We are all living increasingly busy and hectic lifestyles, and for many of us there simply are not enough hours in the day. Here are some tips on how you too can enjoy a fitness routine when time is precious.

From demands at work and home, to social commitments and domestic chores, time nowadays is at a premium and it is an extremely precious commodity.

Trying to find a little ‘you’ time somewhere amidst your daily and weekly schedule may seem impossible. However, investing a little time in working out and exercising regularly really will pay dividends as it will help you to cope with life’s daily pressures.

The benefits of exercise are often underestimated. Not only will you enjoy an improvement in your fitness levels, toned and lean muscles, glowing skin, a better night’s sleep and weight loss results, but you will also enjoy a perfect form of stress relief and relaxation. Regular exercise is proven to boost your mood and relieve feelings of anxiety, depression and tension.

With this in mind, if you are keen to incorporate regular fitness and physical activity into your schedule but you are wondering how you will ever find the time, then why not try exercising smarter rather than longer. Here are some tips on how you too can enjoy a fitness routine when time is precious:

  • Working out smarter, rather than harder, requires some time management techniques. So why not start by writing a list of all the things you have to do today. What is a priority and what is a ‘nice to do’?  Understanding your real priorities – both in terms of work and home life – is a good place to start. You may be surprised too that a few of the items on your list are no longer worth bothering with, which will release more time for the things that really count. So move the non-urgent tasks to the bottom of your list, or even discard them altogether.  
  • Furthermore, committing things to paper and making a list helps to take some of the pressure off you. You are not alone when it comes to trying to do too much in the time available. 
  • Take a lunch break during your working day. Not only will you feel refreshed after some time away from your desk, but you can also put your break to good use. Enjoy a 30-minute power walk around the block; the fresh air will clear your head and, of course, the exercise will do you the world of good. It is also important that you make time to eat properly, so have a well-balanced and nutritious lunch to keep your blood sugar levels stable all afternoon.
  • A session of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is perfect when time is limited. A typical HIIT session will last just 30-minutes and includes cardiovascular work to rapidly improve stamina and fitness levels, and also resistance work to tone muscles. The fast and furious results-driven and powerful sequences of exercise combine with short periods of recovery. This burns a greater number of calories and offers impressive long-term results. You can do a HIIT session in the gym by using a treadmill, bike, rowing machine or cross-trainer.