Getting workouts in amidst our busy schedules can be challenging. In fact, one of the biggest excuses for why most people don’t workout is because they are “too busy.”
The past few months have been a bit of struggle to get myself to workout. Now that I commute from the suburbs, I don’t have as much time in the morning to go for a run or get to my favorite studio class on ClassPass. And sleep is so important to me, that I can’t sacrifice too much of my time in the morning or else I will be left feeling exhausted throughout the day.
In the midst of trying to figure out a plan to get my workouts in, its been a good excuse for me to change things up and try something new.
If you’ve been going through a transition recently or are about to, now may be a good time to try something new or form a new habit.
If you’ve been going through a transition recently or are about to, now may be a good time to try something new or form a new habit. I’ve been focusing on creating a new routine that works with my schedule and will share with you guys what that looks like.
What I am doing now may not work for you, this is a routine that I’ve found is more manageable with my schedule and I’ve been able to stick with it (for the most part) over the past month or so.
Less HIIT more Low-Impact
On an average month, I used to get in 10 classes on Classpass and now I only do 3. Not only has my workout schedule changed quite a bit over the last 2 months, I’ve also had to get more creative with what type of exercises I’ve been doing.
As I enter my mid-30’s, its especially important to me to protect my joints, so I’ve been incorporating more slow, low-impact movements into my routine. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know how much I love HIIT workouts and how effective they are. They provide lots of calorie burn (and after burn) in such little time. But low-impact is just what my body needs more of lately.
I will still do a HIIT workout probably once a week and get in at least one run a week–because of the endorphin’s I feel over doing these types of exercises (especially running) but I can tell my body is getting tired of these more easily now and as I get closer to my mid-30’s. And now with a new schedule, it’s been easier to shift my focus on doing different exercises.
A New Workout Routine
Here’s what my workout routine has been looking like the past month or so:
1-2 runs a week, 3 miles on the treadmill or 3-4 miles outside (weather permitting)
1 HIIT or Full Body Circuit workout a week, usually involving some weights for strength circuits and never longer than 20 mins. I’ve recently been doing Exhale’s HIIT class during my lunch break once of month (1 of 3 of the classes I’m doing from Classpass), it’s 30 mins but 10 of those 30 minutes are used for stretching and ab exercises. And since I can only get to one of these classes a month, I’ve also been creating my own Circuit workouts (check out my IG highlights for the latest) and have been loving Madeline Moves Circuit workouts that she usually posts on her Instagram stories.
1-2 low-impact, slow-movement workouts like Barre, Pilates, or TRX circuits a week. The other two classes I do once a month on Classpass are Tone at btone and FlyBarre Power 45. Tone at btone is a Pilates-type class that focuses on slow movements using the resistance of a machine. When I cant get to btone, I do some of Nicole from pumpsandiron.com “Household Object” (the ones with the towels and sliders) workouts that are very similar to a Tone class since she’s one of the instructors that teaches that class. I love how challenging her workouts are even the ones I do at home. She also has lots of other great and challenging workouts, most of which are full YouTube videos that walk you through the entire workout.
Yoga a few times a month. I also make sure to squeeze in a yoga class a few times a month when I need a bit more recovery. I recently tried a new yoga studio in the suburbs and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. It just goes to show that there are great options outside of the city!
This routine has recently worked well for me because the workouts and classes I’ve been doing are during my lunch break, and they are 45 minutes or less. And the at-home workouts I can do on the weekends, or when I find enough time in the morning or when I get home from work.
Using those Lunch Breaks Wisely!
There are so many gym options in the city and suburbs, that you may want to consider getting a membership and using your lunch breaks to go to the gym. I use the gym at my work during my lunch break and just eat lunch at my desk afterward.
And if you don’t want to pay for a gym membership, running outside is always free. When it’s nice out, I’m itching to get outside for a run along the Charles. Running isn’t for everyone (but don’t knock it until you try it), but walking is also great. Really any chance you have to get outside and move, I highly encourage it. Fresh air and walking does wonders for mental health, especially when sitting in an office all day
Bottom Line: There are many ways to squeeze in a workout during the day, whether it be at-home, during your lunch breaks at the gym, or even outside. If it’s a priority to you, you’ll make it work for your schedule.
How do you make time to squeeze in a workout?
Xoxo
Marisa
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