Getting a 9-to-5 job can be a big stabilizing factor in your
life. There's security and structure built in, and that's attractive. However,
you realize a lot of your life goes towards your work hours, and you might have
trouble finding time to do what you want outside of work. One of the hardest
things to maintain is a physically active lifestyle around a 9“5 job.
Oftentimes, it's the last thing you want to do after work.
Many modern tools, such as a Lifespan standing desk
treadmill, allow you to get your workout in while you're at work or working
from home. But this isn't the only solution. If your job is already physically
demanding or you can't stay in one place while you work, this might not be the
most ideal option. But if you have flexibility in the office or can work from
home, it can be life-changing.
In this blog, we'll break down some ways to stay active
around your traditional 9“5 job. Keep in mind: It might require some
significant changes in your daily routine, but that's the point of improving
your physical fitness, right? You may be surprised to find it's not as big a
change as you might think, and the results will be your reward. Let's get
started.
1. Become a morning workout person
Admittedly, this is a pretty significant change. A 9“5 job
already demands an early rise. If you want to start running or hitting the gym
before you have to report for work, you'll likely have to wake up much earlier
and go to sleep earlier as well.
But rising with the sun to start the day on a positive note
makes you feel great. It gets you in a mindset that lends itself to your work.
The day has already begun, so you don't need to shift into work mode first
thing in the morning. Studies have shown that working out in the morning is a
great way to improve your productivity, sleep cycle, metabolism, and
more.
2. Work out directly after work
This is a great option for those that work in an office or
otherwise sedimentary environment throughout the day. Going to the gym after
clocking out is a great way to unwind after the demands of the workday. If you
force yourself to go to the gym before you go home, you'll be more relaxed and
in a better mood when you finally do get home.
This can be difficult to stick to if you aren't disciplined.
It may be easier to wake up and hit the gym or go on a run immediately, but if
you aren't a morning person, you may need to shift to an after-work workout
routine.
3. Make your weekends more active
You may not have the energy, bandwidth, or capacity to work
out around your work schedule. In this model, you could compensate by
prioritizing your weekends as times to get out and get active. If you live in a
place that's ideal for hiking or outdoor activities, like Colorado, it can be
an easy thing to add to the weekly schedule. But no matter where you live, you
can run, play basketball, get a bike, or even walk on the treadmill while you
watch your favorite sports team or reality TV show.
You can dedicate one weekend to cardio, then the next to
lifting, or vice versa. The important thing is holding yourself to your workout
commitments. The weekends allow you to switch up your workouts and become more
physically active in a versatile way.
4. Work out while you're working
Again, this model only works if you're able to use workout
equipment while you're working. If your office allows you to modify your desk
or work area, you could take frequent breaks to do physical exercises at your
desk. Treadmill desks and other similar pieces of equipment allow you to walk,
run, or jog while working on your laptop or taking calls.
If you can work from home, your workout station becomes much
more versatile. A massage office chair, a standing desk, a treadmill desk, a traditional treadmill,
or even an exercise ball as a chair can have massive effects on your health. It
may help you be more productive or keep your energy up during the day. If you
can't work out at the same time as working, you can take walks during calls or
take breaks to crank out some exercises every 30 minutes or so.
5. Treat your workouts like your work
Just like you would never miss a shift or work meeting, hold
yourself to the same standard when it comes to exercising and staying active.
If you see your workout schedule as an extension of your job, you're more
likely to stick with it every day. This may mean taking breaks from technology
throughout the day in an effort to eliminate distractions. It may mean setting
short- and long-term goals for your fitness and meeting those deadlines with
strict discipline.
Reward yourself as well as your boss. Make sure you provide
incentives for yourself to stay active and hold yourself accountable. It makes
it that much more rewarding when you attain your goals and settle into a new
routine. Sure, give yourself a few personal days when you're really not feeling
it. But if you treat your fitness like your career, you'll see stronger
results.
Conclusion
Improving your lifestyle to be more physically active is one
of the toughest challenges you can take on, especially if you aren't very
active to begin with. It can be tough to get up extra early for a workout
knowing you have a long day in the office ahead of you. Plus, after a tough day
at work, going to the gym directly after getting off can feel like the last
thing you want to do.
That's why you should simply give it a try”a real try. See
if the benefits you feel from starting the day in a productive way or holding
yourself to your goals are worth it. Try to make your workouts more fun. Find a
workout buddy to tackle shared goals with. And get creative with your workouts
and exercise routine.
Don't let the 9-to-5 win and keep you from your fitness
goals or achieving the active lifestyle you want. But in reality, the best time
to work out is when you can find the time.
