Top 5 from the Trenches: PA Strategies for a Busy Day

‘Hello!’ from the clinic trenches. In this edition, we’re going to explore those days when you are ridiculously busy, perhaps going from appointment to appointment or running around with the kids all day. When those days happen, it can feel completely overwhelming to think about exercising, on top of everything else. But, those days can actually be the most important ones to fit in some exercise, because it can build in some calm and structure to a hectic “out of control” day. It can fill you with a sense of accomplishment that, despite everything life threw at you, you were still able to make your health a priority. Also, think about how often it occurs that when you exercise, you are even more likely to then build on that and perhaps even make better food choices as well.

I polled the people in my Phase 2 weight management class here in Auburndale, MA about their Top 5 strategies for getting in exercise on a very busy day and here are the great ideas we were able to generate. What would YOU add to this list? I’d love to hear!
 

1. Micro-bouts
   
   Take 5 minutes or even less to walk around your block, the perimeter of the store you’re shopping at, pacing in the hall before a doctor appt., or up and down your stairs throughout the day. If you’re able to do this even 5 or 6 times during the day, it can add up to a ½ hour of exercise on a day that you didn’t feel like you could problem-solve any at all.
    
2. Physical activity opportunities in the house
   
   Have laundry to do but the washer is downstairs? Take several loads at different times and look for other ways to use the stairs more. Keep a pair of light weights near the TV and do some arm exercises while watching TV. Do jumping jacks with your kids for a quick study break from their homework, or while you’re preparing a meal. I’m sure there are many others in this category that you can come up with if you just give it a little thought.
    
3. Park farther away in the parking lot when doing errands
   
   The days that I’m busy often mean that I’m running around doing one errand after another or have multiple appointments. I have often felt triumphant when I can find the BEST parking spot in the whole lot! But, actually parking much farther away can avoid the stress of driving around trying to find a good spot AND give you that extra bout of exercise on a day you can’t make it to the gym. Remember, any PURPOSEFUL physical activity counts!
    
4. Compromise the time, but don’t compromise the ACT
   
   This means that, even if you have to cut your normal gym routine short because you’re simply too busy, you don’t have to abandon it all together. Can you walk on the treadmill for 15-20 minutes instead of your regular hour if you’re running late for work?
    
5. Walking meetings
   
   If you have a busy work day with lots of meetings or maybe even conference calls, can you suggest taking some of them outside? Can you pace on the phone while on a conference call? Instead of calling a colleague who is on another floor of your building, can you walk up the stairs and speak to them in person – making a conscious effort throughout the day to get up often?

Now it’s your turn. What strategies do you have to build exercise in to an already very busy day?
 

 

by jennyb on 09/10/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, HMR, exercise, strategies, mommy blog