HOW TO STAY FIT EVEN ON A 9-5

Exercise Tips for People Who Work 9-5

Hello, it's me again, and you know what that means, right? If you missed my post last week on exercise benefits, I forgive you, just rush over and check it out before you read this, it will make more sense to you. 

Exercise is a topic we find on the lips of so many people these days, looking fit and healthy is an interesting thing to talk about right? Well, people don’t just talk about it today, they do it – It has become a practice everyone has now adopted, young and old; the importance of staying healthy and fit has become ingrained in us all. The question however, is “How do I fit exercising into my already tight schedule?” You hear so many people (particularly those who work a 9-5 job) say “I want to exercise, but I don't know where or how to start”. The answer is simple, start small. A busy schedule shouldn’t be an excuse not to keep fit; all you need is the right approach. 

Besides the numerous health benefits regular exercise offers, it also helps shape your approach to work and life generally. With that said, let us dive into how you can balance regular exercising and a 9-5 work schedule:

1. Get Into the Habit of Exercising In the Morning 

Beginning your day with a little bit of movement is a great way to wake up your body and mind. Note the phrase “little bit of movement”; you cannot just dive into a rigorous exercise routine when starting. You will only be setting yourself up for failure and a heavy dose of fatigue. I recommend that you start with a simple morning stretch routine; this helps loosen the body and sets the tone for the main exercise. After getting in the stretch, you can then go on to a mild series of upper and lower body exercises to get your heart rate pumping and to stretch your muscles a bit. Squats, pushups, and jumping jacks are exercise variations you can try out. Be sure to stretch at the end of your exercise to loosen your muscles; start with stretching and end with stretching.

2. Become More Active At Work

Seize every available opportunity to move more during work hours; being physically active during work hours tends to improve productivity. Here’s a simple approach to being physically active while you work- You can start by drinking more water at work; this way you will need to use the restroom more often. Taking a walk to the restroom every hour or less is a good form of exercise while at work. There are many other things you can do to stay physically active at work; check out these ideas for ways to exercise at work. Ensure that you are conscious about moving more at work, and take a record of how much movement you make each day.

3. Pay for a Workout Class

Join a Paid Workout Class!

Paid workout classes are a great incentive to stay committed to a workout schedule. You are less likely to skip out on something you have invested money into. Workout classes are also great because they are structured and it’s hard to leave in the middle of a class so you’re guaranteed to get a good workout in. It’s also a great feeling to know that you’re not the only one working hard to get in shape or stay in shape, whatever the case may be. After work will be a good time to resume your workout classes.

4. Get an Accountability Partner 

Having a workout buddy could go a long way in making sure that you stay consistent and motivated, enabling you to achieve your fitness goals. There will be times when you don’t feel motivated enough to exercise or hit the gym, this happens to everybody at one time or another. This is where your partner comes in to make sure that you don’t slip up; you can also be there for your set partner when he/she needs you as well. Because you and your partner have a common goal, you can always watch out for one another.

The bottom line is– nothing good comes easy. No matter what your fitness goals are, they can be achieved in a 9-5 working schedule. Commit to a workout plan, and commit to scheduling your workouts into your day. Being in good shape physically is key to being a happy worker as well as a positive team member. 

I hope this brief read has helped you realize that it is possible to stay fit even in a tight work schedule. Thank you for reading; till I come your way again, stay healthy, stay fit.