How to Fit in a Workout

As you know, I’ve been struggling with this myself since I started my New Job. Adding a half-hour commute each way (I used to walk to work or work from home) adds up to an extra hour of just commuting in a day.

So I’ve had to learn to be creative with my time and definition of a workout. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Just because it’s not in your gym doesn’t mean it’s not a workout. Workout videos are workouts, too.
• If you go to the gym at lunch, it is entirely possible to take a three-minute shower to rinse off and then blow-dry the sweat out of your hair. (Is it the classiest? Mm…probably not…but you gotta do what you gotta do.)
• You can split up your workouts. Can’t do 30 minutes or 40 minutes all at once? Do half in the morning and half at lunch or at night or whatever.
• Strength workouts are an awesome lunchtime workout, plus you won’t get super-sweaty.
• High-intensity interval training. No more than 15-20 minutes of intervals on the StairMaster or the elliptical or the treadmill.

But the most awesome way to work in a workout, if you can?

MAKE YOUR COMMUTE YOUR WORKOUT.

I did this last night. I ran home from work, six miles. On foot. No subway. Just me, my little pink drawstring gym bag and the West Side Highway.

I left my clothes at the gym in a locker and will get them in the morning. I just took what I needed — my keys, wallet and phone — and ran in the sun all the way home. It actually wasn’t the best of runs, but the runner’s high was there all the same last night. If you have a bike, that’s another awesome way to commute. Exercise doesn’t have to feel like exercise; it can be fun, too!