Now that the summer holidays are behind us, February is when the new year really kicks into gear.
Unfortunately, this often means that our New Year’s fitness goals can get neglected amongst all the hustle and bustle of having the kids going back to school and work starting to get busy again.
So how do you manage the “juggle” of everyday life and still find time to exercise? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay in shape while staying on top of life’s other commitments.
Turn your commute into a workout
How far is your workplace from your home? Walking distance? Jogging distance? Cycling distance?
Merging your exercise and commute is ideal for those of us who sit in front of a computer all day, or don’t engage in much physical movement during our shift.
Not only does working up a sweat before/after work help you to squeeze in your daily exercise, but bookmarking your workday with a physical workout gives you time to prepare for and unwind from whatever curveballs the day throws at you.
Obviously this suggestion doesn’t apply for people who work from home, and perhaps if your workplace doesn’t have a shower then this also isn’t ideal, which is why we have some other suggestions!
Meet friends for a workout, instead of a meal
Of course, let’s start off by acknowledging that not all of your friends are going to be eager to replace a casual catch-up over coffee or beer with a jog around the park or a Jacob’s Ladder session.
However, if you can start converting some of your social engagements into an opportunity to exercise together, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to keep an active social life and meet your fitness goals at the same time!
And with so many active things to do in Perth, you won’t find it difficult to keep things interesting.
There are numerous other benefits to this approach, including the fact that you’ll find yourself much more motivated to go to the gym when you’re meeting someone there, because you don’t want to let them down.
There’s also plenty of research to suggest that when people notice their friends and family are taking care of themselves in regards to health and fitness, the motivation becomes contagious and persuades others to follow suit!
If you know a few friends who might be interested in socialising at the gym rather than elsewhere, why not arrange a weekly gym session together? You can always get a drink or a meal afterwards!
Make your lunch break your daily workout session
If you’re a 9-5er, chances are you have enough time on your lunch break to squeeze in a workout (and if you need slightly more time than that, consider asking your boss if you can work until 5:30 in order to gain an extra half an hour for lunch).
This way, you don’t need to think about fitness and exercise outside of your regular work hours, and you’ll also find that your post-lunch work afternoons are much more productive as a result of getting your heart rate up!
And finally… find the right workout for you
At the end of the day, if your means of staying in shape is to engage in a dull exercise regime that you don’t enjoy, it goes without saying that you’ll fall off the wagon.
However, if you find a form of exercise that doesn’t feel like a chore, then you’ll find yourself moving heaven and earth to find time for it. Just remember to take rest days!
At Foundry Fitness, we offer a whole host of diverse exercise classes that utilise a vast array of workout equipment to cater for everyone’s unique needs and preferences. Enquire about our classes and facilities today! And make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fitness tips and the latest news!