Hi there!  I’m Marissa, and I’ve been blogging about all things lifestyle, self-improvement, and health for a little over a year now.  I’m currently a college student studying public health (graduating in a year – yay!) and holistic health coaching, so as you can imagine, I’m super passionate about wellness and love sharing this with others!  If you’re interested in becoming a happier and healthier version of yourself, come join the party over at my blog and Instagram! ((:

You know when you have those super busy days and you want to workout, but then it’s suddenly time for dinner and you realize you never did end up getting that workout in?

Been there, done that!

Sometimes life is so hectic that it’s really challenging to find the extra time to move your body, but exercise can be especially helpful when going through those busy seasons of life!  Moving your body can decrease stress, make you feel more motivated, and provide tons of other healthful benefits!

But how do you make time for workouts when your schedule is already booked?  Well, that depends on what works best for you!  We all have different schedules, different lives, different priorities… so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this dilemma.  However, I do have 10 tricks that have helped me fit workouts into a busy schedule that I’d love to share with you!

These ideas might provide some inspiration for more ways to get some movement in on busy days, so if you have any other ideas, be sure to share them in the comments! (:

10 successful ways to fit in a workout

Plan ahead of time

If you’re determined to get a workout in, you NEED to plan ahead of time.

I’m not saying you have to plan your day by the minute (give yourself some flexibility!), but it’s definitely helpful to create a general outline, especially if you know you’re going to be busy that day.

Think about when you’re going to work out: morning, afternoon, or night.  Think about what kind of workout you’d like to do that day… Maybe you’re feeling energized and a run sounds fun.  Or maybe you need to relax, so you choose to follow a yoga video on YouTube.

Of course, plans can always change, so just because you decided to go for a run first thing in the morning does not mean that’s actually going to happen.  Sometimes life gets in the way, but it’s important to be kind to yourself and have the flexibility to reschedule your workout when needed.

Schedule your workouts

Speaking of rescheduling (or, even better, just regular scheduling!)… schedule your workouts in advance!  This is very similar to planning ahead, but it takes it one step further.

Making plans to workout is AMAZING, but what’s even better?  Scheduling it.

Mark it in your calendar, set an alarm on your phone, do whatever you do to schedule a class, meeting, or interview.  Treat it like a work-related function; treat it as something of very high importance… because it is!

Stay consistent

One simple trick that helps a lot of people fit workouts into their busy lives is to stay consistent.  If you make working out a habit, you’re less likely to push it off or skip it entirely on days when you have less time.

One key to staying consistent is working out at relatively the same time every day.  Or, if you have a varying schedule, you can always keep a consistent routine on the days that are easier to do so.

Remember to show yourself kindness and give yourself some flexibility when needed!  Not every day will be the same, and that’s totally okay. (:

Wake up earlier

If your schedule is booked solid but you still want to get a workout in, wake up just a little bit earlier!  You don’t have to roll out of bed an hour before your normal wake-up time and spend 45 minutes working up a sweat… even just waking up 15 minutes early and getting an intense 10-minute workout in can make all the difference!

Set your clothes out ahead of time

Choosing your workout clothes the night before (or even a few hours before) can also help you fit some movement into your busy day!

You can even take it one step further and actually put your workout clothes ON, and don’t let yourself take them off until you finish exercising! Sometimes all it takes to get you to the gym or on the mat is a workout outfit that makes you feel comfy, strong, and confident.  In fact, the book Atomic Habits talks all about the idea that habits are the small things we do before the big things (e.g. getting dressed before your workout).  If you want to learn more about how to improve your habits to improve your life, I would highly recommend this book!

Find a fun playlist or podcast

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE working out with my favorite songs or podcast blasting in my earbuds… it truly elevates the entire experience.

If you’re looking for an amazing playlist, check out Mood Booster on Spotify!  And if you’re looking for fun, new podcasts to listen to, my favorites are Chatty Broads and What We Said.

Quality > quantity

Many people think that a workout only counts if you’re sweating at the end, or if you spend at least an hour in the gym… I’m here to tell you that’s NOT TRUE!

Any form of movement (and any amount of time) counts!  Walking, running, roller skating, yoga, weight lifting, rock climbing, volleyball, biking, swimming, golf, you name it! 

You don’t have to spend multiple hours every day doing a workout you hate for the sake of working up a sweat; as long as you’re having fun and moving your body, that’s some high-quality exercise!

Invite others to join you

If you’re someone who loves being social and spending time being active with others, invite friends and family members to work out with you!

I don’t necessarily love doing the same exact workout with someone else (although sometimes I do!), but just knowing that someone close to you is off doing their thing in the gym while you’re working on yourself feels great.

One of my favorite activities to do with others is going on a walk… even better if there’s dogs!!  I also love throwing a football around or passing a volleyball back and forth.  Again, all movement counts, and if having others around you makes it more fun, invite others to join you! (:

Find movement you enjoy

The magic key that’s often overlooked when talking about exercise in general, but especially when trying to fit workouts into a busy lifestyle, is the importance of finding movement that you ENJOY.

I think it’s become too normalized to hate working out, to hate going to the gym, to hate sweating, but to make yourself do it anyway!  

It’s totally okay if you don’t like the gym environment or if you feel really uncomfy when you’re sweaty, but you can still find movement you enjoy doing!

There are so many great ways to work out from home, exercise outside, and there are also plenty of low-intensity workouts that you can partake in!

If you can find a form of movement that you thoroughly enjoy, then it won’t feel like a hassle or a chore.  You won’t hate the way it makes you feel or the environment you’re in while doing it.  

If you only take one thing away from this today, let it be this: find movement you enjoy and everything else will fall into place. ((:

Incorporate more daily movement

One last trick to fit workouts into a busy schedule is to reframe the way you think about working out!  

It doesn’t have to mean a structured exercise routine, a long run, or a game of volleyball.  Exercise is simply moving your body, so if you’re struggling to find the time for an entire workout, shift your focus to getting in as much movement throughout your day as you can!

Park farther away so you can get extra steps in, take the stairs instead of the elevator, invest in a standing or treadmill desk so you can work while moving.  

There are plenty of opportunities to increase your daily movement, and these can provide massive benefits, just like a stereotypical workout routine can!

I hope you found these 10 tricks to fit workouts into a busy schedule helpful!  If you have any other tips that you’ve found helpful, I’d love to hear them! 

And if you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my blog and follow me on Instagram for more health and wellness content. ((:

If you’re interested in finding out what it’s like to work with me as your health coach, I’m offering FREE breakthrough sessions where we’ll go over your health and wellness goals, and you’ll have the chance to sign up for my personalized coaching program (which is currently at the lowest price point it will ever be)!  You can reach out to me on Instagram or sign up using my Calendly link.  I can’t wait to meet you! ((:

If you enjoyed Marissa’s post, don’t forget to check out her blog! And while we are on the topic of working out and taking care of ourselves, check out some must have wellness items (some are PERFECT for your fitness journey)!

Until next time,