Why You Don’t Need to Find “Time” for Exercise to Reap Its Rewards

Written by Mat Lecompte
Published on

Fit woman doing curl biceps exercise with dumbbells in fitness gym center - Female athlete training with her personal trainer inside wellness sport club - Workout and sportive motivation conceptOne of the biggest reasons people don’t exercise is that they can’t find the time. And who can blame them? Most people live busy lives, and adding one more thing to the “to do” list isn’t always an option.

The thing is, you don’t really have to make time for exercise.

It might seem like you have to carve out at least a 30-minute chunk from your day five times a week, but it really doesn’t have to work like that.

Simply getting up for five minutes here, another five minutes there, and maybe a few more times over the course of the day can all add up to give you the benefits of exercise while fitting seamlessly into your day.

Let’s say you’re chatting on the phone with your friend. There is no rulebook to say you have to sit still at the kitchen table while you do it. Why not pace around the house while talking to burn a few calories?

You can do the same thing during commercial breaks from your favorite shows (or in between episodes when you’re streaming). Parking a little further back in the lot when you head to the grocery store can help, as can taking the stairs. Walking to nearby locations instead of driving can also help.

If you have to go to the bathroom, you don’t always have to use the closest one, either. If you’re on the main floor of your house and need to go, why not head upstairs, and get a bit of exercise in?

Research suggests that it doesn’t really matter when or how you’re getting your body moving, just that it does. Studies show that 30 minutes of daily exercise divided into six five-minute blocks is just as effective as 30 minutes straight.

So, get creative! Surely, you’ll find it’s a lot easier to get moving when you don’t have to think about it.

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On any matter relating to your health or well-being, please check with an appropriate health professional. No statement herein is to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventative, or cure for any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Foods and Drugs Administration or Health Canada. Dr. Marchione and the doctors on the Bel Marra Health Editorial Team are compensated by Bel Marra Health for their work in creating content, consulting along with formulating and endorsing products.

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