With the new year here, many people have their resolutions set for 2018. One of the most popular resolutions in the new year is fitness related. Whether it’s to join a gym or exercise more often, the new year is the perfect time to set fitness goals. One thing many people face difficulty with is finding the motivation and time to exercise when working a full-time job. Nevertheless, there are ways and some lifestyle changes you can make to help fit in fitness amongst a busy workday.
Workout in the Morning:
To avoid having to workout after a long day of being in the office, going to the gym in the morning is a great solution. There are many benefits that come with exercising in the morning versus later in the day. Not only is working out in the morning a great way to start your day but it also has to been shown to improve your productivity, allowing you to be sharper in the workplace. Beginning the habit of working out in the morning is a lifestyle change that won’t be easy at first but once your body gets adjusted to your new sleeping schedule, morning workouts will become much easier.
Pack Your Gym Bag in Advance:
Something many people easily forget to do is pack a gym bag ahead of your workout. Having a bag packed the night before and ready to go can make a world of a difference and makes heading to the gym a lot easier. It’s important that you check the weather beforehand to make sure you pack clothing appropriate for the weather. If you plan on going to the gym in the morning and directly heading to the office afterwards, a crease-resistant shirt is great to pack as it keeps it shape even after being folded up in your gym bag. Along with making sure you have packed your work attire, make sure you bring the essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, towel, deodorant, etc.
Workout During Your Lunch Break:
If working out in the morning before work seems like a daunting task, working out during your lunch break is the next best option. Employees who have an hour long lunch break can go to the gym during their lunch hour and then eat lunch later at their desk. Similar to the effects of morning workouts, many researchers have found beneficial effects of working out during their lunch hour, mostly occurring in the workplace. A study performed found that 79% of participants said that their mental performance was better on days they exercised. If you decide to workout during a lunch break, make sure that you have saved enough time to shower and change before heading back to work. If you find yourself not having time to shower before going back to the office, you can do little things to freshen up. You can apply dry shampoo to avoid greasy looking hair and use cleansing body wipes to absorb sweat and refresh your skin.
Have A Scheduled Workout Plan:
Having a planner with all of your set workouts can make it so much easier to stay motivated and on track. What’s nice about this is you can either create your own schedule with your own choice of workouts or you can easily download a schedule from online. There are even apps you can download to monitor your workout plan and give you workout ideas. Along with having scheduled workouts, it’s important to give yourself a couple of rest days every week, in order to allow your body to heal.
Have a Workout Buddy:
Having a workout partner is a great way to stay motivated and maintain a fitness lifestyle. A fitness partner allows you to push yourself, keep on track and possibly learn about workouts you wouldn’t have previously known. Studies have shown that having a partner increases your chances of sticking to your program. If your plan is to workout during the workday, look for a colleague who’s planning to do the same thing and go during your lunch hour or after work. Another great option is to find a friend with the same fitness goals as you.
Take a Walk:
If you’re finding it hard to find time to go to the gym or workout at home, taking walks is a great way to implement fitness into your day. Whether it’s in the morning, after work, or during your lunch break, if you find time to walk for at least 30 minutes a day, that can make a huge difference. Many people prefer to take walks during their lunch break as it’s not only a great way to get out of the office but it also has been shown to pump more blood to your brain, helping you perform better mentally at work.