Finding Time For Exercise
By: Sue Torke
It’s like my crew coach always used to tell our team in college – “Everyone has at least one hour a day to exercise.” Now this is after some of us would try the “I have too much homework, I have two jobs, I am too busy!” excuses. These excuses were all hogwash – because there are 24 hours in a day, and at least one of those can be spared to keep your body healthy and happy. That goes for you! Let me show you how!
Morning rituals
Does your morning routine consist of over 40 minutes of primping? Do you wake up before 6:00 a.m. to make yourself look fantastic for all of those good-looking coeds at school? If so, cut that time in half and there’s your first 20 + minutes of the day to exercise. Let me tell you – no one is going to notice if you’ve spent 20 minutes or 40 minutes on your make-up, but everyone will notice if you’ve lost 10 pounds!
The morning commute
Do you live less than 1.5 miles from school? Whoa – can we say “walk/jog equivalent?” Try walking those 1.5 miles instead of getting driven in the carpool and there’s some great exercise. Bonus points for walking home! Do you live more than 1.5 miles from school? Try biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding and bring your sister or next-door neighbor along with you for company.
Mid-day energizer
This is a great opportunity to use your lunch hour for more than just lunch. Whether you spend the time gabbing with friends or cramming for exams, this is a great time of the day to get moving. Take the extra 15-20 minutes to start a pick up basketball game in the gym or make a couple hot laps around your schools campus. By packing your own lunch for school days you can save yourself the time and hassle of waiting in long lunch lines or having to go off campus for a less healthy fast food meal. It is a clear win-win situation.
Study break
After a long day at school, give your brain a break and your body a workout! Make it fun! Find something that you enjoy and take an hour after school to PLAY! Join a school sports team, which is fabulous for getting you going, since most teams have practice every night after school. Walk home, run on a treadmill at home, go to a gym, go for a walk, shoot some hoops in your driveway, throw on some skates and away you go, etc. There are a million different forms of exercise out there, pick something you like to do and go for it! Your study time will be even more productive after you have released some stored physical energy and are better able to focus on your schoolwork.
The bottom line...
YOU NEED TO MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HEALTH. No one can do 8 consecutive hours of homework and actually keep all of that information in your brain. Be honest with yourself – you can think of a few 10-20 minute blocks during your day where you can get some exercise. It doesn’t have to be you going to the gym – it can be you doing some jumping jacks and getting the blood flowing! Also – take these steps during the day for some added calorie busters:
- Make your bed!
- Take the stairs at home or school, all the time!
- Take the long way to get to your class
- If you’re going off-campus for lunch, walk there!
I don’t even want to hear the “not enough time” excuse on weekends. These days should be filled with playing and moving – again, you don’t need to be studying, or even working, for the 16 hours that you will be awake on a Saturday or Sunday. If you don’t believe me or really don’t think you have TIME to work out, call us at 800-825-TRIM and together, we WILL find time in your schedule.