Lack of time is one of the most common barriers to exercise. I am not here to preach the 'we all have the same 24hrs' because that's not helping anyone. Instead I want you to give you some practical tips and some food for thought.

1. Stop underestimating the power of simple movement

Many people commonly believe that exercise only counts if it happens in a specific place like a gym, sports hall, yoga class, or swimming pool. Due to working 8-9 hours, people often remain inactive, thinking that the only way to exercise is by going to the gym or joining a fancy class. However, incorporating a simple 5-minute exercise routine every 1-2 hours can easily provide 60 minutes of daily activity. For office workers, this might mean taking a quick walk or using the stairs. Those working from home have more flexibility and can move around more freely, possibly using home equipment if desired. The goal is to be consistent. A healthy life really does happen when you pay attention to simple things like this.

2. Opt for time efficient forms of movement

While the idea of enrolling in a yoga class or gym can be quite inspiring, if it requires significant travel time, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. Be honest about your schedule—can you realistically drive to the class or gym each week? If not, consider more time-efficient options at home, such as an online class or a HIIT session on YouTube.

3. The secret recipe

If you are short on time, the best way to structure your fitness routine is the following: treat cardio-type exercises and strength training separately. What do I mean by this? If you can manage to fit cardio into your daily routine, like walking to work or being more active in general, you can focus your workouts on strength training. Many people spend a lot of time in the gym because they sit all day and only do their walking on the treadmill in the gym, and this takes a ling time. But if you aim to move around for 5-10 minutes every few hours during the day (point 1. above), your workout in the gym or at home can lack cardio-type exercises, and you can focus on strength training. This way, you are more efficient.

4. Don't look at exercise on a daily basis only

If you don't manage to hit your daily goal, don't feel like a failure! Some days life gets in the way, and you end up moving less than on others. It is best to look at your workout habits on a weekly basis because this way things seem more manageable. Do you always end up staying at work late on Mondays? No problem, you can take more steps on Tuesday and still hit your weekly step goals. Looking at your movements on a weekly basis can help eliminate so much guilt and pressure built around exercise goals.

5. Be honest with yourself

How important is exercise to you right now? Think about it in both the short term and the long run. Maybe you're going through a busy time that's making it hard to focus on working out. If that's the case, cut yourself some slack! Trust that your body knows what it needs, and remember that you can always jump back into your routine and get back on track with your fitness.

Now, when it comes to long-term priorities, things can get a bit trickier. If you realise that exercise isn't really a top priority for you, take a moment to think about why that is. There could be a bunch of reasons behind it, often tied to your values and beliefs. In this case, it might be worth digging a little deeper to figure out why exercise and health don't seem to hold as much value for you as you'd like them to.

If you found these tips useful, you may like to check out my pre-recorded masterclass called Reset. This simple training can help you to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle. This is the perfect kickstart to anyone who feels like they tried many fitness trends before but nothing seemed to stick.

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