5 Ways to Add Fitness to Your Day

Want to Work Out but No Time for the Gym?
5 Ways to Add Fitness to Your Day
by Dr. Nadia

Life is busy and we often put ourselves last. With all of our various roles and responsibilities, how can we fit in time during our day to dedicate to our physical and mental health?

There may not be time to go to the gym or attend live classes. Before we know it, our goals of healthy living and fitness slide down the list of priorities, maybe even disappearing completely.

However, the mind-body connection is strong and if we don’t dedicate time to both of these things daily, we will notice that our energy levels will decrease, we feel more distracted, more irritable, bored, stuck, sleeping issues—just to name a few.

This post may contain sponsored products and/or affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission with no extra charge to you if you purchase through my links. See disclosure for more information.

So, what can we do about it? Well, instead of thinking that working out occurs only at the gym, why not see what options can fit into your lifestyle?

1.  Check expectations and Reframe Perspective

What holds us back from dedicating time and attention to our health and wellbeing?  Could it be that we are thinking that “me time” can only occur at the end of the day when everything else on the to-do list is complete or the kids asleep?

Are we expecting perfect circumstances?  Since when is anything in life perfect?

Maybe this perspective is leading us to unnecessary frustration.

There’s no rule that self-care and fitness can only occur when everything else is complete. What if the list is too full or unrealistically idealistic? We may never have time for ourselves. Ever.

Yikes!

By checking our expectations and reframing our perspective, however, we can find that we don’t need perfect conditions to be healthy and work in fitness in our day.

2.  Pockets of Productivity

Hours of free and uninterrupted time is unrealistic because, well, life happens. However, we do have pockets of 5 to 30 minutes multiple times each day, right? Read more on how staying present improves productivity.

Instead of spending it on social media, why not use it for self care?

Use that time to read, take a walk, be outdoors in nature, relax, work out, and other self care activities. Read more on how to incorporate self care in your busy schedule.

3.   Make it easy on yourself

The more obstacles we put in the way of something, the harder it becomes to achieve.

So, why not make it easy on yourself?

Let go of the paradigm that fitness can only occur at the gym, in a yoga studio, when you have a perfect body, unlimited time, to-do list is complete.

When I got the opportunity to use and review an online yoga program, I was interested to see how it compared to the traditional yoga studio classes.

I found that the Glo app is a very user friendly online yoga program, offers customizable workout plans, and has a broad range of yoga and meditation styles to choose.

Whether a beginner or advanced yogi, a yogi can use the levels to adjust the intensity (Level 1-3). Level 1 is beginner and 3 is advanced. There are even intermediate levels to advance your practice (ie. Level 1-2 or 2-3). Various yoga styles are offered from Hatha, Bikram, prenatal yoga, Iyengar, Restorative, Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra, and more.

I like how the Glo online yoga app offers programs and classes in various ways so one can customize the practice based on needs of the day.

For instance, you can filter by the type of practice whether it be yoga, meditation, pilates, or beyond the mat. Select a class based on duration from less than 5mins, 10 mins, 15 mins, or all the way up to 120 minutes. Classes and programs can also be customized by focus, teacher, body part, use of props.

The Glo online yoga app can put reminders in your calendar so you don’t forget to take that time for yourself.

Besides the convenience and access, this online yoga program is affordable and cheaper than getting a gym or studio membership. There is a free 7 day trial, and if you like it, can get monthly membership. Try Glo out here.

4.   Work out smarter not harder

Even if you can’t get to the gym due to work/parenting/life constraints, you can still use various fitness, online yoga, and meditation apps for a quick mind-body reset.

Combine mental and physical health with workouts that focus on both. It can be zumba, dance, strength training, yoga, etc

I enjoy yoga because it combines fitness, focus, and relaxation.

Yoga gives the opportunity for our minds and bodies to be in the present moment instead of distracted and multitasking as we normally do all day. While practicing the yoga postures, we can learn to let go of self limiting beliefs and be in the present moment. It is a great way to practice mindfulness, a skill that helps us navigate and enjoy life despite its stresses.

Many people feel intimidated by yoga, that it is too advanced for their fitness level or that it is all about advanced poses like handstands and backbends. However, yoga is more about strengthening the mind-body connection; the handstands are just extra!

Yoga is great for any level and online yoga programs like Glo can let you customize your workout to your needs.

Read more on how to find balance with yoga and meditation.

When it comes down to it, all we really need is a few minutes to prioritize our mental and physical health.

5.   Give yourself self compassion

Use your fitness routine as a way to improve your health, strength, and flexibility. Try not to get caught up in the execution of the poses whether it be yoga or working out. No matter what you choose as your fitness routine, give yourself self compassion. Truly, it’s about progress and not perfection.

Read meditations to let go of perfection and space for self compassion.

So, what’s holding you back from adding fitness to your life?

The Mindful MD Mom Asks:

How do you squeeze in workouts and healthy living in your busy lifestyle? Have you used online yoga or meditation programs? Which one(s) are your favorite?

Other Articles You May Enjoy:

How to be Mindful When Feeling Distracted

7 Mindfulness Must-Haves for Kids

Enjoy Motherhood with these 5 Self Care Tips

10 Natural Ways to Boost Energy and Happiness

This post may contain sponsored products and/or affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission with no extra charge to you if you purchase through my links. See disclosure for more information.