Fitness tips for busy people

90 minutes to a better life

If you could improve your life in 90 minutes a week, would you? That’s all it takes to get started with a workout routine, says fitness expert Jari Love, creator of the new DVD Get Extremely Ripped! 1000. But with a hectic business schedule and two kids at home, Love understands how tough it can be to stick to even the most minimal fitness regime. Here she reveals her tips on how to fit exercise into your busy life.

1. Set manageable goals

“People do too much too soon and they run the risk of getting injured,” says Love. “It’s one thing to say, ‘I want to be a competitive body builder,’ but if you work 12 hours a day, that’s not going to happen.”

Realize that it takes time, dedication and patience to improve your fitness level. Make sure you start a new workout regime with activities you can realistically fit into your schedule. If you’re really pressed for time, Love suggests starting slowly by breaking down your 90 minutes of weekly fitness into 10-minute intervals.

2. Involve the entire family

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, you don’t have to go it alone. “I educate my kids on the benefits of eating healthy and about what eating junk does to the body,” says Love. Cut back on the junk food you keep at home and involve your family in exercise activities. Turning fitness and nutrition into goals your whole family can share will help you stay on track while setting a good example for your kids.

3. Forget about weight loss

Sometimes we think exercise is just about weight loss, but you can see huge fitness gains beyond that, says Love. “Your body is like a car-if you maintain it, it will run better.” In just a month of working out three times a week you will begin to see improvements in your mood, confidence and sleeping habits. Rather than focusing your workout on weight loss, which can be frustrating and difficult to maintain, consider exercising to be as important to your health routine as brushing your teeth.

4. Work out with your partner

Exercising with your significant other can be a great way to stay motivated and ensure that you both keep fitness in your schedules. “When you have the same goals and you’re not competitive with each other, it can work well,” says Love.

Try doing a DVD workout together on the weekends or take up a sport you both enjoy. Just remember to respect your partner’s fitness level-bickering and harsh judgments can sabotage your workout.

5. Rise and shine

If you find it difficult to make it to the gym after work, try doing a morning workout at home. “There’s really good research that shows that if you exercise first thing in the morning, you’re more likely to stick to it,” says Love. Wake up a half-hour earlier to hit the treadmill or do a morning yoga practice before your busy day begins.

6. Create kid-friendly workouts

As a busy career mom, Love has had to find some creative solutions for working out with kids in tow. “When I was trying to lose the baby weight, I had an exercise step at home. I used to put on New Kids on the Block and I would work out while holding my son,” she says.

If NKOTB isn’t your thing, make a brisk walk with the stroller part of your daily routine. Or, invest in a jogger and take your little one along for a run.

Related:
• 5 steps to sexy arms
• 4 ways to get a workout doing housework
• 7 recession-friendly ways to stay fit