5 Ways to Incorporate Good Health & a Workout into Your Busy Professional Lifestyle   

Fitness is an essential part of overall wellbeing. However, balancing a busy work schedule, family, and a social life — as well as getting in a workout! — can be a struggle.  So here are a few ways to fit “getting a sweat on” into a busy lifestyle:

Walking to Work
Walking is a simple, easy way to be active every day. Put a change of clothes in your backpack, and go! Walking to and from work if you live nearby is a great way to incorporate some activity, as well as save on transport costs.

For those further away from the office, try getting off the bus or subway a stop earlier than usual and walking the rest of the way. Walking can help support a healthy weight, prevent various conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, strengthen bones, and even improve mood, so you’ll arrive at work de-stressed and ready to start your day. If you want to get the most of the commute to work, try jogging.

A Quick HIIT
HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), is an ultra effective way of working out. Shape.com notes that these workouts can be done in 15 minutes, so you can fit them into lunch breaks, first thing in the morning or when you get home. The intense exertion will kick the body into overdrive, meaning you’ll be burning calories and fat for 24 hours after a HIIT workout. In addition, your metabolism will be running at full force the following day. A HIIT workout will also get the heart racing, in turn creating a healthier heart. One of the great things about these workouts is that they are free – no expensive equipment necessary, they can be done anywhere and a huge selection of HIIT routines are available on YouTube.

Work Out with the Team
Many workplaces have book clubs, bar outings, and other activities together, so why not suggest a workout group to the team. Not only will it get you moving, it will also strengthen team bonds. You could bring in a Personal Trainer during a Friday lunch hour, or organize a morning running club. There are plenty of options for group training. One Company, Cardiogenix, even entered a marathon together! Having training companions at work will help you achieve your fitness goals, encourage you to try new types of exercises, create healthy competition, keep you motivated, and, most importantly, you’ll have more fun!

Hit the Gym & Lift
A less (admittedly) wallet-friendly option is to hit the gym: nevertheless, even though memberships can be pricey, the gym is a great place to meet new people and get active in a safe environment. If you’re not  sure where to start, most gyms will have personal trainers available to help you out. All the equipment you will ever need is in one place, and having a space dedicated to exercise can help you get in the zone. A one-hour workout before or after work is a great way to include activity into your day.

Try to find a gym that’s either close to work or on your way home.  Weight training in the gym can increase your physical work capacity and your ability to do daily activities. It also improves bone density and promotes fat loss. Plus, imagine how much of a #LadyBoss you’ll feel like when you can squat your own body weight!

Unwind at Yoga
For some people, going to a chaotic gym with loud music after a long, stressful workday is not the best way to workout. For them, yoga can offer a great way to stay active in relaxing  setting. It will increase flexibility, strength, respiration, and energy. It can also help with weight reduction, cardio health, and protect against injury. The best part? Savasana, where you get to lie completely still in a dark room and clear your mind of all the day’s stressors, as the instructor guides you to your happy place.

Dance the Stress Away
For those of us that long for nights out with our girlfriends dancing to the DJ’s awesome beats, why not incorporate dance into your routine? Dancing can improve heart condition, muscular strength, endurance, aerobic fitness, and bone strength. It will also help with weight management. Signing up for a social salsa club in your town or exploring local dance styles while on a business trip will help you meet new people, as well as shake your stress away.

Above all, consistency is key when it comes to working out and being healthy. Combining daily activity with a healthy diet can keep you from feeling sluggish and stressed. Also, an important point to remember is that working out will help other parts of your life – you will sleep better, feel better, and have more energy to spend on work, family, and friends. So working out will, in effect, reduce stress and increase your overall wellbeing — mental as well as physical. With mental disorders on the rise, it is important to keep mental wellbeing in check by making time for yourself. “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” as they say, so make time for activity and schedule it like a meeting!