Since covid hit, many of us have decided to avoid the gym and would rather exercise in the security of our homes. But despite the best intentions, many are quickly losing the momentum, blaming it on the lack of time. Here are my tips to help you make time for exercise so that it becomes a routine in your life.
How to Fit Exercise into Your Home Routine
Tip 1: Summon up the motivation
It’s important to build the motivation to get started and to keep going, even more so during these unsettling times. There are various ways to do so.
First, instead of focusing on the task, focus on the benefits you’ll achieve out of exercise. It could be to burn energy and release stress, to build on muscle, to be healthy, etc. Whatever it is, write your goal down and keep it visible. You may want to put a post-it on your bathroom mirror, so you see it whenever you brush your teeth, or on your fridge door so you see it every time you help yourself to food or a drink. Or as a picture on your phone screen so that you see it every time you check your phone.
Second, do as many athletes do and practice visualisation. Picturing your desired outcome and how it will make you feel is a powerful tool to achieve it.
Third, engage an accountability buddy. It can be a personal trainer, of course, or a friend or family member. Whether you exercise together or not, sharing your goal with someone who’s going to keep you accountable for it will give you a better chance to achieve your goal.
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Tip 2: Block the time in your diary
Once you’ve determined that exercise is a priority for you, you need to block the time for it in your diary and treat this time as you would with any other meetings or appointments. If for some reason you can’t exercise as scheduled, play around with your schedule and move your exercise timeslot to a different day/time, but don’t compromise altogether on it.
When you block the time for exercise in your schedule, don’t forget to add in the time you need to change into your sports clothes, set up the room, tidy up, shower, etc. If you fail to do so, you might not have time to do what you had set to achieve, feel rushed, and conclude that you don’t have time for exercise and stop.
You also want to take into consideration your energy levels so you don’t have the excuse of being tired or hungry before even starting. Also, you might need to take into consideration your other family members’ schedules when scheduling exercise so the room you are planning to use for exercise and the equipment are free when you need them. All this could end up being reasons for you not to exercise.
Related: Why adopt a routine schedule
Tip 3: Containerise your equipment
Gather all the equipment you need (yoga mat, foam roller, resistance tubings, kettlebell, etc.) in one large basket or container, ideally placed as close as possible to where you exercise.
Containerising your equipment will help you save time as you’ll be able to easily find what you need without going around your home, and easily return everything in its home after use. It will also help you keep your space tidy.
If you exercise outdoors, you may want to put everything into a sports bag so that you can easily grab and transport your equipment.
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Remember it takes anything between 3 to 6 weeks to establish a new habit, so be patient with yourself. Now if you struggle to make time or space for exercise, or anything important to you for that matter, do reach out. My one-on-one life management programme will help you set the foundations for regaining control over your schedule and living the life you aspire to and deserve to live.
Hi Nathalie,
There are some great tips in this blog, thank you!
I’m happy to read this, Lucy. Which tip will be the most useful to you?