Healthy Living: Finding time to exercise

Q: I have a very busy schedule between work and family, and so have very limited time for workouts. I’ve heard that if you do not spend one hour per day on exercise, you are wasting your time. Is that true?

A: Exercise should never be considered a waste of time. I would much rather see you exercise for a shorter amount of time than not exercise at all. There are ways to use the time you have to get the results you want. Here are some suggestions.

“ Schedule exercise in your daily planner. When planning your day, leave a block of time available just for you. You may not think you have any time available, but look hard. There is probably 15 or 20 minutes between appointments that you can use to complete a few exercises.

“ Plan your workout. Knowing exactly what you are going to do with the time you have is crucial. If you have to think about what exercises you are going to do during the 20 minutes you have allotted, you won’t accomplish much. Use index cards to write down specific workouts.

Let’s say you have 20 minutes while waiting for your child to finish soccer practice. Write down a series of leg exercises that require no equipment and that can be done right where you are. Squats, lunges, plie squats (feet turned out) and heel raises can be completed for three sets of 10-15 repetitions of each exercise. If the other parents look at you oddly, ask them to join you. You can still watch your child as you get your leg workout completed.

“ Don’t go it alone. Many other people face the same challenges. Join together and help each other reach your fitness goals. Co-workers or neighbors may be interested in exercising together at lunch or after dinner.

“ Make it a family affair. Get your entire family involved. Exercise is great for everyone. Not only will you be encouraging a healthy lifestyle, you’ll also spend quality time with the people who are most important to you.

Keeping fit on a tight schedule is a challenge, but it is also what makes it possible for you to handle — and enjoy — a full life for the long haul.