How to fit in exercise if you don’t have the time

These days it is hard to find the time to exercise if you work outside the home and have a family. It seems as though your time is always accounted for in some way. So how can we fit it in with all of our demands? If you are pressed for time, try fitting in a 10 minute work out or walk for 10 minutes every day. It will help burn calories and be the equivalent of a 20 minute workout 3 times/week. As you begin to exercise you will feel better, have greater energy and relieve your stress. Then you can try increasing your workout by one extra minute on the days when you have time. That way you are in the habit of doing something everyday, burn calories and you can improve your cardiovascular health.

To burn more calories, a new study from the University of New South Wales found that running intervals, or sprints with intermittent rest periods will burn three times as much fat as running at slow, consistent speeds. If you are a runner or jogger, head to a track, football field, or other measured area with room to run. Sprint for 45 seconds and record your distance. Rest for 60 seconds, then sprint again for 45 seconds trying to increase your distance by 10% in the same time frame. You can also do this on an elliptical machine or treadmill at a gym.

If you have some time at home in the evening, try to lift light dumb bells while you are watching TV, reading or even checking your email. Resistance training will increase muscle mass, tighten the skin and increase metabolism. Using weights 3-4 days per week, skipping a day in between can be very helpful to weight loss efforts and you will see the results if you stick with it.