Boy I haven’t worked out in a week now. Things have been busy and my schedule has been running into all sorts of unforseen conflicts. Everytime I get small time frame to squeeze in a workout, I usually feel too tired to even drive to the gym. Those excuses sound familiar? Yeah they’re my excuses this week and this article I’m sharing today is for me to read, but you can read it as well if you’ve been slacking off like me.

Excuse Busters

It’s always easy to find excuses not to exercise. If you lead a busy, fast paced lifestyle, simply taking a walk might seem like a luxury you can’t afford. But the health benefits of walking are powerful enough that they trump just about any excuse.

I Don’t Have Enough Time
So you say you don’t have enough time to take a walk. Sometimes you just need to be a little creative. Try these ideas for finding time to fit walking into your routine.

• Take a 5-minute walk. Every short walk counts. And you might find that once you start you feel like settling in for a longer walk.
• Make a list of passive activities like watching TV, and think of ways to add activity. Example: At the end of a TV show, take a 10-minute break for a stroll down the block and back.
• Wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual, and squeeze in a quick stroll before your morning coffee.
• Call a walking meeting. It works best with a short two-person meeting. Ask your co-worker if he or she would mind walking as you talk.
• Look for moments during the day when you’re already walking anyway heading to and from the bus or train, going from your parked car to the mall, leaving the office to eat lunch—and expand them into mini-workouts.

I’m Too Tired
We’ve all felt too tired or drained to exercise. If you want to unwind after a long day at work, just sitting in front of the TV is a temptation. Likewise, it’s hard to get yourself out of bed for a short walk when you want to get an extra few minutes of sleep. Keep the following in mind if you’re on the fence:

• Stop thinking about it—just lace up your shoes and go!
• Remember, walking will make you feel less tired. Just lying around can make you feel fatigued.
• Walking is invigorating—it encourages blood flow to the brain and other organs, boosting alertness and energy.
• Mid-afternoon is prime time for an energy dip. A short walk (10-15 minutes) perks you up, but save a long vigorous walk for another time.
• Get more nightly sleep—it’s as important a part of your wellness program as diet and exercise!
• Eat regular, small, balanced meals. Both skipping meals and overeating can cause energy to lag.
• If fatigue persists for more than a few days, see your doctor for a full medical checkup to make sure it’s not rooted in a specific illness or disease.

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