No Time to Work Out? 8 Ways You Can Save Time for the Gym
If you feel like you have no time to work out, you're not alone. Many of us struggle with the demands of daily life, and it's easy to fall behind when your to-do list piles up! Fortunately, you can make time to work out by saving time throughout your day. Try cutting back on some of the activities listed below to make your health a daily habit and priority!
1. Social Media
Instead of spending 10 minutes in bed scrolling through social media on your phone in the morning, use those 10 minutes for a warmup walk on the treadmill! Before a long day of sitting behind a computer, the last thing you need to wake up to is more screen time. So, get up and at 'em and start your day off on the right foot — literally!
2. Television
Watching your favorite TV show on the couch can be a great way to unwind at the end of the day, but so can a workout! Try de-stressing with a post-work session at the gym. Watch your favorite show while getting some cardio in on the treadmill before you head home for some much-deserved downtime on the couch.
3. Email
Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails that clutter up your inbox and take time away from things that are important — like your health! Sign up for auto-generated response apps to make responding to emails even faster, and set scheduled times to check in.
4. Chores
Try outsourcing some of your household chores to a specialized service or another willing family member so you can sneak away to the gym for a few minutes. If you're stuck at home with a pile of laundry, turn on your favorite workout playlist and try to get your heart rate up while you work. For example, try taking an extra trip up and down the stairs as you clean your house.
5. Commuting
If your commute to the gym takes up a lot of time, try adding a few at-home workouts into your schedule. Run into a lot of traffic during your commute? You might be better off stopping at the gym and working out while the worst of the traffic subsides. Look for a gym with convenient locations along your way to work! On days you can't stop at the gym, try parking far away from the building and taking the stairs to fit a bit of cardio into your routine. And try to sneak some extra exercise in over your lunch break if you can!
6. Social Commitments
Going out with friends and spending time with family is important, but it's equally valuable to include some "me time" in your calendar. Make your social calendar at the start of the week and let your friends know that you'll be unavailable during the periods you've scheduled for the gym. Or better yet, invite them to come along with you as workout buddies! With a Planet Fitness Black Card, you can bring a guest with you every time you come to the gym.
7. Going Out to Eat
Going out to eat is a great way to enjoy quality time with friends and family! But if you find yourself going out to eat a lot just to avoid cooking at home, it can dig into your schedule and sideline your workout plans. Instead of heading to the closest restaurant, use the weekends to "batch cook" large meals so you can quickly reheat leftovers throughout the week. Not only can this save you the time to make it to the gym, but it's also a healthier way to eat generally.
8. Cooking
If you do decide to spend more time cooking at home rather than going out, don't be afraid to take kitchen short-cuts to save time. For example, buy pre-chopped veggies or use dried herbs instead of washing and cutting fresh ones. Choose simple recipes with few ingredients that can be cooked in under 45 minutes!
If you feel like you have no time to work out, don't panic. After cutting back on some of these activities, you should find yourself with some extra time to put toward the gym! Happy exercising!