Fitting it in.

I love working out.

Really.

Not that there aren't days, weeks and months that I forget this and have to practice my best motivational techniques in the mirror to get myself up and at 'em. But, I like the gym, am addicted to group exercise classes of all kinds and will take a brisk walk around the lake over doing the dishes any day. As a fitness professional I feel extremely blessed that exercise is a part of my regular life (although some days there is a decided emphasis on reading and leaning about exercise instead of the actual doing of any!)

Even with the bonus professional need to workout in addition to my other 'Whys' there are lots of days I struggle to make the time to get the exercise I need. Would I love to spend an hour at my favorite studio every day being inspired to sweat and smile by my favorite instructors?

You bet!

And of course that is not on the agenda everyday. Some days not even the 20 minutes (40 if you count mopping up the sweat after) it takes to get a comprehensive at-home workout is realistic. So do i just skip it on those days. No way! I may not get a full body sweat going but rarely does a day go by when I don't find a way to fit in at least a tiny dose of exercise.

One of my favs is the shopping bag curl. It embarrasses my kids for sure but I never apologize and just smile at the stares from other shoppers in the parking lot. I breathe deep, tuck my bottom rib under, roll my shoulders back and go for it all the way to the car.

And you can too!

And there are a ton of other ways to fit some fitness into your daily life!

Stand up every time your phone rings.

Do calf raises any time you have to stand in line.

Press your hands up under the table during a meeting like you're trying to lift it up.

Kegel at every stop light (or clench those cheeks, not the ones on your face)

Lunge around the playground while your kid plays

Press down on the pew at church like you are trying to lift your bottom off the seat

Do jumping jacks while you wait for someone to answer the phone

High knee raises make the coffee brew faster. Just saying.

Stand on one foot while you brush your teeth.

No handed get-ups during commercials.

I could go on and on and I bet you could too. All you have to do is decide to do it! And don't apologize. Be proud of your commitment to wellness. You never know who you might inspire. 

Have a great day!

-Erika