No More Excuses - Health and Fitness Tips for the Time-Crunched

We all lead busy lives. It’s just how things are in the world we live in. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or studying hard to get through college, are a full-time athlete or a single parent, everyone faces the same issue: there just isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done.

Unfortunately, this is usually at the expense of looking after the most important thing: our health and wellbeing.

Too often I have friends saying they don’t have time to eat healthy, to exercise, or to find some calm. I say making excuses is an easy way to opt out, as there are simple hacks anyone can implement that can have a huge positive impact and make you feel better in no time.

There’s no need to join a gym as the world of training and fitness comes with many options, a lot of which are free or low-cost.

Choose a favorite 10-minute bodyweight workout you can do anytime, anywhere. Simply download one of the many fitness apps on the market for inspiration, or come up with your own routine.

Be creative and exercise without knowing it. Make a habit of not taking the elevator. Instead, walk up the stairs, get off the bus one stop earlier, or even do air-squats while brushing your teeth!

Mix up how you spend your social and spare time. Make it ‘active’ instead of defaulting to a movie or meal. Hit the park, play games, or go for a bike ride. You never know, you may just find a fitness passion that inspires you to take on a new challenge.

Food is the one thing you should never discount as having a huge impact on your body and mind as the old adage ‘you are what you eat’ has never been truer.

No one likes being ‘hangry’, including me. So, to avoid buying junk food on the spur of the moment, always have a healthy snack on hand as a go-to. Think protein bar, a piece of fruit, or anything low in sugar.

When eating out, swap white for green. Try not to fill up your plate with rice, pasta, or bread and instead load it up with green vegetables or salad. This will have you feeling more energized in no time.

Drink your way to better health. Are you consuming enough water a day (at least 8 cups)? Most of us aren’t, no matter how many times we are told to. And what about all those hidden calories in the creamers and sugar you put in your coffee or the soda you have with lunch? Think twice with what you drink, not just with what you eat.

Now you really have no excuse not to get that training session in and look amazing and healthy while doing it. It’s time to take back control!

No time? No excuse. Try these health tips:

• Squeeze in a 10-minute workout
• Get creative – do squats while brushing your teeth
• Make your social time active time

• Use a meditation app
• Listen to a podcast or audiobook on the go

• Always carry healthy snacks
• Swap white for green on your plate
• Drink your way to better health – opt for water