physical Therapy and Angry BBQ.
Wrapping Up
What are the common threads here? How do busy professionals and business owners find time to stay fit?
Wake up early and find more ways to move throughout the day.
It’s simple, but not always easy to execute. That’s why you should try to find a form of fitness that speaks to you and is, dare I say, a little fun!
For more on this, check out my guide to fitting in exercise while working long hours.
And visit Trusty Spotter on YouTube here: How to avoid beginner mistakes your first day at the gym
Hope this helps!