The bad news is, time flies.
The good news is, you’re the pilot.
Ultimately, we decide where and how we spend our time. Even in the situations when the “where” we spend our time is dictated for us such as at our jobs, in traffic, or in a waiting room.
Even during these times we still, to some extent, have control of how we spend our time.
When I had first moved to Southern California, I was working for a company that was located about 25 minutes from where I was living. If you’re not familiar with Southern California traffic, trust me, it’s no fun. My 25 minute commute was more like an hour each way, going to work and then coming home.
Although I was unable to control this obnoxious traffic situation every morning and afternoon, what I could control was how I spent my time during those 60 minutes in the car.
I decided to make the best of it and began listening to books on tape (yes my car had a tape player back in the day). In addition, I kept a dictionary in the car and each day decided to learn a new word that I could add to my vocabulary.
The Way We Spend Our Time Defines Who We Are
Life can get the best of us at times.
Whether it’s your career, your business, family, children, friends, social commitments, personal calendars. Unfortunately, it’s usually here that exercise and fitness ends up taking a back seat to everything else that needs to get done and taken care of.
It’s here that making the necessary 45 to 60 minute time commitment for exercise becomes most challenging.
NO TIME. NO PROBLEM.
We often think that we need to spend an hour or more in the gym for it to be beneficial otherwise it’s a waste of time and there’s no sense even going. It’s all or none. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
It’s Quality, Not Quantity That Counts.
Some exercise will always be better than no exercise. If you can’t commit to getting in your normal fitness routine for whatever reason, some is always better than none.
WARNING: If five minutes is too much or too long of a commitment for you to make to yourself and to your health, you may want to consider than not reading any further.
If on the other hand, you’re looking to improve your health and increase your energy but more often than not you find yourself pressed for time and just can’t seem to make it to the gym or get in a full workout, than this new fitness routine I’ve created is for you.
FIVE-IN-FIVE FITNESS ROUTINE
I highly recommended that you complete the following 5 exercises in 5 minutes daily every morning. Completing these in the morning will contribute to an increased metabolic rate (better health) and higher levels of energy throughout the day.
Perform each one of the following exercises for one minute in the exact order they are listed.
1. Jumping Jack
4. Push Ups
For further instruction, please click on each individual exercise that will link you to a demonstration of the exercise. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me here.
When you’re pressed for time, what are some strategies that you how found success with to maintain a consistent exercise schedule? Please share your thoughts and ideas with me in the comments below.
Great advice, as always, Mike! I love how you say that how you spend your time defines you. Amen! As far as finding 5 minutes goes, it’s a no brainer. I used to beat myself up if I couldn’t get in an hour workout or run. These days I focus on how I feel and it’s much more enjoyable. Some days I feel great and have no problem finding time and energy. Other days, not so much. But, whenever I say “I’ll at least do 5 minutes of something,” I usually find more energy and can make that at least 10 minutes. We all have a few minutes to spare!
Thanks Anne! It really is amazing how if we just commit to some time, 5 minutes, it usually does end up turning into more time. Thanks for your feedback and comments…. always appreciated.
Great advice for people trying to establish an exercise habit! I’m sure that anyone starting with this basic routine will soon find it addictive, and will soon find the time to add more exercise to their life. But getting started is the key!
Thanks for your comment Michael. No question that the key is to just get started even if it’s just with a basic routine. Once we get started and build some momentum for ourselves, that’s when we begin (like you said) to find the time to add in more exercise into our lives.
Hi Mike!
Walt mentioned this was posted the other day, so I had to take a look for myself! :o) It made me remember the days when you would tell us that “something is better than nothing!” So, thank you again for the reminder as I leave on another trip and need to make time. It is amazing how the 5-10 minutes in the morning can set your attitude in the right direction for the rest of the day!
Thanks for your comment Cassey! Great memory too… some IS always better than none :). You couldn’t be more right by saying how just 5-10 of exercise in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. So simple and yet so powerful. Small commitment, big reward! Safe travels to you Cassey and thanks again for your feedback, cheers!
AWESOME! Great post Mike! I mixed it up a bit, and instead of doing the five minutes, I did six!!! Feel great mate, thanks! Never felt better! Keep doing this, you are an inspiration, Sir!
Thanks for your comment and for being here Goodwin…. you’re awesome man! Way to get it done too! Very pleased to hear you felt great with the routine as well. I appreciate the words too although it’s YOU who’s the inspiration – cheers!