When you skip a workout after weight loss surgery, time may be an easy scapegoat, but you can’t let a busy schedule overwhelm your attempts to get fit. You’ll need regular exercise to keep off the pounds you’re losing with sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or gastric band in Ft. Myers or Naples, so it’s essential to fit fitness into your daily life, even if a hectic schedule makes doing so seem impossible.
Fortunately, most of us have more free time than we think. If you’ve been having a hard time figuring out when to exercise, help yourself find the time by:
- Making every minute count. 30 minutes of exercise is a good goal to shoot for, but remember: you don’t have to get it all at once. Six five-minute workouts will benefit your body just as much as one 30-minute workout. Though you may not always be able to find a long block of time to dedicate to your workouts, you can certainly find a few shorter periods that add up to the workout you need.
- Taking a daily inventory. This week, pay close attention to your routine. Track the ways you spend each day and think about chunks of time that may be underutilized, or unnecessary activities that can be eliminated. Many of us have midday downtime that we don’t think of using for exercise, but this can be the perfect opportunity to fit in fitness, even while at work. You may also spend an inordinate amount of time parked in front of the TV each night—if so, try cutting back to just your favorite shows and doing a few simple exercises as you watch.
- Changing your sleeping habits. Our plans to exercise after work can be quickly forgotten in the rush to get other responsibilities done. It may be hard to find time when you also have to cook dinner, help your kids with homework and get some cleaning done. If evenings are too hard, try going to bed 30 minutes earlier and fitting in a quick workout each morning—as an added bonus, this will help you jumpstart your body and mind for the day ahead. By the same token, those who are busiest in the morning can push bedtime back to fit in evening exercise.
We all lead busy lives, and they can feel especially strained for time while adjusting to the changes of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or gastric band in Ft. Myers or Naples. How do you find the time to exercise? Share your strategies in the comments below.