Maintaining an active lifestyle should be a top priority. Work can get in the way of working out- when life gets chaotic, exercise is the first thing that disappears from schedules. We struggle to find time to work out, but we can’t afford to not exercise because it is necessary for mental and physical success. It is important to find the time to prioritize regular exercise to mentally recharge. Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins and by raising energy levels. It increases stamina, improves mental clarity, boosts the immune system, and improves moods. By taking care of ourselves we can function to a higher level that we have strived for at our jobs, at home, and in our communities.
When I started my first full time job, all I would do was work all day then get home and be so tired from work that I would sleep, eat, and then go back to sleep. This was my pattern for about 10 months and it was a very unhealthy. My body started to feel heavy, I was always tired, I gained weight, and my mood was all over the place.
After a while, I realized I needed to get back to taking care of myself. I moved to the Bay Area to get more involved in dance and I made it a goal to start teaching again. I registered to become BollyX instructor certified and started to attend classes nearby to get back into the rhythm of exercising and made sure I paced myself back into an active lifestyle. By the time I was certified and was ready to teach, I was a more energized and a healthier version of myself. Dance fitness and working out in general, became a permanent part of my life and an extension of my daily schedule.
Below are some tips to help you motivate yourself to stay fit despite a demanding job:
1. Cater to Your Own Likes and Dislikes
One person’s running is another person’s yoga, weight training, or dance. Choose a form of exercise that fits your lifestyle, personality, taste. Once you get comfortable with one form of working out, it becomes easier to experiment with other different forms of exercise until you find additional formats that you want to add to your routine.
2. Make a Schedule and Commit to It
One of the most common excuses we hear to not exercise is: “I am too busy at work so I can’t….” It is okay to let work dictate the majority of your schedule, but it very important to take care of yourself and not use work as a constant excuse. Block out time on your calendar to exercise and so that you aren’t pulled into a work commitment. The truth is that when we really need to, we get out of the office when we think it is necessary. Make a schedule, stick to it, and remind yourself that exercising is a priority that is worth keeping.
3. Track Your Activity Levels
There’s an old saying: “If you don’t measure it, it doesn’t exist”. It is an exaggeration, but it is motivating. Keep track of when you work out on your calendar, add it up at the end of the week, month, and year so you can monitor your progress and find areas for improvement. Get a Fitbit to track your daily activity and watch your growth- set goals, get involved in daily challenges, and surpass your milestones. The best competition is competition against yourself and find a community to motivate you can help you keep going. Measuring your activity levels can help you stay on track and realize when you’re slipping before you’ve lost the habit.
4. Choose Something Over Nothing
You don’t need an entire hour to get an effective workout. It is better to work out a little bit than to not workout at all. There are ways to find a few free minutes in the day to fit in a small workout. Short, speedy, and effective program that is done frequently can do great things to your body and mind. Get in some exercises at your desk, use fitness apps, do bodyweight exercises, or go for a run- something is better than nothing.
Commit to making exercise a priority in your life, and never settle for less than feeling strong and fit. Finding the right balance is challenging, but small steps to improvement and a regular lifestyle will help you find that personal sweet spot.
About the Author:
Namisha grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and her first memory of dancing was dancing around the house to non-stop Hindi music. She started training in Kathak, a classical dance from North India, at 6 years old and traveled to Bangalore, India to train with Pandit Birju Maharaj, Saswati Sen, and Nadam Dance Troupe.
Through her dance career, she performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, ASHA, and was the inaugural dancer at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. In high school, she co-founded a dance studio, SuraChandam, and taught Bollywood, Contemporary and Kathak.
Namisha currently teaches at DogPatch Dance and Yoga in San Francisco on Mondays at 6:30pm, Stanford SCRA in Palo Alto on Tuesdays at 5pm, and the Palo Alto Family YMCA on Thursdays at 6pm.