I recently spent two days commuting back and forth about 50 miles.

This commute took an hour and a half each way and by the time I got home I was tired.  I did not feel like going to the gym or doing any type of exercise.  I probably looked like good ole Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction by the end of it.

Now knowing myself, I knew that if I did not get any exercise in the morning, then it wasn’t going to happen so I did wake up about an hour earlier so that I could do a home workout one day and I could make it to the gym for a 45 minute workout the next day before 6 a.m.

What struck me though was how TIRED I was after being in the car for an hour and a half.  I was driving not walking back and forth for 50 miles but I still was tired as if I had done that so I truly empathize with people who must commute every day.

Commuting is a soul killing activity.

Many people do not exercise because they are too tired when they get home from work to do any sort of movement.  Here are some tips if you find yourself needing more movement but are tired when you get home from work.

1. Exercise Early if you can

I know that if I exercise early in the morning then it will get done.  There are fewer distractions for me early in the morning and I am a morning person.  This won’t work for everyone.  Some people simply are not morning people and do better later on in the day.  If you find that you can get up an hour earlier and get some movement in (even if it’s a brisk walk around the neighborhood) then do it.  You will get your blood flowing and your energy will be up.

Note:  The first week will be the toughest.  You’ll want to roll back over but just stay with it for at least a week.

2. Invest in Home workout equipment

20-30 minutes with dumbbells, bands, and kettlebells is more than enough to build strength and get your heart pumping.  I invested in some home workout equipment and DVD’s for when I know there won’t be time to go to the gym and I need to get it over with.

The workout DVD’s I have are no more than 35 minutes.  I also design workouts for people and I can design effective and heart pumping workouts for home exercisers.

If you’re interested in learning more, then please e-mail me at: geneva@fiercelyfitlifestyle.com

3.  Keep it simple:  Commit to 2 days per week and go from there

Trying to commit to 5 days of exercise when you’re currently at zero can get so overwhelming that you just give up and quit before you get started.

Pick 2 days per week to commit to exercise and then be consistent.  Once you’re consistent with 2 days per week, you’ll build momentum and then before you know it you’ll be up to 3 or 4 days per week.

Right now I’ve committed to one day of Yoga per week.  I have been consistent with this because it’s only one day.  I know that I will build up on this consistency.  Gyms don’t seem to understand this.  They want people to commit to 5 and 6 days per week when people have trouble committing to 1-2 days per week.

Remember

Simplicity + Consistency = Success

4. Incorporate movement into your every day life

Recently an instructor friend and I were talking and she made the point that people will come to a gym, work out hard for an hour, and then go back to sitting.

As the IDEA Fitness Journal pointed out last year, we need more movement and less exercise.

Last year during one of our walking challenges, several of us were SHOCKED we could walk to our neighborhood stores for grocery shopping.  We thought it would take 8 hours to walk there and back when really it was less than an hour.

Here are some ways you can incorporate more movement into your life.

  • Walk at Lunch
  • Walk to errands instead of driving
  • Find activities that you enjoy: Yoga, DANCE, recreational leagues, etc.
  • Get Outside on the Weekends: Go hiking, go for walks in nature, walk the dogs, etc.
  • Do Home Improvement activities:  YES Cleaning and organizing counts!
  • When meeting friends suggest walks instead of sitting and eating (or do the walk first and eat later)

5. Gain accountability with a supportive community

After teaching Group Exercise for a number of years, I know that many people continue to show up to class (even when they are tired) because of the fun and energy that happens in a group exercise setting.

Even for me as the instructor, there have been times when I have been tired, frustrated, or unmotivated but getting the music going and being around the upbeat atmosphere, I am glad that I showed up!

Find a supportive community to be accountable to whether it’s a Facebook group, a weekend exercise class, or a fitness coach.