In the last post, I talked about some simple ways that you can be healthy and fit throughout menopause and beyond.

In this post, I’m going to talk about fitting activity in when  you’re busy and on the go.

If you had a normal, consistent schedule that allowed daily trips to the gym or other forms of regular physical activity, staying fit wouldn’t be such a big problem.

Busy, busy, busy

Unfortunately, life is busy, schedules change, we have off days and this adds up to keeping a consistent exercise schedule nearly impossible.

If this type of schedule sounds familiar to you then you know that maintaining a good level of fitness on the go takes a lot of thought and planning. Fortunately, there are some simple ways that you can maintain your fitness level even if you have a crazy schedule or spend a lot of time working and doing other stuff. You just have to get creative and plan ahead.

A few basic things you could try

Basic yoga poses and stretches are something you can easily do almost anywhere. Even if you have a few minutes while you’re hovering in the kitchen waiting for dinner to cook!

You should also consider exercises that incorporate using your own body-weight as resistance. Think press-ups, sit-ups, squats and other simple exercises. When performed fast, without rest, they can provide both strength and endurance training.

An often-overlooked way to keep up your fitness routine on the go is the simple act of walking. You can start by taking a short walk before or after work, or on your breaks.

Away from home

If you travel to new places often or work away a lot and find it hard to stick to a routine, a brisk walk around a new town offers the dual benefits of fitness and sightseeing. Did you know that a thirty-minute walk gives you time for a heart-pumping two-mile walk? If you’re short on time, try breaking it up in to two fifteen-minute walks or even three ten-minute walks. It all counts!

If you belong to a gym franchise, check to see if you’re eligible for a temporary pass in other locations closer to work or where ever you happen to be. Loads of chains allow you to use any member gym, and others offer cheap day passes. If you’re a gym bunny, this is a great way to maintain your fitness when you’re away from home.

If you’re away from home, keep in mind that, a lot of hotels have at least basic fitness facilities.

It’s easy to make excuses not to exercise, especially when you’re away from home, but there’s no reason to neglect your fitness just because you’re busy. Use your imagination to find ways to keep active on the go and stay healthy, regardless of how busy life gets.

Make sure you look for the next post soon. I’ll be talking about how to stay motivated and what you should look for in a good personal trainer.