| You already know that
exercise is good for you. It helps you to manage stress,
get your weight under control, and lower your risks of killer
diseases including heart disease and diabetes. But fitting
exercise into a busy day on the road can be quite a challenge.
What's your excuse?
No time? Research
has demonstrated that three 10 minute chunks are just
as effective as a 30 minute workout. Do 10 minutes of
exercise while you watch the news in the morning. When
you need to run an errand during the day, slip on your
sneakers and step out at a brisk pace. In the evenings,
take a walk in the convention area.
Too much
to do? Sometimes it's hard to think
at your desk. Take a walk to brainstorm or practice your
upcoming speech.
No workout room in the hotel
or bad equipment? Check with the concierge
for another workout facility in town, local walking course,
or do Dr Jo's Hotel Room Workout. My workout is a 30 minute
full-body workout that alternates between aerobic activity
(dancing, running or marching in place, jumping rope,
etc.) and sets of strengthening exercises using exercise
resistance tubes.
Bad weather outside?
Walk the mall, the halls of the hotel, or do a "stair
stepper" routine on a safe stair well. If the indoor
pool isn't big enough to swim laps, tread water with your
hands out of the water for a tough, full-body workout.
Exhausted? Most of
our fatigue is due to mental stress that's zapping our
energy,
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and exercise is just what we
need to recharge our body and mind.
Exercise too stressful?
Maybe you're working out too hard. Tone down the length
of the workout or the intensity.
Bored? Pair your
workout with TV or music or with a book, newspaper, or
magazine. Ask your business associates for a "working
out lunch". Instead of going to lunch or having a
business discussion over drinks, opt for a "working-out"
lunch where you discuss business while walking or working
out on exercise equipment. This has three benefits: gives
you a workout, cuts down on opportunities to overeat or
over drink, and builds a bond with the other person or
people.
Don’t know what to do?
Get a trainer (ask your concierge or local gym) or watch
an exercise video. But remember, walking is probably the
safest activity. So, go out and enjoy the local culture.
Walk downtown, visit the town pool, go roller or ice skating,
or take in a hike nearby.
Not motivated? Set
a goal. Sign up for a 10K run, a coed soccer team, or
a fundraising bike ride. Knowing you have to perform on
the weekend will keep you motivated to work out during
the week.
Ultimately, the only way to fit fitness into a busy day
is to make it a priority. Pack a pair of sneakers and
some workout clothes on every trip. Then find a comfortable
exercise routine that is easy enough for you to do on
a regular basis. And get rid of the "all or nothing"
mentality - some exercise is always better than nothing.
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