5 Tips to Fit in Activity When Life Throws You a Curveball
Life is unpredictable. You may have a detailed plan of what you want to achieve, or maybe you have a strict workout schedule that you stick to no matter what.
But then life throws you an unexpected curveball.
Everybody will experience this at some point in their lives. You didn’t get the job you wanted, you’re dealing with a nagging injury, or the car won’t start.
We all face different challenges but here are our top tips for handling at least one aspect when life throws you a curveball.
Time Management
If you now have extra work to do, you may need to reassess your methods of time management. If you find yourself overwhelmed at the end of a long workday, evaluate how you can prepare for your evenings ahead of time. That might entail meal prepping over the weekend. You’ll have more time to fit in a quick workout and still have a meal ready to go afterward without committing to extra time in the kitchen the same night. If your usual happy hour is leaving you feeling less-than, consider switching things up with a weekly yoga class after work instead.
Improving your time management and prioritizing your wellbeing may free up more time to work out and stay active during this busy period of your life.
Get Up Earlier
When an unexpected event comes your way, you might have to change up your routine. This may involve getting up earlier to squeeze in some activity before work. Set your alarm for earlier than usual to give yourself extra time to exercise and get ready for work. Of course, you don’t want to be left feeling overly tired at work, so try and organize a great night routine. Get to bed an hour earlier to ensure you don't compromise your sleep hygiene.
Workout More Intensely
When your situation changes, you might need to switch up the way you exercise. If you usually had a full hour to workout beforehand, you might now only have 30 minutes. If this is the case, ramp up the intensity of your workouts so that you can feel satisfied with the workouts you do have time to accomplish.
Focus on getting your heart rate up and increasing the blood flow to your muscles. Even if you have less time, performing high-intensity interval training such as sprints or Tabata training will lead to impressive results.
Even if it’s just a quick 15-minute sweaty session, something is always better than nothing.
Workout at Home
If you’re no longer able to attend your local gym, try working out from home. You can easily get in an amazing workout using minimal equipment at home. Try following an online workout video in your living room or even outdoors. If you don’t have weights at home, you can stick to bodyweight exercises or focus on mindful movement using yoga or Pilates.
Walk Wherever You Can
A great way to ensure you can still fit in your activity each day is to walk whenever you can. If you usually drive to work, walk there instead. Or, if your workplace is too far away to walk, try cycling or simply parking your car farther away. During your lunch break, take a stroll outside while enjoying your food. Little bits of activity throughout the day will add up even when life has thrown you a curveball.