CUP `N' POST Time Well Spent - keeping physically fit while maintaining a busy schedule

How to make fitness a priority in your busy everyday life.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, business executive, university student or just an average person, time is a precious commodity. Consequently, most people push exercise to the bottom of their to-do lists. Why must modern life dictate the neglect of your physical fitness? Here are 10 tips to help keep your body fit while maintaining your busy schedule.

1. Partner Up! A good exercise partner keeps you accountable and encourages you when the going gets tough. On those days when the call of jelly donuts and a comfortable armchair seem almost audible, a good partner will drag you out of the house. Not only will your partner help you be consistent, but someone who is more physically fit will push you to run faster, jump higher and leap farther than you would on your own. Finding a good exercise partner is the key to a consistent physical fitness regimen.

2. Get Your ZZZs. After exercise, sleep is usually the next item shoved off to-do lists. One of the worst things you can do for your body is neglect the pillow. Without proper rest, your body will not have the energy to expend on exercise. A regular bedtime and a consistent time of rising will do wonders for your sleep life. Not only will you find it easier to get up in the morning, you will also fall asleep more readily.

3. Eat Healthy. The busy American knows what is easy. Driving to the nearest McDonald's will save time, money and effort. However, a typical fast food restaurant will not provide the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy state of physical fitness. Instead of eating fast food, eat smart food. Plan ahead. Bring your lunch instead of buying greasy cafeteria food. Pack an apple instead of cookies. Avoid the temptation to grab dinner on your way home.

4. Set Realistic Goals. Do not tell yourself to lose 30 pounds by your 25th class reunion if the event is two weeks away. Try saying you will ride the stationary bike for 30 minutes a day until the reunion. This is an achievable goal (even with a busy schedule) and will make you feel great about yourself on the big night, regardless of how much weight you have lost. Remember, a lot of small goals will add up to noticeable progress. However, achieving true physical fitness takes time, patience and diligence.

5. Reward Yourself. Nobody ever said exercise is easy. If you find yourself unmotivated to make time for exercise, promise yourself a reward once you achieve a goal. For instance, if you are able to consistently jog three miles a day, five days a week for four weeks, you will buy yourself a new pair of jeans. Chances are, you will need smaller jeans anyway.

6. Group Exercise! Make use of your local resources! Most communities offer a variety of opportunities for fun exercise. Decide what type of activity suits you and find it ... or create it! Whether it's a church softball league, pickup basketball games at a nearby school gymnasium, a jogging club through a local athletic shoe store or a spinning class at a gym, everyone can find a type of exercise he or she enjoys. When you have fun being active, exercise seems less of a chore and you do not mind creating time in your schedule for it.

7. Schedule It. Get out your organizer. Boot up your Palm Pilot. The only way to fit a workout into a busy schedule is to schedule it. Once you've done that, don't compromise on the block of time you have set aside.

8. "Same Bat-Time ..." Find the most convenient time to exercise. Exercise may come most naturally in the morning (when the weather is cooler and you've had a full night of sleep), midday (because you are fully awake) or in the evening (to relieve the pressures of the day). As you plan your exercise, try to schedule it at the same time every day. This helps your body expect when to exercise. The routine also makes it easier for you to get out there and be active, despite your busy schedule.

9. Use Time Wisely. Any busy person knows that time management is the key to success. The same is true for your exercise time. Depending on what kind of activity you participate in, you can often double-use your time. Review a presentation in your head or think through a problem. Even if you cannot use your exercise time for "practical" mental activities, use it for personal meditation. Go over the day's activities or tomorrow's schedule. Everyone needs a little "me" time every day. Use your exercise time for this purpose.

10. Keep a Healthy Mindset. The purpose of being physically fit is not to look like a supermodel, but to be able to enjoy life to its fullest. Even if you don't look like Mister Universe or Miss America, can you climb the stairs without being winded? Can you easily play a family game of touch football in the park? Think of exercise as a means to an end, not as an end in itself.

Now you are mentally equipped to pursue and maintain an active lifestyle. No excuses! The only thing left to do is ... to do it! Even when your schedule overflows with appointments, remember that physical fitness helps give you the stamina needed to survive. Use these tips to keep your busy life from outrunnning your jogging shoes!

Michelle Brown is a freelance writer who will be graduating in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English education from Biola University in La Mirada, California.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group